Save the Date: Jingle Mingle, Holiday Extravaganza
The holidays will be here before you know it as will everyone’s favorite holiday events …. the Jingle Bell Mingle and Holiday Extravaganza! Be sure to save the date, share with your teams and make plans to attend.
The annual Jingle Mingleevents will take place at multiple locations throughout the System:
Dec 3: Prosper Medical Center (MOB, UCC, PCP)
Dec 5: Fort Worth Medical Center (Dodson, ROB, 750, 901)
Dec 10: Calmont Office Building
Off-site and fully remote teams will receive interdepartmental transfer funds to support their holiday parties on a December date that works best for the team.
Holiday Extravaganza is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 and a day of festivities is being planned for patients and employees to enjoy.
Stay tuned for more details on both events in an upcoming Connect newsletter and on theTeam Experience CookNet site.
Retirement Announcement for Jill Koss
Jill Koss, Director of Family Support Services, is retiring from Cook Children's after 35 years of service. Jill's reach expanded to many patients and families helping them through their toughest times with a smile.
Also retiring is Neely, a Facility Dog who has worked with Cook Children's since March 2019.
Visit Connect Newsroom to learn more about her experience here at Cook Children's and the impact she has had on our patients lives.
Marketing and Communications Department Earns Top Award at Worthy Awards
The Cook Children's Marketing and Communications team was awarded several accolades, including the top award for 2025 at the Worthy Awards held by the Greater Fort Worth chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Public Relations Manager Sydney Hanes will serve as president of this chapter in 2026.
Visit Connect Newsroom to learn which Prosper story earned Best in Show and what other stories were recognized.
Holiday Student Observation and Clinical Rotation Requests
A high volume of student observation requests is anticipated over the school holidays. Do you have a friend, neighbor, or patient interested in medicine? Did someone ask how they could learn more about a healthcare career? Would you like to have someone shadow you? The process takes less time if the employee host initiates the observation process as it skips the step of needing email verification of your approval. Any employee may complete the form at: Host Approval Observation Form. The form can only be accessed by employees on CookNet. For more information, please contact Brooke Cantrell at observation.education@cookchildrens.org.
A new QR code immediately directs students to the Academic Affairs & Medical Education webpage. The QR code links students to registration for observation or clinical rotation requests. Please show the QR code to anyone interested in an observation or clinical experience at Cook Children’s. For more information, please contact Jennifer Vierkant at academic.education@cookchildrens.org
Applications for Junior Volunteer Program open Dec. 1
Cook Children's offers high school students the opportunity to volunteer during the summer with the Junior Volunteer Program. Applications will open on Dec. 1 and close on Jan. 1, 2026. Students ages 15-18 are welcome to apply.
The Research Symposium, scheduled for February 2026, celebrates the groundbreaking research happening under our blue peaks to improve the well-being of every child in our care and communities. Be a part of this inspiring gathering as we honor the dedication of Cook Children’s clinicians, scientists and collaborators, all committed to doing everything for the child. All abstracts must be turned in by midnight on Dec. 15.
Check our CookNet calendar for more system-wide events and to find more content about our employees and news you need to know, bookmark our Connect Newsroom website.
Retirement Announcement for Jill Koss
Marketing and Communications Department Earns Top Award at Worthy Awards
Holiday Student Observation and Clinical Rotation Requests
Applications for Junior Volunteer Program open Dec. 1
Abstracts due for Research Symposium on Dec. 15