Connect Newsroom

Beth Deen Named Prestigious Fellow of ASPEN

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:48:44 -0500

Beth Deen, PharmD, BCPPS, BCNSP was named a Fellow of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition a prestigious national honor recognizing those who have significant clinical contributions and their commitment to the field.

Learn more about Deen's 30-year commitment to our patients and her colleagues as the first Pediatric Clinical Specialist at Cook Children's to now being the Residency Program Director for the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program.

New Mental Health Resources and Tools for Staff

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:37:30 -0500

We’re excited to share a new resource to empower our Cook Children’s teams in navigating mental health care for our patients and their families with greater ease and confidence. Our new Mental Health Resource lives in CookNet and has been designed with one goal in mind—to deliver the right support at the right time to our staff. Here’s what you can find all in one place:

1. Screening Recommendations to guide early identification.

2. Family Resources and Educational Tools tailored to help your team and families understand mental health essentials.

3. Referral Resources to connect patients to the appropriate care.

4. Clinician Education to enhance knowledge and training.

5. Key Contacts for streamlined communication and consultations within our system.

6. Self-Care system resources available to support your own personal mental health.

Mental health plays a vital role in a child’s well-being, and when we come together with the right tools and knowledge, we can make a lasting difference in their lives. We invite you to explore this new resource collection today. Whether you’re a clinician looking to enhance support for your patients or a social worker seeking additional tools to assist families, this resource has been created for you.

Visit our new Mental Health Resources website now

Thank you for all you do to make Cook Children’s a place shaped by compassion, collaboration, and care.

Community Health Workers Recognized by Tarrant County Commissioners

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 11:21:31 -0500

The Tarrant County Commissioners Court held a proclamation reading this week to recognize and honor Community Health Workers (CHWs) as part of Community Health Worker Week, observed nationally from April 22 to 28. The purpose of this proclamation is to acknowledge the vital role CHWs play in promoting public health, particularly within underserved and rural communities.

Community Health Workers are an integral component of our health care delivery system, and we are fortunate to have more than 79 working beside us as co-workers at the Health Plan and the Center for Community Health.

Community Health Workers play invaluable roles in our public health care system and many diverse communities. These vital workers act as intermediaries between social services and the underserved communities that need access to crucial health care resources, helping ensure that all families have access to the care they need.

Utilizing important cultural and linguistic skills, community health workers are able to better serve our communities effectively and in culturally specific ways. Through health education, disease management, outreach, and advocacy, community health workers constantly strive to improve the quality of health care in our communities.

Sushi added to Camelot Court Menu

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:46:41 -0500

Watch our new video to see the new sushi additions available at Camelot Court every Tuesday and Thursday and learn about Chef Noel Demafiles' inspiration for adding these fresh flavors to our menu.

Cook Children's News (Jan. 20, 2022)

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 14:12:21 -0600

Cook Children’s News
Jan. 20, 2022

What You Should Do If You Have Symptoms or Test Positive for COVID-19

With the increase in COVID cases lately, many of you are testing positive for the first time and may not know what to do next.

If you are feeling ill or showing signs or symptoms while at work or home, please call or email our COVID-19 Center and let them know. This experienced group will work with you to schedule a test at Cook Children’s if you are at or near the medical center. Read the steps to take if you test positive.

Important COVID Updates on At-Home Tests, Travel and Proper PPE and Government-Issued N95 Masks

Earlier this week we sent out information on how to receive free at-home COVID tests, updated international travel guidelines and a reminder to wear proper PPE at all times.

We also have news that the N95 Masks Provided by the Federal Government Are Not Allowed for Work Purposes at Cook Children’s. OSHA guidelines states that Cook Children’s is responsible to fit test any N95 mask brought in and used by the employee.

Read the latest articles here:

Armband Color Changes for Allergies, Fall Risk

To align with the American Hospital Association's armband alert colors, Cook Children's is changing the color-coded armband for patient allergies and fall risk. The changes begin Sunday, Jan. 23.

Read all the details about the armband changes here.

Note: Cook Children's will NOT be adopting DNR armbands. Cook Children's Medical Center will continue to utilize code sheets to signify resuscitation status.

Celebrating the Kindness and Service of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Did you know that MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service? Americans are encouraged to volunteer to engage and improve their communities. Dr. King’s example is our call to action.

To celebrate Dr. King’s legacy of kindness and service, we encourage you to read this message from Wini King, Chief of Communications, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity.

New Cook Children's PSAs: Protecting Kids Ages 5-11 with COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Us All

You might notice something new from Cook Children's on local TV and streaming platforms! We've launched several PSAs regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and children ages 5-11.

Cook Children's physicians and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker tell us why they support COVID-19 vaccination. Watch them all here!

NowThis: Meet the Doctor Mentoring Hispanic Women in STEM

Bianka Soria-Olmos, D.O., didn't have a pediatrician as a child. She received her medical care at health fairs and school-based clinics.

Dr. Soria-Olmos is a first-generation Mexican American doctor practicing at Cook Children's Pediatrics in Haslet. She is also a medical advisor for Digital Health, contributing to and providing guidance for Checkup Newsroom.

In a recent interview with NowThis media, she shares about her journey to become a doctor and her involvement in the Hispanic community.

Recent Patient Safety News

Anu Partap, M.D., MPH, physician director of Health Equity Integration, wrote about Looking at Data with a Health Equity Lens. She writes, “Health equity analyses asks us to uncover “What hidden pearls are buried in these data when they are stratified/divided into subgroups?”

We also have two articles celebrating accomplishments with quality and safety:

*Note: you must be connected to the network to view these two articles

Celebrating Your Favorite Sports Teams

The NFL playoffs were short-lived for the Dallas Cowboys, but thank you to all of our employees who participated in the Spirit Dress Up Days last week!

We enjoyed seeing all the pictures and memories from games that you shared with us.

Click here to see staff photos from the Spirit Days or cheering on their favorite teams!

Happy Retirement!

Please join us in recognizing the upcoming retirements below!

Alma Medina, M.D., (pictured left) is retiring from the system on Thursday, Jan. 27, after more than 12 years of service to Cook Children's.

We encourage you to take a moment to send Dr. Medina a farewell note or a congratulatory eCard by Jan. 27.

Sharon Massey, director, CCPN Practice Operations, (pictured center) is retiring from the system on Friday, Jan. 28, after more than 15 years of service to Cook Children's.

We encourage you to take a moment to send Sharon a farewell note or a congratulatory eCard by Jan. 28.

Carol Edley, speech pathologist, (pictured right) is retiring from the system on Monday, Jan. 31, after more than 22 years of service to Cook Children's.

We encourage you to take a moment to send Carol a farewell note or a congratulatory eCard by Jan. 31.

Quick Links:

Our Promise

Knowing that every child's life is sacred, it is the Promise of Cook Children's to improve the health of every child through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury.

Cook Children's News (Jan. 13)

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 14:58:57 -0600

Cook Children’s News
Jan. 13, 2022

Important: The Latest Drive-thru Testing Information

With the spread of illness among employees and our community, you must have an appointment scheduled through the COVID hotline to receive a test from our COVID Drive-thru.

Click here for the most recent information regarding our drive-thru testing.

Testing Hours (Due to staffing, these hours may change. You MUST have an appointment to receive a test):

Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Testing sites are also available throughout your area. To find a testing location near you, click here. If you receive a positive test from a testing location that is NOT Cook Children’s, please email your result to COVID19OHS@cookchildrens.org and copy your supervisor.

Note: This information is for employees who feel they are ill and need a COVID-19 test. Employees who have received an exemption, should continue to follow their current testing schedule and process.

COVID-19 Surge Breaks Record at Cook Children's

The number of children being treated at Cook Children’s Medical Center for COVID-19 is at an all-time high, with 69 pediatric patients in the hospital on Wednesday, Jan. 12. The silver lining with the omicron surge is the fact that most children hospitalized with COVID-19 right now do not require critical care.

Cheryl Petersen, chief nursing officer, and Bianka Soria-Olmos, D.O., pediatrician at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Haslet, discuss the current situation that is nearing crisis level and the struggle for employees to avoid exposure and isolation from the virus.

COVID-19 Update with Dr. Whitworth

As COVID-19 cases among children are on the rise nationally, as well as at Cook Children’s Medical Center, Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., medical director of Infectious Diseases, shares an update on numbers in the community, prevention and treatment of the virus.

Watch her presentation here.

8th Annual Cook Children's Day at the Rodeo

It's rodeo season in Fort Worth! The 8th Annual Cook Children's Day at the Rodeo is Wednesday, Feb. 2. Half of the cost of your tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show will benefit Cook Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

To celebrate, we're inviting employees to dress up in their finest cowboy wear on Wednesday, Feb. 2. You’re encouraged to dress up in your favorite boots, blue jeans and bandanas. Rodeo T-shirts are also on sale in the Build-A-Bear Workshop! Click here for all the details.

Teen Patient Writes About Living with Epilepsy

“Aside from being a Longhorn, Dr. Acosta is like family to me.”

At age two, Trey Battle experienced repeated seizures and was soon diagnosed with epilepsy. As a high school senior preparing for the next chapter in his life, Trey recently wrote a school essay about living with epilepsy and his relationship with his neurologist, Fernando Acosta Jr., M.D.

Read Trey's touching essay here.

Military Family Thanks Cook Children's Pulmonary and Sleep Department

The Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine team adopted a couple of military families this holiday season. In response to the goodies and notes they gave one family, they received a special letter, certificate and American flag.

You can read the letter here.

The Pulmonary and Sleep team also sent cookies to the Emergency Department during the Delta variant surge to let their colleagues know they are appreciated.

Thank you to this amazing group for all of their work and support of others! You continue to be shining examples of Our Promise to each other and our community.

Dr. Mazade's Question of the Week

Marc Mazade, M.D., medical director of Infection Prevention, challenges you to the question of the week. Thanks for taking the time to educate yourselves!

The topic is treatment and prevention strategies for COVID-19 in high risk persons.

Lift Your Team Spirits: Celebrate the Playoffs with Us

Are you rooting for the Cowboys in the NFL playoffs? Or still celebrating Georgia's win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff Championship? Maybe you're an excited Red Raider fan after Texas Tech took down No. 1 ranked Baylor in college basketball!

Whoever you're rooting for, you're invited to show your team spirit today and tomorrow, Jan. 13 and 14, by wearing your favorite jersey, shirt, hat or socks!

Don't forget to share with us how you're celebrating!

Quick Links:

Our Promise

Knowing that every child's life is sacred, it is the Promise of Cook Children's to improve the health of every child through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury.