Cook Children’s Health Care System was awarded the 2025 Pinnacle of Excellence Award for our inpatient experience from Press Ganey.   

This prestigious recognition reflects the consistent dedication and hard work that takes place at Cook Children's. Drawing on three years of data, this award places the health care system in the top three pediatric organizations in the country for overall patient rating and the likelihood of families to recommend for care.   

Press Ganey is a global leader in health care experience solutions and collaborates with more than 41,000 health care facilities to enhance overall safety, quality and experience of care.  

Following the Guardian of Excellence awards in 2023 and 2024, Cook Children’s has now reached a new peak. This latest honor represents the highest achievement awarded to the organization from Press Ganey further cementing Cook Children's unwavering commitment to the patient experience. 

“Caring for children requires more than clinical excellence. It requires heart,” Megan Chavez, Senior Vice President, Chief Experience Officer said. “This award is a testament to the many ways our teams turn fear into comfort and uncertainty into hope. The exceptional experiences created for children and their families through kindness, teamwork and dedication create a safe and healing experience for every child.” 

Despite this rapid growth, Cook Children's remains steadfast in its Promise that every child receives the very best care. The health care system dedicates this achievement to all 10,000 members of its team. Every employee plays a vital role in shaping a family’s experience and upholding a legacy of award-winning care. 

This holiday season, Las Vegas Trail area residents are experiencing a new chapter of wellness and hope, thanks to an award-winning collaboration bringing health services close to their west Fort Worth neighborhood, which has long been known as both a health care and food desert.

Since the new Neighborhood Health Center serving the Las Vegas Trail area opened its doors in August, thousands have received health care services through the center’s two medical clinics, a partnership of Cook Children’s Health Care System and JPS Health Network. Participants in the Neighborhood Health Center’s first workforce development program, taught by Tarrant County College, are set to graduate in December. Nearly 100 community members have participated in one of 12 cooking classes offered in the center’s teaching kitchen, where a Cook Children’s dietician demonstrates how to prepare healthy, budget-friendly meals with limited cooking resources. Hundreds of connections have been made through outreach events.

“It's been a really meaningful experience to connect with so many members of the community through our work,” said Sky Ramos, community health worker at the Neighborhood Health Center. “I've had the opportunity to personally visit with and assist approximately 150 individuals as they navigate managing their health, and I have connected with many more through community outreach events I’ve attended.”

In October, the center welcomed over 200 attendees at a Trunk or Treat Resources Fair where guests were provided a free meal and connected with resources focusing on family health and safety resources.

“Anything like this event helps a lot, especially being close to our home,” said Liza Salinas, who attended the Trunk or Treat Resources Fair with her two children. “Right now, I have no vehicle so that right there is a blessing. I know I don’t have to worry about getting my kids to their doctor’s appointment and going to see their doctor. Events like these are just a blessing because you get to learn so much new information that you didn’t even know about. We’re having fun. It’s all about the children.”

Cook Children’s leadership in building and operating the Neighborhood Health Center recently garnered recognition from three community organizations.

A Community on the Rise

At its annual Rise Luncheon on October 8, LVTRise—the non-profit organization at the center of Las Vegas Trail’s revitalization—honored Cook Children’s for its leadership in creating a health center that reflects the community’s unique needs and embraces its cultural heartbeat.

It takes imagination and collaboration to build a center that fully meets community members’ health and wellness needs, particularly when 32% of people in a community live below the poverty level and in a food desert. The state of an individual’s health isn’t just influenced by the physical. It’s also driven by social, economic and environmental factors. Daily stressors like finances, food security, transportation challenges and joblessness often overshadow health care and create barriers that directly impact the wellness of individuals, families and communities. Recognizing the critical need for a unique approach, JPS and Cook Children’s, with support from several other community partners, joined forces to open the Neighborhood Health Center serving the Las Vegas Trail area.

“This center is the first big transformative milestone that came from the Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Transformation Plan,” said Paige Charbonnet, executive director of LVTRise. “It’s an out-of-the-box approach to something the community needed and wanted. When Cook Children’s said they wanted to be involved, they were clear they wanted to do more than just support the cause. They wanted to be hands-on and become a part of the fabric of this community, and that’s exactly what they’ve done in a very impactful way.”

More than just another clinic, the health center is a close-to-home, one-stop wellness hub designed to remove common barriers to care for those living in and near the neighborhood. It seamlessly integrates multiple essential health and social services under one roof, including WestAid Food Pantry, a teaching kitchen, a workforce development program and an onsite community health worker dedicated to helping guests navigate the health care system, manage their health care, access financial assistance and identify local resources.

A Season of Success with JPS

JPS and Cook Children’s have been beacons of health care in Tarrant County for well over 100 years. They share a similar history and mission, having both been born from a desire to help the most vulnerable in the community, regardless of their ability to pay. This is the first joint-venture between the two organizations. Since opening, JPS and Cook Children’s have recorded more than 4,000 combined patient encounters at the center spanning its full array of services. These include adult and pediatric primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, newborn visits, well-child checks, and adult and adolescent behavioral health and counseling. 

On October 18, JPS named Cook Children’s as the recipient of the Community Impact Award at  its White Coat Gala. The annual gala celebrates the dedication, generosity and care of health care professionals, community leaders and philanthropic partners, and recognizes their daily impact on the community.

“JPS’s partnership with Cook Children’s demonstrates what is possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to community-led solutions,” said Karen Duncan, president and CEO of JPS Health Network. “JPS is proud to partner with Cook Children’s to bring high-quality, accessible care directly to families in the Las Vegas Trail community. By integrating medical care, food resources, workforce training, and community outreach, we are helping transform the Las Vegas Trail area to improve overall health outcomes for generations to come.”

D CEO's 2005 Excellence in Healthcare Awards

In recognition of this first-of-its-kind collaboration that turned a health care desert into a wellness hub, JPS and Cook Children’s were announced as winners of D CEO's Excellence in Healthcare Awards for 2025 for Outstanding Healthcare Collaboration at an awards event on Dec. 4. Every year, D CEO recognizes the region’s health care leaders and organizations for their achievement, community impact and economic influence. Members of the magazine’s editorial team, along with outside judges with extensive knowledge of the health care field, evaluated more than 150 nominations across several categories to name this year’s winners.

“We’re thrilled and humbled to receive these recognitions from our partners and D CEO,” said Rick Merrill, president and CEO of Cook Children’s. “Of course, we didn’t work alone to accomplish any of this. It took almost every community asset, from health care to education to social services and public safety, to make the center what it is today. This proves that when organizations mobilize and collaborate, people, families and communities win. I know I speak for every Neighborhood Health Center partner when I say that’s the most rewarding thing of all. It’s why we do what we do.”

We join a distinguished group of past recipients, including Amon Carter, a renowned Fort Worth leader, and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

Specifically, in a quote to the Fort Worth Report our President and CEO Rick W. Merrill said: "We are deeply grateful to the Fort Worth Exchange Club and its members for recognizing Cook Children's with the prestigious Golden Deeds Award.  It does not go unnoticed that we follow in the footsteps of countless trailblazers who have defined and shaped this city.

This recognition shines a light on the incredible legacy of care we've built over the last century and inspires us to continue writing the next chapter of this story – a story fueled by compassion, expertise and community collaboration. On behalf of our 10,000 employees, thank you."

Cook Children’s Health Care System is among 33 hospitals in the world to receive the coveted Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). The group recognized Cook Children’s Emergency Department (ED) for demonstrating exceptional and innovative performance through leadership, practices, education, advocacy and research. The award is given to health care institutions both in the U.S. and internationally, and is a visible symbol of commitment to quality, safety and a healthy work environment.

“Despite dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our emergency department leadership carved out time to showcase the preeminent and pioneering work their teams are doing each day,” said Rick W. Merrill, president and CEO of Cook Children’s. “This uniquely special award is a testament to this team’s daily commitment to excellence; and on behalf of our entire leadership team, we are extremely proud of this accomplishment.”

Some of the key initiatives that helped Cook Children’s win the Lantern Award include:

• Implementation of a sepsis-screening process
• Suicide-risk assessments for all ED patients over the age of 10
• Enactment of a COVID-19 command center response team
• Routine disaster drills, including participation in community exercises
• Critical stress management training to help build resiliency for ED staff before and after stressful events
• Improvements in the blood culture process

“We’re proud to have an emergency department staffed with nurses who go above and beyond every day to do the very best for the children and families in our care,” said Cheryl Petersen, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Cook Children’s. “This is the first time we have received this award, but I can truly say our staff has a long history of exceptional performance. We’re simply excited to know leaders outside of Cook Children’s are taking notice of their great work.”

The ENA Lantern Award is named in honor of Florence Nightingale, who worked to improve and change nursing in the 19^th century. A list of all 33 Lantern Award winners can be viewed here.

Marc Keralla knew he didn’t have much time left to prepare before taking a shot at his goal. An avid cyclist for 25 years, he’d soon be on his way to St. George, Utah to compete in the Huntsman World Senior Games.

At least that was his plan, anyway.

On Aug. 29, 2016, the Dallas business executive wasn’t feeling his best, but he still made time for a workout at a cycling studio in Richardson. Then it happened.

Carey Cribbs,M.D., an emergency room physician at Cook Children’s Medical Center, had just finished the same workout. Preparing for an Ironman triathlon, she was about to leave the studio for a run when she heard someone yelling.

“I heard ‘Dr. Cribbs, I need you!’” she said. “When I walked out of the locker room, I saw him on the ground.”

Dr. Cribbs says the coach, Richard Wharton, was already on the phone with 911. They knew first responders were on the way, but needed to start CPR immediately.

“I didn’t feel a pulse so I asked Richard if he’d rather do chest compressions or rescue breathing. He said chest compressions, which was good because I’m only 5 feet tall.”

For several minutes, they worked together to keep Marc’s lungs moving and blood pumping until the Richardson Fire Department arrived.

“When the firemen walked in, it was like ‘the cavalry is here!’” said Dr. Cribbs.

The entire ordeal lasted less than 10 minutes, but Dr. Cribbs says it was a totally humbling experience.

“I’ve been an emergency room physician at Cook Children’s for 28 years, but I have never performed CPR out of the hospital before,” said Dr. Cribbs. “It really makes you appreciate our first responders and the things they do to save lives. I’m used to having everything in perfect order and they’re doing this on kitchen floors and parking lots.”

After a shock from a defibrillator, first responders were able to regain Marc’s pulse. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent a quadruple bypass four days later. He says he’s thankful for Dr. Cribbs, his coach and the first responders.

“I later found out that scar tissue from a stent I had put in led to a blockage. I was a ticking time bomb,” said Marc. “It could have happened anywhere. Thank God it happened where it did.”

Marc has since made a full recovery and is back to cycling. In fact, he’s racing in the Dallas Senior Games next week.

On Feb. 10, he was able to share his story with the audience at an award ceremony honoring Dr. Cribbs and Richard Wharton. The Richardson Fire Department gave the two civilian awards for their quick, life-saving action.

Dr. Cribbs says she’d advise everyone to learn CPR.

“It does work. It saves lives and you never know whose life might be next.”

As for Marc, he says it has been a slow process to get his fitness back to the level it was, but he’s still hoping to win the race in Utah one day.

He also hopes he can help others prevent what happened to him.

“Listen to your body. If something is not right, see your doctor.”

Lee has been a catering aid for Cook Children’s  and is known as much for being the consummate pro as he is for his caring, compassionate nature for his customers, coworkers and patients. He is deeply spiritual and takes great pride in his work and has been a vital piece of the catering staff at Cook Children’s since his arrival.

It only makes sense that he would be in the service industry because Lee lives to serve others in any way he possibly can.

And his efforts have not gone unnoticed. 

His  presence is not lost on those on his immediate and surrounding teams. Executive Chef and Manager JoAnn Williams sums up his value, “It would be so much easier if I had 100 Vernons.”

But there is only one Vernon Lee.

When Williams began working at Cook Children’s 15 years ago, there were only two people working in catering – Lee and her. She said they made an instant connection that remains to this day. He’s always there for not only her, but everyone who needs him.

Lee is known for amazing memory. He knows the schedule and calendar, it seems, of every event happening at Cook Children’s. The catering service has been called by various departments through the years panicked, saying they forgot to call in an order for an event. But they had no need to fear because Lee remembered it and had already scheduled the order. Lee always pitches in where he’s needed. If it’s a slow catering day, he finds somewhere else that needs help without ever being asked.

During his time at Cook Children’s, Lee has built many wonderful relationships. Many people come to him and they ask him to pray for them because they know he’s deeply spiritual. Those who don’t have the same spiritual connection still love Lee and the way he approaches life. He is known for being genuine and consistently nice and gracious. He’s the person who remembers everything from boss’s day to anniversaries and birthdays. He gives everything of himself without complains. He wants to make sure everyone is having a great day.

Lee may work in catering, but he’s also a caregiver. He is there for staff when they need someone the most. He’s also there for his family and friends. He’s not pretentious and doesn’t want attention and praise heaped on him. But it’s that attitude and example that he sets, that makes him stand out from others.  In 2015, Lee was announced as the recipient of the Employee of the Year Award for the DFW Hospital Council in the category of hospitals with 205-499 beds.

Lee said he prepared a speech the night before the ceremony, but never removed it from his pocket. Instead, he spoke from his heart on how grateful he was to be nominated and thankful to everyone who made it possible, including Nancy Cychol, the president of Cook Children's Medical Center, who nominated Lee for the award.

"I'm just a piece of the puzzle in fulfilling The Promise of Cook Children's of knowing every child's life is sacred," Lee said. "I had gotten over the shock of me being nominated and was pretty content just being there as nominee. For them to call my name and say I was a winner I was pretty surprised. I was shocked."

Lee was the only one surprised. Everyone at Cook Children's knew he deserved this special recognition.

Paul Thornton, M.D. is the medical director of Cook Children’s Hyperinsulinism Center, one of only two such centers in the U.S. and the only one in the southern portion of the country. He has dedicated his life to researching and treating congenital hyperinsulinsim (HI), and in turn has helped improve the quality of life for countless children.

Dr. Thornton’s work is so well respected he was recently named a Rare Disease Hero by Rare Disease Communications. The award recognizes five physicians each year for groundbreaking research and treatment in the rare disease community.

“Rare Disease Communications is proud to be honoring these real-life heroes,” said Chris Davis, president of Rare Disease Communications. “This is, indeed, a rare opportunity to applaud the silent victories that mean so much to patients and families.”

In addition to the Rare Disease Hero award, Dr. Thornton was also recently honored at the 2016 sugar sHIndig at the Fort Worth Science & History Museum where he was given the Be My Sugar Medical Excellence Award by Congenital Hyperinsulinsim International (CHI).

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the leaders in the congenital hyperinsulinism community,” said Dr. Thornton. “As we continue to treat children from across the country and the world, we’re excited to share information about our program and the excellent team providing quality, family-centered care.”