Connect Newsletter (Oct. 8, 2025)

PTO Sellback Reminder 

If you elected to sell back Paid Time Off for calendar year 2025 (an election you made during open enrollment in August 2024) but haven't sold the time yet, your hours will be automatically paid out to you. This payout will be on the Nov. 7, 2025, paycheck.

If you elected PTO sellback for calendar year 2026 (an election made during open enrollment in August 2025), you can begin selling those hours as they accrue, starting in January 2026.

Mental Health Resources Available for Employees

Oct. 10 marks World Mental Health Awareness Day and it is so important that Cook Children's employees feel supported. Employees have many resources to tap for mental and emotional well-being. 

• Headspace App
• Free counseling through CareATC
• Sleepfit digital tool
• Cook Children's Spiritual Care
• ReThink Care: Daily Mindfulness Training- through Personify Health
• Guided Meditations
• Responder Health
• Suicide Prevention Hotline
  • Call or text 9-8-8 for free and confidential support
  • Available 24/7, call or text 9-8-8 for access to mental health crisis services.
  • Please note: the previous 1-800-273-TALK (8255) number is still operational.

Click here to learn how to access these resources. 

Rachel Cress Receives First DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators

The Education and Professional Development Department proudly presented its first DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators on Sept. 17, 2025. The DAISY Award was created to recognize nurse educators who go above and beyond to improve practice and advance patient care through teaching, precepting, and mentoring. This year, 17 educators were nominated for their exceptional dedication to supporting nurses and fostering a culture of learning. 

Congratulations to Rachel Cress, BSN, RN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Educator, who was selected as the inaugural recipient of this distinguished honor.

The DAISY Foundation’s selection criteria for this award include demonstrating empathy and compassion, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment, modeling effective communication, and serving as a role model and mentor. Honorees also exemplify adaptability, a love of lifelong learning, and the ability to build collaborative relationships that strengthen nursing practice. 

It’s Time to Fall For The Next Epic Upgrade

The next Epic upgrade is set for Oct. 17. Be sure to check the Upgrade LHD for a breakdown of the changes coming to your Epic application. These materials are now available. In addition, the routine content freeze that accompanies Epic upgrade will be in effect from Oct. 13 -17.

Effectively Planning Your Medicare Transition Timeline

Whether you're nearing Medicare eligibility or just beginning to plan, this webinar will help you create a clear roadmap for a smooth transition to Medicare.

Loved ones are also welcome to attend the webinar or schedule consultations to help with their own Medicare journey.

Click here to register for the webinar: 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 13 

During this session, a licensed Medicare advisor will discuss:

• When to initiate your Medicare transition.
• Key milestones and the benefits of early preparation.
• Factors to consider when exploring Medicare options.
• A step-by-step guide to preparing for your Medicare enrollment.
• Enrollment periods, deadlines, and common mistakes to avoid.

Can’t attend live? Register anyway, and you’ll receive a follow-up email with the recording, presentation slides, and links to schedule a consultation with a licensed Medicare advisor.

Sign Up for Pumpkin Palooza 

Get ready for some fall fun! Child Life Department is transforming the Child Life Zone at Medical Center-Fort Worth into a magical pumpkin patch, and we want YOUR department to be part of the excitement.

A quick note: This year there won’t an annual haunted house due to scheduling conflicts. In the meantime, Child Life is bringing you something just as festive with our pumpkin patch celebration.

Here’s how it works: our amazing patients will get to vote for their favorite decorated pumpkin, and Child Life Department would love for your team to show off your creativity! Carve out time to join the fun at Pumpkin Palooza on Oct. 21.  

The rules:

• Foam pumpkins only
• Think EXTRAVAGANT. Go all out with decorations
• Get creative and have fun with it!
• No idea is too wild – glitter, themes, characters, the sky’s the limit.
• Pumpkins must be brought to the Child Life Zone by Oct. 20
• LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE – sign up soon.

Want your department to participate? Please email Bianca.erazo@cookchildrens.org by Oct. 10. 

Can’t wait to see what you create!

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. 

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.