Cook Children's Health Care System

Newsweek has named Cook Children's one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women in 2024. We're introducing you to some of the women who make Cook Children's such an amazing place. From the moment Anniese Lemond, CCP, MS,E-MBA, Assistant Vice President, Compensation, stepped through the doors at Cook Children’s in July, she felt a powerful connection to the Cook Children’s Promise — and Peaks the Dragon quickly found a special place in her heart. “Peaks is more than a prop, he’s a mascot,” Lemond said. “The Cook Children’s blue peaks are a visible sign that we are near to help, serve and deliver on our Promise of everything for the child. So when you see those blue peaks, or hold Peaks in your arms, you know that you will be cared for in a safe environment, respected, treated kindly, and with imagination because of the collaboration and commitment we all have to our patients, their families and each other.” As associate vice president of Compensation, Lemond’s mission is to ensure her team delivers exceptional and professional compensation services to the entire Cook Children’s workforce. She’s always looking ahead, strategizing to keep Cook Children’s pay programs competitive within the market in order to attract and retain top talent. Read more of her incredible story here: https://shorturl.at/P1FNW

Like health care organizations nationwide, Cook Children’s is being impacted by a shortage of IV fluids caused by Hurricane Helene. This shortage is the result of damage at a North Carolina manufacturing plant operated by the country’s largest IV fluid supplier, Baxter International. There is no timeline available for when it will be resolved. At Cook Children's, we do everything for the child. That’s why we’re taking steps to conserve IV fluids whenever possible. Any changes in protocol will be communicated directly by your provider or provider’s office. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work through this challenge together.

We are proud to announce that seven of our specialty programs have been ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News and World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. “It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report once again,” said Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children’s. "This recognition is a testament to the exceptional work of our doctors, nurses, and staff, who consistently strive to provide the best possible care for every child, every day. Our dedication to our promise and values, combined with our strong culture, sets us apart, and we're proud to be named a top children's hospital." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gaWbnuda #WeAreCookChildrens

Cook Children's Health Care System is grateful to announce that a Travis County court has granted a Temporary Injunction, preventing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) from awarding, signing or implementing any new contracts for the Medicaid STAR and CHIP managed care programs. This decision is a major win for the 125,000 children and families who rely on CCHP for their health care coverage. For more than two decades, CCHP has been a trusted provider of high-quality health care coverage to low-income families, expectant mothers, and children with complex medical needs. We believe this ruling will help ensure that our Members continue to have access to the care they need, when they need it. We would like to express our gratitude to the court for their careful consideration of this matter and for their decision in our favor. Cook Children’s will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with all stakeholders to ensure that our Members continue to receive the best possible care. For all of the latest news regarding this issue, visit: https://lnkd.in/gitgpE7F

Newsweek has named Cook Children's one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women in 2024. We're introducing you to some of the women who make Cook Children's such an amazing place. Veronica Tolley is living the American dream, but she has never forgotten her roots. Born in Acuna, Coahuila, a Mexican border town just south of Del Rio, Texas, she immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 2. “I have a picture that I love of me as a toddler right before my father moved us from Mexico to join him in Fort Worth,” Veronica said. “It reminds me where I came from and that the American dream and the potential that every child has in them is a real thing.” Veronica has called Cook Children’s her work home for her entire career. The little girl from Mexico and minimal means who dreamed of working in health care rose from office supervisor to practice manager to practice administrator to director to assistant vice president and now, Vice President of Primary Care and Specialty Services, overseeing operations for Cook Children’s Physician Network. Read more about Veronica's remarkable story here: https://lnkd.in/gQr-PdXk

When she was 12 years old, Chelsee Greer, D.O., was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As she went through rounds of treatment at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Fort Worth, she made up her mind that one day she’d work as an oncologist. A little over two decades later, Dr. Greer is living that dream in the same place where she received treatment. She now leads the Neuroblastoma Program at the Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center. Dr. Greer is the first guest on Cook Children’s new podcast series, “Untold: The Stories of Cook Children's.” Learn about her episode here: https://lnkd.in/gzxrJrnd Read her incredible story here: https://lnkd.in/gm65RXhR #EraseKidCancer #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth #WeAreCookChildrens #UntoldStoriesofCookChildrens

Fort Worth is growing fast and so is the need for pediatric critical care. Read why we’re exploring options to expand our Fort Worth campus: https://lnkd.in/gGirSjUz

Cook Children's Nurse Resident Briauna Gervais has a unique perspective on patient care. As a teenager, she battled Ewing's Sarcoma, a challenging experience that shaped her empathy and determination. During her treatment, Briauna found solace in the hospital's Creative Arts Program. Today, her artwork hangs in the halls, serving as a reminder of her journey and a source of inspiration for others. After overcoming her illness, Briauna pursued her passion for nursing. Her personal experience allows her to connect deeply with patients and provide compassionate care. #CookChildren's #NurseResident #CancerSurvivor #Compassion  

Whenever his lower back started to throb, Triston Tate knew a full-blown pain crisis was about to hit as a result of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The pain would spread to his knee or arm, pulsing like a heartbeat. Prescription pain medication didn’t help. Episodes were severe enough to send Triston to the hospital on a regular basis. Not anymore. Thanks to a research study underway at Cook Children’s and other sites nationwide, Triston received a particular type of genetic therapy for people with SCD. It isn’t a cure – but for Triston, the therapy has been life-changing. His cycle of pain and frequent hospitalization has stopped. Read Triston’s story and learn about the RUBY Trial here: https://lnkd.in/gVAPPuNC

When spunky Lucy Garza woke up in extreme pain and unable to walk, her parents rushed to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth for answers. They weren't sure what to expect. Lucy, age 3, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). From entering the emergency department, to after two years of treatment with complications, Lucy was able to ring the bell. This is her story: https://lnkd.in/guD7BwWx #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth #EraseKidCancer