Microsoft Teams: Your New One-Stop Shop for Collaboration
Are you ready for a collaboration revolution? On Oct. 4, Microsoft Teams is coming to our system, and it's going to change the way we work. Learn more here.
Teams is a unified communication and collaboration platform that brings together chat, meetings, calling, and files into a single, easy-to-use tool. It's designed to help us work together more effectively and efficiently.
Before we launch Microsoft Teams, we wanted to give you the inside scoop on this powerful platform. We've compiled some important resources to help you learn more about Teams and answer any questions you may have. So take a moment to watch this video tour of Teams and see for yourself how easy it is to use.
During this time before we have a new evaluation process, employees must still complete their annual education requirements. The 2024 Required Annual Training curriculum will be assigned to employees in ULearn on Monday, Oct. 2. Please check ULearn to find out which courses are assigned to you and complete them before your performance conversation with your supervisor on your anniversary date.
Coming Soon: Peaks' Treats
We're excited to announce that Peaks' Treats will be opening on Oct. 9, inside the Dodson Specialty Building at Cook Children's Medical Center-Fort Worth, with more options for meals, snacks and sweets.
Peaks' Treats will feature three popular eateries: Marble Slabs Creamery, Smoothie Factory + Kitchen, and Great American Cookies. These stores will offer a variety of delicious options for patient families, visitors, and employees alike.
We'll have more information about the menu and hours of operation in the coming days, but for now, mark your calendars for Oct. 9, and get ready to enjoy some delicious new food options at Cook Children's!
VIDEO: How Prosper Executive Chef DeWayne B. Pace “Exudes Kindness”
At Cook Children's Medical Center-Prosper, most everyone knows DeWayne’s Pace, CDM, CFPP, Manager/Executive Chef of Food & Nutrition Services. DeWayne is a chef with a heart. He is passionate about using his leadership skills to help others, and his "food as fuel for healing and calm" philosophy is evident over the span of a his 40-year career. Meet DeWayne here.
Updates to Room Reservation Process
Education and Professional Development is making changes to the meeting room reservation process at Cook Children's Medical Center-Fort Worth. These changes will improve efficiency, enhance collaboration, and ensure that classroom spaces are used effectively.
What a Party: Employee Resource Groups Launch A Huge Success
Launch parties at Prosper, and for day and evening shift employees at the Fort Worth Medical Center drew standing room crowds, who learned all about our Employee Resource Groups while dancing, eating snacks and posing for photo button pins.
Joining an ERG provides employees a chance to connect, network, share ideas, learn from one another, foster a sense of inclusion and gain visibility with senior management. Cook Children’s first four ERGs are:
Save the Date: Latino ERG Webinar Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Panel
Latinos Engaging, Advancing, Developing & Supporting (L.E.A.D.S+), a new Employee Resource Group at Cook Children’s, is happy to announce a panel webinar to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and connect and celebrate employees across the System. The webinar will highlight the unique professional development and careers of Hispanics and Latinos at Cook Children's.
The webinar is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 11. It is a special opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the experiences of our Hispanic and Latino colleagues, and celebrate the rich diversity of our workforce. We will hear about their journeys to success, the challenges they have faced, and the lessons they have learned along the way.
More details and the webinar link will be announced in coming days, but please put this event on your calendar.
Hispanic Chamber Names Cook Children's Pediatrician an Emerging Leader
Bianka Soria-Olmos, D.O., a pediatrician at Cook Children's Pediatrics Haslet, was recently selected as one of 50 Fort Worth Emerging Latino Leaders to be featured in the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 50th Anniversary publication.
“The Hispanic Chamber is thrilled to be celebrating our 50-year legacy in the City of Fort Worth. We are so proud of the leaders that elevate our Hispanic Chamber, and the greater Hispanic Community at large,” the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber wrote.
To commemorate its 50-year legacy and the 2023 honorees, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber hosted the 50th Annual Gala and Awards Celebration, Hecho en Fort Worth, on Sept. 16.
Hockey fans, wear your hockey jersey to work Oct. 5-8 and show your team spirit.
Cook Children’s Night at the Dallas Stars game is at 8 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 18, against the Colorado Avalanche. Discounted employee tickets for this game only can be foundhere.
It's almost basketball season. Wear your basketball jersey to work Oct. 19-22 and support your favorite team.
Benefits: Life Insurance Premium “Holiday”
We have some great news about your benefits. If you are enrolled in supplemental life, spouse life or child life insurance coverage, you will be receiving one free pay period of coverage.
It's all because we got a refund from our life insurance broker, and we will be passing on the savings to employees enrolled in the life insurance plans.
• For Bi-weekly Employees: You will not be charged for the supplemental life, spouse life, or child life plans on your Sept. 29 bi-weekly paycheck. • For Physicians: You will not be charged for supplemental life, spouse life, or child life plans on your Oct. 31 paycheck.
Pediatric Nurses Week is Oct. 2-6, and we're celebrating our amazing pediatric nurses with a hot beverage and pastry bar event.
Come on down to the Atrium in the Medical Center-Fort Worth on Oct 4 from 7-9 a.m. or 8-10 p.m. in the Hochberger Pre-Function Area to enjoy some delicious coffee, tea, and pastries, and to show your appreciation for our pediatric nurses.
Our pediatric nurses work hard every day to provide the best possible care for our children and their families. They are compassionate, skilled, and dedicated professionals, and we're so grateful for their service. This event is sponsored by the Nursing Rewards and Recognition Council and the Magnet Council.
Making Sure CareATC Is Available to All
Many of us know how grateful we are when we are sick and are able to get a medical appointment for treatment. We want to make sure that employees are able to be seen at the CareATC Health and Wellness Center when they need healthcare.
However, they’ve noticed an increase in the number of employees and spouses “no showing” for scheduled appointments. We ask you to please make every effort to cancel or reschedule your appointments so that your colleagues and their loved ones can get the healthcare they need. It's just one more way we can live up to our values of kindness and respect.
If you are unable to attend your appointment, you can change it to a virtual visit or cancel or reschedule it.
To cancel or reschedule, use the CareATC app or call the CareATC appointment line at 800-993-8244 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays or 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Take Action for National Preparedness Month: Be Informed
During a disaster, it can be easy to become distracted by all the chaos going on around you. It is highly recommended that you check with your local jurisdiction for registration information to their Emergency Notification System so that you are aware of any emergencies or disasters that may arise in your area. For instructions on how to register for the Cook Children’s Alert System, our emergency mass notification system for employees, click this link on CookNet. In addition, there are other methods to staying informed, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) All Hazards Weather Radio, Outdoor Warning System. Click here for a full list of resources.
Generosity in Action. Join us at a Blood Drive scheduled for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Medical Center-Fort Worth. Sign up at Carter BloodCare here.
For National Suicide Prevention Month, we're introducing you to Team HOPE and how the team brings light to patients at risk for suicide. Read more here on Checkup.
The Spiritual Care Department invites you to send in a photo of your pet for the Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 4. Details are on the Connect Newsroom.
Experts from Cook Children's and around the community will present the Safe Baby Sleep Symposium: Hybrid, 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 5, in Fort Worth. It is hosted by the Safe Baby Sleep Council led by Cook Children's. Get your tickets here.
It is Advanced Practice Providers Week. Did you know that the Cook Children’s Healthcare System has more than 350 APPs? Learn more in the Connect Newsroom.
The new Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health at Cook Children’s, opening this fall, features the work of visually impaired painter who also has epilepsy (see photo). Read his remarkable story on Checkup.
Team Experience Events: Connecting Together 
Pediatric Nurses Week is Oct. 2-6, and we're celebrating our amazing pediatric nurses with a hot beverage and pastry bar event.
