Connect Newsletter
March 17, 2022 |
As we shared in communications earlier this week, Cook Children’s recently made changes to our mask policy. ALL Fully-Vaccinated Employees, who are symptom free and without recent COVID-19 exposure, can now take their masks off while inside any Cook Children’s space where patients and families are not allowed. Those Who Are Not Fully Vaccinated: We ask that you wear an FDA-approved surgical mask at all times (unless eating or drinking). This is a change from previous guidance, where non-vaccinated employees were required to wear an N-95 mask at all times. Read the full announcement here. Reminder: Face masks are still required for all individuals (including visitors), regardless of vaccination status, in any location where you may come across or interact with a patient or patient family. If there’s any chance of this happening, you must keep your mask on. This includes common spaces such as Camelot Court, Starbucks, retail spaces, waiting areas, etc. |
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Through a unique partnership between the Cook Children's Health Plan (CCHP) and MedStar, we are helping to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to the doorsteps of some of our most vulnerable pediatric patients. Due to the high risk of severe disease when exposed to any virus, it is a huge challenge for these medically complex patients and their families to leave their homes. This partnership specifically targets CCHP STAR Kids members who are either ventilator dependent or technology-dependent for continous feedings or other medications. The health plan reimburses MedStar for the administration of the vaccine, so it’s all done at no cost to CCHP members. The service is completed by EMTs who wish to pick up extra shifts. No personnel or MedStar units are taken out of normal daily service to make home vaccination visits. Learn more about the mobile vaccination collaboration. |
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The 15th Annual The Blast is a family-friendly walk that takes place on April 2, 2022 at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth. Every dollar raised will bring more research, clinical trials and treatments closer to home for patients and families at the Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center. Watch this video to learn more about The Blast and how our Sit…Stay…PLAY team provides comfort to these patients. #blastawaycancer! |
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We’re celebrating Child Life Week by teaching you about our team at Cook Children's and the many services they provide as they work alongside you. Each day, we've shared fun and interesting about our Child Life department. Congratulations to Erin Loftus, Child Life specialist in the Hematology/Oncology clinic, for being named the March Child Life Specialist by Luke's FastBreaks, a nonprofit that supports children, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer or chronic/extended illnesses. Erin was nominated by 7-year-old Mackenzie Chapa. Read Makenzie's nomination letter and pictures of her giving Erin the award. Pet me, I'm Irish! The Sit...Stay...PLAY facility dogs at Cook Children's celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. 
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Suzanne Seider began her career at Cook Children's in 2008 as a recruiter when there were 3,300 employees in the system. Now, she leads the Talent Acquisition team as the director and Cook Children's has grown to more than 8,000 employees. But to Suzanne, it still feels like a big family. "We are getting the chance to help more of the children in our region through our Promise," she said. For Suzanne, coming to work each day is about more than getting the job done. This Women's History Month, learn more about Suzanne and her journey to helping add more members to the Cook Children's family. |
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The nurses at the Cook Children's Hematology/Oncology Grapevine Clinic organized a mobile blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 4. Click here to sign up to donate. For questions, please email Becky Severnak, volunteer drive coordinator. |
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Happy Retirement!Please join us in recognizing the upcoming retirements below! Cheryl Miller, secretary, Emergency Department, (pictured left) is retiring from the system on Monday, March 21, after more than 44 years of service to Cook Children's. We encourage you to take a moment to send Cheryl a farewell note or a congratulatory eCard by March 21. Margaret Perry, nuclear medicine techn, Radi-Nuclear Med, (pictured right) is retiring from the system on Friday, March 25, after more than 30 years of service to Cook Children's. We encourage you to take a moment to send Margaret a farewell note or a congratulatory eCard by March 25. 
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Quick Links: 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. |
