Sick child? Schedule a Virtual Care visit with Cook Children’s the next time you have a minor medical condition. We're here to help.
Visit cookchildrens.org/MyChart to schedule.
We will be open our normal business hours from 7am to Midnight on both Christmas eve and Christmas day. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, our visitor policy may have changed. Before visiting a Cook Children’s location please be sure to review our current policy. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
For more information, visit our website cookchildrens.org/coronavirus
Kicking off Super Bowl weekend with our Cook Children's MVPs (Most Valuable Pups) enjoying their own big game! Follow the Sit...Stay...PLAY team on Instagram for more fun: https://instagram.com/sitstayplay_cc
#PuppyBowl
Every three years, Cook Children's conducts a Community-wide Children's Health Assessment & Planning Survey (CCHAPS) to identify the health needs of children in our community. The survey results help guide us, along with our community partners, in developing solutions that address the most important issues.
Use your voice to help the children in our community! We would like to hear from you if you are a caregiver of children ages 0-17 and live in any of these counties: Denton, Collin, Grayson, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise. We encourage you to take the survey here: www.cookchildrens.org/CCHAPS.
The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. All responses are kept confidential.
Super Bowl Sunday is a major event for millions of Americans and similar to other holidays last year, the CDC released safety precautions for watching the big game. Cook Children's experts offer tips on how to enjoy the day safely: http://bit.ly/2MTaumX.
This Black History Month, we salute Arlene Scott, Cook Children's longest tenured Black employee. Arlene has served for nearly half a century in different capacities within the organization. Thank you for your dedication Arlene!
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Nearly Half a Century of Dedication for Cook Children's Most Tenured Black Employee
For girls and teens, seeing a gynecologist can be scary. Shanna M. Combs, M.D., FACOG, hopes to alleviate that fear for patients at Cook Children’s first Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology department.
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Filling the Unmet Need: Cook Children’s First Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Department Opens
Sydni, age 2, is an energetic toddler with a remarkably special heart! Born with multiple congenital heart defects (CHD), Sydni spent the first 82 days of her life at Cook Children’s Medical Center and has had three open-heart surgeries, all before turning 1. Her mom says she has a warrior spirit and loves to run, jump and spend as much time as she can playing outside. Sydni loves her two big sisters, who recently taught her how to do a summersault, and her dog.
Join us in celebrating Sydni and all of our amazing Heart Center patients for #HeartMonth. Share your brave child’s zipper scar in the comments below! #WeAreCookChildrens
We are heartbroken about the devastating fatal accident in Fort Worth earlier today and thinking about all those involved in and responding to the tragic event. If you don’t have a reason to leave home, please stay inside, stay safe and stay warm! Widespread freezing rain and snow is expected this weekend and early next week. If you have to travel, please have a safety plan in place for your family. Cook Children's trauma experts share tips for those driving in inclement weather conditions: https://bit.ly/3aUxESl.
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Bracing for Freezing Weather: Plan Ahead to Protect Your Family on the Road
What activities are you doing with your family this weekend to celebrate Valentine's Day? Dr. Bianka Soria-Olmos, pediatrician at Cook Children's Pediatrics Haslet, shares 14 ways parents can connect with their children and show them love: http://bit.ly/2LCnBbQ.
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14 Ways to Show Your Child Love on Valentine’s Day (and every day)
A recent government report found dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals in baby food, including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury. For new parents, this can be concerning and confusing. The Doc Smitty - Dr Justin Smith, Pediatrician at Cook Children's Pediatrics Trophy Club explains how parents can protect their young children from high-risk foods.
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Should You Worry About Toxic Metals Found in Baby Food? The Doc Smitty Weighs In
One in 26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime. Because seizures can occur any time, anywhere and without warning, it’s important for those with epilepsy to have an action plan for emergency seizure response. #SeizureActionPlanAwarenessWeek #1in26
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A Simple Plan Can Save a Life
In the last 24 hours, at least 13 children have been treated in the Cook Children's Emergency Department for carbon monoxide poisoning. Families are going to extreme measures to warm their homes during the historic winter freeze. Using propane or diesel-burning engines, generators, gas ovens or stovetops inside or too close to your home can emit toxic fumes and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Another winter storm expected is Wednesday and could bring several more inches of snow in the coming days. While trying to stay warm, remember safety is your top priority! Please check for local resources like warming shelters and reach out to family and friends if you need help.
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Cook Children’s Sees Spike in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Patients During Freezing Temperatures
Medications and Items From Home to Use During an Illness or Emergency!
By Michelle Bailey, M.D., pediatrician at Cook Children's Pediatrics McKinney.
"I’m writing this from home, dressed in three layers and with all unnecessary electrical items turned off. I’m anxious about when the power may go in and out, and if the water will continue dripping from the faucets. During extreme weather, with doctor’s offices closed, it may be worrisome to think about what you would do if your child is sick.
Right now with the power on, I am available, as are many other Cook Children’s Pediatric and Urgent Care clinics, to do telemedicine Zoom or phone visits. But if a medication is necessary, you’d still be responsible for going into a pharmacy to pick it up. Under some extreme circumstances, there are a few things you can find in your medicine cabinet to use in a pinch. Of course, follow any doctor recommended advice and call 911 if your child is having a medical emergency that needs immediate assistance.
The following is simply what can be done - if absolutely necessary - in extreme circumstances:
Heating formula or breastmilk bottles: While it’s nice to have a bottle warmer, if the power is out, it is not necessary. Your baby can and will drink milk even if it is cold. So go ahead and offer pumped breastmilk from the fridge, or mix formula powder with room temperature nursery water or even bottled water from the fridge. Room temperature breastmilk or formula should be consumed within 1-2 hours.
Vomiting: The main goal is to keep your child hydrated. If you have powdered electrolyte solution on hand, such as Pedialyte powder packs, use this. Otherwise, offer frequent sips of water. Motion sickness medication and antihistamines, such as Dramamine and Benadryl, can also offer some relief to nausea and vomiting.
Fever: If your child’s temperature is above 100.4F, use a weight-based dose of fever reducing medication. If you are out of medication, use natural ways to reduce temperature such as removing a layer of clothing, place cool wet rags to the forehead, armpits and back, and offer sips of cold water, popsicles or even yogurt. There is no “brain boiling” temperature, but you will want to keep your child comfortable by lowering their fever. Remember, fever is an actual thermometer measured temperature of above 100.4F, not just how warm your child feels.
Wheezing, coughing, fast or difficulty breathing: If your child is in respiratory distress, call for an ambulance. If they are having a worsening cough or wheezing and you have a nebulizer and albuterol medication at home, start using it as directed on the prescription. It is always helpful for your child with asthma or wheezing to have a backup albuterol inhaler and spacer, in the event power goes out and you cannot use the nebulizer machine. If it has been awhile since you put together the nebulizer and tubing, here is a refresher video, click on the “using a nebulizer” tab: https://cookchildrens.org/pediatrics/McKinney/Pages/video-library.aspx.
And in the most extreme of circumstances, if your child is wheezing or having trouble breathing and you are out of nebulizer medication, and/or or power is out, and you don’t have the albuterol inhaler, and you can’t drive to the emergency room, and 911 says they are 30 minutes away…. you get it, worst of worst scenarios, then offer your child some coffee or other highly caffeinated beverage. Caffeine is a weak bronchodilator, which can reduce respiratory muscle fatigue and can improve lung function for up to two hours. This is not to say coffee or soda is a replacement for your child’s prescribed inhaler, but it can make a difference when minutes matter during an impossibly unprecedented situation.
Again, call your child's pediatrician FIRST and speak to the doctor or nurse before trying any of the above.
Please stay safe and stay warm!"
Roses are red, Violets are blue.
Happy Valentine's Day,
From the Cook Children's NICU! 💗
Words can’t explain the incredible heart, bravery and spirit of our employees. Rebecca Benson, RN is a shining example of what it means to say #WeAreCookChildrens. In this article and video, she tells her story of survival and why she decided to hitch a ride to work after escaping the tragic Fort Worth pileup.
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One of Our Own: Cook Children’s Nurse Caught in Tragic Fort Worth Pileup, Shares Unbelievable Story of Survival
During these times of inclement weather, Cook Children's Urgent Care is here for you! If you are unable to get on the road, you can connect to a Cook Children's provider without leaving the comfort of your home. Our Virtual Urgent Care is open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., seven days a week. Visit our website to learn more about the conditions treated and how to make an appointment: https://bit.ly/3jJHD0F.
COOKCHILDRENS.ORG
Virtual Urgent Care | Cook Children's
To all those welcoming the Year of the Ox and celebrating the Lunar New Year, we wish you a healthy and prosperous year ahead!
Earlier this month we introduced you to Sydni, a tiny warrior with a huge heart. She was born with multiple congenital heart defects (CHD) and spent the first 82 days of her life at Cook Children’s Medical Center. Learn more about her journey here: https://bit.ly/2NR6q7d. #HeartMonth #WeAreCookChildrens
We are so proud to share that Cook Children’s Medical Center received its fourth consecutive Magnet® designation from the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC). We are the first freestanding children's hospital in North Texas and 10th in the world to receive this esteemed recognition four times in a row!
The Magnet® Recognition Program is the gold standard in nursing excellence and validation of high quality patient outcomes. Research shows Magnet® hospitals have increased patient satisfaction, decreased length of hospitalizations, and lower mortality rates, as well as above average nurse-satisfaction and retention rates.
Congratulations to our incredible team of nurses who embrace our Promise - to improve the health of every child through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury. #WeAreCookChildrens
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Cook Children’s Receives Fourth Consecutive Magnet Designation for Nursing Excellence
Throughout the historic and devastating winter storm in Texas, we’ve been able to witness moments of sacrifice, hope, compassion and togetherness. While we know so many families are still struggling, including some of our own, we wanted to share a thread of gratefulness for our employees and those who supported Cook Children’s this week.
In anticipation of the weather, we opened “Hotel Cook” to provide a safe and secure place for staff to sleep and avoid dangerous travel to and from work. Approximately 500 employees spent multiple nights at our medical center so they could care for patients, prepare warm meals and hot coffee, salt streets and sidewalks, address all the weather impacts and so much more.
Please scroll through to see photos and read how together, we lived up to our Promise of providing exceptional care for our patients, families and each other. #WeAreCookChildrens #TexansHelpingTexans
Like other hospitals in the area, Cook Children’s is in CRITICAL need of platelets for our patients. Several Carter BloodCare locations are open and accepting donations. If you can safely make it to a donation center, we ask that you please consider doing so. You can make an appointment by texting 800-366-2834. Walk-ins are also welcome. To check if your local donation center is open, click this link: https://www.carterbloodcare.org/operational-update/. #TexansHelpingTexans #WeAreCookChildrens #DonateBlood
From toenails to ear wax and baby teeth grinding, Diane Arnaout, M.D., pediatrician at Cook Children's Pediatrics Forest Park, answers questions from parents every day. She shares seven of the most uncommon, common questions she hears daily.
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7 Weird Baby Things This Pediatrician Never Thought She’d Get Asked About So Often
As we close out Black History Month, we learn about the first Black physicians at Cook Children’s. A married couple, Drs. Morrell and Electra Greer, have spent their careers caring for children in Fort Worth. #WeAreCookChildrens
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Trailblazers in Medicine: Meet the Married Couple Who Became Cook Children’s First Black Physicians
All of our systems appear to be working normally again (telephones, website, patient portal).
We apologize for any inconvenience this temporary outage may have caused you.
If you encounter any other difficulties, please do let us know in the comments below.
Thank you.
We are aware of several system outages at Cook Children's (telephones, website, patient portal, etc.) Please know everyone is safe and sound at our medical center campus and at our various locations.
We are working to quickly address this technology situation. We apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing you.
If you have a medical emergency, please call 911 or
go to the closest emergency room.
Thank you for your understanding.
Our CARE Team received a *sweet* delivery today from a local Girl Scout. Eight-year-old Emma Martinez wanted to collect enough donations to send 40 boxes of her cookies to the team because (as she explained) her dad says, “They’re the best.” Emma’s father is a Fort Worth police officer assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit. Due to the nature of his work, he interacts with the CARE Team regularly and is aware of the tough job they have. Emma created a video asking people to donate to her project called “Cookies for Cook’s CARE Team.” She’s quite the salesperson because today she delivered 151 boxes of Girl Scout cookies valued at $764. To Emma, we say “Thank you” for thinking of the CARE Team! As a token of their appreciation, the team sent her home with a new toy.
It’s a story of love, pain, and passion, with a beautiful ending. Two Cook Children’s nurses recently met at New Hire Orientation. Their names? Candace. Learn more about their story, 25 years in the making! #WeAreCookChildrens
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A Full Circle Moment: Nurse Meets Her Namesake
With Texas' mask mandate expiring tomorrow and spring break right around the corner, conditions are prime for another COVID-19 surge. Marc Mazade, M.D., medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at Cook Children's, reminds us, "Now is not the time to relax. Rather it is the time for even more vigilance."
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Now’s Not the Time to Let Your Guard Down with COVID-19
On #InternationalWomensDay, we are proud to introduce you to Kanika Bowen-Jallow, M.D., who was recently recognized as the 9th Black female pediatric surgeon in the United States. Dr. Bowen-Jallow joined Cook Children's in 2020 and is helping change the lives of children at our Prosper Pediatric Surgery Center. She shares her story of hard work and breaking barriers, that lead to this distinct honor. #WeAreCookChildrens
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Breaking barriers: Meet the 9th Black Female Pediatric Surgeon in the US
We are making important updates to our visitor policy. These changes will go into effect Monday, March 8, 2021, at 5 a.m.
In an effort to protect our patients, their families and our health care staff, masks will continue to be required for everyone over the age of 2 entering Cook Children’s locations. For more information, please visit www.cookchildrens.org/COVID19.
We know this is a difficult situation, but we are continuing to do everything we can to keep everyone safe!
Wearing masks will continue to be required at all Cook Children's locations. In light of recent announcements from city, county and state officials around mask mandates, we wanted to share the following:
Masks are still required for everyone entering a Cook Children’s location, including caregivers and employees, and those who have been vaccinated.
Why are we doing this?
· We are continuing to follow the guidelines and recommendations from the CDC, other science-based organizations, and our medical experts.
· More infectious variants are circulating in Texas, and millions more people need to be vaccinated.
· We know that wearing masks work in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Thank you for understanding, and for helping us protect our patients, families and employees.
What’s the best type of formula to nourish your baby? Michelle Bailey, M.D. from Cook Children's Pediatrics McKinney breaks down the research behind organic and non-organic options.
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Is Organic Formula Better than Regular Formula?
This week, we are recognizing the anniversary of Cook Children's activated Incident Command Center in response to COVID-19. A year later, things are getting better. The COVID-19 patient and employee population have reached record lows. While things improve, the diligence to fight the novel coronavirus remains, and so does a tremendous amount of pride in how Cook Children’s handled this crisis. #WeAreCookChildrens #COVID19
In March 2020, Cook Children's joined the world in facing the harsh reality of COVID-19, a global pandemic that would impact virtually every aspect of our lives. With the one-year anniversary upon us , please join us as we look back at the varied and inspiring ways that Cook Children's prepared, responded and persevered through these tribulations that we hadn't seen in our lifetimes: https://bit.ly/3rWOck4. #WeAreCookChildrens #COVID19
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One Year Later: A Look Back at COVID-19 at Cook Children's
Hyperinsulinism is a rare condition affecting about 1 in 20,000 to 30,000 newborn babies each year. For two families, finding out Cook Children’s is one of two centers in the U.S. that specializes in this rare disease has been a game changer.
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Help and Hope for Hyperinsulinism
