FOCUS is a weekly e-newsletter driven by leadership to share strategic information within the system. The content focuses on our core values and Promise. In order for us to achieve our 15-year vision, we need to stay the course and remain FOCUSed. focusJuly 2009 | Issue 114
Cook Children’s is proving that its promise to the community is more than merely words. Fort Worth
Independent School District recognizes this commitment by naming Cook Children’s Medical Center a
recipient of the district’s sixth annual Golden Achievement Award for Partnership Excellence for 2008-2009.
In a letter of congratulations, FWISD Executive Director Nancy Ricker says, “Employees of Cook
Children’s Medical Center have given their time, talent and resources to support strategic activities and
programs for students and teachers at Lily B. Clayton Elementary School, and the benefits will be seen
throughout the lives of those affected for many years.”
She closes the letter with gratitude, “Please accept my personal thanks for your commitment to serve as
a leader in contributing to the lives of children in Fort Worth.”
Cook Children’s employees are the heart and spirit of all that is done across the organization and this
deserved recognition validates your efforts. Congratulations to everyone who gives back, which helps us
embody our Promise.
Cook Children’s Medical Center recognized by FWISD
Rehab outpatient services now off campusThe sun may rise in the east and set in the west but the home
of Cook Children’s Rehab Services has risen to the south. Earlier this week, the new South Rehab Campus welcomed employees and patients alike. The South Rehab Campus is located at 1919 8th Avenue (in the previous Home Health location).
Our outpatient team is settling into their newly renovated accommodations and looks forward to making the outpatient rehabilitation experience for our patients more welcoming and comfortable. For example, the new clinic provides additional space for patient care and parking and increases the overall convenience for families.
Stay tuned for further details of the exciting changes and photos of the expanded space that now awaits our outpatient physical, occupational, speech and audiology patients.
As the move is being completed, phone and communication issues may still occur. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions, please contact Rehab Services at 682-885-2631 or by fax at 682-885-1878.
If you’ve ever browsed new houses or apartment
complexes online, you likely were treated to a virtual tour that
gave you a real, dynamic look at your prospective new home.
Earlier this month, Cook Children’s took a bold step to make
sure that our patients and families had the same opportunity
with the creation of a virtual tour of Cook Children’s Medical
Center available at www.cookchildrens.org.
This exciting new tool lets visitors to our Web site take a
tour of multiple areas of interest for patients and their families. These areas include:
Main entrance off 7th Avenue•
South parking lot entrance•
Patient registration•
NICU and PICU•
Information desk•
iMRI surgery •
iMRI diagnostic•
Operating room •
Cath lab•
Outpatient lab•
Matusik Family Resource Center•
Schwarz Health Science Library and the Bomar Library•
The Atrium and Hochberger Auditorium•
So, take a few minutes to ‘walk’ the halls of our Medical Center and get a glimpse at how our patients
and their families can now explore Cook Children’s before stepping foot on campus.
‘Walk’ our halls from the comfort of your home
How our people are living Cook Children’s values
Collaboration: “The neurology clinic recently had
questions regarding a sedation/anxiolysis policy and how
to make sure we were following the policy correctly. Erin
Chandler attended a meeting with Dr. Marks and myself
to discuss this and brainstorm ideas on how to follow
the guidelines. Erin did not have to be involved with this;
however, she helped us to work through the issue and in
the end, she was the key person to work on and resolve
the issue. This meant that she devoted a great deal of
time to helping us. She showed concern for our patients
and listened to our concerns as well. This is probably
the best display of uncommon care and collaboration I
have experienced. I am very impressed with her.” – Susie
Spellman, Neurology Clinical Coordinator
Caring: “On a particularly hot day, Officer JR Ruiz
rescued me when I had a very flat tire in the 750 8th
Avenue parking lot. In full uniform, Officer Ruiz showed
true caring by changing the flat tire within the timeframe
of the one-hour meeting I was attending. It was amazingly
painless thanks to him. I just want to say how grateful I
am; we all understand uncommon care as it relates to our
patients and families, but I can honestly say that I consider
what Officer Ruiz did for me to be a true example of going
the extra mile. It makes me very proud to be a part of
the Cook Children’s family knowing we have outstanding
employees, such as Officer Ruiz, ‘watching our backs.’” –
Gail J. Callas, BSN, RN, MS, Assistant Vice President Cook
Children’s Physician Network
In the next couple weeks, the 2009-2010 Benefits Open Enrollment will be knocking at the door. Will you be ready to answer it? That’s right, it’s time to enroll for your benefits again and Human Resources is here to ensure that you are prepared to make the most informed decisions about your coverage.
This year’s open enrollment period is Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 28 and all benefits eligible employees are required to complete the enrollment process. Employees who fail to enroll during the open enrollment period will have no benefits after Wednesday, September 30.
Information regarding the benefits being offered, the steps to enroll, and a summary of changes can be found on CookNet under “Announcements” beginning the week of July 20. Please watch for “IMPORTANT” emails containing more details about the upcoming enrollment.
All Cook Children’s employees are encouraged to attend one of the “Open Enrollment Meetings” to learn more about upcoming benefit changes. The meetings will explain the employee benefits being offered for the 2009-2010 plan year. These meetings are scheduled for the following times and locations:
Hochberger AuditoriumWednesday, July 22 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.•Thursday, July 23 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m.•Friday, July 24 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m.•Monday, July 27 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m.•Tuesday, July 28 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m.•Wednesday, July 29 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.•
South Hills – Conference Room 231Thursday, July 23 2 p.m. and 3:15p.m.•
Hurst Primary Care Office - Conference Room (next to Cook Children’s Northeast Hospital)Friday, July 24 8 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.•
Employees unable to attend one of these meetings will have the opportunity to view the presentation through a link on CookNet (available by July 27) or can request a DVD of the presentation from Human Resources.
In addition, our annual Benefits Fair will take place on July 29 to 31 and will include representatives from all of our insurance carriers who will be available to answer questions.
For employees unsure about the enrollment process, Human Resources staff will be available to assist you with your enrollment in the Pavilion Classrooms on the following dates and times:
Wednesday, August 5 – Pavilion Classroom 6 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.•Monday, August 10 – Pavilion Classroom 3 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.•Friday, August 14 – Pavilion Classroom 3 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.•Thursday, August 20 – Pavilion Classroom 3 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.•Thursday, August 27 – Pavilion Classroom 6 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.•
Benefits Open Enrollment is just around the corner
Congratulations to Cook Children’s Teddy Bear Transport on receiving full accreditation from the
Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) through September 2012.