Connect Newsletter (July 8, 2026)

Matthew Carroll, M.D., named Cook Children’s new Chief Quality Officer

Matthew Carroll, M.D., came to Cook Children’s in 2014 as a pediatric hospitalist. Eight years ago, he joined the Quality Team. This month, Dr. Carroll moved into the Chief Quality Officer role, where he oversees more than a dozen programs and teams, including Accreditation, Health Outcomes Improvement, the clinical pathways program, Case Management, Social Work, Language Services, and Health Information Management, just to name a few. He worked with many of these teams in his previous role but is excited to continue to do so at a broader scope. 

Read about Dr. Carroll's goals and what he is most excited about in his new role on Connect Newsroom. 

Performance & Development: Leaders Need Feedback Too

Leaders are asking some of their direct reports to provide input in Workday on the effectiveness of their coaching, communication and other leadership skills. 

If you are selected for Leader Feedback, this is your opportunity to provide objective and meaningful insights into your manager’s strengths and areas for development. Leader Feedback is due by Aug. 3.

A few tips:

• Provide specific examples of your leader’s behaviors, collaboration and guidance that helped improve your own work performance.

• Share how your leader encouraged your learning, helped solve a problem, or supported your well-being.

• Provide specific examples of ways your leader could provide more opportunities for professional growth, communicate more clearly, strengthen team bonds or be open to new ideas. 

This feedback is for developmental purposes only. It will not be an input into a leader’s performance evaluation.  

Peer Feedback is also open in Workday now through July 27. If a colleague has tapped you to provide Peer Feedback on their job performance, please complete the request in a timely manner with candid, actionable feedback. 

The cycle of Performance & Development (P&D) activities is designed to foster an environment where ongoing and supportive feedback helps every team member feel valued and equipped for success.

Learn more about P&D and the FY2026 timeline here. 

New Employee Orientation Moves to Calmont Building

New Employee Orientation (NEO) is being relocated to Calmont, starting July 13 and 14, 2026, for the next two to three years as a result of parking issues at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth. This move will allow Cook Children's to continue welcoming new hires during construction at the Medical Center.

See Presidents’ Scholarship Recipients 

Cook Children’s celebrated 2026 President’s Scholarship recipients at an awards luncheon held on June 25. This year, 12 outstanding students (all children of Cook Children’s employees) were awarded a $5,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership, service, and future aspirations. For 17 years, this program has honored exceptional students through a rigorous selection process led by a committee representing a variety of roles, levels, and five Cook Children’s companies. 

Click here to meet this year’s recipients. 

Sign up for Upcoming Blood Drive

Spots are open for the blood drive taking place on Monday, July 13 at the Family Support Meeting Room A in the Medical Center-Fort Worth. If you sign up and donate blood you may receive a stainless-steel canteen, while supplies last. 

Click here to sign up. 

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. 

Check our CookNet calendar for more system-wide events and to find more content about our employees and news you need to know, bookmark our Connect Newsroom website.