Connect Newsletter
Sept. 16, 2025 |
 Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper Opens Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Expanding Care for Newborns in One of the Nation’s Fastest Growing Regions
We marked a milestone for families in northern Texas as Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper officially opened its state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Purpose built to meet the urgent needs of a rapidly growing community, Cook Children's - Prosper NICU is the first to be housed with a children's hospital in the region. "Our new NICU is a promise to families that their children will receive expert, compassionate care without having to leave their community," said Kevin Greene, President of Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper. "With each investment we make into our medical center and in our outpatient clinics, we are building a foundation for exceptional pediatric care close to home." Please click here to read and see more. We also have a new spot on cookchildrens.org that provides the latest information on the NICU. Visit this page and share with your families by clicking here. |
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 Happy Hispanic Heritage Month
Yesterday, Governor Gregg Abbott proclaimed National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, in Texas, and we have an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of our clinical and non-clinical employees who can trace their heritage to Spain, Mexico, the Carribean and Central and South America. “Hispanic Americans enrich Texas with beautiful traditions and unique perspectives that shine throughout the Lone Star State,” Governor Abbott wrote. “Hispanic Americans have made innumerable contributions that have led to our state's growth, strength, and prosperity. Whether serving as doctors, teachers, small business owners, or community leaders, the leadership of Hispanic Americans plays an important role in Texas’ story.” As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the countless contributions of Hispanic Americans to our state, we also recognize the importance of providing resources for all families. At Cook Children's, we are proud to offer the Spanish Checkup Newsroom, where you can find news and health information in Spanish. To see the content we have published this year, please visit our Checkup Newsroom. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with your families, check out these events happening across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Throughout this month, we will feature our Hispanic employees who have contributed to the success and growth of our organization. ¡Viva la cultura! |
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 A Quick Reminder: Pause Before You Post
Before you share, comment, or like anything online, take a moment to pause. When you're online, your actions reflect on Cook Children's and the community we've built together as a family. Remember to keep our shared values in mind: - Kindness: Does your post or comment build others up or tear them down? Let's choose kindness.
- Safety: Are you protecting your own safety and the privacy of others?
- Respect: Are you showing respect for viewpoints and experiences that may be different from your own, even when you disagree?
- Generosity: Does your post contribute positively to the conversation or offer something helpful?
- Imagination: Does your online presence inspire creativity and new ideas?
- Collaboration: Are you working with others to create a positive and supportive online environment?
Our core values are more than just words—they're the foundation of who we are. By keeping them in mind, we can ensure our online presence is a true and positive reflection of our work, and ultimately our Promise! |
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 Check for Fraudulent Insurance Claims
The Employee Relations department has received in recent weeks a spike in fraudulent insurance claims. Employee Relations will be sending those employees affected an email asking them to contact the TransUnion Credit Bureau to report the claim as fraudulent. If employees want to be proactive, they can contact the Texas Workforce Commission to request a freeze on their account and explain that they’ve been notified that there is a report of fraudulent claims and they would like to ensure no claims are submitted under their name and social security number. Contact Texas Workforce Commission at 888-876-6107 between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. |
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 Additional Flu Fair Dates Added
Occupational Health and the Emergency Department are teaming up to provide additional evening for Flu Fair dates at the Fort Worth Medical Center in Room 1163 (next to Goodies to Go by Emergency Department) from 7 - 10 p.m. Please do not wait until the last minute. The last week may be canceled if we do not have enough attendees. We have evening dates as follows: - Sunday, Sept. 21
- Sunday, Sept. 28
- Wednesday, Oct. 1
- Thursday, Oct. 2
- Friday, Oct. 3
- Monday, Oct. 6 - dependent on prior attendance
- Thursday, Oct. 9 -dependent on prior attendance
To view a full list of dates, times and locations for Flu Fairs please visit Connect Newsroom. |
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 Use of USB Data Storage Drives (Flash Drives)
To enhance the protection of Cook Children’s data, all previously allowed USB Flash Drives, with some exceptions, will no longer work after Oct. 15, 2025. This change is necessary to ensure that patient and organization data remains protected and within compliance of security policies and protocols. Before then please review your use of USB Flash Drives (if applicable) and determine business justification for the upcoming change. Should there be a justified business need for a USB Flash Drive, you will be asked to complete and submit a USB Storage request form. If approved, you will be assigned a secure Cook Children's USB Flash Drive. In the event a request is deemed to not be a necessity, an alternative process will be provided. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to safeguard Cook Children’s data. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please create a ServiceNow ticket here: Cook Employee Center Homepage - Employee Center. |
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 We’re Moving: Email Mailboxes to M365
This month we are moving Cook Children’s email mailboxes from our current system (Exchange 2016) to cloud-based Exchange Online, which is part of Microsoft 365. The email mailbox moves will come in weekly waves to different user groups across Cook Children’s. When it is your turn, you will get an email from Internal Communications with step-by-step instructions for updating mobile devices to reconnect mailboxes to Cook Children’s email. Until you receive that email, there is no action on your part. Once migration takes place, users will notice some changes to mobile services. Safeguards have been implemented to protect sensitive patient information and follow health care security regulations. For example, multi-factor authentication is required – this adds extra protection to your account. Please read this article on the Connect Newsroom with more details. |
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 Mirror Mirror Celebrates its 10-Year Anniversary
Hair? ✔️ Nails? ✔️ Celebrating Mirror Mirror's 10-year Anniversary? ✔️ As we celebrate Mirror Mirror's anniversary, please click here to read our story about the Ezernack family, which travels three hours to visit our salon. For employees, did you know employees can book services with licensed cosmetologists at Mirror Mirror? Located across from the Child Life Zone at Medical Center-Fort Worth, self-care experts can provide gel manicures, pedicures, haircuts, color, and more. All proceeds from the salon go directly back to Cook Children’s to support more patients and families during their hospital stay. Call (682)-885-3200 or stop by to book appointments. Click here to see their CookNet page with employee specials and pricing. |
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Share Your Content with UsDo 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. |
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