Connect Newsletter (Feb. 16, 2023)

Research: Major Scientific Discovery from Neuroscience Research Center 

Groundbreaking research at Cook Children’s Health Care System could help doctors around the globe precisely identify which part of the brain is causing seizures in children with epilepsy. The Neurosciences Research Center at Cook Children’s, which is led by Professor Christos Papadelis, Ph.D., successfully demonstrated how noninvasive techniques and advanced computer modeling could be used to measure the electric and magnetic signals generated by the neural cells in the brain. Through this work, the team identified functional networks responsible for generating seizures in the brains of children with epilepsy. The findings, which were published on Feb. 15 in the esteemed neurology journal Brain, are significant because they allow physicians to better determine where brain surgery via resection (or ablation with laser heat) will be successful in stopping seizures in children.   

Read a news release here.

Video: Happy Birthday, Garth Brooks, from Cook Children's

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Child Life Zone, the team in our Sparklefly Recording Studio did an arrangement of Garth Brooks’ song “The Dance," to honor the country music superstar on his birthday. He is a major supporter of Teammates for Kids, which establishes Child Life Zones across the country. He has been a catalyst for the Child Life Zone at Cook Children's Medical Center-Fort Worth. His impact has been healing for those still here in "the dance" as well as those whose legacy still dances on. Watch the video on the CLZ TV's YouTube page. 

Love Bugs: Nurses Crochet Hats for Our Tiny Valentines

Little heart warriors in our Cardiac Intensive Care Unit look extra cute wearing special “love bug” hats crocheted by Cook Children’s Heart Center team members Devin Walters, RN, and Rebekah Kimsey, RN. Devin and Rebekah are certainly modeling our values of kindness, generosity and imagination.

 “Our heart patients and families are so tough,” said Walters. “I can’t take away their diagnosis, but this is one thing I enjoy doing to brighten their stay.”

Walters and Kimsey worked together to make these adorable hats during their spare time.

“I love taking care of my heart babes and wanted to honor them during heart month,” said Kimsey. “Hats are an easy way to do just that. And maybe they’ll bring a smile to their parents as well.”

More adorable photos here.

Accreditation for Lean Six Sigma Yellow and Green Belt Certifications 

Cook Children’s now has accreditation status with The Council for Six Sigma Certification for the CCHCS Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification programs. A search is underway for an accreditation entity to assess/certify the Lean Practitioner program. The Process Improvement department has offered three industry certifications to our employees since 2019. 

Independent validation affirms our certification approaches as we take on operational issues that inhibit excellence and effectiveness. Read more.

Blue Peaks Giving Circle Grant Applications Open

Is your team seeking funding for an innovative project that has a high potential for results that will have clinical application and impact? Applications are open for support from the Blue Peaks Giving Circle, a foundation philanthropic support group. The deadline is March 10.

All the details are here.

Black History Month: In Their Own Words

Hear from colleagues around the System, who have generously shared their perspectives, memories and stories about what Black History Month means to them. There's still time to participate. If you'd like to include your story, email Internal Communications and be sure to include your name, department and location. 

Burnout Survey Update  

Thank you to everyone who participated in last year’s System Maslach Burnout Survey. We wanted to provide you a quick update on what’s happening now and in the future.

We’re currently sharing the results of the survey with your executive leadership teams across the system. Executive leadership will then share the results for your team, as we take our first steps to reduce and prevent burnout.

We want you to know that it is a priority for the system to address this issue and we will provide more information in the future.

Prosper Cafeteria Hours on CookNet

The Over the Moon Cafe at the Cook Children’s Medical Center-Prosper offers many enjoyable and affordable food choices onsite for employees and the public. It's located on the first floor of the facility. You can now find information about the Cafe on Cooknet.

Don’t forget to check out Prosper's own Cookie Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  with sweet, crunchy fresh baked treats for just $1.

Over the Moon Cafe is open:

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday

7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

VIDEO: Sneak Peek of the Burnett School of Medicine Campus 

Our colleagues at the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University are hard at work on construction of their four-story medical education building on Rosedale Avenue in Fort Worth. Several of our physicians are on the faculty of the medical school.

Are you curious about what the facility will include? They’ve created a new video to give you a look at the concrete pouring of the first floor as well as some of the main elements that will be onsite, including a Learning Studio, Arcade, café and elevators. The building will support 240 medical students and hundreds of faculty members and staff by summer 2024. 

Employees Care: Where Does Your Help Go?

When you give to Employees Care, you can choose to support one of two areas. The Children’s Fund provides much needed resources to the areas of our greatest need. Whether that is charity care, the Child Study Center, equipment, community programs, resources for locations across our system or other areas, Children’s Fund helps us expand and provide the care that is needed.

Designating your support to Patient Experience provides funding for programs and activities help programs and activities that take the patient experience to the next level. This includes Camps for Kids, play areas, Laughter League, Tri My Best Triathlon, augmented communication devices for families, Spiritual Care and emergency family assistance, just to name a few.

To make your donation, visit the Employees Care page on CookNet.

Ash Wednesday on February 22

Christians of various denominations and creeds observe Lent for 40 days leading up Easter. The first day of Lent is known as Ash Wednesday and falls on February 22 this year.

On Ash Wednesday, Christians often have ashes imposed on their forehead by a clergy person as they are encouraged to reflect on their own humanity and fast from self-indulgence as they prepare for the celebrations of Easter.   

Recognizing that many employees may not be able to participate in services within their own faith communities, Spiritual Care will offer the Imposition of Ashes for staff at several locations on Feb. 22. Click here for details.

Happy Retirement

Dena Hanson, Librarian, Library and Health Literacy Services, is retiring from the system on March 3 after more than 28 years of service to Cook Children's. We encourage you to take a moment to send Dena a farewell note or a congratulatory eCard by March 2. 

Everyone at the system is invited to join us from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 3 in the Family Support Meeting Rooms A&B at Cook Children’s Medical Center-Fort Worth as we wish Dena well in her new adventure!

Tell Us: Women Making History at Cook Children’s

Women’s History Month is coming up in March and we want to highlight stories of female employees who have made history at Cook Children's or have been a part of history-making events here. Please send an email with your name and location to Internal Communications if you'd like to participate.

Feedback Wanted! 

If you have a suggestion or a contribution for this newsletter, please email us here: InternalCommunications@cookchildrens.org.