Prosper, TX,
28
February
2023
|
12:04 PM
America/Chicago

50 Days of Helping Children Prosper at Our New Medical Center

Here is a glimpse into the first 50 days since the opening of Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper, a new chapter in the 105-year history of Cook Children’s.

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Cook Children's Teddy Bear Transport connects patients to and from the Medical Center in Fort Worth to the Medical Center in Prosper.

By Eline Wiggins and Sydney Hanes. Video by Tom Riehm.Prosper First Infusion Patient

Stepping into a world of color, cowbells echo down the hallway, marking the opening of Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper on Jan. 9, 2023. Staff members, patients, and families are a part of something new and feel the buzz of excitement in the air. In the first 50 days, the medical center staff has already provided excellent care as new patients and their families enter the doors.

The newly-built campus provides world-class medical care to children living in the northern sector of the Metroplex. The 23-acre Medical Center at Prosper cares for patients with an emergency department, a surgical and procedural floor, an infusion center, an outpatient imaging center, a retail pharmacy, an inpatient unit with medical-surgical and pediatric intensive care, and two floors of shell space for future needs. 

Since opening day, the Cook Children’s Prosper team has shared smiles and pinky promises with patients. Families and patients explored new floors and new departments throughout the medical center. They met new faces and built relationships with providers who they will know for many years to come.

Here is a glimpse into the beginning of this new chapter in the 105-year history of Cook Children’s.

In the first 50 days, many patients, including Hannah Bland, were seen and treated at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper. Hannah's mother, Megan Green said she is so grateful for the Medical Center in Prosper because it made it easier for their family to be together. Prosper First Infusion PatientFamily pic

“Cook Children’s has been a part of our journey since day one," Green said. "I am so grateful for the Prosper campus because it has allowed our family to stay together during Hannah’s admissions. For the first time, Hannah’s siblings can come up to visit her and I am able to go home and check on them when I need to. I know that Cook Children’s knew the Prosper campus would be important for families, but I don’t think they realized what a significant impact it would bring to families like mine. Thank you, Cook Children’s!”

Photo caption: Left - Infusion Center Staff and Anthony Anani, M.D., supported patient Gavin Ellis. He was Prosper's first infusion center patient . Right - Megan Green, Hannah Bland and family say they are grateful for the opening of Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper.

Teddy Bear Transport

Cook Children's Teddy Bear Transport connects patients and the Cook Children’s Promise from the Medical Center in Fort Worth to the Medical Center in Prosper. Teddy Lori Hill, RN Teddy Bear Transport, was a part of the first patient transport from Prosper to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.

“Everybody was very welcoming there,” she said. “It’s always fun to be one of the first ones to go. Everything just went like clockwork.”

The first OR patient

After months of preparation, each member of the surgical team was ready for the first patient to enter the operating room. 

“We were honored to welcome our first surgical patient,” said LaRisha Glover, nurse manager of surgical services at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper. “Our team was filled with expectation and thrilled to finally work through processes that we have worked so hard on over the last few months. We are looking forward to serving the community and building long-lasting relationships.” First OR patient

Photo caption: Donna Talreja (RN), Kathryn Dupre (RN), and Kelley Trotter (CST)

Pharmacy is open for prescriptions, medications and more

Our pharmacy team has been hard at work filling prescriptions for our patients, including the first non-sterile oral compound at the CCMCP inpatient pharmacy. 

Pharmacy Clinical Specialist Clifford Ho transferred from Cook Children’s Medical Center Fort Worth to Prosper. Cliffords’ favorite part of the first 50 days in Prosper has been “helping patients and families understand their medications and the time we get to spend with them.”

Retail pharmacy in Prosper

Prosper retail pharmacy provides a wide array of outpatient prescription services, including specialized compounded medications. Our lead technician and compounding specialist, Carmen Rodriguez, completed a compound for a CCMCP patient. Carmen is well-versed in medication compounding and was so excited to complete the first one in Prosper. The first compounded prescription was completed on Jan. 20, 2023.

“Opening a new retail pharmacy in Prosper has been thrilling," Rodriguez said. "The energy here is one of optimism and excitement for both the present and the future, and being a part of something so special is nothing as I have experienced before. Seeing patients in the building after months of hard work and anticipation has really energized my team and we are so excited for every new day and a new opportunity to serve our patients with excellence. Since compounding medications is something I am passionate about, I was so eager to make our first compounded prescription. It was fun having the team involved for one of our ‘firsts’ and we look forward to many more!”

Spiritual Care 

The Spiritual Care team offers spiritual guidance and emotional support to people of all faiths as well as those who practice no particular faith. Amanda Payne Lindsay, MDiv, is our Chaplain at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper.

“The best part of the first 50 days in Prosper is seeing the amazing care that Cook Children’s provides to patients being brought to my hometown,” Lindsay said. “I grew up in this community (McKinney, about 15 minutes away) and love my community dearly. It has been such a joy to watch the place I love to work come to the community I love to live in.”

The Spiritual Care team provides prayer bears to patients who need encouragement or support after a painful procedure, during a lengthy hospital stay or during difficult times. Prayer bears are a way to remind patients that they are not alone.

“It doesn’t matter if you are in Fort Worth or Prosper, giving out prayer bears is one of the favorite parts of my job,” Lindsay said. “It is the most tangible way we as chaplains are able to deliver comfort and joy to even our littlest patients. I am so happy we are carrying this 25-year-old tradition on here in Prosper.”

Successful Joint Commission survey

Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper had a successful Joint Commission survey. The Joint Commission evaluates, accredits and certifies more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States for the highest standards, safety and quality. Prosper Joint Commission

Surveyors were very complimentary of the Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper culture and alignment with our Promise, “Everything for the Child.” They also loved the facilities, with its unique features, one-of-a-kind design elements and beautiful aesthetics at the brand-new campus.

Henry Ford once said, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”

“What an amazing last few days!” said Kevin Greene, Vice President and Administrator at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper. “The culmination of hundreds of hours and countless late nights all came together to produce a successful Joint Commission survey for Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper. I could not be prouder to serve alongside so many amazing health care professionals all committed to our Pinky Promise and North Star - Everything for the child!

“This is just the beginning of our commitment to providing world-class pediatric care to every child in our care and our communities. Most grateful.”

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Zaccheaus Chimedza PICU RN

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) cares for children with life-threatening illnesses or injuries. The unit also cares for children recovering from procedures such as surgeries. 

Zaccheaus Chimedza, PICU RN, said his favorite part has been the team that he gets to work with.

“Having my son here as a patient really made me appreciate the amazing care we give here and the team I get to work with even more,” Chimedza said.

Photo caption: Zaccheaus Chimedza, PICU RN

Social Work

Social Workers provide ongoing supportive counseling and resources for patient families. Social Worker Riley Mullahy, MSW, is one of many social workers at Prosper who help patient families.Riley Mullahy Social Work

“It’s been amazing to work with the families out here and feel like we are really making a difference for the community of Prosper. I’ve also loved the amazing team that I get to work with,” Mullahy said.

Photo caption: Riley Mullahy, MSW, Prosper Social Worker

Lab

Amanda Pulley, Manager Laboratory Operations said it was exciting to begin working in the lab, including when the first specimen came down the tube station.

“The first 50 days have been one of the most memorable and rewarding times in my career as I’ve watched a team of very intelligent, passionate lab professionals, apply their unique skill sets to provide efficient, quality care,” Pulley said. “We handpicked this team to set the standard here at CCMCP in the laboratory, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work we have accomplished, the work we continue to do, and the work we are yet to do. Knowing we are providing quality care to the community we live in, makes all the long hours and hard work worth it. I am confident that we have set a foundation, that we will continue to grow from, for years to come.”

Food and Nutrition Services Team cooks up great meals and cookies for Cookie Wednesday

The Food and Nutrition Services team connects all patients, families and employees when it’s time for a meal or snack, or even just some time to relax in the cafe. Food Services Team

The team said their favorite is “the fun we have working together and providing staff and patients with thoughtful and delicious food. We get to nourish people’s bodies and spirits here.”

Food Services is also bringing the tastiest Cook Children’s tradition, Cookie Wednesday, to Prosper! Each Wednesday afternoon, freshly baked, warm cookies are available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Over the Moon Hospital Cafe for $1 each. Patients, families and staff members are invited to stop by to enjoy a variety of delicious cookies!

“People look forward to it every week,” said Food and Nutrition Services Manager and Executive Chef DeWayne Pace. “People are asking if they can have cookies for breakfast!”Prosper Cookie Wednesday

Photo caption: Ilham Assekkour, Lessby Navas, Macy Magee and Ana Aguilar