12 Days (and more) of Holiday Magic Featuring Cook Children’s Health Care Heroes

A Holiday Tribute to Our Unsung Heroes

The holiday season is a time for gratitude, reflection, and joy, and at Cook Children’s, we find ourselves in awe of the incredible people who make magic happen every day. Across both of our medical centers, the health plan, home health, the urgent care centers, neighborhood health clinics, and primary and specialty care offices, countless unsung heroes dedicate themselves to bringing hope and healing to children and families. You are the heart of our Promise—turning our words of “everything for the child” into actions, and ensuring that every child and their family can see and feel the love and care that defines us.

This holiday season, and throughout the year, we want to say thank you. To every nurse, physician, caregiver, administrator, and team member—your dedication, kindness, and tireless efforts are nothing short of heroic. You inspire us all.

As we shine a spotlight on twelve of our remarkable unsung heroes, let this tribute serve as a celebration of each of you. From all of us to all of you—may your holidays and every day ahead be filled with the values we cherish: kindness, respect, generosity, imagination, collaboration, and safety.

Cook Children's Health Plan

Our Health Plan was named to the Texas Hospital Association's Holiday Tributes to Texas Hospital Heroes this year, which highlights “health care workers making a difference in Texas Hospitals.” THA wrote the following about the Health Plan:

"The Cook Children's Health Plan is a dedicated team of nearly 400 employees, led by President Karen Love; Kimberly Aaron, M.D., Vice President of Clinical Affairs; Crystal O'Reilly, Assistant Vice President of Quality and Service Coordination; COO Sherry Vetter; and Richard Lee, Vice President of Finance.

The CCHP team works tirelessly to ensure that children and families in North Texas have access to quality health care. Their steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to patients are helping to improve the lives of Texans."

To learn more about the Health Plan visit:  Save Cook Children's Health Plan.

Cathy Carroll, MBA, RRT-NPS, LSSYB, Director of Respiratory Care 

For Cathy Carroll, MBA, RRT-NPS, LSSYB, work isn’t just a profession — it’s a personal mission. Having battled childhood asthma and now standing strong as a five-year breast cancer survivor, she knows firsthand the struggles her patients face and the strength it takes to overcome them. Inspired by the many compassionate caregivers she encountered; Carroll spends her days listening to and supporting the needs of her staff and peers and guiding them as they provide bedside care. She has been a member of the Cook Children’s family for 42 years and knows the culture inside and out.

Carroll most appreciates the value of collaboration and seeing the smiles of children as they walk through the medical center experiencing the Cook Children’s magic. She loves to travel with family and friends, likes to exercise and enjoys quiet time with a good book. Thank you, Cathy, for your lifetime of dedication to Cook Children’s and for sharing your expertise and empathy with the patients and families we serve. 

Claire Cartmel, M.S. Ed., LBA, Assistant Principal at Jane Justin School 

Claire Cartmel embodies the spirit of kindness at Cook Children’s. With a decade of dedicated service, Claire has made a profound impact on the lives of countless students. Her unwavering commitment to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment is evident in every interaction. By assuming the best in others and leading with compassion, Claire inspires those around her to reach their full potential. 

Outside of work, she assists her mom’s floral design business, plays tennis, eats Tex Mex, cheers on the Texas A&M Aggies and spends her weekends with her husband and two children. Her passion for education and her ability to find moments of magic in everyday challenges make her a true Unsung Hero. 

Margaret Dempsey, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Psychology Clinic Manager 

Margaret Dempsey, Ph.D., is a team player. In fact, she says the best thing about her job is the collaboration between providers and staff at the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health. From her fellow psychologists, who she calls the “Dream Team,” to all of the specialists and support staff throughout the Justin Institute, Dempsey feels lucky to work in a place where she feels valued and supported. But it’s the patients, she says, who truly win from collaboration and kindness, and she gives it abundantly. Dempsey believes kindness has the “magic” to quickly calm, heal, and reduce feelings of being scared, worried, or uncertain, which are often experienced by many of our children and families. Kindness in an interaction like a smile, a gesture, or a helpful action, can soften those fears and help patients and families feel trust and care in our medical center.

Walking the Trinity Trails helps Dempsey de-stress from a long day. She also enjoys spending time with close friends and family, being part of her faith community, volunteering and being showered with affection by her cat.

The ECMO Team   

The Navy's SEAL Team is a highly-specialized team of elite fighters known for conducting high-risk special operations. They are often given a covert mission and stealthily complete it with little to no recognition or even public knowledge of the operation. Some call Cook Children’s ECMO team the “SEAL Team” of the medical center. Not because they play a role in protecting our country by way of sea, air and land, but because members of the ECMO team are often called away from their daily jobs to complete a mission that requires a highly specialized skill, and they do it deep behind the scenes.

The ECMO Team operates the artificial lung device known as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Only the sickest of the sick patients require this treatment and, when they do, the ECMO Team is there at a moment’s notice, day or night. To the members of this special force, we salute you!

Maria Espiricueta Cruz, BSW, Family Advocate, Cook Children’s Arlington Neighborhood Clinic 

The physicians, nurses and support staff who call one of Cook Children’s Neighborhood Clinics their work home are truly on the front lines of health care. Family advocate Maria Espiricueta Cruz, BSW, is one of them. She and her team work to fill critical gaps in services in underserved communities where social and economic barriers to health, nutrition and safety impact the physical, emotional and mental well-being of children. Espiricueta Cruz says she and her colleagues are dedicated professionals who are deeply passionate about supporting patients and their families. Her most memorable work moments are those when she gets to witness what she calls the “essence of Cook Children’s,” where the shared commitment of excellence, quality care and compassion unites every employee, whether in the hospital or at a Neighborhood Clinic.

Thank you, Maria, for your commitment to serving the most vulnerable in our communities, and for always striving to do it with respect, kindness and safety for all children and families.

Jingle Mingle Team

About 20 years ago, ten staff members, including Executive Chef JoAnn Williams and Retail Manager Regina Hobson, organized “The Feast,” during which administrators served food to staff members in the cafeteria. It wasn’t long before “The Feast” became known as Jingle Mingle. Today, it's one of the most anticipated events of the season.

This year, the delicious food will be served up buffet-style using eco-friendly flatware, dinnerware and even catering trays. There will also be bins for everyone to place the compostable materials once finished so that it can be composted properly. 

Hip, hip, hooray to the Jingle Mingle Team for creating a festive and environmentally friendly way for the Cook Children’s family to celebrate the season together, and to spread kindness and generosity to one another.

Joel Murray, Custom Mobility Technician, Cook Children’s Home Health 

It takes imagination to be a custom mobility technician, and Joel Murray has it in spades. For the past 9 years, Murray has used his skill and ingenuity to assemble, repair and maintain mobile medical equipment to meet the specific needs of patients and ensure comfort, safety, accessibility and functionality. And he delivers it all with a hefty dose of generosity, emphasizing that true generosity with your time and efforts naturally fosters respect and kindness. He makes a point to go above and beyond for every patient, even going out of his way to tweak a wheelchair provided to a patient by another company in order to relieve the patient’s pain. His creativity truly changes the day-to-day lives of patients and families and makes a difficult circumstance a little more comfortable and manageable.

Always striving to improve his skills and expertise, Murray will sit for the Assisted Technology Professional (ATP) exam in 2025, which will give him the ability to provide custom equipment to kids rather than just assembling and repairing it. Outside of work, Murray enjoys running, concerts, fishing, camping, home improvement projects and spending as much time with his wife and dogs as he can. 

Good luck on your ATP exam, Joel. We believe in you!

Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center Community Partners

When people lock arms to accomplish a goal, big things happen. Just ask the community partners working together to bring health services to the underserved area of Fort Worth known as Las Vegas Trail. The collaboration between the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, LVTRise, JPS Health Network, Cook Children’s Health Care System and WestAid Community Resources is giving rise to the new Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center, slated to open in late 2025.

Thanks to the support of these community partners, the two-story, 40,000-square-foot center will be home to various pediatric and adult medical and social services, as well as a Fort Worth Police storefront. It will bring health, nutrition, enhanced safety and hope to a neighborhood long known to be a food and health care desert.

We celebrate all of our partners in this endeavor, each of them dedicated to collaboration for the health and well-being of our city. 

Megan Mahoney, BSN, RN, CDCES, Clinic Nurse/Diabetes Educator, Cook Children’s – Prosper 

Megan Mahoney’s passion for diabetes education shines through her compassionate approach to patients and families as they face some of the most challenging times in their lives. She knows showing kindness helps them feel supported, seen and empowered. Among countless memorable days, Mahoney’s favorite moments stem from seeing the growth and resilience of her patients. From navigating early challenges with bravery to celebrating milestones during follow-ups, she feels privileged to walk alongside families through their diabetes journeys. Looking ahead to 2025, Mahoney is eager to help even more patients and support the continued growth of Cook Children’s – Prosper.

When she’s not at work, Mahoney spends her time baking delicious treats, reading, crafting, and cycling indoors. She also loves quality time with her husband.

Michelle Marcincuk, M.D., FACS, ENT Medical Director

We celebrate Michelle Marcincuk, M.D., FACS, for always doing everything for the child. She makes Cook Children’s Promise a daily reality for patients and families by treating every child as if they are her own. Dr. Marcincuk loves to see children and families experience the fun at Cook Children’s, from the many celebrations to the therapy dogs and holiday decorations. She often adds her own touch of whimsy by wearing silly socks just to make her patients smile and laugh. Dr. Marcincuk believes kindness and respect shown by everyone to everyone is what fosters collaboration for the best care of each child and makes Cook Children’s a great place to work. In 2025, she’s looking forward to adding new collaborators as ENT recruits new physicians to its specialty group.

Even away from work, the health and well-being of children is always on her mind. This year, she ran the New York City Marathon on behalf of a charity that benefits children. She also enjoys playing tennis, skiing, gardening and spending time with her two children and two dogs.

Brittany Mclaughlin, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC

As a leader, Brittany Mclaughlin’s focus is as much on the well-being of her staff as it is the patients and families they care for. It’s a privilege, she says, to support them so they can be at their best and have the resources they need to do everything for the child. She believes having a culture of kindness sets Cook Children’s apart from other organizations, and she strives to contribute to that culture in every interaction she has, be it with a colleague, patient or guest. Mclaughlin says the moments of magic she witnesses every day under the blue peaks are her daily inspiration. Her best days are those when she gets to be in the unit serving alongside her staff and visiting with patients and families, as collaborative bedside care is truly what fills her cup.

Mclaughlin and her husband have two teenage boys that keep her busy away from work, but she is not quick to wish this busy time of life away, saying she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Kristy L. Newman, Manager, HP Configuration, Reimbursement Analysis, Cook Children’s Health Plan 

Kristy Newman may not provide direct patient care, but her behind-the-scenes work makes the job of patient caregivers easier. She leads the team at Cook Children’s Health Plan (CCHP) that ensures claims are processed timely and correctly, allowing families and medical providers to concentrate on the patient versus claim payment. She doesn’t just do her job, but makes a point to add a little extra of herself in every action and encounter, be it kindly greeting someone on the elevator, smiling at a passerby or opening a door. For Kristy, it’s the little things that make a big impact.

And she’s cherishing every opportunity she has at the Health Plan to make a bigger impact, as the organization faces the challenge of its lifetime with the decision by Texas’ Health and Human Services Commission to deny the renewal of the Health Plan’s managed care contract with the state, instead awarding contracts to large, national for-profit insurers in an unfair procurement process. After Cook Children’s spoke out about the decision, a Travis County court issued a temporary injunction to stop HHSC from issuing any new contracts, and Cook Children’s is committed to continuing to advocate for CCHP and its members. Even in uncertainty, Kristy continues to give her all and make the most of her time with her colleagues and co-workers.

Away from work, you’ll find Kristy cuddling her 58-pound, 17-month old puppy. She also enjoys visiting new places and trying new restaurants.

Karina Osorio, MBA, MSM, BAS, Director, Business Practice Operations, Cook Children’s Home Health Orthotics & Prosthetics, Orthotics & Prosthetics Fabrication Lab and Custom Mobility

Karina Osorio is a vital part of the team bringing Cook Children’s magic beyond the walls of the medical center and straight to the doorsteps of patients and families. After all, there’s truly no place like home. Over the years, Osorio has witnessed countless magical moments—her favorites being the ones that light up a child’s face with joy as they receive a life-changing device that makes everyday tasks a little easier.

What she treasures most about Cook Children’s is its commitment to listening and valuing every voice. This sense of belonging is why her favorite memory is the day she joined the Home Health team, a decision that perfectly aligned with her passion for kindness. For Osorio, kindness isn’t just a value; it’s a powerful force that ripples outward, building trust, strengthening connections, and laying the groundwork for positive relationships.

Outside of work, Osorio finds joy in traveling, diving into a good book, and creating delicious homemade meals for her family. Here’s to Karina for her inspiring leadership and unwavering dedication to spreading Cook Children’s magic wherever it’s needed most!

Stacy Putman, MBA, RRT, CMTE, Director of Transport

Stacy Putman, MBA, RRT, CMTE, takes patient care to new heights. As the director of Transport, her job is full of high-speed and high-flying adventures with Teddy Bear Transport, but it’s fulfilling Cook Children’s Promise to improve the health and well-being of every child in its care and communities that gives her the biggest thrill. She’s been living that Promise at Cook Children’s for 25 years, beginning as a respiratory therapist in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and holding several other positions along the way. The best part of the journey, she says, is witnessing how the level of care, kindness and respect shown to patients can truly change a child’s life.

She’s looking forward to soaring to new heights in 2025 as the transport team expands its reach by growing its presence at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper and adding a new aircraft that allows them to travel to communities faster and further away than ever before. Away from the adventures of her always on-the-go job, Putman enjoys spending time with family, friends and people who bring her joy.

Rickey Ross, REEGT, CLTM, Neurodiagnotic Lab Manager

Rickey Ross, REEGT, CLTM, knows how to make magic happen. Every day, he works to transform challenges into opportunities of trust, hope and healing. Kindness is the cornerstone of this magic, he says. Especially in Neurodiagnostics, where families often face some of their hardest moments, Ross believes kindness builds bridges that foster meaningful connections. Through the use of EEG and collaboration with neurologists, Ross and his team help uncover vital information about the type and origin of seizures, which plays a crucial role in determining effective seizure and epilepsy treatments. For more than 26 years, he has been an ambassador of the Cook Children’s magic in quiet yet profound ways—a comforting smile, a playful moment with a frightened child during a procedure, a kind and encouraging word to a family. Creating moments of magic is more than just an ideal, but an everyday reality for Ross and his team.

In 2025, Ross is looking forward to seeing how the Neurodiagnostic program continues to grow and evolve. With advancements in technology and the increasing complexity of epilepsy care, he’s excited to find new ways to enhance the quality of Cook Children’s EEG services and support his team.

The Starbucks Baristas

They are the quiet champions of our daily grind. To the nurse gearing up for their third grueling shift of the week, to the exhausted mom who spent the night comforting her sick child, and to everyone in between, the Starbucks baristas and their espresso machines stand as an oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle of hospital life, ready to brew comfort and resilience in every cup.

No order is too complicated, no request too intricate. Whether it’s a venti iced coffee with six classic, six vanilla, six hazelnut, extra caramel drizzle, extra half and half and sweet cream foam, or the delightfully quirky venti mango dragon fruit lemonade refresher with a sprinkle of matcha powder, they approach each creation with the same dedication and enthusiasm.

These caffeine connoisseurs thrive on collaboration. Behind the counter, teamwork isn’t just an ingredient—it’s the secret sauce that keeps the operation running smoothly, one perfectly foamed latte at a time. But what truly fuels their passion isn’t just the coffee, it’s the connections. The moments of genuine camaraderie with coworkers, the warm smiles exchanged with regulars, and the chance to brighten someone’s hectic day. For them, it’s not just about serving coffee—it’s about serving kindness, one cup at a time.