The report, released today, analyzed data from 108 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists.

The following Cook Children’s specialties were named among the top programs:

·         Pediatric Behavioral Health – Top 50

·         Pediatric Cancer - #37 in the nation

·         Pediatric Cardiology - #37 in the nation 

·         Pediatric Endocrinology - #44 in the nation

·         Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery - #45 in the nation

·         Pediatric Orthopedics - #24 in the nation

·         Pediatric Pulmonology - #48 in the nation

This is the first year for U.S. News & World Report to include Pediatric Behavioral Health as “Top 50” programs and Cook Children’s was named to the inaugural list. Other highlights include Cook Children’s Cardiology jumping to #37 and Cook Children’s Orthopedics moving an impressive 16 spots in the rankings, from #40 last year to #24.

“We’re thrilled to see our Pediatric Behavioral Health services recognized on a national level,” said Kia Carter, M.D., co-medical director of Inpatient and Consultation Liaison Psychiatric Services. “Our team's expertise in child and adolescent mental health is unparalleled. These rankings reflect our commitment to providing evidence-based care that empowers young people to thrive.”

U.S. News & World Report evaluated children’s hospitals based on a variety of factors, including quality of care, clinical research programs, services and surgeries performed, patient and family involvement and access to resources, staff dedication, recognition as a Nurse Magnet Hospital, and more.

For Cook Children’s Health Care System as a whole, the rankings highlight longstanding excellence in a variety of areas. 

"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."

Best Children’s Hospitals list for 2023-2024.

The report, which was released today, uses clinical data to measure patient safety, infection prevention and adequacy of nurse staffing. Out of 284 children’s hospitals in the U.S., only 90 ranked in at least one of the 10 pediatric specialties evaluated. The following Cook Children’s specialties were named among the top programs:

• Pediatric Cancer - #30 in the nation
• Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology - #31 in the nation
• Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery - #36 in the nation
• Pediatric Orthopedics - #40 in the nation
• Pediatric Pulmonology and Lung Surgery - #48 in the nation

Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology program jumped an impressive 20 spots in the rankings, from #50 in 2022-2023 to #30 in 2023-2024.

 “We are focused every day to improve the lives of the patients we serve and enrich the care of children all over the world. We do this by providing innovative care and contributing to the science of future cancer therapies,” said Donald Beam, M.D., medical director of Hematology and Oncology. “We will continue to strive to improve every day, growing beyond what we are and stepping to the future.”

For Cook Children's Health Care System as a whole, the rankings demonstrate a longstanding commitment to excellence in pediatric care.  

"For more than 105 years, Cook Children's has been committed to improving the well-being of every child in our care. We are honored to see our mission validated yet again by U.S. News and World Report,” said Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System. “With our newest medical center in Prosper now open, we look forward to making an impact in the lives of even more children and families.” 

Cook Children’s also ranked #3 in Texas and #4 in the Southwest on the U.S. News and World Report “Best Regional Hospitals” list. 

About Cook Children’s Health Care System 
Cook Children’s is more than a health care system: we strive to be an extension of your family, growing with your child from their first steps to adulthood. By collaborating to deliver on our Promise—to improve the well-being of every child in our care and our communities, we connect the dots for our patients. Between primary and specialty. Between home and medical home. Between short-term care and long-term health. 

Based in Fort Worth, Texas, we’re 8,000+ dedicated team members strong, passionately caring for over 1.5 million patient encounters each year. Our integrated, not-for-profit organization spans two medical centers (including our new, state-of-the-art location in Prosper), two surgery centers, a physician network, home health services and a health plan. It also includes Child Study Center at Cook Children's, Cook Children's Health Services Inc., and Cook Children's Health Foundation. 

And our impact extends beyond the borders of Texas. We proudly treat children from virtually every state in the nation and 32 countries. By seeing the world through the eyes of children and their families from all backgrounds, we’re able to shape health care suited to them: connected by kindness, imagination and respect—with an extra dose of magical wonder. 

Discover more at cookchildrens.org. 

About JPS Health Network 
The Tarrant County Hospital District, known as JPS Health Network, is a tax-supported organization serving the healthcare needs of families in Tarrant County. JPS provides adult inpatient care at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas and offers comprehensive services including primary care, behavioral health, and pharmacy at more than 25 community locations. JPS has served as a Level I Trauma Center in Tarrant County for more than a decade. JPS is governed by an 11-member Board of Managers, whose members are appointed by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court. 

JPS was named the Best Hospital for America by Washington Monthly magazine and the Lown Institute in 2020, and Outstanding Healthcare System by D CEO Magazine. 

About City of Fort Worth 
The City of Fort Worth began as a tiny outpost and today, thrives as the 13th largest city with more than 900,000 people. The City blends its cattle and oil heritage seamlessly with an ever-growing, diverse city of new businesses and industries. Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the nation, focused on economic development growth, innovative transportation and mobility solutions, quality education opportunities, and building safer, more prosperous communities. 

About LVTRise 
LVT began as a mobile community center providing social services and access to resources for area residents after a series of Town Hall meetings uncovered significant deficiencies and a lack of resources in this part of the community. In 2018, the Las Vegas Trail Revitalization Project became the registered nonprofit currently known as LVTRise, Inc. 

In October 2020, Rise Community Center opened to the public providing a permanent home for the organization. In January 2021, the city of Fort Worth opened a branch of the public library system in the community center furthering the resources available. 

In May 2022, the Fort Worth City Council approved a land lease agreement that paved the way for a Las Vegas Trail Child Development Campus to become a reality for the high need community. Child Care Associates will build and operate the new facility that will be built adjacent to the existing Rise Community Center. Construction is estimated to start in fall of 2022 and is projected to take 18 months to build and finish out an eight classroom, approximately 8,600 SF child development facility. An estimated 100 children and their families will be served through Head Start and Early Head Start. 

Since its inception, LVTRise has dedicated its work to collaborating with community partners, empowering community members through training and case management and impacting the Las Vegas Trail community addressing education, improved quality housing and reducing neighborhood crime.
 
For more information, visit LVTRise.org.

Dr. Zelime Elibol, director of the Children's Tourette Syndrome Clinic at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, said she's seen an increase in young teenage girls with no history of a tic disorder coming to her clinic with uncontrollable physical and verbal tics.

It's a real functional tic disorder, but it's not Tourette Syndrome, which is a neurological movement disorder that typically affects more boys than girls and starts at a young age.

"Teenage girls that we're seeing are having really severe tic attacks that involve the entire body," said Elibol.

They're symptoms that could be triggered by repeatedly watching social media videos of others displaying tics and while the exact cause is unknown Elibol said it could affect young people already living with anxiety and depression, which afflicts more young girls than young boys.

One study that dove into the trend found pandemic stress and social media could be fueling the trend.

"So if we're developing more functional neurologic symptoms or physical symptoms, and you're watching social media, what you're seeing on social media are tics, it makes sense that that is, perhaps, going to be the most common physical manifestation of the stress that's coming out right now," said Elibol.

The problem, she said, isn't related to a neurological structure abnormality, or "hardware problem" with the brain.

There's no quick fix, but therapy can help.

"I do think it's important for doctors, and schools, to realize that these children aren't faking it and they're not crazy," said Elibol. "There is something going on, we just have to get to the bottom of it."

Read the full story on NBC 5's website.

You may also be interested in our original story "TikTok & Tics: Rise in Movement Disorder Documented on Social Media."

“I make sure my patients are served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When they get their trays, I love to see that smile so that’s what I’m there for,” Sandra told the show’s producers for a taped segment that aired during the episode.

Sandra is the lead ambassador in Food and Nutrition Services and logs 30,000 steps a day delivering meals throughout the medical center.

Live on the show, Tamron asked Sandra why she does what she does, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s just natural. I just love to do it. And joy is always in my heart, so I just love it,” Sandra said with a big smile.

Corey was also featured in a segment on the show. He said he finds joy in uplifting Cook Children’s patients and families and shared the story of a little boy who was unable to walk.

“I walked past him one time, and said ‘Hey buddy, how are you doing?’ and he smiled with a big smile and he showed me his muscles, and I said ‘I’m going to show you my muscles,’ and I showed him my muscles and said ‘You stay strong and you keep on getting strong,” Corey explained. “This kid wound up walking three months later in this hospital. That’s what drives me to keep on coming to work.”

All four Cook Children’s employees were part of the virtual audience received gifts from the show as appreciation for their commitment to serving throughout the pandemic.

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, only one parent or caregiver can attend appointments with patients. So each Tuesday, Aiden and his mother, Lori, attend appointments at Cook Children's where he receives chemotherapy. During his treatments, Aiden's father, Chuck, waits patiently outside of the building until Aiden is taken into a room with a window.

Once Aiden can see outside, Chuck hosts a one-man, music-free dance party for Aiden (and anyone else who happens to see him). The two are usually on the phone, talking to each other at the time. Aiden will call out dance moves for Chuck to do, and he even does a little dancing himself. Chuck says he does it to lift Aiden's spirits.

"The restrictions during the pandemic made me feel helpless. And the only way I knew to cope was to somehow be there during his treatments," said Chuck. "When he was able to come to the window, it just came natural to me to wave and carry on, which turned into me dancing!  I love knowing that it makes him giggle and smile, and let’s him know that his struggle is my struggle. I would never want him to think that he is going through this without his dad."

"I think it’s tough to break up a close knit family of four in these days, only allowing one parent to be present during Aiden’s clinic treatments and equally hard to not have his big brother Camden by his side too!" said Lori. "The population of kids present are all immunocompromised, so it makes sense, just a tough pill to swallow! I absolutely love listening to his giggles & watching him belly laugh at Chuck’s fancy dance moves. He can be having a terrible day, which transfers towards us some times too, and it’s instantly better once he sees his dad shake his booty. Aiden’s smile is contagious and can light up a room, even behind his mask."

The Yielding family is hosting a blood drive on Saturday, Oct. 3 in Fort Worth, Texas. Click here to sign up.

Surgery teams from the two hospitals joined together in Lubbock on Monday to perform two cardiothoracic procedures on pediatric patients. The partnership is part of an initiative to make treatment more convenient for patients and families in Lubbock and surrounding areas.

“Cook Children’s and Covenant Children’s developed a partnership, which allowed Cook Children’s to come to Covenant and perform procedures on a recurring basis,” said David Gray, D.O., chief medical officer of Covenant Children’s.

Vincent Tam, M.D., medical director of cardiothoracic surgery at Cook Children’s, performed both surgeries at Covenant Children’s. He traveled to Lubbock this week, along with seven other members of the Cook Children’s team. With the help of the surgical team from Covenant Children’s, Dr. Tam repaired the hearts of two children, including that of four-year-old Adrian Rosalez. Adrian was born with a vascular ring, a malformation of the aortic arch in the main blood vessel leading from the heart that partly or completely encircle the trachea or esophagus. Thanks to the collaboration between Cook Children’s and Covenant Children’s, Adrian is now recovering at home in Lubbock.

“Heart surgery is not a simple thing, I can’t take my suitcase of instruments, come to West Texas and do surgery," Dr. Tam said at a press conference at Covenant Children’s on Tuesday. "Heart surgery requires a large team of people, it requires a significant collaborative effort.”

Without this partnership, Adrian and his family would have had to travel to Dallas/Fort Worth, or another major medical hub to receive his surgery.

Covenant Children’s and Cook Children’s formed the joint partnership between the two hospitals in 2018. The plan allows Cook Children’s surgery team to perform cardiothoracic procedures on pediatric patients at Covenant Children’s once every quarter.

“All of these children presented to the hospital with symptoms that resembled a severe case of Kawasaki disease,” said Nicholas Rister, M.D., an infectious diseases physician at Cook Children’s.

Kawasaki disease is an illness that creates inflammation in blood vessels with no proven cause, but is generally thought to follow various infections after they have otherwise resolved. Dr. Rister said the patients with MIS-C arrived at Cook Children’s following exposure to COVID-19 and had symptoms including fever, abdominal pain and outward evidence of inflammation including diffuse rashes, conjunctivitis and swelling. In the more severe cases, evidence of multi-organ dysfunction including respiratory distress, low blood pressures, liver and kidney damage and altered mental status were also seen.

“Of particular concern to us is inflammation of the heart and surrounding major blood vessels which is also seen in Kawasaki’s disease. We have seen this same thing in several of these COVID inflammatory disease patients,” explained Dr. Rister. “Minimizing the degree of inflammation in these children, while providing supportive care for any organ damage, has been a key component of treatment.”

All four patients were tested for COVID-19. Three tests came back negative and one was positive.

“We believe all of these cases are related to COVID-19,” said Dr. Rister. “The three negative results are evidence of how far the infection had progressed, resulting in the inflammatory syndrome.”

Three of the patients have been released from the hospital. One remains in the pediatric intensive care unit.

In addition to the recent appearance of MIS-C cases, the infectious diseases team at Cook Children’s is also looking closely at increased reports of unexplained fevers in our area.

“We want parents to be aware of these cases as COVID-19 continues to spread in our community,” said Dr. Rister. “Unexplained fevers for several days and evidence of generalized inflammation may be signs of this illness.”

Symptoms of more severe MIS-C cases include severe abdominal pain, shock from low blood pressure, respiratory distress and lethargy. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Less severe symptoms include fever, abdominal pain and rash. Caregivers should call their pediatrician if these symptoms appear, as they overlap with many other common infections and medical conditions. It is important for these children to be fully evaluated.

Gabriel was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and admitted to Cook Children's in November. Over the past six months, he has spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and his birthday in the hospital. Now that he's accomplished his goal of walking an ULTRA marathon, Gabriel has set his sights on going home, which could happen at the end of the month. 

Miles in Motion is an incentivized walking program at Cook Children's, which rewards patients with gift cards for miles walked during treatment. The program is part of a larger initiative called Exercise is Medicine, which encourages patients throughout the hospital to stay active. 

Lauren, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017, said Poehler was funny, encouraging and relatable. For about 40 minutes, the two talked about their families, favorite TikTok videos and staying at home during quarantine.

Since being diagnosed with cancer, avoiding germs and public places has become a part of life for Lauren. Poehler asked the teen if she had any advice for those of us who are struggling with the new changes in the world.

“You find the things that calm you down and relax you,” explained Lauren. “Spend time with your family, that’s what I do and it’s got me through some bad times.”

The teen also told Poehler about her dreams of becoming an anesthesiologist, which she attributes to her experience as a surgery patient at Cook Children’s.

“Medicine is so cool,” Poehler told Lauren during the chat. “I’ve talked to a lot of kids who have to go through a lot of procedures and they get interested in medicine because they have experience with it that a lot of young people don't, and they see how they could make a difference. It's really cool.”

Lauren asked Poehler questions about everything from her career path to what it’s like being an actress and comedian. She also asked Poehler what inspires her. Her answer: working mothers.

“Moms who have to work and raise kids, especially during these times. There’s a lot of mothers who are working hard,” Poehler said. “I’m also very inspired by health care workers who are in the trenches and can’t see their own families because they have to be safe. I’m very inspired by people who put their lives on the line, risk their lives for people.”

Last month, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals named Poehler a CHANGEMAKER, which is an exclusive list of celebrities, influencers, corporate leaders and advocates who have positively impacted children’s health. According to the organization, the individuals and groups named have made a difference in the health and well-being of children, specifically sick and injured children treated at children’s hospitals across North America. 

“We’ve really had to change the way we do things,” said Jill Koss, director of Family Support Services and Child Life at Cook Children’s. “The goal of Child Life is to help patients and their families work through any fears and anxieties they have about being in the hospital, and giving them tools to cope with that fear. For patients that may find themselves in isolation due to Covid-19 testing, we are meeting many of those needs virtually.”

Cook Children’s Child Life Zone (CLZ) is now using its closed TV station, CLZ-TV Channel 2, to connect with patients. They’ve ramped up their broadcasting schedule, now hosting several game shows a day which allow patients to call in from their rooms to play along. CLZ is also teaming up with Hear Fort Worth, a division of Visit Fort Worth, to bring the magic of music straight to patient rooms.

“Through Hear Fort Worth, we’ve started collaborating with the local music community to bring free, virtual concerts to patients and families,” said Rayne Delgado, program coordinator for the Child Life Zone at Cook Children’s. “The response from our patients has been great. They especially enjoy being able to interact with the artists.”

Concerts are streamed via Zoom with the artist performing from their home while answering questions from the patients via Instagram or a special phone line.

“We are honored to work with the tremendous staff at Cook Children’s Medical Center,” said Mitch Whitten, executive vice president of marketing and strategy at Visit Fort Worth. “Music can inspire and bring hope during trying times and we are grateful to our local musicians for donating their time and talents. Music is an integral part of our city’s culture.”

Three concerts have occurred thus far featuring artists Jack Barksdale, Jessi England and Grady Spencer with more being planned.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created many unique challenges for Cook Children’s, including how to help kids feel like kids while social distancing in a hospital room,” said Koss. “This partnership with Hear Fort Worth gives our patients and families a chance to momentarily set aside the medical challenges they’re facing, and feel a little more connected through music.”

Musicians interested in performing may contact Child Life Zone Program Coordinator Rayne Delgado or Hear Fort Worth leads Tom Martens and Hillary Dupriest for more information. Visit www.FortWorth.com/Music to learn more about the local music community and how you can support.

“That’s when Dr. Slappy lets one rip,” Monday jokes, as they head to the fourth floor at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth.

The short ride gives them a moment to warm up before they make the rounds.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Riley says, as one long, fart sound goes off from somewhere in her pocket.

“Yeah, it’s just the worst place to do that,” he says.

Full story here. 

They’re now making face shields to be used by clinical staff at Cook Children’s who are caring for patients with COVID-19 symptoms.

“We looked at the situation we’re facing, in the community and internally, and thought this is a great opportunity for us to get engaged,” said Brady Gendke, Vice President of Operations at Cook Children’s Home Health. “Right now, we’re producing about 20 face shields a day, which will help with some of the more intense COVID-19 isolation procedures that our doctors and nurses will be doing.”

With the help of a high-powered 3-D printer, the team is assembling the shields by hand. They hope to produce up to 200, which will be distributed to doctors and nurses at Cook Children’s Medical Center. Since the shields are made entirely of plastic, they can be properly cleaned and re-used, eliminating the risk of running out.

“It’s very important (to produce these shields) because you can help people survive and protect their health,” said Kirill Kirieiev, manager of the orthotics and prosthetics lab at Cook Children’s Home Health. “Then they can continue serving our patients and feel more protected. If we can accomplish this goal and make their life a little bit safer, that’s most important.”

The Home Health team is also creating cloth masks for Cook Children’s staff and visitors. Working in an assembly line, employees are stitching about 200 face masks a day. Earlier this week, Cook Children’s announced a new policy requiring staff, patients and visitors to wear masks at the medical center and other Cook Children’s locations. The masks produced by the Home Health department are being distributed for this purpose.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to give back in a different way,” said Gendke. “Home Health is often on the end of the spectrum as kids go home from the medical center. This is an opportunity for us to help kids going into the medical center, as well as other staff that are engaged in patient care.”

“I really appreciate that I can help people,” said Kirieiev. “That’s very important. We can improve our community and help our patients, and now doctors too. I’m really proud to be part of the system.”

Read the story here.

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Click here to see full story on cbsdfw.com.

There were only five juvenile drowning deaths in all of 2017, according to Tarrant County Public Health spokesman Kelly Hanes.

Read the full story here.

Families of drowning victims met together at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth Friday, trying to warn the community about a preventable death that often happens with no warning.

Watch the full story here. 

Despite the prevention efforts, the drowning numbers at Cook Children's remain high. Read full story here.

The first Texas dispensaries are now opening and selling their products to eligible patients across the state. But Texans who are interested in pursuing the so-called CBD oil treatment say there are several obstacles to getting the medicine.

There’s roughly 30 doctors across the state eligible to prescribe the medicine. Also, CBD oil is still federally illegal, so people have to pay out of pocket to secure it. And there are only three Texas dispensaries who can sell the medicine — two in Austin and one in Schulenburg.

In this video documentary, The Texas Tribune followed two families as they began their journey in pursuing medical cannabis treatment.

Full story here.

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Watch the full story here:

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Watch the story on WFAA by clicking here. 

Watch the live interview with Dr. Coffman here.

Read story here.

Compassionate Cultivation will be the first of the three licensed dispensaries to open in the state, but will be followed, in theory, by the other two companies that received licenses last year under the Texas Compassionate Use Act, which was passed in 2015.

Watch the story here. 

Those are deaths that can possibly prevented, and they're fueling the mission of a group of parents and doctors at Cook Children's Medical Center.

See the full story here. 

Click here to read the full story. 

For more information: 

• A Baby With Sepsis
• What is Sepsis?
• Sepsis, Neonatal
• Septic Shock

Click here to see the story. 

Santa Claus made time in his busy schedule to say hello and perhaps listen to some whispered wishes.

See the full story here. 

"I would hear that song 'I'll be home for Christmas' in my head, and I'm like, 'I'm not going to be home,'" said mother, Carol Vallecalle.

It was a tough notion for Vallecalle to accept, but not as tough, she says, as what her 6-week-old daughter Ella has been through.

See the full story here.

Madisyn, 19, has suffered outbursts of pain that, at times, left her entertaining the idea that her life was too agonizing to continue.

“Here I am at the edge of 16 not being able to walk and my legs were on fire,” she said. “My legs were swelling up and I felt like my … bones were being crushed. My legs were turning purple, they were turning red. I had black spots all over me. I had white spots all over me, and no one knew what was going on.”

Read full story here.

A phone call at 11:30 a.m. Thursday from Driscoll’s hospital chief to the head of Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth kicked off a frantic, 17-hour race to get the smallest and sickest patients to safety before the massive, Category 4 hurricane slammed into the Lone Star State, Cook Children’s Transport Director Debbie Boudreaux told the Herald yesterday.

Read the full story here.

Debbie Boudreaux, director of the transportation team and a neonatal nurse at Cook Children’s, sprang into action, scrambling to get planes to transport the infants 400 miles north to Fort Worth. (With one exception, their parents would have to drive separately.)

Read the entire story here. 

KERA

Read how Cook Children's Teddy Bear Transport Team answered the call for help and moved the babies out of harm's way.

"I don’t know that she’s ever had a time where she’s been completely seizure-free," says her mother, Laci.Kadience has a genetic disorder called Tuberous Sclerosis, or "TS."

It affects about one in every 4,000 people, says Dr. M. Scott Perry of Cook Children's Medical Center. He says it affects almost every single organ system and often leads to debilitating seizures.

Read full story here. 

"The last thing anybody wants to happen in their organization is have all their heart monitors disabled or all of their IV pumps that provide medication to a patient disabled," Meadows says.

Read the full story here.

The accident left 1-year-old Whitaker Harris at Cook Children's Hospital last week. Doctors and nurses called his survival “a miracle.”

The Harris family is sharing their story hoping to prevent other families from facing the same near tragedy.

Read the full story here. 

Fortunately, it's all part of a last-minute mass casualty drill that helps keep nurses and doctors prepared for the worst should it occur.

Read full story here.

"Even a child that might survive, sometimes can have deficits," she says.

According to information from Cook Children's, this month so far, 12 children were brought here for drowning. One didn't survive.

Read the full story here.