The Storyteller’s Final Chapter: Saying Goodbye to Wini King

For 20 years, Wini Joy King has been the architect of the Cook Children’s narrative. She has been behind the lens, crafting the words, and ensuring the world knew the life-changing care happening under the blue-peaked roofs.

"Since I arrived here, my only mission was to let people in under our peaks," Wini reflects. "I wanted them to see that we aren't just a local hospital with kind hearts. We are a system home to the elite experts of the world."

Now, in a rare turn of the tide, Wini, SVP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, sits in the unfamiliar glow of the spotlight as she prepares to retire from Cook Children’s on April 30, 2026.

From Disney Magic to Fort Worth Ingenuity

Wini brought a certain "magic" with her to Fort Worth, having previously honed her storytelling craft at The Walt Disney Company. However, she quickly realized that the heroes at Cook Children’s were a different breed of character – humble heroes.

She helped shine a light on the clinical excellence that is Cook Children’s. By granting Wini’s team unprecedented "behind-the-scenes" access to iMRI surgeries, a partnership with Neurosciences was born. What started as a local 30-minute special on NBC5 exploded into a national phenomenon, landing on The Today Show and Dateline.

Wini’s tenure wasn't just about PR; it was about pioneering. Wini envisioned a direct line to families, and seventeen years ago, she launched Checkup Newsroom.

• Today, that vision has resulted in:
• 21 million+ views across the globe.
• A reach spanning over 200 countries.
• Global impact stories, like the grandmother in Australia who read a Checkup article and facilitated her grandson’s life-changing endocrine treatment in Fort Worth.

Leading Through the Storm

When the COVID-19 pandemic redefined the world, Wini’s role expanded yet again. Taking the helm of internal communications, she became the steady voice for thousands of exhausted frontline workers.

“Throughout her career, Wini has promoted and defended Cook Children’s", said Nancy Cychol, Executive Vice President & Chief of Hospital Services for Cook Children's.” She’s been there for us. I’ve been especially impressed with her versatility in not only telling our stories to the public through media, but Wini and her team were there for us during the pandemic. When we needed them most, they were putting out rapidly changing communication to make sure our staff was as informed as possible.”

This commitment to the "Cook Children's family" naturally extended into her tenure as Chief Diversity Officer. For Wini, ensuring every employee and patient felt seen was a natural progression of her role as the keeper of the culture. She championed an environment where diversity was celebrated as a strength, ensuring that "The Promise" wasn't just a slogan, but a lived experience for every person who walked through the doors.

“Wini’s career has spanned media, hospitality and health care and through each chapter she has been a trailblazer on many fronts. As we say ‘see ya soon’ we are grateful for what she has given to Cook Children’s over the past 20 years. Her fingerprints are everyehere,” says Amy Wimpey Knight, Chief Administrative Officer.

The Graceful Exit

But every great story requires an ending. As Cook Children’s prepares for a massive five-year expansion, Wini knows the narrative is ready for its next author.

"The next chapter of growth here will be a tremendous undertaking," Wini says with a peaceful smile. "I’ve told the stories I came to tell. It’s time for someone else to pick up the pen."