Bringing Everyone Together: The 2025 Employee Voice Survey Coming Soon, Vote for Its Name Now!
This April, we invite you to share your feedback about your work experience through the 2025 Employee Voice Survey. The System survey will be open for the entire month of April to give everyone plenty of time to complete it. Read more about the survey here and click here to vote for the name of the survey here.
W2s and You
It’s nearly tax time! The 2024 W-2s are now available for you to access via Workday. If you did not opt in before Jan. 7, 2025, you will receive a paper copy in the mail. If you have any questions, reach out to Payroll.
ALL EMPLOYEE MESSAGE: Guidance for Interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents
Please click here to read this important guidance for all employees regarding interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents or other state or federal agents. Please take the time to make yourself familiar with the policy linked in this article.
Suggestions for patient/family messaging are also included.
Internal Disaster Update
Due to continued supply chain issues following the flooding of the Baxter facility in North Carolina and the recent increase in demand to a high census, Cook Children’s continues to operate under an internal disaster due to a shortage of IV fluids.
We want to make sure that everyone throughout the system receives the same information and follows the same guidelines. We will update our Critical Shortage: IV Fluid pageas necessary. Please check this page often and bookmark/pin this page in your “Important Places Directory” for your convenience. The following is important information found on this page:
Updated Fluid Conservation Strategies
Infusion Changes: Fluid and Line Expiration Chart
Department Specific Resources
Your Teen Headed to College? Apply Now for Our Scholarship
Applications are open for the 2025 Presidents' Scholarship program. Since 2008, Cook Children’s has been helping to foster the collegiate pursuits of employees’ children each year through our Presidents’ Scholarship program. In keeping with our Promise, Cook Children's created the Presidents' Scholarship to establish a legacy for health care through academic advancement. Student applications are due Monday, April 7.
Applications are also open for employees who are interested in being on the 2025 Selection Committee. Applications are due Monday, March 3.
Beginning Feb. 4, 2025, Cook Children's is updating the MyCookChildren’s/MyChart patient portal result release strategy for labs, imaging, and procedures. This update strengthens our commitment to patient-centered care, aligns us with our pediatric peers nationwide, and ensures compliance with the 21st Century Cures Act.
What is changing?
Upon ordering a lab, image, or procedure, you will be able to see the default release schedule and change it, if appropriate. Many results that have previously required manual release will now be released automatically once the final result is available. In some instances, results will be held for a set period when a patient is in the hospital (until assigned a physician/APP in the ED, on inpatient units between 1900-0800, and while in OR, until the patient is transferred or discharged home).
If you are contacted by parents about results before a clinician has been able to speak with them, assure them that they will be hearing directly from the clinician with more details.
How do I learn more?
Please take a moment to review this tip sheet about changes coming to lab, image, and procedure orders.
You can also click here for more resources and the most up-to-date information about Result Release.
How the ‘Peaks Support Group’ Came Together to Save A Special Cat
Just before Christmastime, several employees noticed a young cat sitting next to a garage stairwell at Cook Children's Medical Center-Fort Worth. Employees began feeding the friendly cat, taking care of her, and even visiting the kitty on their off days just to ensure she was okay.
The employees named her Peaks in honor of our beloved mascot and her home and created a ‘Peaks Support Group’ with its own GroupMe chat to coordinate efforts to keep her safe and find her a forever home.
In this article in the Connect Newsroom, learn about how employees from across the System collaborated to care for their four-legged friend and made special connections along the way.
NOTE: This story is a unique case. We want to stress that if you encounter another animal on our grounds who is in need, Security is available to assist. Please call 682-885-1047 or in Prosper, call 945-204-1050.
News from the Cook Children's Health Foundation
Sign up for The Blast today
The Blast is Cook Children’s annual walk benefiting the Hematology and Oncology Center. But The Blast is more than just a walk. It is a chance to show every child living with pediatric cancer they are never alone on their journey. Their friends, neighbors and the whole team at Cook Children’s are right beside them every step of the way. Watch this video here.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, Mar. 29 at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth. It’s time to sign up, donate and show up for our patients and their families. Sign up now at http://www.blastwalk.org and use code CCHCS10 to save $10 off your registration. Create your own team with coworkers or join our system-wide Cook Children’s Healthcare System team.
Cook Children’s Day at the Rodeo
Saddle up and join us next Wednesday, Feb. 5 for Cook Children’s Day at the Rodeo.
On this special day, half of the proceeds from every ticket sold will benefit our tiniest Texans in our NICU. Buy your tickets here.
Round up your posse, grab your tickets and let’s make this rodeo a rootin’-tootin’ success for our little buckaroos.
Employees Care: Together we promise. Together we give.
The 2025 Employees Care campaign kicks off Monday, Feb. 3—and it’s your chance to sprinkle a little extra magic into our patients’ lives! Every dollar you give helps fund life-saving treatments, joyful toys and spaces where kids can heal, laugh and play.
When you join Employees Care, you’re not just making a difference—you’re joining a team who believe in brighter tomorrows for our patients. Plus, you’ll snag an exclusive T-shirt to show off your big heart!
Giving is easy! Choose a one-time gift or set up a recurring donation. Visit CookNet for details and sign-up events! We’ll see you on Monday for our first sign-up event!
Dream big with Blue Peaks Giving Circle
Have a groundbreaking idea that could make a big impact on clinical care? The Blue Peaks Giving Circle, a group of donors all about collaborative giving, is here to help bring your vision to life! Departments and programs within Cook Children’s apply for support and members vote to direct their pooled funds after learning about the front-line care needed for our patients.
Last year the Blue Peaks Giving Circle granted over $282,000 to thirteen different grant requests. In total the giving circle has granted over $693,000 to thirty-four proposals. To learn more about funded grant applications, view funded grant requests here.
The application process opens Monday, Feb. 3 and closes on Friday, Mar. 7—so don’t wait to turn your bright idea into reality!
Fresh Produce for Eastside Families Thanks to Cook Children's
Cook Children’s is proud to be part of the remodeled Eastside YMCA Community Impact Center, which held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 27. The Eastside YMCA on Sandy Lane recently completed the first phase of a re-development, which included renovating its existing building, outdoor area, room for learning, fitness room, community kitchen, and youth areas.
Thanks to Cook Children’s Health Care System and Texas Health Resources, Eastside families in need will also have access to fresh, healthy produce. The Eastside YMCA is one of 20 Good For You Healthy Hubs, which offer no cost fresh fruits and vegetables as well as recipe cards, cooking utensils, nutrition education workshops and other resources to help families make the most of the produce they receive. Cook Children’s Center for Community Health provided a two-year grant to help fund the Eastside YMCA Healthy Hub location, and will offer educational sessions that focus on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and other ways to support healthy lifestyles.
It’s Rodeo time in Texas, y’all! Employees are invited to wear their best western gear to work in honor of Cook Children’s Night at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on Wednesday, Feb 5.
The BIG Game on Feb. 9: Are you ready for some football? Employees are welcome to wear their favorite football jersey and/or attire in support of the upcoming Super Bowl LIX weekend from Feb. 6 to 9. All western and sportswear must be family friendly and appropriate for our organization and your role. For questions contact amy.smith@cookchildrens.org
Our People
Celebrating Our Top Peak Performers for 2023-2024
At Cook Children's, we are committed to recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of our employees. Each year, we have the honor of presenting the top performer awards to a select group of individuals from each company and teams who have consistently demonstrated excellence in their work.
The 14th Annual Peak Performer Awards Dinner and Celebration took place on Jan 16. The celebration recognized 115 individual Peak Performers and 10 Peak Performer teams selected as recipients in our peer-to-peer recognition program. Click here to see who was announced as the Top Peak Performers for 2023-2024.
These recipients have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on our patients, our community, and our organization. They are role models for their colleagues and embody the Cook Children's values.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Cook Children's, and your ongoing commitment to Our Promise.
A new Peak Performer program year begins. Let’s celebrate our 2024-2025 first quarter recipients
Recognizing an Icon: Sal Cruz, Director, Clinical Engineering
Congratulations to Salvador Cruz, Director, Clinical Engineering, the first-ever recipient of the Healthcare Technology Management Association - North Texas' Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was presented to Sal by his peers as a special salute to his remarkable career, dedication to the field, impact, and legacy.
Sal is a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan. During his deployments, Sal honed his craft maintaining and repairing medical devices while also supporting operations beyond the wire. He would go on to pass the critical knowledge and skills acquired on these deployments to US military biomedical technicians.
In November 2009, Sal began a new chapter at Cook Children's. He immediately began to implement new processes to extend the lifecycle of equipment. During his tenure, Sal's teams have maintained all assets they've been entrusted with as Cook Children's flagship campus has quadrupled in size with expansions of the Dotson Specialty Clinic, as well as the North and South Towers. In 2023, Sal's leadership was integral to the opening of a new 125 bed facility: Cook Children's Medical Center Prosper.
Sal is a maverick who tends to think outside the box. His ingenuity was apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when his team setup a UV room to remove pathogens from critical assets. Throughout the years, he has consistently found refreshing ways to inspire his technicians through events and initiatives such as the “HTM Games” during HTM Week.
Congratulations to Tanisha Grant, Compliance Director
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) announced the appointment of Tanisha Grant, MBA, MLS, LSSYB, CCEP, CHPC, CHC, CPC, CPCO, CPMA, to its National Advisory Board (NAB). Tanisha joins a distinguished group of industry leaders dedicated to providing critical insights into healthcare trends, member needs, and strategic initiatives to advance AAPC’s mission and support the business of healthcare.
She brings over 15 years of expertise in healthcare administration and compliance, focusing on policies, staff training, risk assessments, and monitoring. She holds an MBA and a Master of Legal Studies in health law from Texas A&M. She is skilled in healthcare regulations like HIPAA, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and Stark law, with proficiency in medical coding, billing, and auditing.
“With her extensive expertise, we look forward to her valuable contributions in shaping AAPC’s initiatives—ranging from enhancing member benefits and support to expanding externship and job opportunities, advancing educational programs tailored to industry needs, and elevating our national events,” said Raemarie Jimenez, President of Membership and Content at AAPC. "As an advisor, she will play a pivotal role in strengthening healthcare standards and empowering practices and organizations within the AAPC community. Her addition reinforces our commitment to innovation and excellence in revenue cycle management."
Meet Cathy Carroll, MBA, RRT-NPS, Director of Respiratory Care
Newsweek recently named Cook Children's one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women. We're introducing you to some of the women who make Cook Children's such an amazing place.
ForCathy Carroll, MBA, RRT-NPS,Director of Respiratory Care, Medical Center- Fort Worth, work isn’t just a profession — it’s a personal mission. Having battled childhood asthma and now standing strong as a five-year breast cancer survivor, she knows firsthand the struggles her patients face and the strength it takes to overcome them.
“My journey to health care began at an early age due to many hospital and emergency room visits for asthma care,” she said. “I watched the nurses as they cared for me with such compassion that I felt inspired to become a nurse. As I got older, I decided nursing was not for me. However, I knew that I wanted to be in the health care field and was determined to provide care and compassion to the ill, which led me to pursue a rather new field, Respiratory Therapy, to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Cathy spends her days interacting with her staff and peers, listening to and supporting their needs and guiding them as they provide bedside care. She has been a member of the Cook Children’s family for 42 years and knows the culture inside and out.
Please click here to read more of Cathy's story and meet other women who are making Cook Children's a special place to work.
Retirement Announcement for Larry Iles, Information Services - EPIC Department
Larry Iles, RN, Clinical Manager, Epic OR/Anesthesia Applications, Information Services - EPIC Department, is retiring from Cook Children’s Health System after more than 35 years of service on Feb. 1.
“Larry has made invaluable contributions in the roles he has served throughout our system. Larry’s continued commitment to providing exceptional care has touched many lives, making last impacts for both patients and staff. We are so grateful for his unwavering service and commitment to living our Promise,” said Stacey Rychlik, Director of Inpatient Clinical Apps, IS Epic. “Larry, as you embark on this exciting new chapter, we wish you much happiness, relaxation, and many more wonderful adventures ahead with family and friends. Happy retirement & best wishes!”
ALL EMPLOYEE MESSAGE: Guidance for Interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents
Internal Disaster Update
Just before Christmastime, several employees noticed a young cat sitting next to a garage stairwell at Cook Children's Medical Center-Fort Worth. Employees began feeding the friendly cat, taking care of her, and even visiting the kitty on their off days just to ensure she was okay. 
News from the Cook Children's Health Foundation
The 2025 Employees Care campaign kicks off Monday, Feb. 3—and it’s your chance to sprinkle a little extra magic into our patients’ lives! Every dollar you give helps fund life-saving treatments, joyful toys and spaces where kids can heal, laugh and play.
Cook Children’s is proud to be part of the remodeled Eastside YMCA Community Impact Center, which held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 27. The Eastside YMCA on Sandy Lane recently completed the first phase of a re-development, which included renovating its existing building, outdoor area, room for learning, fitness room, community kitchen, and youth areas.
Recognizing an Icon: 
Congratulations to Tanisha Grant, Compliance Director
Retirement Announcement for Larry Iles, Information Services - EPIC Department