Connect Newsletter (March 5, 2024)

Breaking Ice Begins This Week: Last Chance to Register

As a final reminder, all employees are invited to attend one of the “Breaking Ice” programs scheduled this week, March 6, 7 and 8. If you are near Cook Children's Medical Center - Fort Worth, please attend one of the events live at Hochberger Auditorium. The shows will be livestreamed to ensure accessibility for those who can't attend a live show. We urge all employees to attend or watch one of these very important events. 

Click here to visit ULearn to register for one of the six shows. There is limited seating in Hochberger Auditorium so sign up today.  Please note that some content may touch on sensitive topics, so a trigger warning is provided before registration.

For more information about “Breaking Ice,” please click here.

“Breaking Ice” will serve as a pre-training event for an upcoming new initiative aimed at strengthening our commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity (IDE). In an effort to foster a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered, the organization will be launching a comprehensive ID&E/Health Equity Training in mid-March.

Update: Returning to Work after Illness, including COVID-19

By now you’ve probably seen information on new COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC. 

We want to stay consistent in protecting our most vulnerable pediatric patients and employees. So, here are the latest guidelines from our Occupational Health team at Cook Children’s: 

• Whether you are sick with COVID, flu or any other respiratory illness, our guidance remains the same: stay home if you are showing symptoms. 
• For all respiratory illnesses, including COVID, you should stay home until: 
  • Your fever has disappeared for at least 24 hours without relying on any fever-lowering medications. 
  • Your symptoms are improving. 
     

• All returning employees must wear FDA-approved masks at work for 5 days after end of symptoms to protect against the spread of disease. 
• If you are off work for 5 or more days, you will need to contact The Hartford at 877-936-5336 to request FMLA/LOA.
• Upon release by your physician and prior to returning to work, please return to Occupational Health with your physician note and completed return to work form. You may contact Occupational Health by email at OCCHEALTH@COOKCHILDRENS.ORG or call 682-885-3837 and press option 1. 
  
  Thank you for all you do to protect our patients, their families and each other. 
   

VIDEO: Commemorating COVID-19 Heroes and Those We've Lost 

Cook Children's commemorated Texas’ inaugural COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day with a moment of silence at the Medical Center-Fort Worth and Medical Center-Atrium. Employees honored loved ones and coworkers affected by the pandemic by writing messages and names on stickers on a giant board and wearing special pins.

“Days like this give us strength for the future,” said Jennifer Hayes, MDiv, BCC, Director of Spiritual Care. Please click here to read Jennifer's remarks at the event. 

View photos and video from today's events here on Checkup.

Did you acknowledge this at your location? Please send us photos to share. Email images to InternalCommunications@CookChildrens.org.

Ramadan Mubarak

Ramadan is a holy month for followers of the Islamic faith to strengthen their spirituality through fasting, prayer and reflection. During the coming weeks, starting the evening of March 10 through April 8, you may find patient families, neighbors or coworkers celebrating Ramadan.

Consider Ramadan when scheduling events or meetings. Try not to center mandatory workplace meetings or gatherings around food and beverages. If this is not possible, be respectful that Muslim employees in attendance will not be eating. 

We've compiled some information and best practices during Ramadan here.

We wish all those who celebrate Ramadan a month filled with blessings and happiness. Ramadan Kareem!

Bunny Trail 2024 

Your department is invited to take part in Bunny Trail 2024. Sign up now to hand out stuffed eggs or basket fillers to patient families. Children will also be able to take photos with a bunny (no, not a live one.)

When: 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 29 

Where: Medical Center-Fort Worth, green space outside the cafeteria 

Who: patients and siblings only. Children of employees are not allowed to participate in this event. 

Deadline: Applications are due by March 15. 

For details and to sign up, click here. 



 

New eCards: You Can Make Someone's Day

Did you know there’s an easy way to thank a colleague, recognize a coworker’s birthday and/or send some encouragement? Available 24/7, Cook Children’s eCards offer you more than 10 categories of cards to choose from. They take just a few minutes to send out and are an easy way to make someone’s day. 

This week we’ve added four new categories: welcome, encouragement, sympathy and farewell. Click here to check out the creative designs.
 

Submit Your Patient Safety Awareness Week Virtual Contest Entry

We are all safer when we work together! In anticipation of Cook Children’s Patient Safety Awareness Week, beginning Monday, March 18, our virtual storyboard contest has been launched and is welcoming submissions now. 

This year’s Patient Safety Awareness Week theme, Safer Together, emphasizes the importance of safety among all members of patient care teams. In the spirit of connection and collaboration, we invite you to share how your team has collaborated with another individual or team to elevate the quality and safety experience. 

Deadline for submissions is end of day on Friday, March 8. Click HERE to see submission details and download an editable storyboard template. Please e-mail zeroharm@cookchildrens.org with any questions. 

We can’t wait to hear about your Safer Together moments of magic! 
 

Tell Us: What Are Your Department's Favorite Traditions?

The team at Occupational Health decorates a tree every month to create a welcoming environment for the staff they serve and provide a lift to their mental health when they visit the office. 

This month, the tree is decked out for St. Patrick’s Day. Previous trees have included an angel-themed tree, a Grinch tree, an abominable snowman tree, a traditional Snowman tree, a butterfly tree and an elf tree.

What special traditions are you doing at your unit, department or location? We’d love to know so that we can share your joy throughout the System. Please send details and photos to InternalCommunications@cookchildrens.org.