Connect Newsletter (Nov. 18, 2025)

Reminder: Merit Increases for Eligible Employees 

As a reminder, now that the performance and development process has completed, Cook Children’s executive leadership has granted merit increases that are effective, Nov. 16, 2025, for eligible employees hired before June 15, 2025. Employees are now able to see their pay changes in Workday, and increases will be reflected in the Dec. 5 paycheck. 

The annual performance review process sets aside time and space for employees to have meaningful conversations with their leaders that focus on accomplishments, opportunities for improvement and career development. We hope that those discussions were impactful and we thank you for the time and thought that you invested in the process. Your engagement helps us maintain a culture of accountability and continued growth.   

This year’s merit increase awards are based on the performance period, which is Oct 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025. Merit increases are prorated based on hire date. Employees hired after the June 15, 2025, cutoff will be eligible for a merit increase in the following year.

Cook Children’s executive leadership is excited to grant merit increases based on performance ratings as follows:

Overall Performance Rating = Exceptional              Merit Increase Amount = 4%
Overall Performance Rating = Strong                        Merit Increase Amount = 3%
Overall Performance Rating = Inconsistent             Merit Increase Amount = 0.5%

Thank you for the dedication, compassion and resilience you’ve shown throughout the year. Your commitment to our patients, families and each other make all the difference.

Please click here to access the FAQ for answers to common questions related to merit increases, eligibility, proration, etc. If you still have questions, please connect with your immediate supervisor.   

New Time Clocks Coming Soon

The way you clock in and clock out may look different heading into the new year. Beginning this week, you may see new time clocks installed in various locations across the organization.

What’s Happening?

• We are installing new timeclocks across the Fort Worth campus, clinics, Urgent Care Centers, and the Prosper campus over the next few weeks.
• For now, employees will use a temporary hand-held scanner to scan the barcode on the back of their employee badge when clocking in and out.
• Later in the project, we will change to a tap-to-clock process that uses your badge. More information will be shared before the project is launched. 

Why This Matters
The new time clocks are part of our work to provide a more modern, consistent, and user-friendly timekeeping experience across the organization.

If you have any questions, please submit a request through ServiceNow.

Thank you for everything you do for our patients, families and one another.

Jingle Mingle: Celebrate the Season Together!

The holidays are here and so is Jingle Mingle, our annual tradition of coming together to enjoy great food, as we take time to connect and celebrate the spirit of the season! All Cook Children’s employees are invited to join the fun, whether attending an in-person celebration or utilizing funds provided for off-site and fully remote teams. For IDT forms, virtual contest, and full event information, please visit the Team Experience CookNet site.

Join Us for Holiday Extravaganza on Saturday, Dec. 6

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. 6, for a night of holiday activities, including a visit with Santa from 3 to 4:45 p.m., 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. 

Please tune in to the Cook Children's Facebook page at about 6:15 p.m. for a live stream of the fireworks show and festivities.

In exchange for your photo with Santa, please bring a new, unwrapped infant toy that we can share with our patients and families. Our patients' favorite infant items include: Wubbanubs, musical and light up toys, rattles, board books, shape sorters, and teethers.

Parking: Employees should please park in your regular designated garage. Please help us keep the other garages open for patient families.

Join us for APP Fellowship Program Informational Session 

Transform your career in just 10 short months through the Cook Children’s APP Fellowship Program. This fellowship is designed to support the clinical and professional growth of highly motivated nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Learn more about the APP Fellowship at our informational session at 4 p.m. on Dec. 4. 

For more information visit Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Fellowship Program

Abilene Maternal Fetal Medicine Support the Noah Project 

This is the Abilene Maternal Fetal Medicine clinic staff showing their support for the Noah Project, which is a non-profit organization that offers shelter and outreach support services to women, men, their children and unaccompanied youth who are victims of family violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Noah Project serves 10 counties in West Texas. 

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. 

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