Connect Newsletter (Nov. 11, 2025)

Halloween Hoopla Winners Announced 

Thank you to all the incredible participants from multiple locations who dressed up and showed their spooky spirit in the system-wide virtual contest and in-person Prosper, Calmont, and Fort Worth Medical Center contest during this year’s Halloween Hoopla. We loved seeing the creativity and magical moments our employees brought to life from across Cook Children’s Health Care System.

Check out all of this year’s contest winners on the Team Experience CookNet site and view the scary good photos here.

Veteran's Day Q&A with Employees

This Veteran's Day we celebrate those who served our country and continue their public service to our patients. 

“My time in uniform shaped who I am as a nurse today. Being an Army medic taught me to always keep learning and adapting, because in medicine, things can change in seconds,” said Jenny Wright, RN at ENT – Fort Worth. “I learned to ask questions, to earn my patients’ trust, and to listen with compassion and without bias. Those lessons became the foundation of my bedside manner and the way I care for patients now.”

Visit Connect Newsroom to read about the experiences of our employees. 

Cook Children’s Physician Network Honored by AMA for Commitment to Well-Being of Physicians

Cook Children’s Physician Network has earned silver recognition in 2025 from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine® organization.

The prestigious recognition from the country’s leading physician’s association honors health systems, hospitals, and medical groups that prioritize proven methods to reduce burnout and enhance the professional fulfillment of doctors that comes from patient care. Organizations that meet the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program are leaders in the national effort to transform health care work systems and address the root causes of burnout among care teams.

Cook Children's Office of Physician Well-being was established in January 2022 by system leadership to address physician burnout and promote professional satisfaction and well-being. Kirk Pinto, M.D., a CCPN pediatric urologist, and Sara Garza, M.D., a CCPN primary care physician, serve as Physician Well-being Advocates focus on this work.

Visit Connect Newsroom to read more. 

Self-Install Microsoft 365 Apps

As we continue to modernize our technology tools across Cook Children’s. Microsoft Office 2016 — the version currently installed on most computers — is no longer supported by Microsoft. To stay secure and compatible with our new Microsoft 365 email and collaboration environment, we’re transitioning to the latest Microsoft 365 (M365) desktop applications. Starting Nov. 12, you can begin installing Microsoft 365 apps on your own.

Visit Connect Newsroom to learn what you need to know before installation. 

Join EdAssist Webinar 

Do you have questions about the new tuition reimbursement and direct bill assistance? If so, EdAssist is hosting a webinar for employees at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12. 

The webinar offers: 

• How to take full advantage of your benefit, including the financial support available to you.
• The exclusive discounts through EdAssist’s network of schools.
• Types of free coaching with professional experts averaging over 15+ years of experience.
• The amazing tools we offer on the platform.

Register for the webinar here. 

Employees who register can view it live or receive a recording if they are unable to attend. 

Join Peakatonix: The Cook Children's Christmas Choir

Got a jingle in your step?  Want to "sleigh" some vocals?  Join the Cook Children's Christmas Choir, The Peakatonix, and carol your way into the hearts of our patients and families this holiday season! Please attend one of these Teams sessions for more details:

12:30 -1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12: Join the meeting here 

12:30 -1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19: Join the meeting here. 

If you are unable to attend one of these sessions reach out to Raymond Turner for more information: raymond.turner@cookchildrens.org. 

Retirement Announcement

Lisa Vaughn, RN, Discharge Coordinator in the NICU, is retiring from Cook Children’s after 31 years on Nov. 12.

We wish Lisa all the best as she begins this new chapter in her life. Congratulations Lisa!

Share Your Content with Us

Do you have any tips, ideas or content you would like us to know about? We want to hear from you! Please view our SharePoint site and email us at InternalCommunications@cookchildrens.org. Please visit the CookNet calendar to view upcoming events happening across our system. 

To find more content about our employees and news you need to know, bookmark our Connect Newsroom website.