If you have more photos, please email them to TeamExperience@cookchildrens.org

View the photos below: 

• Mike Bacsik, broadcaster
• Jake Burger, third baseman
• Evan Carter, outfielder
• Brett Hayes, catching coach
• Justin Viele, hitting coach

See our photos below: 

The goal of the dedicated staff in Cook Children's Language Services Department is to ease that burden. The department provides interpretation and translation services for patients and guardians across the hospital system. Interpretation deals with the spoken language while translation converts written text.

But interpreters are not just a link between patient and provider; Cook Children’s interpreters provide empathy, connection and a sense of safety for families.

“We do it because it's the right thing to do,” Anylu NerioGarza, CHI-Spanish, LSSYB-L,, Director of the Language Services Department, said. “We need to involve our patients and our guardians in their care.”

Whenever a patient comes to Cook Children’s, their guardian(s) fill out a form where they can request language services. Most of the requests are for Spanish interpretation or translation and one of Cook Children’s 30 Spanish interpreters will meet with the family to ensure communication between them and their nurses and doctors.

In 2024, Spanish interpreters had 63,497 encounters with patients and families. Collectively, they spent a total of 717,931 minutes with families.

When Maria Garcia, CHI-Spanish, walks in a room to help a family, she can see the instant relief and gratitude on their faces. Maria, who has been at Cook Children’s for a year, said she and other interpreters provide empathy and comfort for people. Sometimes a child might already be acting as the interpreter between nurses and family members, and Garcia said it’s important to take that burden off the child.

She and Ramon AdameZambrano, CHI-Spanish, both experienced interpreting for their parents growing up and know it can be stressful.  Ramon’s parents did not speak English, and when the family bought their first car when Ramon was 11, he helped them with the paperwork because they didn’t know what they were signing. He wants to ease children at Cook Children’s of that kind of responsibility.

“I’m able to help parents be at ease that they’re getting all the correct information,” he said. “But also allow that child that doesn’t feel well to just relax and heal. Because a lot of us were not granted this resource in our childhood.”

Ramon did not even know his current job existed until the family brought his brother to Cook Children’s after he broke his arm on the soccer field. Ramon’s now-manager helped his mom understand what was happening as providers prepped her son for surgery. The experience inspired him; he’s now been at Cook Children’s almost ten years.

He joined a growing team. Over the last few years, the need for language services has been amplified in the area, Ramon said.

Josefina (Josie) Rodriguez, CHI-Spanish, is the department’s most senior interpreter; she’s been at Cook Children’s for 30 years. In those decades, she has watched the department grow from two staff members to the community it is now. Those resources help interpreters juggle the various demands of their jobs; in each case, they have to understand the medical side of what’s happening, communicate the conversation and make sure they’re leaving space for the patient and family to ask questions. Through their role, they hope to also empower the patient and family to take an active role in their medical care.

Her favorite part of her job is building that relationship with families.

“It is important to build that trust. When you build that trust, that family will open up to you and will feel more comfortable asking questions,” Josie said.

Most of the department’s services are used for Spanish-speakers, but Cook Children’s provides interpreters, translators and online resources in a multitude of languages. For example, the department frequently coordinates interpreters for people who need American Sign Language services. Cook Children’s second-most common language for interpreter services is Arabic, followed by Vietnamese.

A network of contract interpreters are available to help patients and families over the phone or video. The Blue Phone, for example, is a literal phone set up in nurses’ stations across Cook Children’s that connects patients and families with interpreters in over 200 languages. The department also provides Green Carts, which is a table with an iPad or Surface Pro attached. Families can request to speak virtually with a Video Remote Interpreter (VRI) over video in 55 languages. If an interpreter is not immediately free, the Green Cart also has 200 audio interpreters.  In 2024, patients at Cook Children’s spent more than one million collective minutes talking to VRIs.

Some interpreters, like Ramon, also provide translation for medical documents. This ensures that patients and families have access to information in a language they understand, especially on discharge paperwork.

Cook Children’s does not stop its language services at the door; Josie works with patients even after they leave the hospital to make sure that continuity of care is seamless.

Anylu has been with the system for 24 years and was an interpreter for the first ten. As a director, she sometimes misses the connection that comes from working directly with families. But the work can also be difficult.

As an interpreter, you may have to deliver serious news to a family and keep your own emotions in check, so you stay focused.

Anylu said the department is constantly adapting and innovating in order to provide patients and families with the best services possible — no matter what language they speak.

“We think about core values -- Like connection, elevation -- and we're not able to do those if we’re not providing interpreter services to our families,” she said.

Click here to watch webinar.

Password: S^mI814q

Register here 

Cook Children's employees have access to Headspace free of charge! You will need to make a Personify Health account and go to the “Benefits” tab. Through the Headspace app you will have access to mindfulness tools for everyday life, including meditations, sleep casts, mindful movement and focus exercises.

• Headspace Personify Account Linking Steps (1).pdf
• Headspace Core x Personify Health Enrollment Flow Troubleshooting Guide (6).pdf

If you are having trouble with Headspace, you can email their support team: teamsupport@headspacehelp.zendesk.com

SleepFit

Cook Children's employees have access to SleepFit free of charge! You will need to make a Personify Health account and go to the “Benefits” tab. SleepFit is an evidence-based digital solution that help people get the sleep they need to achieve optimal rest and perform at their best. 

Spiritual Care

• Call, page, or Vocera for a hospital chaplain 24/7
• To contact a chaplain during business hours, call 682-885-4030.
• After 5 p.m., call the operator to page a chaplain.

ReThink Care: Daily Mindfulness Training - Through Personify Health

RethinkCare How To.pdf

• Mindfulness Basic Training
• Self-Awareness
• Cultivating Healthy Thoughts
• Yoga Basics

 Guided Meditations 

• 5 Minute Meditation: Click here
• 3 Minute Body Scan: Click here
• 3 Minute Body and Sound Meditation: Click here
• 12 Minute Meditation: Click here
• 9 Minute Loving Kindness Meditation: Click here
• 30-Day Meditation Challenge_Teladoc.pdf (livongo.com)
• Guided Self-Compassion Breaks: Click here

Responder Health

• Call Responder Health at 206-459-3020 or visit the website. 

Suicide Prevention Hotline

Call or text 9-8-8 for free and confidential support

• Available 24/7, call or text 9-8-8 for access to mental health crisis services.
• Please note: the previous 1-800-273-TALK (8255) number will continue to work as well or visit the website.

 Cook Children’s University Recommended Courses: 

• CCU Course Overview.pdf (cookchildrens.org)
• Health and Stress Management: Understanding the Connection
• Health and Stress Management: Emotions and Stress-Resilient Personalities
• Vitamin Be: Using Mindfulness and Responding to the Present Moment
• Preventing Compassion Fatigue: Prescription for Sustaining Energy and Balance
• Mindful moments: Gain a sense of calm, clear your mind, and support your well-being with these audio messages.
• Be Gentle with Yourself
• Healthy Mindset
• Relax Your Busy Mind 

Wellness Room 

Located in the Basement/Pavilion area by classrooms RM B0032D - Exit hallway between Classroom 5 and the Computer Classroom (Double Doors). Wellness/Lactation Room is the 3rd door on the right. Relax in the massage chair, grab a journal or coloring book.

Resource Links: 

• Mental Health Resources Available for You (cookchildrensconnect.com)
• https://www.mentalhealth.gov/
• https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources
• https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/tools-resources/adults/index.htm
• 17 Free Ways to Practice Self-Care | Wellness | MyFitnessPal
• Breathing Exercises.pdf (cchcs.ldap).
• https://www.mentalhealth.gov/
• https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources
• https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/tools-resources/adults/index.htm
• Positive Affirmations.pdf

As a reminder: 

• Please plan for 170 children, 1-2 items per child
• No edible treats please, not even healthy items.
• Patients are not to be photographed during this activity. We must have consent forms for all photographs. This is hard for us to monitor at an event this large, so please no photos.

For the full list of reminders and to apply to participate, please download the sign-up form on the right-hand side of this page under the downloads tab. 

Please return the sign-up form by Friday, Oct. 17 to Megan Hodges-Cook in the Child Life Department through email patientevents@cookchildrens.org For more information, please call 682-885-4270. Thank you for making this event special for patients and families!

What is the Homeless Initiative Program?

The Case Management Department implemented this program that provides services to Presbyterian Night Shelter, Union Gospel Mission, Arlington Life Shelter and Journey Home Housing Program. Families are referred from shelter staff and are then connected to our neighborhood clinic for medical care. We arrange the well checks, provide transportation via our 16-passenger shuttle that is dedicated only to our Homeless Initiative, and communicate with clinic staff as to the needs of the family.

How long has the Homeless Initiative program been active in the Cook Children’s community?

The Homeless Initiative Program at Cook Children’s began in 2008, with two goals in mind - eliminating any barrier to medical care and decreasing the use of our ER as their primary care option. Since 2008, over 19,000 children, ranging in ages newborn – 18, have received services through our program, ranging from well checks, sick visits, specialty appointments, dental services and behavioral health needs.   

How will the collection items be used?

Items of focus will be the same as the last four years sheets, towels, hand towels, washcloths and baby wipes. When a new family enters the program, new items are given to each family; some families can be as large as 10 children. When the families exit the program, they will take these items so generously donated by Cook employees to their new homes.

Is the drive for employees only?

Yes, the drive is an employee-only drive. 

Is there an Amazon wish list?

Click on the link below or use the following mailing address: 

Case Management Attn: Bianca Ramos, 901 7^th Ave., Suite 3300C, Fort Worth, TX 76104

https://a.co/3aZPED8

Can I still donate if my off-site location is not on drop off location list?

Yes, of course! Off-site locations like Urgent Care Centers, Calmont, and Rehab, will have a donation box. For those regional/satellite clinics that would like to participate Amazon wish list would be ideal.

The drop off locations on our Cook Children's Medical Center - Fort Worth campus include: 

• 750 Bldg., fourth floor
• Central pharmacy – basement
• Dodson, first floor – Orthopedics
• Dodson, second floor – Endocrinology/Urology break room
• Dodson, third floor – Plastic Surgery break room
• Dodson, fifth floor – Hematology/Oncology break room
• Emergency Department – break room
• HIM/Lab – break room
• Medical center, first floor – room 1307
• North Tower, first floor – information desk
• 901 Bldg., fourth floor – Occupational Health waiting room
• Pediatric Infusion Center
• PICU
• ROB, first floor – reception
• South Tower, sixth floor - Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Psychiatry 

We have some great news about your benefits.

Cook Children’s is a member of the Children’s Hospital Association consortium. Members of the consortium can purchase voluntary life and disability insurance plans through Securian and The Hartford. Because the consortium purchased a higher volume of insurance than originally anticipated, all participating hospitals received a volume discount on their premiums, which resulted in a “refund” to Cook Children’s. 

To put it even more plainly: We got a refund from our insurance broker, and we will be passing on the savings to employees enrolled in life and disability insurance plans. 

What this means: 

• For Bi-weekly Employees: You will not be charged for supplemental long-term disability, supplemental life, spouse life and child life on your Sept. 26 paycheck. 
• For Physicians: You will not be charged for supplemental life on your Sept. 30 paycheck. 

Your coverage is still in effect; you simply won’t have to pay for it on these paycheck(s). 

If you have questions, please contact AskBenefits@cookchildrens.org.

It is time for our annual drive for those experiencing homelessness. Your generosity makes a difference!

We are collecting items from Sept. 27 to Oct. 25. Acceptable items must be new. They are:

• baby wipes
• bath towels
• hand towels
• twin sheets
• washcloths

Where to drop off your donations:

Find a downloadable flyer at the top right of this page.

What is the Homeless Initiative program?

Our program provides services to Presbyterian Night Shelter, Union Gospel Mission, Arlington Life Shelter, and Journey Home Housing Program. Our families are referred from shelter staff and are then connected to a neighborhood clinic for medical care. 

We arrange the well checks, provide transportation via our 16-passenger shuttle that is dedicated only to our Homeless Initiative, and communicate with clinic staff as to the needs of the family.

How long has the Homeless Initiative program been active in the Cook Children’s community?

Our Homeless Initiative Program at Cook Children’s began in 2008, with 2 goals in mind: eliminating any barrier to medical care and decreasing the use of our Emergency Department as their primary care option. 

Since 2008, over 19,000 children, ranging in ages newborn to 18, have received services at thru our program, ranging from well checks, sick visits, specialty appointments, dental services, and behavioral health needs.   

How will the collection items be used?

Every fall, our program, working with our social worker from the Women’s Center, has an annual drive to assist our shelters in a common need that all have.

Our items of focus will be the same as the last four years: sheets, towels, hand towels, washcloths and baby wipes.