Connect Newsletter (June 4, 2026)

Meet Your New AI Assistant: Microsoft Copilot Launches at Cook Children’s

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that helps you save time by drafting emails, summarizing conversations, and quickly finding the information you need. Starting Monday, June 8, 2026, Microsoft Copilot will be available to all Cook Children’s employees. Information Services is hosting experts from Microsoft for a training webinar at noon on June 9 to learn more about how to get the most out of Copilot. 

“The future of work isn't about working harder; it’s about working smarter. We are investing in Copilot because we are investing in you,” said Teresa Tonthat, Chief Digital Information Officer. "By streamlining those tedious, daily tasks, I’m excited that we’re able to launch a tool to give you time back to focus on the meaningful, human-centered work that truly impacts our community."

Visit Connect Newsroom to learn more and find links to training resources. 

Construction Update - Fort Worth Medical Center

Please be aware from now until Wednesday, June 18, Seventh Avenue (between West Pulaski and Rosedale streets) will be reduced to one lane with two-way traffic maintained by flaggers. The work will be phased as shown with each phase including an associated sidewalk closure. Please plan for a short delay during your commute or use a different route using Eighth or Sixth avenues. After hours and at night, both lanes will be open with the traffic impact beginning again the next morning. Your patience is appreciated as the utility infrastructure for the Rosedale Office Building is upgraded.

Please bookmark the Construction page to get up-to-date information on road closures when driving to the Fort Worth Medical Center. You may share the construction page with our patient families so they can also be aware of these changs. For employee-only walking directions, visit Connect Newsroom. 

To read an update on an employee involved in a recent accident, click here. 

Help Guide the Future of Artificial Intelligence at Cook Children's

This survey is for all employees (clinical and operational) to find out how you currently use artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools at work. We also want to know how you feel about using AI and what challenges or benefits you've experienced. Your answers will help us plan training, make good decisions about AI, and make sure we use AI safely and fairly. For more information about the survey, see a flyer on CookNet. 

To take the survey, click here. 

Junior Volunteers Arriving to Fort Worth Medical Center 

Junior Volunteers will arrive at the Fort Worth Medical Center on June 8 and will serve for nine weeks this summer.  You'll see volunteers between the ages of 15-18, in many different departments, ranging from inpatient Child Life roles to surgery units, retail shops, Child Life Zone, spiritual care, research and more.  These teens will also round in the hospital with the hospitality cart, restock our book carts, serve in the Emergency Department waiting room, and volunteer with Home Health and the Cook Children’s Alexander Vision Center.  

Thank you for supporting our youngest volunteers and helping build a bridge with future healthcare workers and well-rounded contributors of our community.  

Get Your Pharmacy Questions Answered 

Capital Rx is hosting a series of virtual sessions created just for Cook Children's employees to answer your questions about your pharmacy benefit. The sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12, 

Meet with a benefits specialist in whatever way feels most comfortable — face-to-face over Zoom or by phone — at a time that fits your schedule. There's no cost, and no question is too big or too small. 

• How your drug coverage, tiers, and copays work
• Filling prescriptions through home delivery
• Specialty medications and prior authorizations
• Finding an in-network pharmacy near you
• Getting started with your member portal and app

Click here to learn more about the sessions and get the session link. 

Retirements 

Join us in congratulating staff members who are retiring from Cook Children's this month: 

• Lynn Phan, Environmental Service Aide, is retiring on June 5 after 29 years.
• Johanna Davis, Imaging Operations Supervisor, is retiring on June 10 after 37 years.
• Terry Wilder, Senior Media Production Specialist, is retiring after 38 years of service. Please join a retirement celebration  from 1:30 -3 p.m. on Friday, June 26 in the Hochberger Auditorium Prefunction Area.

To read more about Lynn, Johanna and Terry, along with other recent retirees, please visit the Retirement CookNet page. 

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.