Important Announcement Regarding the Office of Employee Connections (formerly known as IDE)

Cook Children’s has made the difficult decision to dissolve the Office of Employee Connections (formally known as the Office of IDE). This includes the discontinuation of three recently formed employee resource groups (ERGs): B.O.L.D.; L.E.A.D.S.; and PRIDE+. The Veterans Group will be continuing the work it began in 2017, prior to the establishment of the Office and the other ERGs. There will be no changes to the Veterans Group nor its structure.

Born out of three of our core values – Respect, Kindness, Collaboration – the Office of IDE was established in 2021, as another venue to engage the rich diversity of employees’ voices. ERGs supported the Office of IDE by engaging unique groups of employees. 

In light of U.S. presidential executive orders signed in January, we have come to understand the Office of IDE could put Cook Children’s at risk of losing significant federal funds that enable us to deliver on our Promise. These include Medicaid and research dollars. Without these financial resources, patient care would be impacted and the economic livelihood of many of our employees would be in jeopardy. 

Even though political winds have shifted, the values and commitments of Cook Children’s have not. For more than 107 years, we have been committed to providing the best patient care and supporting our employees while also being concerned about their well-being. The very tenets of IDE are entrenched in our values, and our values have been our north star for years.   

This decision will be disappointing to many. However, the change does not deter our path to create connections and value for every employee. We have an opportunity to double down on our values, to strengthen our culture, creating a sense of belonging for each of us. After all, these values are not just what we do but more importantly, who we are.  

Thank you for understanding, and for living out our values and our Promise.