An Arctic air mass has arrived in North and Central Texas, bringing below freezing temperatures, snow, freezing rain and the potential for icy conditions on sidewalks and roads on Thursday and Friday.
But injuries and illness don't stop because of challenging weather. Departments across Cook Children's Health Care System are working together to prepare locations so that our patient families can get the care they need and our staff members are safe at work.
In unsafe road and weather conditions, staff can stay at Cook Children’s after and in between shifts. Click here to read a winter weather guide for you and your team. For those of you who work on the Fort Worth campus, the process for Hero Hotel (formerly known as Hotel Cook) is the same as last year. Staff can go straight to a manager or leader to request sleeping arrangements and other resources. They will work directly with Hero Hotel to determine sleeping arrangements on your behalf.
Extraordinary events are an opportunity for us to live our values and commitment to serving our patients and colleagues. Please take a moment to review expectations during winter weather: we’ve compiled a quick look at some questions and answers about inclement weather policies and procedures at Cook Children’s.
Debbie Boudreaux, Vice President of Nursing and Patient Services at Medical Center-Fort Worth, was interviewed on CBS-11 on Jan. 8 about how we prepare to operate during a winter storm. Cook Children' has plenty of food, medication and supplies on hand and of room for staff to stay on-site if needed.
"We are able to work with our emergency management team to sleep our staff in the hospital," Debbie said. "We have more than 200 blow-up mattresses and linens and supplies for our staff so we can keep them here and keep them safe and off the roads." Watch the story here.
Send Us Your Winter Weather Pics
How are you, your teams and your family weathering the cold? Send us your photos! Be sure not to take any protected-health information or images of patients, or send us photos of colleagues without their consent.
Applause, please. On Dec. 30, Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper successfully completed their Joint Commission survey as part of the expanded second floor Pediatric ICU and fourth floor Medical/Surgical units.
Surveyors were highly impressed by the team’s innovative clinical workflow processes, recognizing many as "leading practices" within the industry. They also commended the child-centered design of the campus.
This success is a testament to the world-class care our Prosper teams provide daily, embodying our Pinky Promise: Everything for the child. Congratulations to all.
Always Ready: Joint Commission Resources
Surveyors from The Joint Commission will be visiting Fort Worth soon. Please ensure your unit is ready for their unannounced visit. Find helpful resources here.
The Joint Commission drives quality improvement and patient safety in health care. Thorough preparation for their survey is crucial to ensure compliance and maintain the highest standards of care, ultimately benefiting our patients.
ICYMI: Embracing the Future of Health Care with Artificial Intelligence
At Cook Children's, we're committed to providing the best possible care for our patients. That's why we're excited to share three pilot projects that use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the lives of our patients and families, as well as empower our employees with leading-edge technology.
Note: You must be on the Cook Children's system to view this video.
Congratulations to our Nursing Staff
Our nursing staff has been recognized for their hard work and dedication to their profession by their peers. This peer nominated Magnet Award coincides with Cook Children’s journey to its fifth Magnet Designation.
The Magnet Recognition Program is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the designation lasts for four years.
What a Year: Connection, Collaboration and Elevation in 2024
Wow - 2024 was a year filled with exciting milestones at Cook Children's. We witnessed the awe-inspiring solar eclipse, celebrated being named one of "America's Greatest Workplaces for Women," and launched our new podcast, "Untold: The Stories of Cook Children's."
Tips for Registering for Cook Children's Conferences
As we prepare for an exciting year of educational conferences, we want to ensure you have all the information you need about the payment process for these events. Here’s a simple guide to help you:
1. Complete your registration: Make sure your conference registration is fully completed. We can’t wait to see you there.
2. Using a transfer of funds (TOF)? No problem. Just follow these easy steps:
Download the TOF form: You’ll find it in your registration confirmation email.
Fill it out: Complete the entire form with all the necessary details.
Get approval: Be sure to have your manager or cost center approver sign it and include the appropriate cost center information.
Prefer to pay by credit card? If you’d rather not use a TOF, you’re welcome to pay by credit card instead.
3. Stay on track: Please submit your payment by the due date to avoid cancellation of your registration. We don’t want you to miss out.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to the Education and Professional Development Department.
Call for Abstracts for 2025 Research Symposium
The Cook Children's Research Symposium on March 6 and 7 celebrates the groundbreaking research happening under our Blue Peaks to improve the well-being of every child in our care and communities. This year we’ll showcase the innovative work of our investigators in collaboration with partners from academic institutions, industry, and charitable organizations. The deadline to submit abstracts is midnight on Jan. 12. Click here to submit an abstract.
Early Tickets to Texas Independence Jam
Y’all ready for some boot-stompin’ fun? Texas Independence Jam is returning to Billy Bob's Texas on March 9. This legendary country music festival benefits Cook Children’s, and as part of our team, you get an exclusive chance to snag tickets before they go on sale to the public.
Don’t miss your chance to join the fun at Billy Bob’s Texas. Let’s make this a night to remember.
New Clinical Pathways
Three new clinical pathways have been approved and added to the Clinical Pathways website. Clinical pathways are essentially roadmaps for patient care. Each pathway is created by a team of experts who thoroughly research the latest medical evidence. They then outline a step-by-step approach to treating specific conditions that's tailored to the practices and equipment available at Cook Children's.
They are:
PICU Nutrition
PICU Sedation Weaning
Orthopedic Hip Surveillance of Patients with Cerebral Palsy or other Motor Disease (Ambulatory)
Giving Blood Saves Lives
The need for blood donations is constant. Historically blood product levels decline at this time of year. Please consider donating blood. You can find a convenient time and location on the website of Carter BloodCare. And did you know that you also get a free mini-physical prior to donation? You can find out your non-fasting total cholesterol, blood pressure, pulse, hemoglobin, blood type, and weight.
Start the new year with a webinar of tips to help take control of your spending. The experts from Fidelity will also address what you need to know about navigating debt and finding ways to grow your savings. This “Managing My Money” webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register Here
You’ll earn 100 Personify Health Points as an added benefit of participating. Points may be cashed in for gift cards through the Cook Children’s employee wellness program.
Our People
Proof of the Promise: Safety
Cook Children's recognizes staff who prioritize patient and employee safety with its "Proof of the Promise" (POP) awards. These awards highlight individuals who go above and beyond, like Jamie Gomez, RN, this year's ‘POP of the Year.’ Jamie's dedication to patient safety in the OR exemplifies the importance of speaking up and addressing concerns.
Meet Yahaira Perez, Director of Accounting, Cook Children’s Health Plan
Newsweek has named Cook Children's one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024. We're introducing you to some of the women who make Cook Children's such an amazing place.
Yahaira Perezand her husband of 21 years, plus their two children, ages 15 and 13, came to Texas nine years ago in search of a better future. Armed with a public accounting degree from Puerto Rico, she took a job as a staff accountant at Cook Children’s Health Plan in 2016. The organization made an unforgettable first impression.
“My orientation back in 2016 was on Halloween day and I was so confused when all the presenters in the auditorium were dressed up with their costumes,” she said.
That was Yahaira’s first glimpse at the magical culture of her new employer. In no time, she was making magic of her own, quickly mastering her role and earning several promotions that led to her current role as CCHP’s director of accounting.
Head over to Checkup to read more of Yahaira's story and her gratitude to the staffers who cared for her daughter at Cook Children's Medical Center.
In Memoriam: Farewell & Gratitude
We acknowledge and honor the contributions of colleagues who have left Cook Children’s in 2024, including Eric Hernandez, Program Specialist II, Inpatient Psychiatry; Danny Kim, M.D., Physician, OP/C, Windhaven; Shelly Rosenberry, PN Practice/Program Manager II, Richland Hills Neighborhood Health Center; Charisse Schlottman, LVN, Emergency Department, Fort Worth; and Melva Thornton, Program Specialist II, Inpatient Psychiatry.
Congratulations to the hard-working and dedicated employees who have been named Peak Performers for October and November 2024. Thank you for your outstanding contributions to Cook Children's and for striving to go the extra mile to help our patient families and colleagues.
Retirement Announcement for Kathleen Morine, Trauma Registrar
Kathleen Morine, Trauma Registrar with Cook Children’s Medical Center-Fort Worth, is retiring from the system after more than 18 years of service on Friday, Jan. 10. We encourage you to take a moment to send Kathleen a farewell note or a congratulatory eCard by Thursday, Jan. 9.
Thank you so much for your service, Kathleen. Enjoy your retirement.
An Arctic air mass has arrived in North and Central Texas, bringing below freezing temperatures, snow, freezing rain and the potential for icy conditions on sidewalks and roads on Thursday and Friday. 
Our nursing staff has been recognized for their hard work and dedication to their profession by their peers. This peer nominated Magnet Award coincides with Cook Children’s journey to its fifth Magnet Designation. 
Early Tickets to Texas Independence Jam 
New Clinical Pathways
Giving Blood Saves Lives
Cook Children's recognizes staff who prioritize patient and employee safety with its "Proof of the Promise" (POP) awards. These awards highlight individuals who go above and beyond, like Jamie Gomez, RN, this year's ‘POP of the Year.’ Jamie's dedication to patient safety in the OR exemplifies the importance of speaking up and addressing concerns. 
Meet Yahaira Perez, Director of Accounting, Cook Children’s Health Plan 
