Connect Newsletter (March 28, 2024)

VIDEO Happy Doctors' Day to Our Physicians: Thanks for Making a Difference

At Cook Children's we celebrate Doctors' Day in our own unique style – by dumping slime all over them! This year was no exception. On Wednesday, Cook Children's employees, patients and patient families helped us celebrate for our 9th annual Slime-A-Doc. We had five categories of participants: doctors, nurses, child life specialists, advanced practice providers and members of our administrative team. Patient families and the public cast their votes on our social media channels, and employees voted by email to determine a winner in each category – that person “won” an EXTRA bucket of slime. 

Watch everyone get slimed! View a video and photos from the event here on Checkup.

Thank you to everyone who participated. A big shout-out to Martin Aguado, Facility Appearance Manager, and the Facility Appearances team for their hard work to make this event such a blast.

Express your appreciation for a doctor with an eCard: You can send an electronic greeting card to a physician rock star. Find designs here on CookNet. (You must be on the network to access.)

Trailblazers: Our All-Female Leadership Team at CCPN

This Women's History Month, we celebrate four women working together to support primary and specialty care practices at Cook Children's Physician Network. 

They lead by example with their unique and complementary skills, and their dedication to working together to fulfill the Cook Children’s Promise.

We introduced you in a previous edition to Veronica Tolley, MHA, Vice President, Primary Care and Specialty Services, as well as Tara Allen, FACMPE and Teresa Baker, FACHE, both of whom are Assistant Vice Presidents of Primary Care and Specialty Services. 

Today, we invite you to meet the newest member of the leadership team, Ashten Fleming, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Assistant Vice President of Primary Care and Specialty Services.

Read the article on the Connect Newsroom.

We'll Maintain Regular Schedule During Total Solar Eclipse on April 8 

While the solar eclipse on April 8 is a rare and exciting event, our work at Cook Children's continues as usual that day. To ensure we provide the best possible care for our patients and their families, Cook Children's will operate on a regular schedule.  If you plan to take the day off to observe the eclipse, please use your approved Paid Time Off (PTO).

Heavy Traffic Expected

Please be aware that heavy traffic is anticipated due to the eclipse. We recommend allowing extra travel time to get to work on April 8.

Safe Viewing at Work

For those observing from designated work areas (safely, of course!): During the eclipse, we will have viewing locations on the North and South lawn and Dillard Garden at Cook Children's Medical Center – Fort Worth. For Prosper and other Cook Children's locations, please find a safe viewing location on campus.

Safety Reminders

Along with wearing proper eclipse eyewear to protect yourself, here are some additional safety reminders:

• Stay out of streets or common walkways.
• Do not block any fire lanes or entrances.
• Make sure your patients are not left alone and do not let them look directly into the sun.

We appreciate your dedication to our patients!

Retail Pharmacies Are Reopening

Renovations are nearly complete at two retail pharmacy locations. On Wednesday, April 3, the Retail Pharmacy on the first floor of the Medical Center-Fort Worth will return to normal business hours. They are: 8 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week. 

The Dodson Retail Pharmacy on the first floor of the Dodson Specialty Clinics will also return to normal business hours. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Thank you for your patience during this renovation. 

Keep Up with Our L.E.A.D.S.+ Employee Resource Group

Our Employee Resource Groups are working hard to create initiatives on issues important to their members. You can keep up with the Latinos Engaging, Advancing, Developing, & Supporting (L.E.A.D.S.+) group by viewing its newsletter. 

Here is a link to the March newsletter, with the latest news on their programs, initiatives, success stories, and developments. (You must be on the network to view.)

Remote Access Users: The Application's New Name is Cisco Secure Client

The Cisco AnyConnect VPN application used to remotely access Cook Children’s network is changing to Cisco Secure Client. The name change will be part of a VPN upgrade that will start at 7 p.m. on April 2. If you use the VPN, you will be prompted to upgrade your application and will be required to reboot your computer. 

The upgraded VPN application will function as it does today and will be available in the Cisco folder in All Programs on the Start menu or from the system tray to the left of the clock. 

Here are instructions on how to connect to VPN. (You must be on the network to view.)

Patient Access Services Week 

For Patient Access Services Week, we celebrate those faces that are usually the first ones we see when visiting Cook Children’s facilities. They are at the check-in desk in the Emergency Department, Main Registration, Dodson Specialty Clinics, Medical Center-Prosper, and Hurst Imaging. They are the people who make sure information on our patients is current and accurate. 

Other team members are not as visible, but they, too, are working hard for our patients and families. They are Financial Counselors, Insurance Specialists, Admission Specialists, Quality Assurance Coordinators, and Patient Access Specialists. All 172 members of this department work every day to keep the dots connected.

Fidelity Webinar To Explain Social Security   

How will you know when to take Social Security? What should you consider before deciding to claim your Social Security benefits? Join the experts from Fidelity on Wednesday, April 10, for a webinar that will cover key things to know.

Webinar: Learn the Basics of When and How to Claim Social Security (60 minutes)

• Register for the 9 a.m. session
• Register for the 3 p.m. session 

 As a benefit to Cook Children’s employees, you’ll earn 100 Virgin Pulse Points for attending the webinar. Points may be cashed in for gift cards through our wellness program.

Happy Easter, Happy Spring 

Whether celebrating by attending services or joining in an Easter egg hunt, warmest wishes for the Easter holiday on March 31. May you experience peace and joy with your loved ones.