Connect Newsletter (May 23, 2024)

VIDEO:  Congenital Hyperinsulinism Family Conference in Fort Worth

We are getting ready to welcome special families who have children with hyperinsulinism at a conference that will connect them with other families and with world-renowned physicians, researchers and others with expertise in the condition.

Paul Thornton, MB, BCh, MRCPI, DCh, and the team at the Cook Children’s Hyperinsulinism Center are hosting the 2024 Congenital Hyperinsulinism Family Conference from May 31 to June 2. Hyperinsulinism is a rare genetic disease that occurs when the pancreas produces too much insulin. 

This conference will be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the history and management of the condition. There will also be interactive sessions where families can share their stories and experiences. Click here for a sneak peek of the conference with Dr. Thornton. 

Learn more here.

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: Par-Tee Time! Bed Pan Open Mini Golf Tournament

Patients and families putted their way through whimsical courses at this year’s Bed Pan Open miniature golf tournament held Tuesday morning at Medical Center - Fort Worth. 

Teams from Volunteer Services, Child Life and the Linbeck Group designed various courses inspired by the Lion King, Willy Wonka's Factory, a construction zone, and a speedway. And keeping with the lighthearted theme, each hole has a bedpan at the end – that’s why it’s called the Bed Pan Open! 

While they’re in Fort Worth for the Charles Schwab Challenge, happening this week at the Colonial Country Club, PGA Tour players Tom Hoge, Tom Whitney, Austin Smotherman, Paul Haley II and Mac Meissner were on hand to meet patients and join the fun. 

Check out the sweet photos and video here on Checkup. 
 

PHOTOS: The Very First ECMO Reunion

The EMCO team hosted the first ECMO reunion and remembrance celebration on May 19 at Medical Center-Fort Worth. ECMO, short for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is a form of life support. It takes a specially trained staff member to care for patients on ECMO. When a child needs this level of care it can be an extremely stressful time for our families and patients. 

It was an honor to host 24 families across Texas and reunite them with the team who cared for them. It was also an honor to hold a space and remember patients who are no longer with us. These reunions give staff members hope and refill our cup to care for future patients when they need this care. 

View photos here.

VIDEO: #ICYMI Golden Deeds Award

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. Thank you for everything you do. 

Please take a 1 minute out of your time to watch this impactful video that looks at our history and it formed today's Promise. You don't want to miss this video, voiced by Texas legend Barry Corbin.

VIDEOS: Jane Justin School Celebrations

We're sharing videos and photos of spring happenings at the Jane Justin School, a private school that provides special education to children ages 3-21 with developmental and learning disabilities.

First, check out photos from graduation day at the school on May 16, as three graduates received their diplomas and celebrated their success with teachers and loved ones. 

Then, a special musical treat. On May 9, families, supporters and teachers gathered for a student choir performance featuring the voices of middle and high school students. They performed a program of show tunes and even wore costumes. 

Finally, in December 2022, we told you about a pilot internship program at Cook Children's, the brainchild of the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (ID&E) team. The internship offers students a real-life work setting to practice and hone the skills they’ve learned while attending the Jane Justin School. Now, we are pleased to share with you an incredible video produced by Eduardo Padilla, who graduated this month. He interned with the Public Relations, Internal Communications and ID&E department, where he put his passion for photography to use taking photos for Cook Children's social media channels and on CookNet. His video spotlights the internship program; he conducted on-camera interviews with fellow interns about their experiences and edited the video himself.

Head to the Connect newsroom, where you can find graduation photos and the videos of the choir concert and the student intern program. 

PHOTOS: Clinical Trials Day 2024

Cook Children’s Research Department oversees many clinical trials for different disease processes. We celebrated Clinical Trials Day on May 20 at Medical Center-Fort Worth with educational material provided to employees and guests.

Clinical Trials Day takes place every May 20 to recognize the good for patients that has been accomplished thanks to clinical trials and the people behind them. It is in honor of the day in 1747 when Dr. James Lind conducted the world’s first controlled clinical trial involving treatment and prevention of scurvy.

Read more, and see photos from the event, on the Connect Newsroom.

Your Benefits: Noom is Here

Cook Children's will begin to offer Noom as a free employee wellness benefit starting on June 1. Noom uses the latest in psychology and behavioral science to empower people with the knowledge and skills they need to lose weight and hit their goals at a pace that's comfortable for them. Noom has personalized lessons, one-on-one coaching and support groups, ad tracking tools for food, activity and more. 

To enroll, go to go.noom.com/cookchildrens and use the code from Cook Children's: MPZXGR.

Email here with questions: partnersupport@noom.com.

Seeking Volunteers for Camps for Kids

Camps for Kids is a program that ensures that Cook Children’s patients with chronic illnesses have an opportunity to experience the magic of camp. Each camp gives kids opportunities to catch a fish, ride a horse for the first time, shoot a bull’s-eye at archery, challenge themselves on a ropes course or fly down a zip line. They can also learn about their diagnoses and make friends who are just like them. 

Cook Children’s employees have the opportunity to volunteer at summer camps, as well as work at camp in specific roles, including nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, clinical therapists, social workers, recreational therapists, child life specialists, and activity coordinators. 

Click here for details.