Connect Newsletter (Feb. 29, 2024)

Have You Signed Up for A Breaking Ice Performance?

Join us for one of six Breaking Ice theatrical shows on March 6, 7 and 8 in the Hochberger Auditorium. This powerful performance explores themes of diversity, inclusion, and belonging in a unique way. Learn more here in the Connect Newsroom. 

What makes this program so unique?  Noël Raymond, who has been performing with Pillsbury House for 29 years, lets us know what to expect.

VIDEO: An invite to Breaking Ice from Winifred “Wini” King, Chief Communications, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Officer.

Several performances will be live-streamed so you can join wherever you are. We've scheduled additional performances on March 6 and 7 to start at 5:30 p.m. to make it easier for evening shift employees to participate by coming in a little earlier for this special event. If you are an hourly employee, please clock in BEFORE attending the performance.

And don't forget, this is an opportunity to earn free continuing education credits.

Here's what to do:

• Get registered: You can sign up to attend Breaking Ice in-person or virtually through ULearn. Walk-ins are welcome for the day-of for each show, but registration is recommended.
• Group participation encouraged! Consider hosting a Watch Party in your department with your team! 
• Group photo: If your department plans to watch virtually as a group, send us a picture to internalcommunications@cookchildrens.org.
• Post-performance: After the performances, participants will be asked to sign up for a 90-minute online module on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Health Equity, which will also be available on ULearn here. 

Don't miss this unique opportunity to foster understanding and connection within our teams!

VIDEO: Employee Appreciation Day—Celebrating YOU

Friday, March 1, is national Employee Appreciation Day. Hear from leaders who speak from the heart about how they see our employees living our values every day in their interactions with patient families, guests and one another.

Let's work together to recognize colleagues and leaders who make a difference in your work. Click here to view the video and to read more from Team Experience about ways that we can send a positive wave of appreciation across the System. 
 

Reminder: Gather at Noon on Monday, March 4, for COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day 

Please join us for a moment of silence at noon on Monday, March 4, as we honor all of our physicians, nurses, health care professionals, first responders, essential workers and others who worked tirelessly to help get to the other side of the most challenging time in our System’s history. This new observance is an opportunity to celebrate our heroes and memorialize the almost 95,000 people in Texas who died because of COVID-19 since March 4, 2020. 

• At Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth, our night shift can stop by and pick up a pin and sign the Honor and Memorial Wall on the evening of Sunday, March 3.
• On March 4, please gather at noon in the Atrium for a special ceremony led by Jennifer Hayes, our Director of Spiritual Care. 
• In Prosper, Chaplain Amanda Payne Lindsay will lead a moment of reflection at noon on Monday, March 4.
• Throughout the day, you are invited to visit the Atrium and place a photo of a loved one, friend or coworker, or write something in their memory. Please respect the privacy of any patients who died during this time and not place any photos of them or identify them by name.
• Pins honoring our heroes will be available in the Atrium throughout the day on March 4. Please stop by, pick one up, and wear the pins on this day. 
• Regardless of your location throughout the System, we invite you to take a moment of silence at noon.

Black History Month: Meet Three Leaders in our Neighborhood Health Centers 

Making a difference: Three amazing women share their personal experiences, their commitment to the health of our patients, and how Cook Children's clinics meet the needs of the community. Click here to hear from LaTrice Carter, Candle Johnson, CPNP-PC, and Dayo Jolayemi, LMSW, LCSW.

PHOTOS: How We Celebrated Black History Month at Cook Children's

Black History Month activities were sponsored by our Employee Resource Group for Black/African Americans and allies, and centered around opportunities to learn about and recognize the contributions of Black Americans. Leaders of the ERG are pleased to announce that it has a new name: BOLD+, Black Organization for Leadership and Development – Be Authentic, Be You, Be BOLD. 

Check out the photos submitted by employees wearing gear from Greek-letter organizations and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We shared them here in the Connect Newsroom.

1095-C Tax Forms Now Available to View and Print in Workday

Every benefits-eligible employee under the Cook Children’s benefit plan is required to receive a 1095-C form, even if you didn’t participate in the plan. You don’t need it to file your taxes, but keep it for your records. 

Together We Can #BlastAwayCancer

Join us for The Blast, our annual 5K walk benefiting pediatric cancer research and treatments. On April 6, we’ll gather at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth to celebrate with patients who have won their battle, encourage patients who are in treatment, and honor the precious children who will never be forgotten. 

Gather your coworkers, family and friends and join us for a morning of family-friendly fun, including food trucks, inflatables, Build-a-Bear Workshop and more! Visit www.theblastwalk.org today to build your team now, and use code CCHCS10 for $10 off your registration.
 

Become an Employees Care Donor Today

We are in this together. Whether you schedule appointments, help families with insurance benefits, serve our community or deliver care to patients who need us most, your work creates everyday miracles. 

As an employee, you want your donation to directly impact the patients and families you serve. When you give to Employees Care, you can be confident knowing that you are a part of their entire medical journey. 

On this last day of our Employees Care promotion, we invite you to make your donation today. Please click here.

I give to make a difference. 

January 2024 Peak Performers

Congratulations to our January Peak Performers, selected for their amazing work in quality, safety and service. Click here to see who we're recognizing this month.

VIDEO: Safety Is in the Air with the Patient Handling Tool

Putting safety first is more than just a value – it's our way of life. That means looking out for our patients and the employees who care for them. This patient handling device will soon be available to help our team transfer patients, reducing strain and making those physically demanding tasks easier. 

Learn more about this game-changing tool and take 90 seconds to watch a demonstration of how it works.

#ThrowbackThursday: How Prosper Handled January’s Winter Weather

It's been warm this week but remember when dangerously cold weather blew through North Texas in January? It's hard to believe that was just six weeks ago!

 Read in the Connect Newsroom about how the Prosper team worked to keep everyone safe and warm.

News from Around Cook Children's

• Higher limits are now in place for cashless purchases made by swiping your employee badge at certain Cook Children’s retail locations. These charges are deducted from the employee’s paycheck. The limits are $200 per paycheck for employees and $400 for employees paid monthly. Read more.
• Social Worker of the Year nominations: Please help us recognize a social worker who has provided outstanding care for the Social Worker of the Year Award. Nominations are open through March 20.  Details and the link to submit a nomination are here. 
• ICYMI: Did you watch our first Town Hall Meeting of 2024? This video event has all the latest on what’s happening at Cook Children’s.  
• Register for an “Understanding Medicare Coverages” webinar to learn about Medicare eligibility, coverage and cost options, and how to get a free 1:1 consultation with a licensed Medicare advisor.  Details are here.
• ICYMI: The Retail Pharmacy on the Medical Center-Fort Worth first floor is being remodeled. Patients are being directed to the pharmacy on the Dodson Specialty Clinics first floor. For Emergency Department patients, the prescription pick-up area will temporarily move across from Medical Records. Temporary hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. On weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays, families are being directed to the Dodson P1 Garage and helped by a pharmacy team member. Curbside pickup is available at 701 Sixth Ave., Fort Worth.