Connect Newsletter (Oct. 8, 2026)

Helping Improve Performance & Development

An effective Performance & Development (P&D) process helps employees understand expectations, recognize accomplishments, support growth, and ensure performance is evaluated fairly and consistently. To strengthen our process for FY27 and beyond, Cook Children's established the P&D Advisory Committee and the P&D Business Resource Group (BRG) to gather feedback, explore opportunities, and recommend improvements.

The Advisory Committee, made up of leaders from across the System, provides oversight and recommends priorities for improving the P&D process. The BRG, a diverse group of employees and leaders representing different roles, departments, and locations, brings employee perspectives to the discussion by gathering feedback, researching best practices, and developing recommendations to address priorities. Together, they are helping shape the future of P&D at Cook Children's.

Based on employee and leader feedback, the groups identified several areas to explore, including:

• Making performance ratings more meaningful and easier to understand.
• Strengthening accountability for P&D ratings and conversations.
• Improving clarity and transparency throughout the process.
• Ensuring future enhancements align with compensation and merit practices.

The groups are now working on action plans, evaluating ideas, and researching solutions designed to improve the experience for both employees and leaders.

This work is still underway, but one thing is clear: employee feedback is helping drive the conversation. Thank you to the members of the Advisory Committee and BRG for investing their time and expertise to help create a stronger, more effective Performance & Development process for everyone at Cook Children's.

We look forward to sharing future updates as this work progresses.

Please reach out to PDFeedback@cookchildrens.org if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.

Wellpoint Medicaid Contracts Scheduled to End Nov. 10; Families Have Coverage Options 

Cook Children’s contracts with Wellpoint, a Medicaid health insurance plan, will end Nov. 10, 2026. As a result, Cook Children’s facilities and providers will be out-of-network for Wellpoint STAR and CHIP members.  

Wellpoint members impacted by this change will have the option to transition to a Medicaid plan that includes Cook Children’s. For members within our primary service area, Aetna Better Health or Cook Children’s Health Plan (CCHP) are alternatives. For Wellpoint members in Texas and outside of the immediate area, Cook Children’s participates in other Medicaid health insurance plans that serve families in their region. 

Cook Children’s will continue to provide emergency services to all patients. Additionally, ongoing care may continue when authorized by Wellpoint through continuity-of-care provisions. Until Nov. 10, Wellpoint members will continue to be seen and scheduled for services at Cook Children’s.  

Our goal is to ensure families have the information they need to make the best decisions for their child’s care. We have a dedicated page for families on the Cook Children’s website with details and instructions on how to navigate this transition. 

For Cook Children’s team members, we have prepared detailed guidance to ensure you have the answers needed to support our families. Find them on the Payor Relations site on CookNet. This link is should not be shared outside of Cook Children's. Please only share information from Wellpoint update | Cook Children's with patient families. 

Stop By Art Exhibit Featuring Work from Our Nurses 

You’re invited to experience Sent with Care, a public art exhibit featuring original postcards created by Cook Children’s nurses.

Sent with Care celebrates the everyday work of pediatric nurses at Cook Children’s. The project uses thoughtful data storytelling to make the invisible work of nursing more visible. Participants observed one aspect of their work or experience over time, tracked it, and created a postcard-sized visual that turns those data points into a personal story that illustrates the breadth, complexity, and value of pediatric nursing. Together, these postcards honor the expertise, presence, advocacy, and human connection that nurses bring to children and families every day.

The exhibit is on display at the South Main District MicroPark, 105 S. Main St., Fort Worth, in the hot pink shipping container. Drop by for a special event on Friday, Oct. 9. from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Celebrate 2026 Process Improvement Graduates

You are invited to join us for the 2026 Process Improvement Graduation Ceremony as we recognize and celebrate employees who have completed our Process Improvement certification programs. 

Graduates will be recognized for earning certifications in:

• Lean Six Sigma White Belt
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt for Leaders
• Lean Practitioner
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Please join us in celebrating these graduates' hard work, commitment to continuous improvement, and professional growth. Join these graduates from 1 - 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at the Hochberger Auditorium.

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.