Connect Newsletter (Jan. 6, 2026)

Watch our System Town Hall

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent System Town Hall. We were able to share exciting updates and address key objectives as we work to meet the explosive growth in our communities. We appreciate your collaboration and enthusiasm as we move toward the future. 

If you were unable to attend the live session or would like to revisit specific topics discussed, we have made the full recording available for you to view at your convenience.

Visit Connect Newsroom to view a recap of the event. 

2026 Primary Care and Mental Health Benefits: Upcoming Changes and Enhancements

As announced in our System Town Hall, this year Cook Children's will be transitioning to a new partnership with Texas Health Physicians Group (THPG). This will replace the current CareATC benefit. To launch our new service, we will begin in Prosper. 

Texas Health Family Care - Prosper is now open. The facility is a six-to-eight-minute drive east of the Prosper campus at 1970 W. University Drive, #100. Employees will find:

1. Reserved appointment times exclusively for Cook Children's and covered family members (18+).
2. Access to over 1,600 primary care visits in 2026 at no cost or low cost.

Cook Children's and THPG Fort Worth is slated to open in spring 2026. During this time CareATC Fort Worth will still be available.

Please visit Connect Newsroom for more information and stay tuned for more details. 

UKG Management System Training Available Now

Who Needs Training?
All staff involved with schedules, timecards, and PTO submissions in UKG (Kronos)
All leaders with direct reports who manage timecards, schedules, and PTO approvals
All staff who use or manage Advanced Schedules (such as inpatient units and Emergency Department)
**Please note training was assigned based on who has access to manage advanced schedules. If you no longer are in that role but were mistakenly assigned Managing Advanced Scheduling training, please email Rhiannon.McDonnell@cookchildrens.org 

What is UKG Workforce Management?
On Feb. 8, 2026, UKG-Workforce Management goes live, replacing our current Kronos tool. UKG makes timekeeping, scheduling, and related activities more streamlined and easier to use. To help you understand what’s changing and what this means for your day-to-day experience, we have the following tools:

• Interactive CBTs, each roughly five to seven minutes long, available in role specific learning paths in ULearn. Please note this training is critical to using the new schedule and timekeeping system and ensuring your paychecks are correct! These lessons can be taken at your own pace. To help with retention, we recommend completing lessons over several days or weeks rather than all at once.
• The UKG Resources Site on CookNet has the following helpful resources:
  • This ​short overview video​ for a first look at the new system in action!
  • Role specific ​“What’s Changing” guides​ breaking down updates based on your role.
  • Step-by-step tip sheets will be available as we approach Go Live. 

Where can you find your Training?
Click on the links below to access your training in ULearn. 

Microsoft 365 Apps Automatic Update Coming Next Week

We are transitioning all Cook Children’s computers to the latest Microsoft 365 (M365) desktop applications. You can self-install M365 apps via the Software Center. Visit the Connect Newsroom for more details: M365: You Can Now Self-Install Microsoft 365 Apps

We strongly encourage you to do this now to control when your computer restarts and updates.

Any computers that have not been updated voluntarily will be automatically updated starting on Jan. 13, 2026.

Here’s how that will work:

If your machine is on but you’re not logged in: The M365 Apps installation will install on its own. This can occur any time starting on Jan. 13, 2026.

If you are logged into your computer: Users will be prompted to install Microsoft 365 Apps to your computer. You will get three pop up prompts on your computer letting you know when to move forward.

Please read the instructions for full details under the downloads tab on the right-hand side of this page. 

IMPORTANT: Driving Routes Impacted Across Fort Worth Medical Center

As we begin building the new West Tower, impacts on local roads and thoroughfares are to be expected. To ensure a smooth journey, it is highly recommended to plan ahead for your commute and allow extra time to reach your destination and report for your shift at your scheduled time.

To ensure you know the most current traffic updates, please bookmark this page. It will be updated often and will include major street closures, pedestrian sidewalk closures and any potential reroutes.

For more general information on the growth and development across the system, visit our "We're Growing” page.

Wellness Zone: Turn Your Goals into a Game Plan with Jump Start

The Wellness Zone invites you to join Jump Start a complimentary 30- to 45-minute session with a certified personal trainer, designed to help you: 

• Set clear fitness and wellness goals
• Learn how to use equipment safely
• Build confidence by experiencing a guided workout
• Get personalized program recommendations
• Make the most of your membership
• Complimentary to new and existing members

Sign up for Jump Start today to feel ready to go from day one. Email wellnesszone@cookchildrens.org to register.

View Jingle Mingle Photos from Across the System 

View our photos from Jingle Mingle across the system. We have photos from

• Prosper Medical Center
• Fort Worth Medical Center
• Calmont Office
• Lubbock Pediatric GI Clinic

If you have photos you would like to submit, please email teamexperience@cookchildrens.org. 

Congratulations to our employee holiday contest winners! View the winners here on the Team Experience CookNet site. 

Share Your Content with Us

Do you have any tips, ideas or content you would like us to know about? We want to hear from you! Please view our SharePoint site and email us at InternalCommunications@cookchildrens.org. 

To find more content about our employees and news you need to know, bookmark our Connect Newsroom website.