Connect Newsletter (Jan. 12, 2023)

Opening Day at Cook Children's Medical Center-Prosper

January 9 marked a milestone in the nearly 105-year history of Cook Children's Health Care System. Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper opened its doors to the community! We are honored to be able to offer families in the northern sector of the Metroplex the care they’ve come to expect and trust from Cook Children’s.

"Together, we have forever changed the way families, and most importantly children, are able to access world-class integrated pediatric health-care close to home. We have a lot to be proud of and none of it would have been possible without you. Together we will succeed in our Promise to improve the well-being of every child in our care and our communities," said Kevin Greene, Vice President, Administrator, Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper.

Taking you inside opening day:

We’ve posted an article, photos of employees and the first patients served at the facility, as well as news media coverage and a video chronicling the first day on the Checkup Newsroom and the Connect Newsroom.

Are you on Facebook? Please follow the Cook Children’s Medical Center–Prosper page for the latest news showcasing how we are serving our patient families. 

Fidelity Webinar Offers Tips to Take Control of Your Finances

Did you know that January is financial wellness month? Cook Children’s employees can learn new strategies for paying down debt at a virtual event presented on Jan. 26 by our financial partners at Fidelity. This 30-minute webinar will also cover the basics of interpreting your credit score.

• 9 a.m. session register here 
• 3 p.m. session register here

As an employee benefit, you’ll earn 100 Vitality Points for attending the webinar. Points may be cashed in for gift cards through the Vitality wellness program.

Let's Get Focused on Our Health Goals for 2023

It is easy to lose focus on personal growth in the rush of daily life. Get inspired and get practical with seven strategies to increase your focus on that next bucket list item. Gather for the January Healthy Me Lunch & Learn event at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 18.  Register here.

Employees are eligible for 100 Vitality Points for attending the webinar or watching the recorded link. The recorded link will be available within two to three days after the live event on the Healthy Me CookNet page.  

VIDEO: Learn More About Continuous Medication Infusions

Several teams at Cook Children’s have worked together over the past three years to meet national safety standards for continuous medication infusions. These are medications delivered into the bloodstream at a consistent rate over time to provide medication every moment, usually to critical patients.  

A patient may have a long journey: from the paramedic crew in the field, to an outlying hospital, a ride on Teddy Bear Transport, the Emergency Department, Surgery and Intensive Care Unit.  If the patient is on a continuous medication infusion that whole time, we want the patient to be getting the same drug at the correct rate at each and every step of the way. 

"We are proud that this team is leading the way amongst pediatric hospitals in meeting these standards, and we did so with strong teamwork," said Jason Evans, Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator.

WATCH a video on this process. 

Updated Zoom Backgrounds are Here 

Show your Cook Children’s spirit by using specially created Cook Children’s Zoom backgrounds when you are collaborating with colleagues virtually or working remotely. 

Download updated backgrounds to use on your laptop or desktop. (You must be on the network.)

Community Help Starts with A Call, Click or Text 

You never know when a family problem, crisis, or emergency will happen and you need help. If you are not sure what to do in these moments, we've compiled some ideas to help you get started. 

Please share these resources – available in English and Spanish – with friends, family, colleagues and neighbors. And be sure to check back often for new information.

VIDEO: What Will You Achieve in 2023? 

We’re looking forward to a year full of connection, collaboration and moments of magic at Cook Children’s. Hear from some employees who shared their plans to have a healthy, safe., happy and productive year. Check out the video here. 

Josh Abbott: Sharing Gifts of Song and Ice Cream

Texas Country artist Josh Abbott visited patients and staff members at Cook Children’s Medical Center on Jan. 6 to share his music and to bring some smiles and some Dairy Queen Dilly Bars to kids and staff. Abbott is the voice for Texas Dairy Queen. In June 2022, Abbott was chosen to create a fresh new sound for DQ® restaurants in Texas with one of the most recognizable jingles in the Lone Star State, “That’s What I like About Texas.”

While at Cook Children's, he sang the iconic jingle as well as several of his songs for the kids and team. He talked about his music journey, the band and his family, which includes his wife Taylor, daughter Emery and son Luck.

A full report on his visit.

Be a Blood Donor and Give Life

Several time slots are still open for the first blood drive of the year.  Can you be a donor? 

If you are able, please sign up for the first blood drive of 2023, scheduled for Jan. 30 in the Family Support Room A&B at Cook Children's Medical Center- Fort Worth. Download a flyer with more details. 

You can make an appointment for a time that is convenient for you and there will be limited availability for walk-ins. Please click here to schedule your appointment for the blood drive.