Connect Newsletter (May 20, 2024)

Golden Deeds Award

We're bursting with pride to announce that Cook Children's has been honored with the prestigious Golden Deeds Award by the Exchange Club of Fort Worth. The recognition is given annually to a person or organization the club views as the city’s most outstanding citizen that year. This award is a true reflection of the profound impact we make on the lives of children in Tarrant County. 

This award is for YOU. It celebrates the countless acts of compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment that define our Promise to improve the well-being of every child in our community. Thank you for everything you do. 

Please take 8 minutes to watch this very special video. It's worth your time!

Respect and Kindness: Supporting and Working with Employees Over 40 

We're hosting a fun and interactive virtual Lunch and Learn where we'll be diving deep into what respect, kindness, and allyship look like for our experienced team members. This is your chance to connect, share ideas, and be heard.

Join us on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21:

• Lively Discussions: Let's talk about what respect and kindness mean to YOU in the workplace.
• Future Planning: Let's talk about retirement.  Share your tips and strategies for a smooth transition.
• Sandwich Generation Support: Juggling work and caring for kids and aging parents? You're not alone. Let's share tips and strategies.
• Bridging the Generational Gap: Let's explore how to work seamlessly with colleagues of all ages.
• Open Mic Moment: Have another topic you'd like to bring up? This is your chance to share.

Come hungry for good conversation and leave feeling empowered and inspired.

Tune in: Here is the Zoom link to join in. 

Recap: The Veterans + Employee Resource Group hosted a virtual Lunch and Learn program focused on the importance of respect and kindness in the Veterans community. 

Missed It? If you are unable to attend the virtual lunch and learns, we are providing a recap of each week's conversation on the Connect Newsroom. 
 

Q & A with Megan Chavez, VP, Cook Children's Experience

We sat down with Megan Chavez, Vice President of Cook Children’s Experience, to discuss how the department works with teams across the Cook Children’s System to cultivate positive experiences for clinicians and patients. Please click here for this insightful conversation.

VIDEO: A Powerful Story of Healing for National Trauma Awareness Month 

Our medical professionals are dedicated to being there in a child’s most precarious moments. Maverick Bible was airlifted to us after a car accident that left him in need of significant facial repair and reconstruction. Watch this video to learn more about his story and the collaborative spirit our teams showcased on that day. 
 

A New Homepage Design for cookchildrens.org

Our new homepage offers patient families, community partners, and referring providers a modern and engaging experience that highlights why Cook Children's is the preeminent provider of health care in North Texas and beyond. Our digital teams have partnered together to make sure Cook Children's magic is on full display, with a design that reinforces our connect-the-dots brand motif, weaves in photos of our patients and staff, and introduces an improved mobile browsing experience. It all makes it easier than ever to find care and engage with our system.

Read more details here.

How We Celebrated Nurses Week 2024

Last week, we celebrated our nurses with magical moments across the system. The Great 10 Nurses celebration was a wonderful event that was live streamed from Medical Center-Fort Worth to allow everyone to view the festivities. 

We also asked for photos from how you celebrated, and you did not disappoint. 

Click here for all the Nurses Week pics and a list of winners. 

Finally, let's remember that we celebrate nurses every week of the year. We continue to highlight incredible relationships between nurses and our patients in the Connect Newsroom.

Please read about nurse Diabetes Coordinator Tammi Morrison, RN, and hear what her patient says about how Tammi provided support and confidence after her diagnosis.
 

Moving the Needle: Connect the Dots Between Physical, Mental and Emotional Health 

As Operations Director for Cook Children’s seven Neighborhood Health Centers (NHCs), Christina Reed, LMSW, says her role is primarily administrative. But she can't help but lead with her social work heart. It’s a unique blend of experience and expertise that makes her the perfect fit to oversee operations for the NHCs, which are primarily located in economically disadvantaged communities.

Head to the Connect Newsroom to read more about her work and the successes of our NHCs.

Raising Joy: Jane Justin School

On this episode of the Raising Joy podcast, we explore the unique educational environment of Jane Justin School at Cook Children's Child Study Center.

Our guest, Tracie Mann, Ph.D., LBA, shares how Jane Justin School supports children aged 3-21 with developmental and learning disabilities.

We'll delve into the school's philosophy, which emphasizes individualized instruction, small class sizes, and a focus on mastering skills. If you're interested in learning more about how Jane Justin School empowers students with complex needs to achieve their full potential, this episode is for you!

Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/bdcvyn3c

Research, Grants and Top Doctors: What's New at the Justin Institute?

Keep an eye on your inbox for The Arcuate, a newsletter from the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health. It contains the latest news, innovative treatments and research from the Justin Institute. To subscribe to Arcuate, click here.

The top story: Cynthia Keator, M.D., Medical Director of Neurology at the Justin Institute, was recently named an Endowed Chair awardee from the W.I. Cook Foundation for her proposal to establish a Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Center of Excellence. Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome is a severe type of childhood epilepsy.

Tell Us: Do You Have a Connection to the Olympics?

The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Paris are coming up in July. We want to hear from employees who have a connection to these prestigious sporting events. Did you try out to compete, attend, or compete in a Games? Are you planning to travel to France to watch the competitions? Let us know your story and if it is okay to share outside of Cook Children’s. Email us at InternalCommunications@cookchildrens.org.