Connectivity and Construction: Highlights from the May 12 Town Hall

The May 12 Town Hall delivered a series of major announcements for Cook Children’s employees, ranging from immediate digital upgrades to a long-term vision for the system’s physical expansion.

Digital Upgrades: Unlimited Email and Secure AI

In one of the most appreciated segments, Senior VP and Chief Digital Information Officer Teresa Tonthat and CISO Kathy Jobes shared news that will fundamentally change the daily digital experience for staff.

• Expanded Mailboxes: Effective immediately, Outlook mailboxes have been expanded to 100 GB (virtually unlimited for daily use).
• Extended Retention: To improve workflow and historical access, the email retention period has been extended from 60 days to 365 days.
• The Launch of "Co-Pilot": Recognizing the interest in generative AI, the system is launching a sanctioned, secure version of ChatGPT within Microsoft Teams. This allows employees to leverage "augmented intelligence" for daily tasks while ensuring all protected health information remains within our secure environment.

A New Era of Brand and Trust: The Journey Campaign

The meeting featured a "sneak peek" of the system's new commercial and the introduction of the Journey campaign. The visuals emphasize that every child’s life is a journey of ups and downs, and Cook Children’s is there for all of it, connecting families to world-renowned specialists and breakthrough treatments.

Cook Children's President and CEO Rick Merrill and Chief Administrative Officer Amy Knight explained that as the system grows physically, the brand must act as a "halo" that unifies every clinic and medical center under a single promise of expertise and compassion. Mr. Merrill noted that while advertising builds awareness, the true brand is "reflected in how each of us shows up every day."

Managing the "Growing Pains" of the West Tower

Spencer Seals, SVP of Construction, Real Estate and Facilities, gave a transparent look at the construction landscape. With Fort Worth’s population hitting the one-million mark five years ahead of schedule, the system is moving quickly to stay ahead of the curve.

• The West Tower Project: By 2030, the West Tower will become the largest expansion in Cook Children’s history, adding 760,000 square feet and more than doubling the size of the Heart Center.
• Infrastructure & Tunnels: To prepare, crews are currently "tunneling" 42 feet under 7th Avenue to connect utilities. Future plans include a tunnel system that will allow staff to circumnavigate the entire campus underground.
• Kids Place Relocation: A key milestone was reached with the relocation of the Kids Place daycare to its new, beautiful space near the 750 building.

World Cup Preparedness

Vice President Nick Markham, VP of Campus Facilities and Support Services, spoke about the World Cup, which will bring nine matches to the region. “FIFA equates one World Cup game to the Super Bowl,” An Emergency Management task force has been meeting for a year to ensure clinical readiness and cultural awareness for the influx of international visitors.

The Human Element of Preeminence

The Town Hall opened and closed with a focus on the people behind the data. Jennifer Hayes, Director of Spiritual Care, offered a blessing for the "spreadsheet whisperers" and caregivers who keep the system standing.

Clinical leaders, including Jonathan Nedrelow, M.D., Matthew Dzurik, M.D., and Corwin Warmink, M.D., reminded the audience that while technology and genetic breakthroughs are exciting, the "human element" remains our most important tool.

The physicians highlighted several key shifts in our care model:

• Medical Discovery: Dr. Nedrelow shared his excitement over new "fast-track" drugs and genetic therapies for sickle cell anemia that are fundamentally altering diseases rather than just managing symptoms.
• Sophistication of Care: Dr. Warmink noted that our system has become so sophisticated that children with complex needs who once had to travel elsewhere are now staying with us for world-class treatment.
• The Power of Trust: Dr. Dzurik emphasized that in an age of AI and instant information, earning a family's trust through shared decision-making is more critical than ever.

As Dr. Warmink put it, the engagement of our staff is our "superpower," and the collective drive for excellence is what will make Cook Children’s the preeminent place in the country to receive care.