It’s a role that requires leadership, problem-solving skills, strategy and good communication. When needed, house supervisors fill in as administrators, patient advocates and overnight makers of infant formula. They respond to situations from a fire alarm to a behavioral health emergency. House supervisors also keep tabs on severe weather, resources in short supply, medical alerts and building security.

At Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper, six house supervisors and two in relief roles report to Sheralyn Hartline, VP of Nursing and Patient Services.

“I've told this team numerous times that I'm super thankful for them,” Sheralyn said. “I have complete confidence in the group. They certainly make my job easier and rise to every challenge. A lot happens here every day and they handle it.”

Like a central hub, a house supervisor is on duty every hour of every day to make sure each unit has the nurses and other staff needed for the next shift. They also help generate a smooth flow of patients to prevent backlogs.

Sheralyn said the house supervisors might respond to situations such as IV infiltration or parents who are upset. Good listening skills are a must.

“I feel like we wear 20 different hats depending on the day because we have multiple things that pop up,” said Lauryn Goff, RN, MSN, a daytime house supervisor in Prosper. “I get pushed out of my comfort zone and experience new things every single day.”

Many similarities overlap in the role of house supervisor in Prosper and Fort Worth. But Sheralyn pointed out it can take a more clinical direction in Prosper at the 69-bed facility. One example: Responding to IV infiltrations.

Lauryn said she and her colleagues in Prosper interact frequently with Teddy Bear Transport. 

“Each transfer is looked at more in-depth,” Lauren said. “Our primary goal is patient safety while looking at the clinical picture instead of just automatically sending kids to Fort Worth. Is there anything that Fort Worth would be doing differently that we don't have here? If there is a gap, then the transfer occurs.

House supervisors in Prosper encounter the challenges that come along with a new medical center and the continual expansion of services, such as the NICU. The job requires flexibility, listening and curiosity, Lauryn said.

For instance, flexibility was key during the nine months of construction it took to turn empty shell space on the medical center’s second floor into a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The PICU was initially located on the fifth floor when the medical center opened in January 2023. It was moved to its long-term home one year later.

“Since we are growing at a rapid pace, you have to be comfortable with operating in the gray area and not really focusing on the black and white. Situations change here all the time,” Lauryn said. “With the expansion of services and caring for higher acuity patients, we often work through new processes. Whether for our Med-Surg, PICU or Emergency Department, we remain focused on patient safety and setting our NICU staff up for success.”

Lauryn wants her colleagues to know that the house supervisors are there to provide support, answers and resources.

She expressed gratitude for the Cook Children’s culture of collaboration and for the Fort Worth house supervisor group.

“From orienting us to today, they have been nothing but supportive and an incredible resource for our team. I know I still personally call them for help and advice, and they are always available and willing to help us,” Lauryn said.

“It's a unique opportunity to be a part of a hospital that's growing as fast paced as we are. I'm incredibly grateful for the peers I work with. We really rely on each other.”

Please email photos to InternalCommunications@cookchildrens.org. 

Cleaning your hands can prevent the spread of germs, including those that are resistant to antibiotics, and protect healthcare personnel and patients.

It takes just five moments to protect yourself and others! Using the five moments of hand hygiene, we should all clean our hands and change our gloves:

1.       Before touching a patient

2.       Before clean/aseptic procedures

3.       After body fluid exposures

4.       After touching a patient

5.       After touching the patient’s surroundings

Need help to remember these moments? Listen to this: link to the song/video

Our own Cheryl Petersen, RN, MBA, NEA-BC, made history as one of the inaugural members of the “Healthcare Workforce Task Force” for the state of Texas.

Cheryl is the Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President for Patient Services.

According to the statement for the office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the healthcare workforce shortages in Texas to meet the demands of our growing state and provide students with the skills they need to succeed.”

“I feel very honored to selected to be a part of this task force, but more than anything I look forward to making real change for our state’s nurses and healthcare workers,” Cheryl said. “We know how the shortage of the healthcare workforce places a real strain on the people who are providing the best care available to our patients and their families. We understand the need to address this shortage and identify strategies to address this issue.”
 
Governor Abbott said, “Health professionals across Texas work tirelessly to meet the needs of our growing state and provide high-quality care to their fellow Texans. In April, I directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to address our state’s healthcare workforce shortage by maintaining sufficient clinical placement sites and retaining qualified clinical faculty so that students have the tools they need to succeed in this vital industry. Today, we’re announcing the inaugural members of the Healthcare Workforce Taskforce. This highly qualified group of experts, industry leaders, and individuals from Texas’ top-tier higher education institutions will ensure Texas can expand our healthcare workforce to meet the needs of all Texans for generations to come.”

The Healthcare Workforce Task Force and advisory members will meet monthly and gather insights from state agency experts and additional healthcare stakeholders throughout Texas. The task force will issue a final report on Oct. 1, 2024.

“When you look at the members of this task force, you are looking at some of the most knowledgeable and respected health care leaders in the state,” said Nancy Cychol, Executive Vice President, Hospital Services. “While it’s a tremendous honor to be selected, they chose Cheryl because she understands this issue firsthand. Her experience will be a valuable asset to the taskforce. We are so proud of Cheryl and this once again places Cook Children’s at the forefront of making impactful change in the health care industry.”

Cheryl brings a wealth of experience to the task force. Prior to her current role, she was Assistant Vice President of Nursing and Nursing Director with Cook Children’s for more than 20 years. She has led her nursing team to a fourth Magnet Designation in 2016, and a fifth Magnet application submitted this past February, achieving an academic preparation of nurses at 84% BSN, maintaining nursing turnover less than 11%, and an advanced certified nursing rate of 50%.

She is a current member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (TONL), American Organization for Nursing Leadership, American Nurses Association, and Texas Nurses Association. Additionally, Cheryl is President Elect for the Texas Organization of Nursing Leadership, served on the Communication and Membership Committees with TONL and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Community Healthcare of Texas and the DFW Hospital Council Foundation. She received a master's in business administration from Benedictine University in Illinois and baccalaureate degree in nursing from the University of Iowa. She was honored as one of the Dallas-Fort Worth Great 100 Nurses in 2012.

These nurses represent excellence in the art and science of nursing and all the winners have shown themselves to be role models, leaders, community servants, compassionate caregivers, and significant contributors to the nursing profession. 

Recipients are: 

Great 10 Nurse Honorees

Amy Valenta, 4P/EMU; Chansey Pullen, Neuro Pain Services; Christina Richardson, 3 Main North; Danielle Ransonette, PICU; Kelsey Bassett, Research Operations; Kimberly Sheehan, Emergency Department; Lori Parrott, Quality Improvement; Melissa Lubahn, PICU; Shakyryn Napier, Heart Center, and Sheralyn Hartline, Prosper Nursing Administration. 

Daisy Leader Award

Ashley Chreene, Neurosciences Unit, Nurse Manager 

Daisy Team Award

5 North Tower – Hematology/Oncology, Central Venous Line (CVL) Team: Josephine Camus, Karen Gartner, Kelci Henegar, and Lacy Bayles. 

DFW Great 100

Shakyryn Napier, Director, Heart Center

Thank you to all Cook Children's nurses, for all that you do for our patient families.

By Kaley Johnson

In her five years as a Diabetes Coordinator at Cook Children’s, Tammi Morrison, RN, has developed close relationships with many patients and their families. In 2022, Tammi started working with Addyson Ray, a 15-year-old who had just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. For two days, Tammi taught Addyson and her family everything they needed to know about diabetes and how to manage it; perhaps just as importantly, she made sure Addyson knew that diabetes was not something that needed to hold the teenager back.

Tammi’s compassion and care inspired Addyson to write a school essay about her. Addyson wrote that Tammi made her feel like “anything was possible” with her energy and confidence.

“She also helped me realize that I was strong in my weakest moment. Having diabetes was not a setback, but something that made me unique, managing it was an accomplishment.

Tammi has not only helped educate Addyson’s family about managing diabetes, but over two years, she has provided a continuation of care and emotional support. The diabetes program at Cook Children's is one of the best, Tammi said, and the providers work diligently to continuously give the family the knowledge and support.

“I feel like it's always an honor when I go to meet with a new family,” Tammi said. “And I want them to leave with confidence that they can take care of their child when they go home.”

In her essay, Addyson mentioned Tammi’s dedication even after their initial visits. She wrote that Tammi gave them her phone number and the family was able to call Tammi several times when they needed a second opinion or advice.

Tammi also shared her personal experience with diabetes with Addyson. Tammi’s son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was seven years old. When she was in her 40s, Tammi decided to change careers entirely and go to nursing school in order to bring understanding, empathy and hope to other parents. The joy she feels every day when she comes to work is proof that she chose the right path, especially when she sees a patient like Addyson flourishing.

“You pray that you're making a difference and then when you educate that family and then you see them flourishing, you just, it just brings inner joy,” she said. “That's why I love my job. I absolutely adore my job.”

As for Addyson, who is now a patient ambassador at Cook Children’s, Tammi’s genuine care made a huge impact on her health and her life.

“She was a pivotal part of my diabetes journey and helped get me set off on the right foot. Everything we needed to manage through a critical/stressful period became that much easier with a loving nurse!” Addyson wrote in her essay. “We LOVE nurse Tammi and hope all patients have a nurse as kind and understanding as her!”

Tiffany Skrodzki, R.N., CCRC, has worked with the same family for four and a half years in her role as a Research Nurse Coordinator. As a baby, her patient Rushton was diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism. He was transferred to the NICU at Cook Children’s, which is one of two hospitals in the country that are considered Centers of Excellence by the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Institution for treating the condition. Rushton’s family lives in Utah, but they have traveled to the Cook Children's Hyperinsulinism Center several times a year since his birth for treatment.

During that time, Tiffany has gotten to know the family well and has watched the now-4-year-old’s freedom expand due to treatment. She’s watched Rushton’s progress and growth while providing the family with both medical and emotional support. 

Sometimes, in addition to medical expertise, a family needs to hear they’re doing a good job, and everything is going to be okay, she says. Tiffany is able to provide that support, especially since she has known the family for so long.

“They have my cell phone number, they always know I’m only a call away,” Tiffany said. “They know if they call me, I can help them, or if I can’t, I get them the help they need.”

Since the family lives in Utah, they might have to take Rushton to a local Emergency Department or health care provider who does not know his rare disorder as well as his Cook Children’s team does. Because of this, they sometimes contact Tiffany or Paul Thornton, M.D., one the most recognized and respected hyperinsulinism specialists here and around the world. They make sure the treatment Ruston is receiving at any other facilities is the best course of action for him.

Every time she sees Rushton, Tiffany is able to see how much he’s grown and changed.

“It’s worth it when you start looking at making a difference,” she said.

By Heather Duge

Nurses now have a place dedicated to supporting their professional journey.

The new Center for Nursing Excellence offers a range of exciting opportunities to help nurses excel in their careers and promote overall well-being. The team will help nurses stay at the forefront of the field with ongoing learning opportunities, gain valuable guidance and support from experienced nurses on projects, and offer programs and resources tailored to nurses' well-being, helping them manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This team is dedicated to helping nurses elevate patient care and creating a first-class work environment for everyone, all while celebrating nurses every step of the way. 

The Center for Nursing Excellence is not a location; it is a comprehensive initiative that aims to empower our pediatric nurses, at every stage of their career and across Cook Children’s, to achieve outstanding results for themselves, our patients and the entire System.

“I am very excited for the ability to solidify the foundation for nursing research, evidence-based practice, and innovation,” said Cheryl Petersen, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, Senior Vice President, Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer. “We have the right individuals at the helm of our team, and I am looking forward to seeing where they take this program.”

Supporting Nurses in Many Ways

The Center is dedicated to tenured nurses and those just entering the profession, such as those in our Nurse Residency Program. The team guides nurse residents through evidence-based practice and quality improvement projects – from planning, implementation and analysis to abstract writing and presentation.

This Nurses’ Week, the Center for Nursing Excellence has established an opportunity for nurses to build their professional portfolios. There will be a photographer available to capture headshots from 6-10 a.m. and 4-8 p.m.  on Thursday, May 9 in the meditation room near Goodies to Go on the first floor of the South Tower in Medical Center-Fort Worth

“We are looking forward to focusing on our nurses who are the most numerous providers in the hospital and touch every patient,” said Kaylan Branson, DNP, RN, CPN, CNL, Director of Nursing Quality and Magnet Program. “We are here to set the foundation for structural empowerment to help them perform the best they can.”

The Center for Nursing Excellence also assists in engaging our nurses in the Texas Christian University (TCU) Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Fellowship. Nurses who participate in the TCU EBP Fellowship receive formal training in evidence-based practice and protected time every pay period to work on their chosen project.

The team at the Center for Nursing Excellence is excited to support nurses who are working toward completing an advanced degree or considering implementing practice changes in their work areas. They encourage nurses who are completing quality improvement projects, evidence-based practice projects, or research studies to reach out directly in order to utilize their expert guidance and resources.

The Center for Nursing Excellence offers a variety of continuing education opportunities. They facilitate courses covering topics such as evidence-based practice, development of measurement tools, statistics, submitting abstracts, and writing for publication. 

The Center is delighted to be able to provide nursing scholarships with professional and educational opportunities for nurses. Recently, the Center awarded two bedside nurses a trip to the National Evidence-Based Practice Conference. These nurses were grateful for this opportunity and excited to return to Cook Children's with new insight and ideas. 

“Nurses are innovators – always fixing things and finding ways to work through problems,” said Julie Van Orne, MSN, RN, CPN, CNL, Director of Nursing Research and Innovation. “Our goal is to help them continue to innovate.”

Nursing Wellness

Ora Asheton, BSN, RN, CPN, CCRC, LSSYB, Nursing Excellence and Wellbeing Manager, said that she was drawn to her new role because it will promote nursing excellence by fostering nurse wellness and a culture of belonging and engagement. 

“This position was conceptualized by nurses for nurses and I’m excited about shifting to look at nurses as my patients,” Ora said.

Leaders in the Center for Nursing Excellence are collaborating with members of the Evidence-Based Practice and Research Council, which has been working on a project to develop an intervention designed to improve nursing wellness and investigate the impact of implementing a practical method of supporting our frontline nurses.

Ora will also be working directly with Kaylan to sustain Magnet designation standards.  

“We will apply for our fifth Magnet designation next year, and all components of the Center meet the model of Magnet, so we continue to work toward excellence in all we do,” Kaylan said.

A Bright Future for Nursing 

The team at the Center for Nursing Excellence looks forward to the future of nursing at Cook Children’s. 

“The development of the Center for Nursing Excellence is an acknowledgment of the impact nurses have on patient care and the work environment,” said Malorie Brooks, DNP, RN, CPN, CHSE, EBP-C, Director of Evidence-Based Practice and Implementation Science.

Kaylan added: “Since we moved from the bedside to a leadership position, it feels impactful to take care of those who are caring for patients 24/7. It is very fulfilling to see the outcomes from the perspective of the patients and nurses.”

Stan Davis, President of Cook Children’s, looks forward to seeing the Center for Nursing Excellence fulfill the organization’s mission for the countless patients who walk through the doors of the hospital each day.

“Our Promise should not just be a phrase on our walls, but also what we witness in our halls,” Stan said.

GREAT 10 NURSES

Congratulations to nurses from across the System who were named Great 10 Nurses at a special ceremony on May 9. The event was live streamed so that employees from across the system could join the celebration.

These nurses represent excellence in the art and science of nursing and all the winners have shown themselves to be role models, leaders, community servants, compassionate caregivers, and significant contributors to the nursing profession. 

Recipients are: 

Great 10 Nurse Honorees

Amy Valenta, 4P/EMU; Chansey Pullen, Neuro Pain Services; Christina Richardson, 3 Main North; Danielle Ransonette, PICU; Kelsey Bassett, Research Operations; Kimberly Sheehan, Emergency Department; Lori Parrott, Quality Improvement; Melissa Lubahn, PICU; Shakyryn Napier, Heart Center, and Sheralyn Hartline, Prosper Nursing Administration. 

Daisy Leader Award

Ashley Chreene, Neurosciences Unit, Nurse Manager 

Daisy Team Award

5 North Tower – Hematology/Oncology, Central Venous Line (CVL) Team: Josephine Camus, Karen Gartner, Kelci Henegar, and Lacy Bayles. 

DFW Great 100

Shakyryn Napier, Director, Heart Center

Thank you to all Cook Children's nurses, for all that you do for our patient families.

For nearly nine years, Angela Velasquez, RN, served as a middleman between Clayton Coker's family and insurance companies, doctors’ offices and other medical services. 

She was “basically Clayton’s problem solver.” 

As a Cook Children's Health Plan Case Manager, Angela works in the Medically Dependent Children Program with medically complex kids and their families. She worked with Clayton and his family until he aged out of the program last month at 21 years old. 

“If the pharmacy won’t fill a script, I would call and get that taken care of,” she said. “If (his mom) had questions about what doctors she needed to call, or equipment she needed delivered, I was basically available to her Monday through Friday.” 

Clayton’s mom, Cindi Coker, said working with Angela meant “everything in the world.” 

When the Coker family first met with Angela, they had been on a traditional Medicaid plan before and enrolling in the Cook Children’s Health Care Plan. 

“We got assigned a case manager and when things are happening at such a state level and you have a medically complex child, it can be unnerving,” Cindi said. “And she just kind of scooped us up and said, ‘I got you.’” 

The medical care can be multifaceted and confusing, and for families of a medically complex child, navigating it can feel impossible. Angela helps take some of that load off the shoulders of family members. 

For Clayton and his family, she was even able to coordinate home modifications to help him get from his bathroom to the bedroom more easily. Angela, through her years of dedication and tackling roadblocks head-on, provided an integral continuity of care, Cindi said. 

“It makes all the difference in the world,” Cindi said about having Angela by their side. “Because without them (case managers), things can't really get done or they can get done, but they're just not done as easily.” 

It’s easy to see that Angela is passionate about helping the families she works with and making sure their care is as smooth as possible. 

“I enjoy everything about my role,” she said. “I enjoy being able to provide these families with a little bit of relief.” 

Even though Clayton aged out of the Medically Dependent Children program, the tools Angela gave his family will continue to help them with his care, his mother said. 

“Her skillset as the case manager was preparing me for the unknown and the unseen and how she attacked that taught me how to manage and handle what was coming,” Cindi said. 

Throughout her years in the Medically Dependent Children program, Angela has helped patients and families with everything from getting infant formula to making sure Medicaid pays for medications properly. She also is there as a listening ear to reassure families to make sure they know they’re doing a great job. 

Being able to watch “her kiddos” overcome the odds and grow up is its own reward, Angela said. 

“It's really fulfilling,” she said. “The great part about this program is that we're helping these kiddos not be institutionalized, and they're able to be at home with their families.” 
 

By Ashley Antle, APR

Advocate is not her middle name, but it might as well be. Shakyryn Napier, DHSc, RN, CPN, NEA-BC, Director of the Heart Center at Cook Children’s, is known for championing those who need support and shining a light on issues that deserve the spotlight.

This leadership won her a spot on the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth Great 100 Nurses list. Napier will be honored for the recognition on May 3 at the annual Great 100 Nurses dinner and celebration. The event honors 100 Dallas/Fort Worth-based nurses nominated by their peers for being role models, leaders, community servants, compassionate caregivers and significant contributors to the nursing profession, according to the DFW Great 100 Nurses organization.

“I am so humbled and honored to even be nominated and so grateful to be named a DFW Great 100 nurse,” Shakyryn said. “I feel very blessed and so appreciative.”

Shakyryn’s nomination form described her as “a commendable example for aspiring health care professionals” demonstrated by her completion of a doctoral degree. She’s also said to be a “risk taker” as evidenced by her bravery in sharing her personal tragedy so others may learn from what she endured. Her peers praise her “leadership prowess,” saying she has a unique ability to motivate and support her team even in the face of unprecedented challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ardent Advocate

Shakyryn’s staff can always count on her to go to bat for them and get results. When a member of her nursing team met resistance from the Texas Board of Nursing for disclosing a treated mental health condition while renewing her license, Napier worked with the Texas Nurses’ Association to successfully advocate for policy change concerning a question about mental health treatment on the license renewal form. She and many of her fellow nurses believed the question could penalize and stigmatize nurses who had or are seeking treatment for a mental health condition.

Shakyryn advocated that nurses should not encounter punitive measures for being honest about their mental health and treatment. In response, the Texas Board of Nursing revised its license renewal process, and removed the question from the renewal application.

The change, Shakyryn says, is one of the proudest moments of her career so far, primarily because the cause of destigmatizing mental illness is a personal one. Three years ago, tragedy struck her family with the accidental fentanyl-related death of her young adult son who had a mental health condition. Shakyryn bravely put her own heartache on display to raise awareness for mental illness and its associated challenges.

“We have huge gaps in this society when it comes to mental health, and the weight of not having adequate mental health coverage for both children and adults is not sustainable,” she said. “Even as a nurse with the contacts I had, it was difficult to know where to turn when my son needed help for his mental health. I can't imagine someone who does not have the resources that I do having to navigate the system. We need policy that directs more funds to mental health providers and services.”

Climbing the Ladder

A native of Pennsylvania, Shakyryn completed her nursing diploma right out of high school. By the time she was 20 years old, she was at the bedside doing the work she loves.

“Nursing was something I always knew I wanted to do,” she said. “I had a younger brother who passed away who had really severe asthma, so we were always in the hospital with him. That is where I got that first interaction with nurses and with the health care system, and seeing how people were so helpful just always stuck with me.”

In 2000, Shakyryn and her husband moved their family to Texas seeking job opportunities and a retreat from the harsh winters. She joined the Cook Children’s family in 2008. Since then, Shakyryn has risen through the ranks from night nurse manager to director of Med-Surg and Wound Care and now director of the Heart Center where she leads a team of approximately 200.

An active member of the Texas Nurses’ Association, Shakyryn served on the Board of Directors, chaired the Policy Council, chaired the CEO search committee, and has been a member of the Government Affairs and Finance committees. She also served as president of her local Texas Nurses’ Association district, and received the prestigious District President’s Award for her outstanding contributions. She currently serves as the chair of the Texas Nurses’ Association  Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging taskforce.

A Mind for Policy

Shakyryn's expertise in public health and nursing policy not only positions her as a prominent figure at Cook Children’s but also distinguishes her as a leader within the industry. She says the lack of health insurance options, especially for children, tops her list of policy concerns today.

She has good reason to be alarmed. Just recently, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) denied Cook Children’s Health Plan (CCHP) a new STAR and CHIP Managed Care Services contract, putting 125,000 CCHP members in jeopardy of losing health care coverage and, in turn, access to vital health services and providers beginning Oct. 1, 2025.

In any given year, roughly 50% of CCHP members will have an encounter with a Cook Children’s provider across the system. That figure is even higher among CCHP’s STAR Kids population.

“It is scary to think that children will be without the great care that we give here because they lose insurance coverage based on the decision of the state,” Shakyryn said. “Finding affordable insurance in the marketplace is hard and expensive, and this decision leaves our kids and families with limited options. It’s just so unfair and sad to see. There definitely needs to be some policy changes with this.”

Cook Children’s is appealing HHSC’s decision, citing that the state's scoring process lacked transparency and unfairly disadvantaged regional, non-profit community plans like CCHP. As a locally operated organization with deep roots in the community and first-hand knowledge of its unique needs, CCHP is able to tailor its many programs and services to address community and member-specific health barriers such as food insecurity, lack of transportation, access to behavioral health care and preventative health programs and much more. The state’s scoring process does not adequately capture and measure this benefit.

Model Mentor

These days, much of Shakyryn’s work is spent planning for the current and future growth of Cook Children’s cardiac program and making rounds to check on staff in the units she oversees. These include the Cardiac ICU, Cardiac Step-Down Unit, Echocardiography Lab and Cardiovascular Operating Room. Along the way, she never misses an opportunity to share the wisdom she’s acquired in nursing over the past 20 years.

Her advice to new nurses? Never compare yourself, your progress or your journey to others.

“When new nurses start orientation, they see the other nurses who can document quickly or do an assessment from across the room and they compare themselves to those nurses and feel inadequate. Absolutely not,” she said. “I tell them that they’ll be that skilled one day, too. And I tell our seasoned nurses to be kind to the new nurses because we have all been there.”

Congratulations, Shakyryn! Thank you for modeling, teaching and living the Cook Children’s Promise of “Everything for the Child,” and for advancing the practice of nursing with excellence.

By Heather Duge

When did you realize you wanted to pursue nursing? 
I remember my grandmother saying I would be a nurse, and I followed her lead. I like helping people and quickly found my true calling in pediatrics after my first opportunity in nursing school to rotate through that unit. 

Tell me about your journey to become a nurse.
I earned my bachelor's and nursing degrees at the University of Iowa and worked there in the pediatric unit. I moved to Chicago and worked in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Loyola University Medical Center while studying for my MBA at Benedictine University in Illinois. In 1994, I was recruited for director of PICU and Dialysis and Transplant Programs at Cook Children’s, and I served in that role for over 20 years. Starting in 2014, I transitioned to AVP of Nursing and in 2015 was promoted to VP of Nursing. In November, I celebrated my eight-year anniversary in this role.

What are some of your proudest moments at Cook Children’s?
Our third and fourth Magnet designations were special for different reasons. For the third designation, I was an AVP and supporting Teresa (Clark), our CNO who was undergoing medical treatments. When she passed away, we were in the process of submitting the Magnet documents. Orlando Chapa (VP, Nursing and Patient Care Services) and I dug in and brought the documents up to the level for redesignation. Teresa would have been so proud to see it through. This accomplishment added another level of pride for all Cook Children’s Nursing. 

For the fourth designation, we were in the midst of the pandemic, and I saw all of the work firsthand as Chief Nursing Officer. It gave me a new appreciation for the effort and excellence to achieve designation. It was a true pleasure to work with the Magnet program director. We could not have done it without all our amazing team members.

What were some of the most challenging times you’ve been through at Cook Children’s?
The care we deliver doesn’t end when we walk out the doors. Our nurses have full lives, and my goal is to take care of them end to end and support them through the tough times. COVID was one of the most difficult periods anyone could have endured physically, mentally and emotionally. I remember at the beginning when there was a fear about going to the unit caring for COVID patients, and so the nurses felt like they were on an island. I saw them collaborate on how to care for these patients in the safest way. Their spirits were so strong, and they paved the path of how to do this at Cook Children’s. 

We are still recovering, and all people are triggered differently. The path to recovery is going to take time as we fully understand the impact. Our staff are doing amazingly well as some still carry the burden. Finding ways to support them is very important. We have brought all the concerns about burnout and overexertion to the forefront.

When hiring new nurses, what do you focus on?
I want us to focus on how special Cook Children’s is, the culture of care and the importance of looking at everything through a child’s eyes. Not everyone can fill the shoes of a Cook Children’s nurse. We look for experienced nurses with talents they can bring and those who fit into our culture.

Tell me about the nursing team at Cook Children’s.
We have a truly remarkable nursing team. They bring energy, enthusiasm, excitement and a willingness to undergo training to try new specialties. They adapt to changing environments and learn the latest about technology to make it easier for patients and families to use and understand. Collaboration is so important to nursing – it’s all about how we help align other team members to provide their services. I see them collaborate in an organized manner, communicate effectively and embrace togetherness. 

Tell me more about nurses collaborating with other staff in the hospital.
I love the opportunity to identify best solutions and one example of that is safety rounds in the PICU. Every Tuesday morning and night, physicians, quality nurses, quality team and nursing leadership collaborate at the bedside. It’s a wonderful time to see through others’ eyes the work they do and discover how to overcome hurdles that pop up. It’s amazing to see the nurses’ truly remarkable ingenuity as we find new ways to reimagine care.

What are some of your goals for the nursing team?
My goals are to enhance employee and patient engagement. Nurses look at us as a family and we need to have a joyful environment. I desire for the nurses to practice at the top of their nurse license and be the best they can be. Nursing wellness is also very important to me. Life isn’t always easy, and I want to support my nurses through the hard times. I want to learn more about what causes burnout and imbalance and improve on those things. We have a lot of work ahead of us as we continue developments on all fronts – new programs, safer work environments and innovation.

What have you learned from being a nurse?
It is very rewarding for us to have the opportunity to take care of patients and families and to be allowed into their lives if even for a moment to make a difference. Nursing has taught me so much about myself, others and what we can endure. I have seen a lot of traumas through the years and I’ve seen firsthand how prevention saves lives – buckling kids in car seats, watching the water to prevent drowning, and taking measures to prevent child abuse.

How does the hospital’s culture platform fit into nursing?
Embracing our culture platform is so important. With pediatric nursing, it’s a package deal. You really must love families, not just children. When we open doors to the family, they help us plan their child’s care and interpret what their child needs. Who knows a child better than their family? They know their favorite color and the way they like to eat food. We can brighten a patients’ day by knowing them better and it adds a small sparkle to their experience. Bringing smiles to the kids’ faces is truly the reason to hope and look forward to the next thing.

Every year we celebrate 10 of our nurses who demonstrate excellence in the art and science of nursing.

Nomination letters should address the nominee’s attributes in the following categories: 
 

• Role model 
• Leadership qualities 
• Compassionate caregiver 
• Significant contributions 
• Service to the community 
   

Click here to nominate a nurse. Nomination letters will be judged on all five categories, so please make sure to address each one. Each category should be a maximum of 100 words. Do not include the nurse's name in the letter. You have up to one week to complete the nomination once you start. 

The nomination deadline is Sunday, April 7 at midnight. 

For questions, please email Great10NursesNominations@cookchildrens.org.

We’re delighted to share some exciting news that reflects the dedication and excellence of our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) team! The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has honored our PICU with the prestigious Silver Beacon Award for Excellence, a testament to the outstanding care and commitment demonstrated by each member of this unit.

The Beacon Award for Excellence is a remarkable achievement, symbolizing the commitment to exceptional patient care and fostering a healthy work environment.

This recognition represents the diligent efforts of our PICU team to enhance patient outcomes and align practices with AACN's six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Our PICU staff earned its silver award by meeting the following evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria:

• Leadership Structures and Systems
• Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
• Effective Communication, Knowledge Management and Learning and Development
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Outcome Measurement

“At Cook Children's Medical Center, we strive to provide excellent patient care and the silver-level Beacon Award reflects our commitment to strong leadership, staff engagement, effective communication, using evidence-based practices, and demonstrating quality outcomes,” said Cheryl Petersen, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Cook Children’s. “These are all part of our Promise to improve the well-being of every child we care for and in the communities we serve.”

To our entire Cook Children's staff, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering commitment to excellence. This recognition is a reflection of each employee's dedication to the "everything for the child" philosophy, making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Together, we continue to set new standards and elevate the patient experience.

AACN President Terry Davis, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CHTP, FAAN, applauds the exemplary efforts of the caregivers at Cook Children's for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence.

“These dedicated health care professionals join other members of the exceptional community of nurses who set the standard for optimal patient care,” Davis said. “The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care.”

Magnet designation is considered the international gold standard of nursing excellence. To nurses, Magnet represents education and professional development through every career stage, leading to greater bedside autonomy. To patients, Magnet signifies the highest quality of care.  As a four-time Magnet® hospital, Cook Children's continues to set the standard for excellence while embracing an inspiring Promise – to improve the well-being of every child in our care and communities. 

Please click the link under Downloads on the top right of this page for the recipients!

Elizabeth Whelan, CNM, APRN, is a breastfeeding guru, a gestational diabetes expert, and an advocate and encourager to mothers of our tiniest patients. As a Certified Nurse Midwife -- and the only one at Cook Children’s -- Beth is involved in caring for patients with high-risk pregnancies, and providing exceptional follow-up care.

Cook Children’s has a growing Maternal Fetal Medicine program in Abilene. As a CNM, Beth manages high-risk pregnant patients with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, maternal congenital heart disease, blood disorders, connective tissue disease, seizures, preterm labor, preeclampsia, and many others. CNMs also manage fetal abnormalities such as anemia, heart defects, neural tube defects, and growth abnormalities. The program is an incredible resource for patients who live west of Fort Worth.

Beth says that her days are filled with appointments with patients who need ultrasounds or non-stress tests after the patient meets with her physician or advanced practice provider. 

“My job is comprised of happy days and sad days. We are caring for patients during such a vulnerable time in their life,” Beth says. “Watching a patient lose a baby or having to cope with difficult news about their baby is never easy, but being able to provide them with some happy memories of their baby (special ultrasound pictures, videos, heartbeats) and/or being able to celebrate them when things are healthy and new life comes is such a gift and privilege.”

As we celebrate Certified Nurse Midwife Week Oct. 1-7, we say thank you, Beth, for all of your expertise and knowledge that you contribute to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Program. We are so thankful to have you as part of our team.

If you have visited Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Prosper, or one of our other many locations, you have likely encountered one of our fantastic Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). Did you know that the Cook Children’s Healthcare System has more than 350 Advanced Practice Providers? Just this last year we onboarded 75 new providers, all bringing increased access to exceptional care to families in North Texas. Our team is made up of Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and one Certified Nurse Midwife. 

What are APPs?

APPs are an important part of the patient care team and practice within their defined scopes of practice at locations such as hospitals, outpatient centers, clinics, urgent care centers, and in many different specialties. APPs do many of the same tasks as physicians, such as prescribing medications and order tests for procedures. APPs have advanced degrees and are trusted medical providers who work hand-in-hand with physicians to create a seamless environment of care. APPs connect the dots between families, nurses, physicians, and other ancillary staff for every child. 

This APP Week, you're invited to reach out to one of our Advanced Practice Providers today and let them know how much they are appreciated. You can also recognize an APP on the APP Recognition page on CookNet or nominate them for Peak Performer recognition.

“We are very grateful to you for what you do every day, and we are very grateful for everything your team has done to elevate DAISY once again and make it truly special for you,” she said.

The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of the late J. Patrick Barnes, to honor his memory by recognizing exceptional nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people by the super-human work they do all year round.

We normally offer this luncheon every other year to recognize all previous DAISY Award recipients from Cook Children’s who are still employed here. We were unable to have this luncheon during the pandemic, so it’s been a while since we had the last one. That makes this year's event even more amazing.

Recipients are: Lisa Bashore, Kristen Cook, KaLinda Evans, Sarah "Alli" Herring, Sherry Kuykendall, Emily Percy, Laura Portillo, Ross Richardson, Katelyn Terry, and Amelia Vinson.Thank you to all Cook Children's nurses, for all that you do for our patient families.

Watch the ceremony here (you must be on the network).

Front 1^st Row: Kalinda Evans, Ross Richardson, Katelyn Terry, Debbie Boudreaux 

Middle 2^nd Row: Laura Portillo, Lisa Bashore, Kristen Cook, Orlando Chapa 

Back 3^rd Row: Emily Percy, Sherry Kuykendall, Cheryl Petersen 

Not pictured: Sarah "Alli" Herring,  Amelia Vinson