It’s found in every steady hand And every brave pursuit.It’s the light that guides the way, A heart so bright and true.

The magic here at Cook Children’s Starts with mothers like you.

From all of us at Cook Children’s, #HappyMothersDay weekend! 

“People are truly choosing to come here,” said Tiffany Pullom, nurse manager for the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Pullom and Suzanne Whitbourne, M.D. neonatologist, noted that many admitted infants arrive through the emergency department. Families often share that they chose the Prosper location specifically for its specialized pediatric reputation and its proximity to home.

“We have a long history of taking care of the babies in our NICU (stemming from our flagship medical center in Fort Worth,” said Dr. Whitbourne, “I think a lot of the reassurance comes from that expertise and that experience that we have, and they can see it day by day.”

The NICU typically cares for and admits infants up to 30 days of age. Since its opening, the unit has primarily treated upper respiratory illnesses and babies transferred from surrounding delivery hospitals.

The NICU features:

• 11 beds: 10 private rooms, including a room for twins.
• Family-centered amenities: On-site laundry services and single rooms equipped with bathrooms, breast pumps, milk warmers, and refrigerators.
• Dedicated nutrition lab and formula mixing.
• Virtual connection: A bedside camera system that allows parents to see their babies via an app when they cannot be at the hospital.

Pullom said these amenities reflect Cook Children’s holistic approach to healthcare.

“We have our lactation services; we have speech therapy. We have a multitude of subspeciality specialists here,” said Pullom. “Anywhere from ear, nose, throat (ENT) to pediatric surgeons, pulmonologist and sleep studies can be done here.”

 The care extends beyond the clinical needs of the infants to support the entire family. Case management and social workers assist parents with logistics, such as adding a newborn to an insurance policy.

“This facility supports families,” said Dr. Whitbourne. Having been with Cook Children’s Health Care System for 24 years, she believes established trust in the community is why families continue to choose their care.

 Related Stories:

• Finding Her Voice: How North Texas’ Newest NICU Helped an East Texas Newborn Heal from Vocal Cord Paralysis
• Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper Opens Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Expanding Care for Newborns in One of the Nation’s Fastest Growing Regions
• Cook Children’s Looks to Expand Medical Campus to Keep Up with Unprecedented Growth in Fort Worth

"Our new NICU is a promise to families that their children will receive expert, compassionate care without having to leave their community," said Kevin Greene, President of Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper. "With each investment we make into our medical center and in our outpatient clinics, we are building a foundation for exceptional pediatric care close to home."

With more than 46,000 new residents moving to Prosper and surrounding cities each year, many of them young families, Cook Children's NICU ensures that even the smallest and most vulnerable patients have access to specialized pediatric care close to home.

“Unlike NICUs in adult hospitals, every physician, nurse and clinical team member here is exclusively trained in pediatrics,” said Jonathan Nedrelow, M.D., neonatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Cook Children’s Health Care System. “This means newborns benefit from care designed specifically for babies and children, backed by the full resources of Cook Children’s nationally recognized pediatric subspecialties.”

We can provide a consultation from a pediatric specialist in more than a dozen subspecialties, onsite. This significantly reduces the need for families to endure stressful transfers to other facilities, likely an hour away in Dallas or Fort Worth.

In the event a baby needs the highest level of medical care, they can be seen via telehealth by physicians at the Level IV NICU at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth, and quickly transferred by Teddy Bear Transport, if necessary.

 We are a multidisciplinary, holistic care team led by Neonatologists. Cook Children's is committed to growing the NICU in both size and capabilities, and currently, our NICU features:

• 10 rooms, including a room for twins (11 beds total)
• Single rooms with bathrooms, breast pumps, milk warmers and refrigerators
• Dedicated nutrition lab and formula mixing
• Bedside camera system so parents can see their babies via an app when they’re away

Designed with families in mind, every detail of the NICU is crafted to support both patients and their loved ones. Bright, whimsical colors and geometric shapes create an uplifting and calming environment, while bold polka dots and playful floor designs serve as a thoughtful wayfinding system, helping parents and visitors navigate the space with ease.

 Every feature, from the oversized rooms that allow for more family members to gather to the extra cabinetry for personal storage, prioritizes comfort, privacy and convenience during what can be a stressful time. Each room provides dedicated sleep spaces for parents, ensuring loved ones can remain close to their baby at all times.

“The opening of this NICU reflects Cook Children’s continued mission to improve the well-being of every child in our care and strengthen the health of our communities,” said Sheralyn Hartline, DNP, RN, CENP, RNC-NIC, Vice President, Nursing and Patient Care at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper. “We’re looking forward to growing further to meet the needs of families.”

The Cook Children’s NICU hosted its annual reunion on Sunday, April 6 to celebrate those connections. Over 490 attendees joined staff members for the rodeo-themed occasion. Everyone dressed in costumes representing their favorite animal, cowboys and cowgirls.  

The event allowed Cook Children’s former patients and their families to reunite with their care teams, including nurses, physicians, therapists, child life specialists and more. The care teams spend a significant amount of time with their NICU patients and their families while they’re admitted to the hospital and they always look forward to seeing how the former patients are doing after they are discharged from the medical center.

The NICU reunion also marks milestones and celebrates the achievements and successes of each patient.

About Cook Children's NICU

Cook Children’s NICU is designated a Level IV NICU, which is the highest level of neonatal care for medically fragile babies. Our NICU offers 106 beds in 99 rooms, including rooms designed for twins, triplets or quadruplets. The unit hit an all-time high of 101 infants in January 2024 – evidence of the North Texas region’s population growth and our medical center’s impact on the community.

We provide advanced technology and access to specialists including cardiology, genetics and neurology. Emergency surgery can be performed without having to leave the unit. The NICU care team also includes lactation specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists and social workers. Watch a video tour or call 682-885-4375 to speak with a member of our team. 

The unexpected diagnosis of a rare condition of the heart, Long QT Syndrome, in my newborn son led to a crucial discovery for our entire family, highlighting the exceptional care and life-saving expertise at Cook Children's.

In November 2023, my twins, Nellie and Julien, were born. Nellie was 4 pounds and 10 ounces and we thought that Nellie would be in the NICU due to her size. It turns out it would be my baby boy, Julien. About 36 hours after their births, we were preparing to be discharged when the hospital’s pediatrician came to our room and did one last checkup on Nellie and Julien.

She said that something did not sound right with Julien’s heart and she ordered an echocardiogram; the results were sent to Cook Children’s. About an hour later, the doctors said that Julien would be transported to the Cook Children’s NICU via Teddy Bear Transport ambulance. 

Those first few hours were scary, but soon we received answers and a diagnosis at the NICU. Julien had an issue with the electrical part of his heart and was diagnosed with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (arrhythmia). He was found to have Long QT Syndrome, a rare condition where signals in the heart take longer than normal to reset, causing a prolonged QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG). This can lead to potentially life-threatening irregular heartbeats, possibly resulting in fainting or sudden cardiac death if left untreated.

Through genetic testing, we found that Nellie and I are also carriers of the LQTS gene and I had passed it to them. I had not experienced symptoms of this congenital condition in my 30 years. Growing up, I was always participating in either track, basketball or soccer.

Our genetic testing showed that we are type two out of three, which means our trigger is “startle,” like a fire alarm or extreme event. The other types can be triggered by exercise or sleep.

Following the diagnosis, all three of us take daily beta blockers, a medicine to assist our hearts. The beta blockers reduce the risk of cardiac events by lowering the heart rate and stabilizing the electrical activity in the heart. Our beta blockers protect us and we don’t have to be concerned about our trigger. If left untreated, LQTS could result in fainting or sudden cardiac arrest. We also have to be careful with medicines entering our system which may prolong the QT, especially in an emergency.

We are considered low-risk, so luckily our daily activities are not limited. Some people with higher risk may reconsider daily activities like high-intensity sports, per their cardiologist. 

Julien was in the NICU for 11 days, and Nellie spent most of her days as a visitor to the NICU. We learned how to be twin parents and juggled one newborn in the NICU and one who wasn’t. We were grateful for the support of Nellie too, some nurses would come by and say hi to her as well and shower her with love.

My husband and I are grateful to Julien’s entire care team at the NICU and for his team at Cook Children’s Heart Center for their expertise in this condition. From Julien’s quick diagnosis to the family-centered care, we knew that we were in the best place that we could possibly be.

My family appreciated Cook Children’s because of the stories I shared with them as a member of the Public Relations & Communications team, but we all had a deeper sense of gratitude for the excellent care teams who took care of Julien as if he were their own. My family was impressed with the support we received, from the lactation consultants to Child Life to the family lounge, and their favorite, the AngelEyes camera, so everyone could check on our little Julien.

Nellie and Julien visit regularly with Cook Children’s Cardiology. After our genetics tests, we visited Cook Children’s Genetics. We are grateful for Candace Gamble, M.D., because she added another perspective as well: Had Julien not experienced an arrhythmia, all three of us may not have ever been diagnosed.

The neonatologist at the birthing hospital said that we were lucky that Julien’s arrhythmia and LQTS were discovered in the hospital before we were sent home.

Our takeaway from this experience is that we had the right people in the right place, at the right time and Cook Children’s has been with us every step of the way.

When Julien entered the world, he may have just saved Nellie and I’s place in it.

Join us as we revisit the top 10 most viewed Checkup Newsroom stories of this year.

10. Record Broken: Cook Children’s NICU Reaches New Milestone with 101 Patients

On Jan. 25, Cook Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) hit its highest patient volume with 101 babies. Brittany McLaughlin, NICU director, said this milestone is evidence of the continued growth in our community and its impact on our hospital.

Cook Children’s NICU has 99 private rooms and is the only one in Tarrant County that offers single-patient rooms. With roughly 450 employees, the department is the size of a small hospital in itself.

The milestone coincided with one of the biggest fundraisers supporting Cook Children’s NICU. On Jan. 31, the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo donated half of all proceeds from tickets to Cook Children’s NICU.

9. Cook Children’s Marks One Year in Prosper with 1,800+ Bear Donation

Jan. 9, 2024 marked one year since Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper opened its doors. To celebrate, a sea of teddy bears filled the medical center’s lobby. In December 2023, Sandra Peak, M.D., a pediatrician at Cook Children's Pediatrics Lewisville - Castle Hills, challenged her fellow pediatric offices in the Denton/Collin County area to collect Prayer Bears throughout the month.

Doctors at each participating primary care office posted a callout on their social media accounts and the community answered in a big way.

A total of 1,821 Prayer Bears were delivered to Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper during the hospital’s first birthday celebration. The bears were given to patients as a source of comfort and encouragement during their hospital stay.

8. Cook Children’s Named as One of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women by Newsweek

Newsweek named Cook Children’s one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024. In this piece, we introduce some of the women who make Cook Children’s such an amazing place.

7. Celebrating National Doctor’s Day: Slime-A-Doc 2024

In March, we celebrated National Doctor’s Day with slime! Patient families and employees voted for the physicians, nurses, child life specialists, administrative staff members and advanced practice providers they wanted to see covered in slime. It was a special day spent celebrating the ones who take care of us when we’re feeling green.

6. Cook Children’s Named to No. 3 Spot on Forbes “America’s Best Large Employers” 2024 List

In February, with gratitude and a touch of pride, we announced Cook Children’s earned a top spot on Forbes America’s Best Large Employers 2024 list, debuting at No. 3 out of a lineup of 600. The rank acknowledged something we already knew — Cook Children’s is one of the best places to work among all large businesses across all industries nationwide. Cook Children’s was also named No. 1 in the health care and social industry category among large employers on the list.

5. Surgery of the Century: Celebrating One Year

Jan. 23, 2024 marked one year since cheers rang out and tears of joy streamed in a private family waiting area at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Fort Worth following a long-awaited and monumental announcement to the parents and family of conjoined twins JamieLynn and AmieLynn Finley.

“You have two babies on two separate beds.” 

The declaration that the sisters were successfully separated in an 11-hour surgery performed by a team of 25 medical professionals, including six surgeons, was more than a year in the making. Planning and preparation for the twins’ complex care and intricate surgery began months before the girls were born. Back then, all hoped and prayed for the best, but few could imagine that seven short months after their separation JamieLynn would take her first steps, followed by sister AmieLynn a month later. In this celebratory update, we shared that the twins were moving at a toddler’s pace, keeping mom and dad on their toes and on high alert.

4. Cook Children’s Sees Rise in Cases of Mycoplasma Pneumonia

In July, the Emergency Department at Cook Children's Medical Center - Fort Worth experienced a significant spike in cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia, which is a common bacterial infection that can cause “walking pneumonia” in children. Usually, this infection presents with cold-like symptoms, which are treated at home. Stephanie Felton, D.O., associate medical director of the Cook Children’s Emergency Department, and Nicholas Rister, M.D., infectious diseases physician, explained symptoms and prevention tips.

3. Cook Children’s Unveils Plan to Expand Critical Care to Meet Community Demand

In November, we announced a 10-year master plan to expand and enhance our Fort Worth medical center. The plan includes a new 700,000-square-foot medical tower, known for now as the West Tower, which will add another signature blue peak to Cook Children’s flagship campus and Fort Worth’s skyline. It will be a seamless extension of the existing medical center, connected both above and below ground, and make way for an expansion of the NICU with an additional 37 beds. It will also allow for an expansion and redesign of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and increase capacity for Hematology/Oncology services and research, as well as additional operating rooms and imaging services.

 2. Cook Children’s NICU Welcomes First Quadruplets in Over a Decade

Catie Pulsifer, RN, and her husband Cameron already had two children—3-year-old Allie and 5-year-old Robin—when they decided they wanted a third. On July 4, 2023, the pair discovered they were finally expecting.

When Catie went to her first ultrasound, her scan showed not one, not two—but five gestational sacs!

At the beginning of 2024, Catie gave birth to the first set of quadruplets Cook Children’s has seen in over a decade. Catie is a Psychiatric Nurse in the Behavioral Health Unit at Cook Children’s, making this extraordinary event all the more special for everyone at the hospital.

1. Cook Children’s Looks to Expand Medical Campus to Keep Up with Unprecedented Growth in Fort Worth

Fort Worth is growing fast and so is the need for pediatric critical care. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Fort Worth’s population was 978,468 as of July 2023. With an estimated 59 people moving here every day, the city expects Fort Worth to hit the one million mark this year. In September, we shared why Cook Children’s was exploring options to expand our Fort Worth campus.

Spencer Seals, vice president of Construction and Real Estate at Cook Children’s said, “The goal is to make more room on our current campus for critical care services, which we direly need. We’re evaluating our options to see what best serves the community, just as we have for the past 106 years.

On November 12th, 2023, the Cook Children’s NICU Early Support and Care Transition (NEST) Developmental Follow-Up Center celebrated its ten-year anniversary.

About the NEST Clinic 

NEST provides crucial early intervention for babies born prematurely or with medical conditions who may be at risk for future challenges with hearing, seeing, talking, feeding, motor skills and intellectual development. The clinic reduces the risk of long-term challenges for NICU babies by providing early detection and care coordination through the age of five. 

The NEST Clinic’s Medical Director, Yvette Johnson, M.D., M.P.H., came to Cook Children’s in 2013 with the express purpose of establishing the clinic.

“Before NEST, a lot of NICU patients’ care was fragmented,” Dr. Johnson said. “There was no systematic way of evaluating them early on from a developmental standpoint and connecting them to services.” 

Comprehensive Care for NICU Graduates and Their Families 

The NEST Clinic connects families and patients with sub-specialists like psychologists, dietitians, behavioral health counselors and more to provide a comprehensive neurologic and developmental assessment. The clinic also connects families in need with community resources for housing, food, transportation, and finances.

“We provide holistic care for families because a child’s development doesn’t exist in isolation,” Dr. Johnson said. “We really look at the whole family as our patient.” 

By using evidence-based assessment tools to determine kids’ developmental progress, NEST is able to connect them to early interventions. This approach capitalizes on the neuroplasticity of young brains, giving them the best possible chance to reach their fullest potential. 

The clinic also provides post-partum depression and post-traumatic stress screenings for mothers and fathers. “We want to address the mental health issues that often exist within families and that are sometimes triggered by the stress and anxiety of the NICU stay,” Dr. Johnson said. 

NEST offers direct counseling to families both in the clinic and in the NICU. The clinic also partners with NICU Helping Hands, a peer-to-peer support program that connects families with other parents who have been through a NICU journey. 

Continued Growth, Fueled by Compassion

Over the last ten years, the NEST Clinic’s staff has grown from four to 15 members—and this dedicated team is just getting started. The clinic recently received funding to expand its feeding program. It is also in the process of implementing a regional program for early detection of developmental delays and cerebral palsy. 

“That will allow us to pick up those kids who are at the highest risk,” Dr. Johnson said. “We’re expanding our reach, participating in quality improvement and raising the standard of care for this high-risk population.”  

The NEST Clinic staff walks alongside families for as long as they need with the goal of empowering parents to be advocates for their children.

“We have a very dedicated and compassionate team that goes above and beyond for families as they're transitioning out of the NICU and navigating the complexities of care afterward,” Dr. Johnson said.