Connect Newsletter (July 21, 2022)

Introducing the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health

Cook Children’s is excited to announce plans for an innovative clinical care model dedicated to the care of children with disorders of the nervous system – the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health. Designed to care for behavioral, developmental and neurological conditions, the institute brings together multiple groups that specialize in the treatment of these disorders.

While the Justin Neurosciences Center has established national preeminence over the last decade with Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuropsychology services, Cook Children’s seeks to build on that strong foundation by adding the departments of Psychology, Psychiatry and Developmental Pediatrics to form the Institute for Mind Health.

Click here to learn more about the the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health.

Open Enrollment begins Aug. 1!

Cook Children’s employees can expect a newsletter in the mail soon that highlights important information about open enrollment for 2022-2023 benefits. During the open enrollment period from Aug. 1-19, you may modify your current benefit elections for the next year.

Look for a QR code on the mailed newsletter that will link to more information about benefits, including frequently asked questions and videos on the MyQHealth Care Coordinators and Responder Health. A recording of a benefits overview will also be available on the Benefits page on CookNet by July 27.

Beginning Aug. 1, you can enroll either by going to www.cookchildrensbenefits.com or by calling 833-251-9455.  Elections and/or changes made during open enrollment will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2022.

Learn more about this year's open enrollment and the dates and times the Benefits team will be on the medical center campus to answer questions or provide more information in person.

'Mighty Makenzie' Refuses to let LCH, a Rare Cancer, Steal Her Joy or Slow Her Down

Bridget Page, R.N., director of Occupational Health Services at Cook Children’s, never dreamed her granddaughter would become a cancer patient at the same hospital where she works. But in 2021, 7-year-old Makenzie Chapa received a diagnosis that turned both of their worlds upside down.
 
The little girl who loved gymnastics and riding her bicycle had a tumor on her spine from a rare cancer called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). Despite challenging treatments, Makenzie never lost her joy.
 
“She has taught me that even on your darkest day, you can find some glimmer of happiness. Even if you’re facing trials in life, you can find happiness and not dwell on what’s going on with you,” Bridget says. 
 
Read how Makenzie is inspiring others with her ‘Mighty’ spirit, while helping other kids undergoing treatment at Cook Children’s.

Raising Joy Podcast: How to Support LGBTQ+ Youth with Frank Sloan, M.D.

“I’ve learned in life that people will forget what you say and what you do, but they’ll never forget how you make them feel,” says Frank Sloan, M.D., a pediatrician with Cook Children’s Urgent Care, and a faculty fellow for LGBTQ Health and Wellness at TCU School of Medicine. 

Dr. Sloan joins us on episode 18 of Raising Joy to provide insight into the challenges LGBTQ youth face with their mental health, as well as in health care in general. 

He also helps us understand how we can better support LGBTQ youth as parents and professionals. Episode 18 is out now on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts and our YouTube page!

¡Feliz Javidad! PICU Celebrates Dr. Javier Gelvez

While temperatures outside this summer are near-record highs, the holiday spirit is jingling all the way in the Cook Children's PICU. 

For several years running, the PICU team at Cook Children's celebrates ‘Javidad’ and Javier Gelvez, M.D. 

"'Javidad' is a great morale booster. It first started several years ago when we were having a hard time in the PICU, and we just needed something fun and light and joyful to celebrate," said Jennifer Hayes, director of Spiritual Care. “We decided to honor Dr. Gelvez because he is a loveable part of this unit.”

Watch the holly jolly video here. 

Two Yoga Therapists Join Pain Management Program

We are excited to offer pediatric yoga therapy services at Cook Children’s Medical Center!  

Yoga therapy aligns the needs of the patient with the particular practice required. Our therapists are able to work with children of all developmental abilities, allowing them to participate with low back pain or physical disability with very specific yoga from their bed, chair or floor in their own room.

By developing a positive relationship with their body, the patient is more likely to have a beneficial outcome from other prescribed therapies that are part of their medical treatment.   

Sessions consist of breathing exercises, postures, meditation, and relaxation techniques. Conditions addressed may include stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, musculoskeletal problems, autoimmune diseases, insomnia, IBS, cancer, and others.   

Individual yoga therapy consults are available to inpatients throughout the medical center. Group classes are available for the Inpatient Psychiatry Unit and Partial Hospitalization Program.   

Click here to learn more about our pediatric yoga therapy services.

Bottled Water and Power Drink Donations for First Responders 

Let's come together and help keep our first responders hydrated through this stretch of extreme heat. Please consider donating cases of unopened individual bottled water, Gatorade or other power drinks. 

Call volumes for Fort Worth Fire Department have increased by more than 700% compared to July 2021 because of the grass and wildfires. Due to the critical fire conditions, FWFD is having to stay on the scene in the heat for a much longer duration. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to thank our great community partners for all that they do! 

Note: Due to the current COVID cases, donation drop-offs are not open to the public. You are welcome to collect donations from family, friends., neighbors, etc. and drop them off at the Humbolt lot on July 28.

Employee Safety Fair 

All Cook Children's team members are invited to attend the Employee Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Friday, July 22, in the medical center Atrium. 

Quick Links: 

• Cookchildrens.org
• Cook Children's Careers
• Checkup Newsroom

Our Promise

Knowing that every child's life is sacred, it is the Promise of Cook Children's to improve the health of every child through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury.