Connect Newsletter (July 3, 2025)

Cookies & Gratitude for Fort Worth's Fire Heroes at Station 8

We at Cook Children's wanted to give a huge, heartfelt thank you to the incredible first responders at Fort Worth Fire Department Station 8! Just 10 days ago, when the Cooper Apartment fire broke out, their swift and courageous actions made all the difference. We're especially grateful, as some of our own employees and staff called those apartments home.

We are so grateful for their dedication, bravery, and hard work in keeping our community safe. To show our appreciation, our own Kaysey Pollan, Director of System Preparedness and Continuity, stopped by the station with some cookies and a special fireman friend. 💙

Community Recovery Center Opening at One Safe Place for Those Impacted by the Fire

For those impacted by the Cooper Apartment fire, a Community Recovery Center will be open at One Safe Place on 1100 Hemphill Street on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, July 3 noon to 8 p.m.
• Friday, July 4 noon to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, July 5 noon to 8 p.m.
• Sunday, July 6 noon to 8 p.m.
• * After hour assistance will be available.

The CRC will host a range of community partners and agencies offering the following services:

• Food and medication assistance
• Mental health and trauma support
• Financial assistance and housing navigation
• Legal aid and pet care resources
• Social services
• Comfort supplies: Toiletries, hygiene products, and more

Please click here for more information and share this link for anyone impacted by the fire.

Reminder for Fourth of July

This Fourth of July holiday, please do not attempt to view fireworks from any Cook Children’s facility or parking garage. It's important that ample, safe, and close parking is available for our patient families and for the employees and medical transport teams who are working on site.

Fireworks, Food & Fun: Watch How Staff Celebrates the Fourth of July 

How do Cook Children's employees like to celebrate the Fourth of July? We asked around, and you filled us in on your Red, White & Blue holiday plans. 

Check out this video to hear about cookouts, relaxing at the pool, and other ways our colleagues will be kicking back on Independence Day. Share your Fourth of July plans in the video's comments section.

Occupation Health Services Holiday Hours 

Occupational Health Services will be closed from noon on Thursday, July 3, to 7 a.m. on Monday, July 7. If you have an emergent need, please call the PBX operator and ask to speak to the Occupational Health registered nurse on call. 

Thank you for your understanding.

Employee Relations Popups Updates for McCart NHC and Burleson Primary Care

Our Employee Relations Team continues their tour in an effort to meet as many of you as possible. 

POPUPs are designed to IMPACT (Interactive Meetings Promoting Accountability, Communication and Trust) between “YOU” and human resources. We know your busy schedules don’t allow you to give us a call or send an email to ask your questions, therefore, we’re coming to you! This is your opportunity to engage in 1 on 1 private conversations with human resources, ask questions and spin the wheel to win Cook Children's Swag! Below is a list of our upcoming POPUPs. 

Don’t you fret, if you don’t see your location, we are working with your leaders to confirm a date. See you soon!

• Medical Center - Fort Worth: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., July 17
• McCart Neighborhood Health Centers: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., July 31
• Burleson Primary Care: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Aug. 28

Pediatric Respiratory Critical Care Conference Open for Registration

We're excited to invite you to the 2025 Pediatric Respiratory Critical Care Conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug 8.

This conference is a great chance for doctors, respiratory therapists, RNs, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to learn about the newest advancements in respiratory care. We'll be covering best practices, current trends, and different therapies to help children with critical respiratory needs.

Registration includes breakfast and lunch.

• Cook Children's Employees: $50
• Non-Cook Children's Employees: $65
• Students: $25

Please make sure to register here: https://shorturl.at/sxepc or by using the QR code below by August 4 to secure your spot. We hope to see you there for a day of valuable learning and discussion!

Legacy CookNet will be Taken Offline

Our legacy CookNet will be removed and unable to access on July 7. 

Please use our current CookNet SharePoint platform for your resources and materials. 

Thank you for your support as we complete this important upgrade to our collaboration tools.

Learn the Basics of Estate Planning from Fidelity

Want to learn more about wills, trusts and other components of estate planning? Join the experts from Fidelity for the virtual workshop “Preserving Your Savings for Future Generations” at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 10. The webinar gives instruction on how and why to start making an estate planning strategy.

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.

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.