Mekka Livingston

Fun Fact: Mekka has been in several commercials for Seattle KOMO Channel 4 News.

Lines of Service: 

• Legal
• Legal Ops and Contract Administration
• Chief Risk Officer
• Enterprise Risk Management
• Insurance
• General Counsel
• Senior Attorney Employee & Benefits
• Senior Attorney
• Compliance
• Talent Management
• CCPN PN Administration

Mekka is the Director of Employee Relations. A native of Seattle, Wash, she attended Morris Brown College, but received her Bachelor of Science in Human Relations from Amberton University. She joined the Cook Children’s family in March 2021, with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry.

In her role, Mekka oversees the employee relations team. It is also her responsibility to create and foster a productive, respectful, and legally compliant workplace environment.

Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Denita Fowlkes

Fun Fact: Music is a huge part of Denita's life. She sang the National Anthem and the Black National Anthem at the NBA Milwaukee Bucks games with a group and has opened for major gospel artist Kirk Franklin.

Lines of Service:

• Campus Fac, Supp Services, Admin
• Facilities Maintenance
• Clinical Engineering
• Retail Services
• Starbucks, Food and Nutrition
• Environmental Services, Facilities Campus Appearance

Denita is an Employee Relations Representative. She is from Milwaukee, Wisc. She attended Milwaukee Area Technical College, where she received her associate’s degree in business administration, and Lakeland University, where she received her Bachelor of Business Administration Management with an emphasis in human resources. She has worked in the hospital industry for over 10 years.

In her role as an Employee Relations Representative, Denita provides human resources support and resources to employees and leaders across Cook Children’s. She is responsible for implementing HR programs and processes, ensuring employee compliance with policies and laws, and serving as a resource for employee to ask questions.

Denita believes that what makes Cook Children’s special is the way exceptional care and genuine compassion are combined. She feels blessed to work with an amazing employee relations team that truly embodies care and collaboration. One of her favorite memories has been the Employee Relations HR Pop Ups. She enjoys the opportunity to connect with employees across the organization and put faces to the names we work with every day.

Outside of the office, Denita enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her family means everything to her, and she is very close with her five siblings. She also enjoys traveling, going to church, and expressing herself through music, whether that is singing or spending time in the studio. Each year, when fall rolls around, you will often find her cheering for the Green Bay Packers.

Heather Jones 

Fun Fact: Heather met her husband, Robbie, on Yahoo Chat. This October they celebrated their 24^th anniversary.

Lines of Service:

• Administration
• Health Foundation
• Foundation
• Major Gifts
• Communications
• Operations
• Philanthropy
• Advancement Services
• National and Regional Fundraising
• Planned Giving
• Education
• Sim Prog and Nurse
• CPE, Media Svc and ELearning
• Academic and Med Education
• Clinical Ed
• Library Services
• Marketing/Digital Marketing
• Team Experience
• Corp Coaching
• PR/Communication/Social Media
• Pastoral Care

Heather is the Manager of Employee Relations. She is from Coffeeville, Kansas. She attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where she received her bachelor’s degree in communication/public relations. She joined the Cook Children’s family in 2014.

In her role as Manager of Employee Relations, Heather oversees a team of five, which acts as a resource for employees and leaders across Cook Children’s. She is responsible for managing HR programs and processes, making sure policies and laws are enforced, and fostering a positive work environment.

Heather loves how everyone at Cook Children’s has a part in the pinky promise. Over the last few years, she realized that even though she does not work with patients directly, she supports the people who work directly with patients, and that is how she makes sure every child is taken care of. When Jones first started at Cook Children’s, she remembers being near Camelot Court when she ran into Santa Claus. Getting to run into Santa Claus in July made her realize how special Cook Children’s is.

Outside of the office, Heather loves to spend time with her family and her dogs. She has two senior beagles. She has also fostered 20 beagles. 

Jordan Baker

Fun Fact: Jordan’s wedding was featured in a magazine.

Lines of Service:

• Business Development
• Reg Strat Partner/Business Development
• Business Development, Home Health
• CCPN Finance
• Physician Compensation (CCPN)
• Primary/Specialty Services
• Neurology
• Multi-Specialty Clinics
• UCC- Plano, Allen, Frisco, Prosper, Aubrey, Celina, Little Elm, McKinney, Denton, Carrolton, Lewisville, Prosper, Lake Forest, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Collin County
• Practice Operations Administration
• Neighborhood Clinics
• Primary/Specialty Services Admin
• Orthopedics Practice Operations
• Operations RN
• Physician and Provider Recruitment
• Practice Operations Lubbock Gastro
• Urgent Care Clinics
• Primary Care Clinics

Jordan is a People Resource Manager and is originally from Chagrin Falls, Ohio. She attended Westminster College in Pennsylvania where she received her Bachelors in Business Administration. Jordan holds a Professional in Human Resources Certification, and has many years of experience, specifically, in healthcare Human Resources/Employee Relations.

In her role as People Resource Manager, Jordan acts as an advisor for employees and leaders who have HR related questions. She helps to administer HR processes and programs, and helps to ensure all HR policies and laws are followed.

Jordan believes that what makes Cook Children’s special, is the culture, and our people, working with joyful hearts to support the mission each day knowing that every child’s life is sacred. Her favorite memory thus far has been getting to know her team better and assisting her clients.

Outside of the office, Jordan enjoys spending time with her husband, CJ, and their son, Axe. She describes herself as a thrill seeker (think swimming with sharks and no cage!). She also enjoys shopping, interior decorating, traveling and reading her bible.

Tonyel Amie

Fun Fact: Tonyel had a 10-minute, completely random conversation with the one and only Kobe Bryant at an All-Star basketball game. It was a true once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Lines of Service:

• Construction/Real Estate
• Plan/Design/Construction
• Facilities Mgmt
• Real Estate
• System Effectiveness/PI
• Process Improvement
• Materials Management, Supply Chain
• Supply Chain- Logistics/Ops
• Supply Chain- Purchase/Vat
• Chief Nursing CNO
• Neurosciences
• Trauma Program
• Magnet Program
• Psychology
• Psychiatric Svcs
• Nsg Rsrch, EB Practice
• Operations, Administration
• Child Study Center
• Security Services
• Clinical Nutrition
• Emergency Management
• Manager- Call Center
• Global Health Services

Tonyel is a Senior Employee Relations Representative. Tonyel is a Fort Worth native. She attended Prairie View A&M University, where she studied sociology and social work. She later attended Western Governors University, where she received her MBA. Tonyel joined the Cook Children’s family in March 2025, after more than 10 years in the human resources field.

In her role as Senior Employee Relations Representative, Tonyel acts as a resource to those within the organization who have HR related questions. She implements HR programs and processes, enforcing policies and laws related to compliance, and works with leadership to create a positive work environment.

When she came to Cook Children’s she noticed a lot of people have great longevity here. She feels that that is what makes Cook Children’s such a special place, knowing that people are deeply invested in keeping the pinky promise and a heart for improving the health of every child. One of her favorite memories thus far has been the team outing to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. She loved the comradery she was able to form in such a small amount of time.

Outside of the office, Tonyel enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. She views her role at Cook Children’s as a great opportunity that she wants to continue to grow with personally and professionally.

Patience Ballard

Fun Fact: Patience recently found her love of hiking on a trip to Las Vegas.

Lines of Service:

• Administration
• Budget and Financial Planning
• Financial Reporting, Reim, Contracts, 340B
• Finance Govt Programs
• Reimbursements
• Finance CCMC
• Finance CCMCP
• System Finance, A/P, Payroll
• Payroll Services
• Accounts Payable
• Operations, Administration
• Rehab Svcs
• Clinical Performing Arts
• Admin Laboratory
• Radiology Svcs
• Pharmacy Administration
• Pharmacy
• CBO
• Revenue Cycle (PFS)
• Revenue Cycle (PFS-SBO)
• Revenue Cycle (PFS-Int)
• Patient Access Services
• CBO/PT Financial Services Revenue Cycle

Patience is a Senior Employee Relations Representative. She is from Odessa, Texas. Patience attended Strayer University, where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s in human resources. She joined the Cook Children’s family in September 2021.

In her role as Senior Employee Relations Representative, Patience provides human resources support to employees and leaders across the organization. It is job to apply HR programs and processes throughout Cook Children’s. She is also responsible for making sure all compliance policies are followed, providing answers to employees with HR related questions, and fostering a positive work environment.

Patience has seen Cook Children’s from the view of a patient parent and from the view of an employee.  Her son was born at 26 weeks and weighed a pound and a half. He was taken to Cook Children’s for surgery. Her daughter was also a patient at Cook Children’s when she needed an emergency appendectomy. Both times, her family had great experiences as patients, she says. She believes that what makes Cook Children’s special is all the behind the scenes never bleeds over into patient care, the child is the sole focus.

Outside of the office, Patience enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has also found a love of hiking and being out in nature.

Christine Taylor

Fun Fact: Christine studied abroad in Germany.

Lines of Service:

• Nursing and Patient Service, Admin
• Emergency Services
• NICU
• Transport Ems/Communications
• Respiratory Care
• Nursing Administration
• PICU, TCU/RCU, 4P/EMU
• H/O Center
• Cardiology
• Anesthesia Services
• Surgery, SPD, Dodson, SPA
• Med-Surg-3P/N/S, 4N/S
• HH
• Dir Reimbursement HH
• Dir Finance HH
• CCHH
• HH Nurs/Edu/Compliance
• HH Med Del/Supply Svc.
• HH Business Operations
• HH Pharmacy and Clinical Ops.

Christine is a Senior Employee Relations Representative. A native of Sherman, Texas, she earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from Midwestern State University. She joined the Cook Children’s family in June 2016. 

In her role as Senior Employee Relations Representative, Christine acts as a resource to employees who may have questions relating to employee relations. Her responsibilities include, implementing HR programs and processes, making sure compliance policies and laws are followed, and fostering a positive work environment.

Christine believes what makes Cook Children’s special is the mission and knowing that even though she is not directly working with patients, she can impact their situation in some capacity. Knowing that is what keeps her going. Her favorite memory was getting to see a Christmas tree being installed at the Ronald McDonald house. She was able the view the progress through her office window. She also enjoys seeing the holiday spirit visible on campus.

Outside of the office, Christine enjoys spending time with her family. She has also recently gotten back into crochet and sewing.  

Nicole Roberson

Fun Fact: Nicole has conducted a TED Talk titled, “Leaders: Your Chain is Only as Strong as Its Weakest Links.”

Lines of Service:

• Cook Children’s Experience, Admin
• Patient Relations
• Family Sup Svcs/Child Life
• Experience Elevation
• Family Engagement
• Research
• Neurosciences
• Information Systems
• Chief Info Security Officer
• Chief Technology Officer
• Identity, Access/Risk Management
• Chief Clin Into Officer
• Ambulatory Clinical Apps
• Clinical Informatics
• Inpatient Clinical Apps
• Departmental Applications
• Chief Data and Analytics Officer
• Platform Services
• Analytics Institute
• Revenue Cycle and Ent Apps
• HP Applications
• Business Applications
• Revenue Cycle Applications
• Digital Experience
• Digital Technology, IS Administration
• Information Systems/CTO
• IT Operations
• IT Service Management
• Program Management Office
• IT Technology Service
• Case Management, Quality
• Dir. Physician Health Equity Integration
• Quality and Patient Safety
• Accreditation Compliance
• Clinical Collaboration
• Infection Prevention/Control
• Case Management
• Language Services
• Social Work Case Management
• RN Case Management
• Accreditation/HIM/Inf Ctrl/Credentialing
• HIM
• HIM Coding
• Ambulatory Quality
• Quality Performance Improvement
• System Credentialing
• Clinical Risk Management

Nicole is a People Resource Manager and she is from Dallas, Texas. She attended Keller Graduate School, where she received her master’s in human resource management and the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) where she received her MBA. She also attended Regent University, where she received her doctorate in organizational leadership. Nicole has worked in the industry for over 15 years.

In her role as People Resource Manager, Nicole acts as a support system for employees and leaders across the organization. She is responsible for administering HR programs and processes, making sure compliance policies and laws are followed, and promote a positive work environment.

Nicole believes that what makes Cook Children’s special is its dedication to helping and serving children. On her first day, she found a welcome package on her desk, and having lunch with the HR Department made her feel so welcomed and cared for.

Outside of the office, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, and eating at great restaurants. You can often find her in the backyard tending to her garden.

HR Business Partners

Marian Frymire

Service line: 
All Clinical Departments

Fun Fact: Marian is an avid volunteer. She is board member at Lighthouse for the Blind, a former board member at Clayton Youth Enrichment, member of Leadership Fort Worth, and Member of the Board of Examiners for Quality Texas Foundation for Performance Excellence. She is also in her 28^th year of volunteering for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and currently serves as co-chair of the Logistics Committee.

Marian is a Human Resource Business Partner, with over 20 years of human resource experience. Marian is a Fort Worth native. She attended the University of North Texas, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio/TV/Film and her master’s in instruction, technology, and cognitive psychology. She joined Cook Children’s in 2016 as a contractor and then in 2017 as a full-time employee.

In her role as a Human Resource Business Partner, Marian bridges the HR department and the business side of Cook Children’s. She is a member of the business units and her responsibilities include partnering with leadership to discuss talent planning, succession, structure of the organization. She also analyzes workforce data to identify trends and find solutions for any problems the data presents. In addition to that, Marian is also coaches’ leadership on performance management and employee development.

Marian believes that what makes Cook Children’s special is the employee’s dedication to serving the children in all of our communities. This dedication is never wavering and makes an impact on the communities Cook Children’s serves. Her favorite memories at Cook Children’s are from the engagement events like Hoopla, Jingle Mingle, Employee Cook Out and other department celebrations. She loves seeing the employees laughing, connecting and enjoying themselves.

Outside of the office, Marian loves to travel and has visited five countries in Europe in the last year and a half. She also enjoys spending time with her three grown children and five grandchildren.

Dana Hardgraves

Fun Fact: Dana lived in Japan for three and a half years.

Lines of Service: All Non-clinical/Corporate Departments

Dana is a Human Resource Business Partner and is a Fort Worth native. She attended Grand Canyon University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, and later attended Western Governors University, where she received a master’s degree in management and leadership. She joined the Cook Children’s family in July 2024 and has over 10 years in the HR industry.

In her role as a Human Resource Business Partner, she connects the HR and business operations. Dana is in direct contact with the business side of Cook Children’s, helping to promote organization within the business units and align HR strategies with the goals of the business units. Some of her responsibilities include, partnering with leadership, designing organizational structures, analyzing workforce data, coaching managers, and leading important planning discussions.  

Dana believes what makes Cook Children’s special is how involved the hospital is within the community. When her son was a week old, he became very sick. He was admitted to Cook Children’s for two weeks. Seeing how all of the doctors and nurses cared for her tiny baby showed her the compassion from everyone at Cook Children’s, and she says those doctors and nurses saved her son’s life.

Outside of the office, Dana is a devoted sports mom. You can often find her at the baseball field or track watching her son. She also enjoys traveling, planting, crafting and cooking. One of her favorite things to do with her son is trying new dessert spots she found on TikTok.