Update: The Latest on Merit Increases for Employees
Now that the new performance and development process has been completed, we are pleased to share that Cook Children’s executive leadership has granted merit increases that will become effective on Nov. 17, 2024 for eligible employees, and will be reflected in paychecks beginning Dec. 6, 2024. Employees will see their pay changes in Workday starting on Nov. 17.
Thank you, again, for the commitment you show every day, and your participation and feedback as we embark on this journey of improvement and transparency.
Support Update: A New Way to Reach HRIS, Compensation & Supply Chain
A few of our teams including HRIS, Compensation, and Supply Chain have a new way of being reached!
Starting Nov. 15, please submit a Workday Help case for questions or assistance from these teams as communications with these teams will no longer take place through Zendesk tickets.
What is Workday Help?
Workday Help is an app within Workday where you can create a request or “case” with any of the following teams: HRIS, Compensation, and Supply Chain
Why Workday Help?
You will now be able to open up cases and monitor their updates at the tip of your fingers while already in Workday!
How do I use Workday Help?
Click the links below to view guides on how to submit cases in the Help app.
We've been getting questions about where to send student loan paperwork.
Please send all student loan paperwork to Jamie Redic, Executive Assistant to Human Resources. This includes Texas Higher Education Loan Repayment forms and Public Service Loan Forgiveness forms.
Please ensure all paperwork is complete and accurate before submitting. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at 817-347-4149.
VIDEO: Cook Children’s Unveils Plan to Expand Critical Care to Meet Community Demand
Our community is growing, and so is the need for quality pediatric care. Today, we’re excited to announce a 10-year master plan to expand and enhance our Fort Worth medical center. This includes a new 700,000-square-foot medical tower, an expanded Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, and more.
Occupational Health has experienced a hiccup with our new Enterprise Portal and how employee flu vaccinations are documented. Right now, some employees are unable to see whether they have had their vaccination proof. We are working diligently to find a solution to this issue.
Managers will have a list of employees and their flu vaccination status. Managers will notify staff members if proof their influenza vaccination is missing from Occupational Health records.
If you are missing a flu vaccination, you must get it in the next week. Occupational Health is providing vaccination from 7 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. You can also get a vaccine outside of Cook Children's (such as from a pharmacy or your own physician) and upload the proof through the Enterprise Portal.
Thank you for protecting our patients and each other from the flu!
Cook Children’s Shines in Debut of Rankings for Behavioral Health
U.S. News & World Report’s first-ever rankings for pediatric and adolescent Behavioral Health came out last month, and Cook Children’s made the Top 50. Employees across our system -- representing Psychology, Psychiatry, Neurology, Neighborhood Clinics, Social Work and more – worked together to prepare the survey responses.
Earning a Top 50 designation in Behavioral Health reflects the scope of high-quality care offered at Cook Children’s for children and teens with psychological and psychiatric needs. Six other Cook Children’s specialties also earned gold badges in the 2024-2025 rankings from U.S. News.
Halloween Hoopla is an opportunity to unlock our inner child and dip our toes into the Halloween spirit at Cook Children's. Thank you to all participants from our virtual costume contest, and the Medical Center-Prosper, Calmont, and Medical Center-Fort Worth in-person costume and skit contests. It's your enthusiasm and creativity that creates such magical moments at Halloween Hoopla events across the System.
Now crafted with even more love and creativity, Peaks the Dragon is perfect for snuggles, playtime or as a cherished gift sure to bring joy to every heart. No matter your age, you are invited for a visit at Build-A-Bear Workshop at Medical Center-Fort Worth to create your very own magical moment. Peaks has a new look and will be available after Dec. 2.
Events and Education
Join Us for Our Annual Holiday Extravaganza
Get ready for a festive evening of fun and holiday cheer at our annual Holiday Extravaganza. Join us from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, for a night of holiday activities, including a visit with Santa, outdoor games, live performances, and a spectacular fireworks show. Plus, we have one more surprise to light up the sky, but you will have to attend to find out more.
Parking: Employees should please park in your regular designated garage. For other event attendees, please park in the 901 or 8th Avenue and Terrell garages or in the surface lots on Pulaski and Humboldt.
Jingle Mingle at Cook Children’s
The holiday season is a time of cheer, with fun and food at this special time of the year. Cook Children’s is excited to celebrate the season with our tradition of Jingle Mingle employee events. This holiday celebration for employees includes a buffet of delicious food, holiday music and an opportunity to gather and connect with colleagues. Share your holiday spirit by entering the virtual or in-person Feeling Festive contest.
Our annual Jingle Mingle Events will take place at multiple locations throughout the System:
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Medical Center-Prosper
Friday, Dec. 6: Medical Center-Fort Worth
Wednesday, Dec. 11: Calmont Office Building
Click here to view details for these events and contest as well as information on the holiday inter-department transfer funds to support off-site locations and remote teams’ holiday parties.
We can’t wait to celebrate the holiday season with you!
The Arcuate: News from the Justin Institute for Mind Health
What's new at the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health at Cook Children's? Check your inbox for The Arcuate Newsletter for the latest news and innovative treatments and research - or read it here. You'll meet new faculty members, read about funding for the Cook Children's Neurosciences Research Center for research that will be critical in helping children with unilateral cerebral palsy in their sensorimotor recovery, and more.
Webinar Explains How and Why to Save for Retirement
Saving small amounts of your income over time is a powerful way to prepare for retirement. Join the experts from Fidelity on Tuesday, Nov. 19, to learn the steps to enroll in a 401(k) plan. The webinar will also cover key strategies to make sure you’re saving enough.
As a benefit to Cook Children’s employees, you’ll earn 100 Personify Health Points (formerly Virgin Pulse) for attending the webinar. Points may be cashed in for gift cards through our wellness program.
Newsweek has named Cook Children's one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024. We're introducing you to some of the women who make Cook Children's such an amazing place.
Mirna Pfeil and her family are relatively new to Texas. Three years ago, they moved from her lifelong home in California to North Texas. Mirna brought with her 27 years of experience in emergency medical care —18 as an emergency room nurse and 12 as a paramedic. She started her emergency medical services (EMS) career at just 18 years old. Being a young woman in the industry wasn’t always easy.
“At times, I was treated as a girl who couldn't handle the toughness of being in the field,” she said. “That experience has made me resilient.”
Today, Mirna draws upon her extensive experience and wealth of knowledge to lead other nurses as an Emergency Department supervisor at Cook Children’s – Prosper. She also covers two shifts a week as the ER charge nurse, which she says allows her to stay connected to the staff and maintain contact with patients.
“Working at Cook Children’s has provided me with the valuable opportunity to take on the role of a supervisor,” she said. “This experience has allowed me to acquire a new set of skills, which I am truly grateful for.”
Now Playing on the Untold Stories podcast: Tonya Fuqua, DDS
In this episode of Untold: The Stories of Cook Children's we sit down with Tonya Fuqua, DDS. She has devoted herself to improving children’s oral health, spearheading community programs like Save a Smile, and bridging the gap between dental care and overall wellness.
We'd love it if you would please subscribe and tell your friends about our inspiring new Podcast.
Congrats Fourth Quarter Peak Performers
As we celebrate all the winners for the fourth quarter of Peak Performer (July to September), please take a moment to read the nominations for each of them. You can see what set them apart and why their peers, supervisors, and leaders may have felt they deserved this recognition. Congratulations to all our Peak Performers. You help us fulfill our Promise each and every day.
PHOTOS: Cook Children's Process Improvement Graduation
Congratulations to all of our Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt for Leaders, Lean Practitioner, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt graduates for this year. The Process Improvement Graduation took place on Oct. 25.
The Junior Volunteer application portal opens soon! The online application window is Dec. 1, 2024 – Feb. 1, 2025, for the summer program. More info is here.
And speaking of volunteers, a big shout out to Volunteer Rose Jones, a Crowley High School student who was featured in an NBC5 news report. She explained that she was born many weeks premature, and her goal is to work in pediatric medicine to help babies like a doctor who saved her life. Watch the story here.
Retirement Announcement for Warren A. Marks, M.D., Pediatric Neurology
After 36 years of practicing Pediatric Neurology and leading Cook Children's as a previous Vice Chief of Medical Sub-Specialties and Department Medical Director, Warren Marks, M.D., is retiring from on Dec. 31.
Dr. Marks joined Cook Children's in 1988 as a pediatric neurologist and specializes in neuromuscular and movement disorders. He has served on numerous boards and was also previously on the Cook Children's Physician Network Board of Directors. He was the Medical Director of the Rehabilitation Unit at Cook Children's Medical Center-Fort Worth (CCMC) from 1992-2021 and Co-Director of the Transitional Care Unit from 1989-1992.
Dr. Marks started the Movement Disorders Program in 2007. He has been an integral part of the North America Task Force on Pediatric Deep Brain Stimulation by creating and developing the DBS program at Cook Children's and has been the primary investigator for The International Registry of Pediatric Patients Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation. He was also involved in bringing gene therapy to neuromuscular disorders specifically for spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy to Cook Children's. Most recently, he has dedicated his time to the development of the Global Health Program by volunteering countless hours bringing recognition to CCMC.
He is well known throughout the neurology community and has been honored with countless awards and honors. His work has been published in many scientific journals. He was also awarded one of the first Cook Children's Foundation Endowed Chair Awards where he started the Motion Analysis Lab in 2016. Dr. Marks is admired and respected and has built a legacy at the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health. He continues to serve on many committees and plans to remain actively involved with the neurology community.
Thank you, Dr. Marks, for 36 years of Service to Cook Children’s. A retirement celebration will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the Decker Board Room at Medical Center-Fort Worth.
Support Update: A New Way to Reach HRIS, Compensation & Supply Chain
VIDEO: Cook Children’s Unveils Plan to Expand Critical Care to Meet Community Demand
Peaks the Dragon: Our Favorite Friend is Back
Join Us for Our Annual Holiday Extravaganza 
Jingle Mingle at Cook Children’s 
Mirna Pfeil, RN, BSN, Emergency Room Supervisor, Cook Children’s – Prosper
Now Playing on the Untold Stories podcast: 
Congrats Fourth Quarter Peak Performers
PHOTOS: Cook Children's Process Improvement Graduation
Retirement Announcement for Warren A. Marks, M.D., Pediatric Neurology