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June
2025
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13:36 PM
America/Chicago

Connect Newsletter (June 24, 2025)

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Connect Newsletter                                       
June 24, 2025
 

Important-6Urgent Assistance Available for Cooper Apartments Residents

Yesterday afternoon, a fire broke out at The Cooper Apartments on Rosedale. We're relieved to report that all residents were evacuated and only one non-life-threatening injury occurred.

However, we understand that several of our employees reside at this complex, many may have been displaced and are in urgent need of assistance, having had to evacuate quickly without time to gather belongings.

We are reaching out to remind all affected team members, as well as employees throughout the system, that support is available to you. In addition to the Cook Children’s crisis fund, employees can be connected to community resources if needed. 

Please click here to learn more about our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or call 1-800-395-1616.

To speak to someone in HR, please send an email to Mekka Livingston or Kim Cummings

If you or someone you know was impacted by the fire, please reach out to HR as soon as possible to let us know you're safe and what assistance you might need.

This is also a good opportunity to remind everyone to please ensure your contact information is up-to-date in Workday so we can reach you in emergencies.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident.

Update: Red Cross Provides Essential Support After Recent Incident

The Red Cross is actively on the ground, providing crucial support to those affected by the recent incident. Teams are offering on-site canteen services with water, snacks, and helpful resource handouts.

A congregate shelter has been opened at the Haws Athletic Center (600 Congress St., Fort Worth, Texas - 76107). This shelter provides a safe haven for individuals and families, offering a place to rest, receive meals, essential items, and connect with vital resources.

If you've been affected by this incident, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for assistance and information.

The Red Cross is currently awaiting authorization from fire and engineering officials to begin preliminary damage assessments, which is anticipated within the next 24 hours. Once assessments are complete, intake and casework process will begin to determine eligibility for financial assistance.

In the meantime, The Red Cross will continue to provide essential mass care services—including shelter, food, and supplies—to meet the immediate needs of those impacted.

 

1920_bariatricspatient-4-10.brandedyoutubethumbnailTeen Undergoes First Surgery for Weight Loss at Cook Children's

Fifteen-year-old Leannyvette Hernandez, our first patient to undergo weight loss surgery at Cook Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program, dropped more than 50 pounds and improved her health within three months. 

Our Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program opened in April 2024 and has offered customize support and resources for our patients ages 13-18. 

To learn more about Leannyvette's journey and how our program has helped her, view our story in Checkup Newsroom. 

 

trafficIMPORTANT: Construction Updates

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.

 

TwistedXCook Children’s and Twisted X Expand Patient-Designed Footwear Collection

Thank you to all who attended the Cook Children’s and Twisted X Expand Patient-Designed Footwear Collection launch last week! 

Twisted X will donate 100% of wholesale proceeds from every pair sold directly to Cook Children’s to benefit the Creative Arts Program

Shoes can still be purchased for $65 at The Enchanted Gift Shop in the Fort Worth Medical Center and at My First Rodeo Gift Shop at the Prosper Medical Center. Please note: Employee discounts will not be available on these shoes and only adult sizes are available.  

Click here to learn more about this amazing collaboration

 

DSC08005-2View photos from Employees Care Event; Join us for final event

Thank you to all who have connected with us at our Employees Care Coke Float thank you event.

Take a look at photos from our most recent Employees Care event at Calmont! 

Join us for our last event on:

Tuesday, June 24
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Night shift
Fort Worth Medical Center – Atrium

Haven't signed up to be an Employees Care donor yet? Come be a part of something big! 

 

blood driveDonate Blood. Save Texans and enter to win Texas Rangers tickets for two!

We’re excited to partner with Carter BloodCare to host an on-site blood drive from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, June 27, at the ROB! Whether you’re a first-time donor or a seasoned one, we encourage everyone to participate. Donate today! The event will take place on the first floor of the ROB (1500 Rosedale Street) in Conference Rooms 1102 A/B

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Aylich Vazquez-Rivera through email

Click here to sign up or view the full event on our CookNet calendar! 

 

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.