Cari Burton, a child life specialist in Prosper, was excited to see the children enjoy the festivities. Child life specialists help children cope while in the hospital and bring a sense of normalcy to the hospital experience.

“Some families may be missing out on Easter celebrations at home and with events like this we can still bring the joy of the holiday to them here,” said Burton.

 Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center

Across town in Fort Worth, the Easter bunny took the stage at Cook Children’s newest Neighborhood Health Center in the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood, connecting with the community.

The team at Casa de Los Sueños, a Fort Worth Housing Solutions community, bused their residents over to Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center. Families bonded, spending time together and hunting for Easter eggs. Neighbors relaxed together, enjoying the breezy spring weather. Children bonded while participating in all the outdoor activities, and the magic of Easter was spread to each child.

Cook Children’s Medical Center - Fort Worth

The Easter Bunny couldn’t leave North Texas without visiting patients and families at the Fort Worth medical center. Departments throughout the medical center set up a “bunny trail” to welcome patients, caregivers and families.

Tote bags made by volunteers were handed out to each attendee and taken to patient rooms for those who couldn’t go downstairs to the event. More than a dozen departments including facilities, nephrology and dialysis, and Mirror Mirror Hair and Nail Salon provided eggs filled with surprises.  

“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

We're excited to share some of the fun and spooky happenings from this week. We had a spook-tacular time celebrating in many ways:

• Pumpkin Painting Patient Event: On Wednesday, our patients in Fort Worth were invited to use their imagination and decorate and paint a pumpkin.
• NICU's Cutest Costumes: Our tiniest patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit celebrated their first Halloween in style! Families dressed their babies in adorable costumes, including a fisherman, Winnie the Poo and his friends, a fitness gal, Stitch, and a festive little one!
• Patient Treat-or-Treating Event: Our patients and their families at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth and Cook Children's - Prosper went trick-or-treating and our employees showed off their Halloween spirit by dressing up in creative costumes!

Piper Francis, 17, has been playing softball with lifelong friends since second grade, but last year, she noticed she was having difficulty breathing during practice. She saw multiple doctors who prescribed her asthma inhalers that didn’t help. She was heartbroken and was preparing to transition from an active player to team manager. Then, in early 2025, she was referred to the Exercise Respiratory Center at Cook Children’s – Prosper where her care team identified her breathing issue and helped her recover. Now, she’s back on the softball field and excited to play in her senior year.

Pulmonology Care at Cook Children’s 

John Robertson, M.D., pediatric pulmonologist at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper, was Piper’s advocate, quickly figuring out what she needed to improve her breathing and help her continue playing softball.

“Almost every day last year, I would feel tightness in my chest and throat. It felt like something was blocking my airway,” Piper said. “I’d show up at softball practice and have to sit out through half of it. Now I’ve been able to go back to practice after seeing Dr. Robertson. He immediately recognized my problem and I felt better in less than a month!”

Piper was diagnosed with three conditions – exercise-induced asthma, exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) and dysfunctional breathing. 

“The big challenge is that the problems look like each other,” Dr. Robertson said. “Asthma labels are really common and doctors may be right most of the time, but when asthma medications don’t work, there are no standard guidelines pointing at what to do next. The symptoms of these diagnoses – EILO and dysfunctional breathing – aren’t a problem of diseased tissues. They’re normal structures functioning abnormally.”

EILO happens when the vocal cords or neighboring structures collapse on inhalation during strenuous exercise.

Dysfunctional breathing occurs when someone breathes primarily with chest muscles instead of the diaphragm, resulting in inefficient, fast, shallow breaths rather than slower and deeper ones.

Finally Diagnosed at Cook Children’s Exercise Respiratory Center

Piper was diagnosed with EILO and dysfunctional breathing with testing at Cook Children’s Exercise Respiratory Center, which opened in 2023. The Exercise Respiratory Center diagnoses, treats and researches the causes of exercise-induced respiratory symptoms for older children, adolescents and young adults. Some of the many duties of the researchers at the Exercise Respiratory Center, Rebecca Brovina, MSHS, BSN, RN, CPN, and Andy Kreutzer, PhD, CSCS, LSSWB, include gathering data and presenting findings to share with other medical professionals about the diagnosis and treatment of exercise-induced respiratory symptoms.

It’s one of three centers in the U.S. that test continuous laryngoscopy during exercise (CLE) for children and the only center in Texas. During this test, Dr. Robertson will use a scope to view the patient’s voice box and vocal cords while the child exercises. Dr. Robertson was recently named a finalist for D CEO's 2025 Excellence in Healthcare Awards for Outstanding Healthcare Innovator.

“We just finished our 100th CLE test recently,” Dr. Robertson said. “We perform maximal exercise tests, try to provoke the symptoms under investigation while we are examining the patient's voice box with a camera and measuring their breathing efficiency, so we can see what is malfunctioning precisely when symptoms are present.”

Athletic patients like Piper are typically treated within four to six weeks, consisting of four to six visits of physical therapy and/or speech therapy. Piper only needed three visits.

“Piper is a very special person,” Dr. Robertson said. “She’s a dedicated athlete, driven and very competitive and her success story has been inspiring for all of us!”

Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy: Learning How to Breathe Again

Dr. Robertson’s Exercise Respiratory team includes a physical therapist and a speech therapist. Part of Piper’s care includes learning how to breathe again – through her diaphragm instead of her chest.

“Throughout PT and speech therapy, I’ve learned a lot of new breathing techniques,” Piper said. “My symptoms have drastically changed. I can make it through an entire practice now without struggling and missing practice trying to breathe. Learning how to breathe correctly helped me the most!”

Now, whenever Piper feels chest pain, throat tightness, lightheadedness, or breathing difficulties, she first notices if she’s overlooking her breathing techniques and then makes a conscious effort to stay aware and focus on her breathing.

Finding Answers and Hope for Others

Since Piper’s care with Dr. Robertson and the Exercise Respiratory team, her health has drastically changed.

“Emotionally, it makes me feel relieved,” Piper said. “I don’t have to worry about struggling at practice anymore and I can just show up and perform my best.”

Piper’s mom, Kristi Francis, noticed last year that she would come home from softball practice exhausted, had trouble breathing and it would take hours before she felt back to normal.

“It’s been a game changer for Piper,” Kristi said. “We went from doctor to doctor and no one really listened and everyone thought we were crazy. They didn’t believe her symptoms and we finally got to someone who knew exactly what to do.”

When to Seek Further Evaluation

“I feel like this condition needs to be more recognized and that a lot more people actually have it and just don’t know,” Piper said. 

General red flags for people to pay attention to and seek further evaluation:

1. If someone is labeled as having asthma and uses an inhaler, but still has lots of symptoms when the asthma treatment doesn’t help.
2. In EILO, there can be a symptom called stridor, which is exclusive to the voice box: stridor occurs when breathing in, usually as a loud, high-pitched sound that can be heard by others standing nearby. In asthma, wheezing happens during the breath out and is usually a quieter sound only noticed by the person experiencing the symptom.
3. Along with the symptoms above, experiencing dizziness and lightheadedness, passing out/coming close to passing out.

Finding the right diagnosis makes all the difference and can help athletes like Piper feel better, get back to competition and even breathe better than ever before.

"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.”

“As two organizations committed to putting children first, this partnership represents a natural alignment,” said Kevin Greene, president of Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper. “We’re honored to partner with Celina ISD in our continued Promise: Everything for the child.”

This partnership reflects the spirit of Celina ISD’s guiding motto, Life Connected, by embedding high-quality pediatric care into the daily experience of nearly 6,000 students in one of Texas’ fastest-growing school districts.

“Cook Children’s has cared for generations of children across North Texas, just as Celina ISD has shaped their minds and futures,” said Tom Maglisceau, Ph.D., superintendent of Celina ISD. “Together, we’re ensuring every student is both well-educated and well-cared for.”

What the Partnership Means for Families

Beginning in Fall 2025, students at all Celina ISD campuses will benefit from:

• Access to Cook Children’s Virtual Health through the school nurse’s office, enabling real-time video visits with pediatric providers.
• In-school diagnosis and treatment for common illnesses such as fevers, earaches, rashes, sore throats and pink eye – minimizing classroom disruptions and parent work absences.
• Seamless communication with primary care providers, prescription support and visit summaries.

This proactive model of care ensures kids stay healthier, in school longer, and connected to both learning and healing. Learn more about Cook Children’s Virtual Health program at Celina ISD here.

Left to right: 

• Tom Maglisceau, Ph.D., Superintendent of Celina ISD
• Starla Martin, Director of Student Services at Celina ISD
• Kevin Greene, President of Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper.

Cook Children's patients and families experienced holiday cheer this week with our annual “Christmas in July” festivities.

On Wednesday, Santa visited Cook Children's Medical Center – Prosper, where he delivered toys, shared smiles and surprised patients with news of being on the nice list!

On Friday, Santa and the Grinch stopped by Cook Children's Medical Center – Fort Worth. Patients picked out toys and created crafts, like Christmas cards and ornaments. 

At Cook Children's, we are grateful for the generosity of the community! Currently, we receive 70% of our annual in-kind donations in December. However, because of this, we have gaps in our needs that often need fulfilling throughout the year. Our gaps include needs for specific age groups or high-demand items that go quickly.

Our Child Life teams utilize in-kind donations every day, all day. From adding toys to playrooms, celebrating birthdays, offering comfort, providing distraction, and meeting basic needs, donations are the backbone of serving patients and families.

If you would like to assist, you can view the Christmas in July wish list here on Amazon.

Leannyvette Hernandez, the first patient to undergo weight loss surgery at Cook Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program, dropped more than 50 pounds and improved her health within three months.

Fifteen-year-old Leannyvette had struggled with obesity since age 4, when her extra pounds already raised concerns about potential diabetes and fatty liver disease. Starting in preschool, other kids bullied her. As a teen, she needed increasing doses of medications to treat several conditions related to obesity.

Since her surgery, her body mass index (BMI) has decreased 10 points to a healthier range, and she takes less medication. She’s sleeping better and more active in gym class. She eats more vegetables and smaller portions without feeling hungry.  

When the Cook Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program opened in April 2024, Leannyvette eagerly joined on a referral from her endocrinologist. She traveled from her home in Fort Worth for six monthly appointments that included evaluation, education, nutrition counseling and other services at the clinic, located at Cook Children’s Pediatric Specialties Prosper.

The program offers customized support and resources for patients ages 13-18. Each monthly appointment provides one hour of intensive health behavior and lifestyle therapy to set patients and their families up for success. It provides hope and results.

On Nov. 18, 2024, Leannyvette made Cook Children’s history by becoming the first patient in the program to undergo gastric sleeve surgery, which removed about 70 percent of her stomach. Three months after that landmark surgery, she was still losing weight due to her smaller stomach capacity and reduced appetite.

“It feels good,” said Leannyvette, reporting improvements in her energy and mood, too.

Leannyvette wants to share her experience so that she can help inform and inspire young people who suffer from obesity, a chronic disease that affects an estimated 14.4 million children and teens in the United States. She remembers heading into surgery with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Her mom, Mayra Gonzalez, sent a simple text message on that November morning: “Her new life will start today.” 

Building Blocks: Nutrition and Education

There’s a genetic component to obesity, and it runs in Leannyvette’s family.  Over the years, Leannyvette tried exercising and cutting calories to lose weight, but nothing worked. She was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that obesity can contribute to. She had trouble sleeping, which can also be linked to obesity. Doctors treated her PCOS and insomnia with medication.

Another problem? Leannyvette couldn’t find clothes she liked in her size. And she felt self-conscious.

“Sometimes I’m scared to go out because I feel like everybody’s looking at me or judging me,” she said prior to surgery. “At school, I don’t like to put myself out there. I just tend to block everything out because I don’t like hearing people’s opinions.”

When Cook Children’s endocrinologist Teena Thomas, M.D. suggested the Cook Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program, Leannyvette was on board. During the six-month course of the program, she kept a food journal and worked with a dietitian who taught her to make nutritious food choices in correct serving sizes.  

In those six months of preparation, Leannyvette adjusted her eating habits. She increased her protein and water intake. She gradually cut out fast food and sodas. To her surprise, she discovered she likes broccoli and salmon.

Pediatric surgeon Kanika Bowen-Jallow, M.D., medical director of the bariatric program, described Leannyvette as a “shooting star” who eagerly collaborated every step along the way.

“We have the kids who come back every month with their whole food journal. They’re ready to show somebody how detailed they’ve been. That’s not every kid, but that is definitely Leann,” Dr. Bowen-Jallow said.  

Her mother, Mayra, said everyone at the clinic was encouraging. They made Leannyvette feel comfortable discussing her obesity challenges. They made sure she understood she’d be on liquids and then a restricted diet for a period after surgery.  

Mayra advised parents of teens to be open-minded about the procedure. Although a little scary, she said, the choice to go through with surgery gave Leannyvette hope for more opportunities, more activities and less medication. 

“People might think that surgery is the easy way out for obesity, but it’s not,” Mayra said. “The kids have to learn how to eat again. They have to learn to make better choices. It’s not just before the surgery or during the process, it’s for their whole life if they want to stay within the limit of the BMI.”

Surgery and Recovery

The gastric-sleeve procedure took place at Cook Children’s Medical Center -- Prosper, where Dr. Bowen-Jallow stapled Leannyevette’s stomach into two sections. The larger section of the stomach was removed through a small incision.

Leannyvette remembers waking up with no pain. She stood up and walked without help from the nurses. Her biggest post-op challenge was nausea, but a prescription medication eased the nausea after two weeks. 

Her clear liquid diet gradually progressed to protein shakes and yogurt and then a diet of soft solids. She drank 64 ounces of water a day, walked around the house every two hours and did breathing exercises and leg exercises to prevent blood clots.

Because Leannyvette’s surgery occurred just before Thanksgiving, she was still on a limited diet during the holidays. She admitted it was hard to show self-control when some people around her were eating foods she craved.

At her three-month checkup, she was cleared to eat a regular diet. Leannyvette had dropped from a size 20 to a 14 by then. Her face and abdomen were slimmer. She was able to stop taking one of her meds. Bottom line for Leannyvette: The end result was worth the sacrifices.

“I would honestly say if they feel like doing the surgery, to trust their instinct and just do it,” she said in advice to teens with obesity. 

Mayra is proud of her daughter’s self-discipline and progress on a path to better health. Not everyone understood why Leannyvette chose the surgery option, said Mayra, who underwent bariatric surgery herself earlier in 2024.

“Some people told me, ‘Don’t do it. She’s too young. She can just go on a diet.’ I was like, “No, we’ve tried everything and we weren’t successful. I know this was the best decision for her.”

RELATED STORY:

Cook Children's Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program Marks First Anniversary

Cook Children's Adolescent Bariatric Program Welcomes First Patients

Teens with severe obesity are losing weight, making healthier food choices and gaining self-confidence thanks to the Cook Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program.

Since seeing the first patients in April 2024, the bariatric program in its debut year treated 158 teens who struggle with the complex and chronic disease of obesity.

The program – located at Cook Children’s Pediatric Specialties Prosper -- is designed as a series of appointments for evaluation, education, nutrition counseling and other services. In consultation with their parents and the medical team, patients may choose to undergo gastric sleeve surgery six months into the program.

It’s an evidence-based approach in a clinical setting that applies expertise and sensitivity to the physical and emotional challenges of obesity. 

“Families feel an immense sense of relief during their visits with us,” said pediatric surgeon Kanika Bowen-Jallow, M.D., the program’s medical director. “They deeply appreciate being in a safe, supportive environment where they can openly discuss their child’s weight loss journey and explore options without fear, judgment or shame.”

In the year since its launch, the program enrolled patients whose average age was 15-16 years old. Their average weight was 293 pounds, with an average initial BMI of 46.6. 

Board-certified obesity medicine director Lily Han, M.D. provides medical management of obesity and any comorbidities. Comorbidities are conditions that commonly occur together with obesity, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, polycystic ovary syndrome, depression and sleep apnea.

Getting specialized care for obesity can help those teens cut back on or eliminate the medications they’ve been taking for related conditions. 

“It’s changing their future while improving both their physical and mental health,” Dr. Han said.

The program hit a milestone on Nov. 18, 2024, when the first gastric sleeve procedure at Cook Children’s was performed. Dr. Bowen-Jallow removed about 70 percent of the patient’s stomach through tiny incisions. At her three-month checkup after surgery, the patient had lost 50 pounds.  

To celebrate the program’s first anniversary, we wanted to share its key points and successes. Here’s an overview.  

Getting Started

Cook Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Program offers customized support and resources for patients ages 13-18. Participants should be referred by their primary care provider or physician from a specialty such as endocrinology or adolescent gynecology. They can access the referral form online.

In order to qualify, candidates must have:

• BMI of 40 or higher, or
• BMI of 35 or higher, along with a comorbidity

The program follows obesity treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Each monthly appointment provides one hour of intensive health behavior and lifestyle therapy. Family partnership plays an important role in all aspects of treatment. 

It’s common for patients to feel timid at first. But they gradually open up. Dr. Bowen-Jallow says the teens in bariatric care often tell her they want to lose weight so that they can ride rollercoasters and find fashionable clothes that fit.

“Many of them dreaded doctor’s appointments and have faced severe bullying from peers at school,” Dr. Bowen-Jallow said. “Here, they find a welcoming space where they can ask questions, feel supported and learn how to build healthier habits.”

Participants meet each month with a dietitian who teaches strategies for moderate portion size and healthy snacking. They’re asked to keep a food journal to track what they’re eating. They set goals for exercise.

Dr. Han helps patients reduce their adipose tissue, also called body fat, while maintaining muscle mass. She can run genetic tests or prescribe medications for weight loss as needed. Patients who take medication are closely monitored for side effects.

Obesity affects an estimated 14.4 million children and teens in the United States. It’s caused by genetics and other factors. The program at Cook Children’s gives hope and results.

“The community-wide response and enthusiasm from near and far has been amazing,” Dr. Han said. “I didn’t realize the reach our program would have with patients driving up to five hours for a visit.”

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Not everyone in the program chooses to do bariatric surgery, but it’s an option. Dr. Bowen-Jallow performed gastric sleeve surgery on 15 teens in the program’s first year. It’s a laparoscopic procedure, meaning Dr. Bowen-Jallow uses a camera inside the abdomen. Patients typically go home from the hospital the next day.

“It’s an incredibly safe operation, and our entire goal is to have patients live the healthy, long life that they deserve,” said Dr. Bowen-Jallow, chair of the American Pediatric Surgical Association committee on Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.  

Bariatric surgery takes place at Cook Children’s Medical Center -- Prosper. Dr. Bowen-Jallow makes five incisions ranging from 5-12 millimeters in length; then she vertically staples the stomach into two sections. The larger section of the stomach comes out through an incision opening. The process takes about an hour and a half.

Recovery and Follow-up

Nausea is typically the biggest challenge just after surgery. Solid foods are phased in slowly to avoid bloating or discomfort.

“The main thing we stress after surgery is hydration,” Dr. Bowen-Jallow said. “We teach them to always drink before they eat. We stress water. We have a whole script we follow to make sure that they’re meeting their hydration and protein goals.”

Dr. Bowen-Jallow said patients should expect some discomfort initially. But they can return to school within a week. No heavy backpacks at first, due to lifting restrictions. 

Following surgery, patients return to the clinic for checkups after two weeks, four weeks, three months, six months and each year for four years. They will continue to have access to the dietitian and all the program’s resources.

Patients can expect to see a 30% reduction in BMI over the first year after surgery. Weight comes off because of a smaller stomach capacity and less of the hormones that cause hunger cues.

It’s rewarding, Dr. Bowen-Jallow said, to watch the patients’ transformation.

“Their self-confidence soars, they feel healthier, and many experience a significant reduction in their medications,” she reported. “Their health and long-term outlook are completely renewed.”

Heading into its second year, the Cook Children’s bariatric program anticipates greater demand for services and a fuller slate of scheduled surgeries. 

“Growth at our current location is accelerating, and I do not see it slowing down any time soon,” Dr. Bowen-Jallow said.

It was May 7, 2024 when Natalie and Carlos Bendana Sr. learned their son, Carlos, had leukemia. He was just 3 years old and had been feeling sick off and on for a few months.

Leukemia Diagnosis

With navigating Carlos’ regular treatment, caring for two other children and working full-time jobs, Natalie and Carlos Sr.’s lives were turned upside down.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” Natalie said.

Their local family support system had also tragically passed away just two months before Carlos’ diagnosis with pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or pre-B ALL.

Leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer and can be a result of genetic risk factors although the exact cause is often unknown. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the leukemia usually starts from the lymphoid cells in the bone marrow.

Leukemia Care with Cook Children’s

Carlos has received leukemia care with Cook Children’s Prosper from the start. Soon after Natalie had taken him back to the hospital for more testing, Lauren Akers, D.O., hematologist at Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Prosper, told her that Carlos had leukemia.

“The directness and honesty from Dr. Akers helped me prepare,” Natalie said. “I felt a mix of emotions the day she diagnosed Carlitos with leukemia.”

Natalie felt like she could process it better when Dr. Akers determined that it was type B leukemia.

“Pre-B ALL is a curable form of leukemia,” Dr. Akers said. “There are ups and downs throughout treatment. Our goal is to support kids and ensure they stay as healthy as possible through treatment. Carlos has a very good chance of being cured.”

When Dr. Akers explained how the first 10 months would be the hardest, Natalie and Carlos Sr. were so grateful for Carlos’ care with Cook Children’s. He had surgery, a blood transfusion and started chemotherapy right away.

“All the hospital staff have been amazing! Everyone even knows Carlitos’ name,” Natalie said. “He has four nurses and they laugh together and walk around with him. They always go above and beyond to make him feel comfortable and that he’s able to trust them.”

Carlos is being treated close to home at the Cook Children’s Infusion Center in Prosper. The specialist team does everything they can to make it comfortable for kids.

“They even call the infusion center the playroom!” Dr. Akers said. "Carlos is a sweet little boy and has become much more talkative.”

Carlos turned 4 years old in February and will have to go through treatment for 2.5 years, currently scheduled to end on Sept. 2, 2026. Natalie feels hopeful, but scared with still having a long way to go.

“Luckily, we caught Carlitos’ stage of leukemia at a time where he didn't need a bone marrow transplant and it’s not hereditary,” Natalie said. “We hold onto hope knowing that treatment and medication can help decrease chances of any form of leukemia returning.”

Enduring Challenges

Natalie and her family do everything they can to keep Carlos from getting a fever so they don’t have to bring him to the hospital. Like millions of people sheltered during the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve had to keep Carlos living in lockdown.

Carlos is currently in a stage of being at a higher risk for infection and if he has a fever and his white blood cell count is low then he would need to be admitted. Once Carlos gets into the treatment level known as “maintenance” it will be easier. 

“The most important thing is to just treat them like normal kids,” Dr. Akers said. “It’s a long road, but our goal is to provide care throughout treatment and encourage the parent to treat their child like normal as much as possible.”

Finding Comfort

Natalie makes an effort to take things one day at a time. She also keeps her sanity by refraining from doing too much research about leukemia online.

“I checked Facebook and was overwhelmed with other people’s lives,” Natalie said. “I started thinking ahead of myself and that wasn’t what my son was going through. My husband says, ‘Live the day,’ and some days are better than others.”

She makes sure to stay focused on Carlos’ care and what Dr. Akers advises. Carlos Sr.’s uncle and his wife also help them whenever they can.

“I can’t think ahead and you have to have a lot of faith to get through this because it isn’t easy,” Natalie said. “Anyone going through this needs a support system.”

Often, parents blame themselves when their child gets sick. Dr. Akers finds this to be one of the most common ways she gives parents advice.

“Most of the time we don’t know why leukemia happens, but luckily we have excellent treatment options available and most children with ALL are able to be cured,” Dr. Akers said. “It’s also important for parents to take care of themselves and make time for themselves, in order for them to be able to give the best care and support to their child. I think it’s essential to make sure parents understand that it isn’t their fault.”

As the vibrant colors of spring bloom across North Texas, so too does a unique partnership that cultivates more than just plants. At Prosper ISD’s Prepare to Prosper transitional services, students are digging their hands into the soil, nurturing not only vegetables but also valuable life skills, thanks to the support of Cook Children’s Center for Community Health.

Gardening is an engaging activity that helps students spend time outdoors and promotes physical activity. It also shows them how to grow healthy foods and teaches a sense of responsibility. The garden at Prepare to Prosper has already been a success earlier this year by producing more than 17 pounds of sweet potatoes, 4 pounds of snacking peppers and jalapenos, 5 pounds of arugula, and almost 9 pounds of tromboncino squash. Now the garden is exploding with sage, lavender, mint and squash.

“For my students, the garden is a chance to get outside and get some fresh air and sunshine, which is so important!” said teacher Tanya Barrios.

While the prospect of maintaining a thriving garden might seem like a significant undertaking, the dedicated individuals at Prepare to Prosper are not alone. Cook Children’s Center for Community Health works with community partners to provide comprehensive support to these gardens, including educational resources, regular on-site visits, and insightful yearly workshops, ensuring the garden flourishes alongside the students. Cook Children’s Center for Community Health supports 24 gardens in our service area.

Beyond the walls of our medical center in Prosper, Cook Children’s is deeply invested in fostering a healthier community. More than just a fun activity, the garden serves as a living classroom, embodying the principles of Cook Children’s Center for Community Health’s 5210+ Every Day initiative. This vital program promotes healthy habits across our eight-county North Texas region, reminding families that every day should include: five servings of fruits and vegetables, no more than two hours of fun screen time, at least one hour of physical activity, zero sugary drinks and + means the importance of getting plenty of quality sleep. The hands-on experience of growing their own produce directly reinforces the “five fruits and vegetables” component in a tangible and engaging way.

The students at Prepare to Prosper have already discovered the delicious rewards of their labor, transforming the microgreens they cultivate into nutritious smoothies – a tasty example of incorporating those vital daily fruits and vegetables.

Students have created wholesome dishes like sweet potato and lentil soup from their sweet potatoes, refreshing carrot salad, simply baked sweet potatoes, flavorful ranch sweet potatoes, and surprisingly delicious air-fried radishes. These experiences not only teach them about healthy eating but also valuable life skills in the kitchen.

“My students get to take part in nurturing the plants and seeing them grow and bear fruits and vegetables, which we eat. If they grow it, they are more likely to try it,” Mrs. Barrios said. “In addition, we help our friends and neighbors by sharing whatever we can't use. This past year, we grew lots and lots of arugula. It was more than we could use so we shared it with the ladies in the office. One of them is from Egypt and she said it tasted like the arugula she ate back home.”

Center for Community Health Programs

• Gardening
• 5210+ Every Day

The Cook Children's - Prosper Gastroenterology team recently took one for the team – literally! – in our "Pie-A-Doc" event on April 17. Employees generously donated to receive a pie that they could splat onto our incredible physicians, all in support of the amazing Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. The team successfully donated around $2,000 to the foundation.

We were thrilled to have the enthusiastic participation of our very own LaQuatre Rhodes, D.O., Tony Anani, M.D., MPH, MBA, and Vera Okwu, M.D. They showed their unwavering commitment to their patients and the community.

Dr. Rhodes shared just how important this cause is to them, explaining that the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation provides vital donations and support that directly benefit Cook Children's gastroenterology patients.

“It meant an opportunity for us to be able to give back to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, which does a lot of great things for the patients we care for,” Dr. Rhodes said. “So we did it in fun and in support. We are happy to do it!”

Thank you to everyone at Cook Children’s - Prosper who donated and participated in this memorable event! And a special shout-out to our GI team for being such good sports and demonstrating their incredible dedication!

Here at Cook Children’s, we’re all about service. We give ourselves to the community, to children in need and to something greater than ourselves. Last week, Cook Children’s had the honor to witness a unique reminder of that call to serve.

Crystal Prince, RN, is from Mesquite and has been a nurse with Cook Children’s since 2006. On April 4, she swore an oath to take that nursing expertise to the U.S. Air Force. And she did it surrounded by her Cook Children’s family underneath the blue peaks.

Crystal first thought about joining the Air Force after college but decided on nursing instead. She started working at Cook Children’s in 2006 and moved to a position at Cook Children's - Prosper in 2023. Her supervisor, Prosper’s Director of Nursing and Patient Care Stefanie Tanner, described Crystal as “even keeled” and “the calm in the storm.”

While at Prosper, Crystal met Shalay Stancle, RN. Shalay has worked at Cook Children’s for 14 years but is also a critical care nurse and lieutenant in the Air Force. She has been deployed twice and worked on the Ground Service Team, which helps treat injured troops on the ground.

Crystal was able to ask Shalay all her questions about enlisting, and soon their other coworkers started to show Crystal support as well to go after her long-held dream.

When Crystal decided to at last fulfill her Air Force calling, it was only fitting that Shalay should sponsor her and be the one to swear her in. Crystal decided she wanted the swearing in ceremony, which often happens at a recruitment office, to take place at Cook Children.

Crystal was nervous as people began to take their seats in the Medical Center atrium. She said later that more people than she thought would be there; not only her friends, family (including her two sons) and coworkers attended, but at least a dozen members of Cook Children’s Veteran’s Group joined to show their support.

Sherry Foster, an Executive Assistant in the Strategic Marketing and Communications Department, served in the Coast Guard for four years. Sherry is the chair of Cook Children’s Veterans Group and said being able to share and witness the event with Crystal was an honor.

“For Crystal to want to share this with her Cook Children’s family just means so much for me; not only as an employee but also as a veteran,” Sherry said.

Stan Davis, President of Cook Children’s Medical Center, gave opening remarks, commending Crystal on her service to Cook Children’s and for her future service in the Air Force. Mr. Davis served in the Air Force for 21 years.

“Here at Cook Children’s, we have a promise,” Mr. Davis said. “This oath is similar to our promise at an elevated level. It talks about committing to defending our country and being on the front lines -- no matter what.”

Jennifer Hayes, MDiv, BCC, Director of Pastoral Care, led the group in a prayer, and the official swearing in began.

Shalay recited the declaration of “true faith and allegiance” to the United States and its people, and Crystal repeated the words back. Shalay said it was difficult to hold back tears during the ceremony. She was reminded of her own journey in the Air Force, and she felt honored to be able to swear in another woman into the service.

“As women, we carry a lot on our shoulders. You have to have a lot of grace, you’re taken away from your little ones, your family. You have to put your superwoman suit on. And as a woman, you go through the trying times when you're deployed in a predominantly male field,” Shalay said. “And myself, I've experienced that. And without the grace of God, I wouldn't be here.”

Afterwards, Crystal thanked everyone who attended, especially her family and children. Her two boys, 14 and 16 years old, watched their mom from the front row.

“It feels truly fitting to hold this ceremony here at work, where my colleagues and management have been here for me every step of the way during my journey,” Crystal said.

Crystal said the ceremony “felt like a family of people telling me good luck and congratulations.”

On Monday, Crystal began her eight weeks of officer training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. After that, she will head to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, where her family will join her.

“I want to be a role model for my kids and show them they can do anything, at any age, at any time,” Crystal said. “They just have to work hard for it.”

We wish Crystal the best of luck and thank her for her service to Cook Children's and our country.

with an insightful conversation from two esteemed leaders at Cook Children’s - Prosper: our very own Chief Medical Officer of Cook Children’s – Prosper and pediatric gastroenterologist, Tony Anani, M.D., MBA, MPH, and President of Cook Children’s – Prosper, Kevin Greene.

Together, they delve into the landscape of pediatric healthcare, what makes Cook Children’s unique, and the unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care for our young patients. Dr. Anani brings his invaluable experience from within Cook Children's, offering a unique perspective on our daily mission to fulfill our Promise. Kevin Greene, shares his broader insights and expertise as Cook Children’s – Prosper continues to grow and add services just two years after opening.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on Spotify.

At 13, Jessye Tout is already a champion. A multi-sport athlete, she has tackled soccer, dance, volleyball and karate since she was a little girl. But sometimes when she was on the soccer field, Jessye’s chest would start to hurt, and she couldn’t breathe. Mysteriously, this never happened while she was at school or doing day-to-day tasks, but only while she was exerting herself on the field. 

A visit with a pulmonologist ruled out a heart problem but did not shed more light on her problem. So, she was referred to John Robertson, M.D., Cook Children’s Pediatric Pulmonologist, at the Exercise Respiratory Center (ExRC) in Prosper. 

To help find out what was wrong, Dr. Robertson and his team in August 2024 performed what is believed to be the world's first continuous bronchoscopy during exercise (CBE) on a pediatric patient. This technique has been used on adult patients but never on pediatric patients.

The team put a camera through Jessye’s nose and past her voice box, conducting a more in-depth look at her breathing capabilities— all while she ran on a treadmill to mimic the same symptoms she had while playing soccer.

Dr. Robertson said by replicating the exercise Jessye was doing on the field, the team could see in real-time whether it was Jessye’s voice box or her windpipe causing her breathing discomfort. For young athletes with breathing problems, doctors often do a bronchoscopy while the patient is under sedation or general anesthesia. But this does not help the team to accurately observe the issue she experienced during exercise.

“The groundbreaking part of our CBE is that it was done in a pediatric patient. So far, all of the published medical literature on the subject has been done in adults,” Dr. Robertson said.

Jessye’s mother, Tracy Tout said it was important to keep pushing for answers because she did not want to see her daughter give up the sports she loves or stop exercising all together because of breathing problems. 

“I thought there had to be a reason why she can't breathe. She's not making it up,” Tout said.

“It was 200 % important [to keep pushing for answers] because she has played select soccer pretty much her whole life,” Tout said. It's hard as a parent to sit there on the sidelines and have these coaches yell at her, saying ‘you just need to be conditioned’. And I thought, ‘You don't understand. She is conditioned, she's in athletics. There is not a kid that's more conditioned than she is.”

Rebecca Brovina, BSN, RN, CPN, Research Nurse Coordinator, and Andreas Kreutzer, Ph.D., Exercise Physiologist and Research Scientist, said they spent three months preparing for the new CBE procedure. Andreas even served as a test patient, twice undergoing the new procedure while running on the treadmill. To get Jessye ready, they shared Andreas’ experience, and also helped her prep for her own treadmill run.

For many young athletes, when treating asthma does not help their symptoms, we often find exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO), in which the voice box structure closes or collapses during exercise, making it hard to breathe. For these cases, speech therapy can often solve the issue. But if physicians find that the walls of the patient’s windpipe are weak, a condition called tracheomalacia, the treatment could involve open chest surgery.

For Jessye, the combination of CLE and CBE procedure yielded answers. Dr. Robertson concluded she needed speech therapy to help stop her voice box from closing while she was exercising. 

“I was really happy once I finally got answers,” she said, after having symptoms for more than eight months. “It is a long time to not know why you're feeling like you can't breathe.”

We thank all doctors worldwide and the incredible physicians at Cook Children's Health Care System for their dedication and contributions. At Cook Children’s, our doctors do more than just fix boo-boos. They give hope and high-fives to little ones and their families. The work they do every day makes a difference in the lives of children.

Slime-A-Doc 2025

Ahead of National Doctors' Day on Sunday, March 30, we celebrate our doctors with some slime! 

On Thursday, Cook Children's employees, patients, and patient families helped us celebrate with some slime at our annual Slime-A-Doc. We had six categories of participants: doctors, nurses, child life specialists, advanced practice providers, volunteers, and members of our administrative team. Watch the Facebook Live here. 

Thank you to everyone who participated! A big shout-out to the Facility Appearances team, and our incredible host, Kimberly Johnson, for making this event possible!

Congratulations to each of our winners:

Administrative Staff: Orlando Chapa, Vice President of Nursing and Patient Care

Child Life Specialists: Erin Reid, CCLS

Volunteers: Steve Stelter

Nurses: Courtney Campbell, RN

APPs: Jay Pearson, PA-C, NP/PA

Physicians: Hector Grajeda, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Twenty-six minutes and 29 seconds: that is how long 15-year-old Grant Ketzle was without a heartbeat and the moment that his mother walked into the room at Cook Children’s Emergency Department – Prosper. Tiffany Ketzle saw her son lying on the treatment table, receiving chest compressions. As a nurse practitioner, she knew the magnitude of what those minutes meant and she recognized the level of care given to her son in one of the hardest moments of her life.

“Is my son alive?” It was a question she asked, but was hard to answer as the medical team performed CPR. Within minutes, the care team restored his heartbeat, however, it took more than four hours for Grant’s vitals to be stable enough to be flown via a Teddy Bear Transport helicopter to Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth.

It started that morning of Sept. 2, 2024, Labor Day weekend, when Grant was at football practice at Walnut Grove High School and he felt something wasn’t right. There were multiple times when he felt like he was going to pass out. He told an athletic trainer who was concerned and called his mother, Tiffany. 

Tiffany called her mother (Grant’s grandmother) who picked him up from practice and Tiffany gave her directions to Cook Children’s Emergency Department – Prosper. Grant felt like he was going to pass out and throw up during the car ride, but they made it. He passed out shortly after arriving and sitting in a wheelchair. 

Soon, Tiffany’s mother called her screaming and crying, telling Tiffany that Grant was coding. Tiffany, who was at work, grabbed her purse and keys as fast as she could, and a coworker drove her to the medical center.

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Grant Ketzle’s life was saved thanks to the quick actions of his family and the team at Cook Children’s Emergency Department - Prosper when he had a cardiac arrest.

“I just remember walking into the room where Grant was and the code clock said 26:29, which is an awfully long time to be coding,” Tiffany said. “He looked very pale, he did not look alive.”

Julio Castillo, M.D., Medical Director of Cook Children’s Emergency Department Prosper, debriefed with her and told her that when Grant arrived, his heart had stopped completely and he was in respiratory failure.

“What I just kept thinking is, No. 1, my child's not going to die today. This is not happening. And No. 2, I've been in his position as a nurse practitioner where I'm trying to tell a parent very terrible information,” Tiffany said. “And I just remember thinking he had such a grace about him and the things he had to tell me were awful, awful things. But he said it in such a kind and caring way.”

Grant had experienced blood clots in his lungs, strokes and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which prevents the lungs from exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide effectively. He was diagnosed with an incidental heart rhythm condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which is an abnormal extra electrical pathway in his heart that he was born with.

Tiffany was not surprised to see so many people in Grant’s room, but what moved her was the compassion she received from the team members.

“That's what struck me the most about the ER is every single person in that room, you could tell they cared about my son. They were trying to do everything they could to keep him alive,” Tiffany said. “They were all very, very compassionate. From the nurses to all the doctors to the flight crew, every single person, including the security guard.”

Dr. Castillo said this was truly a team effort.

"This was a testament to the incredible skill and dedication of the team. From the moment Grant arrived, the response was swift and decisive,” Dr. Castillo said. “Every member of our team who was at the emergency department that day made a difference in this child’s life, whether they were clinical or non-clinical. To see this young man recover and return to his life is a profound reminder of the power of human resilience and the life-saving work we get to be a part of."

Tiffany shared a post about Grant’s experience on Facebook to share what they had gone through and to help raise awareness of the Cook Children’s Medical Center and Emergency Department in Prosper.

“I was very grateful for the care that we received there. Everyone there was top notch. We definitely wanted to get the word out that this resource of Cook Children’s is here,” Tiffany said. “If this had happened to my son two years ago, he would not be here. If this campus didn’t exist, he wouldn’t be here.”

“We're just very grateful that this campus is directly tied into Fort Worth. So within a 20-minute helicopter ride, you can get every resource that you need,” Tiffany said.

Recovery at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth

When Grant arrived at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Fort Worth, Tiffany commended the communication and care from all the staff members. She said she truly felt like they were all one unit and was grateful for the involvement in his care.

“The first day was probably the worst day of our lives and as a parent, your worst fear is that your child is going to die,” Tiffany said. “It was such a horrible time in our lives... but somehow the staff just make it a little better, just to give some hope or grace. We got that every single day there.”

One of the great things about Cook Children’s is having easy access to a high level of care and specialists, Tiffany said. Within the first few hours of Grant arriving at Fort Worth, he was seen by many specialists, including gastroenterology, cardiology and pulmonology. Eventually, they also had appointments with hematology/oncology, nephrology and neurology. They were grateful that the specialties are also available in Prosper.

“They were able to coordinate a lot of the testing,” Tiffany said. “For example, he has an MRI coming up for his brain, he's got an ultrasound coming up and prior to this, we would have to go to Fort Worth to do those things. Well, now they can do those things here in Prosper.”

In the PICU, Grant was paralyzed because his respiratory condition was poor and he had a breathing tube placed. When Grant started to wake up after a day and a half, he made a heart shape with his two hands and pointed at the nurses. Even though he was unconscious while they spoke to him, he recognized their voices when he woke up.

As one nurse offered to wash his hair, Tiffany was impressed that she had all the tools and comfort items to wash his hair while he was in the ICU. Mom noticed that looking at his vitals, he became more relaxed as his hair was washed.

“It was wonderful to see people care for your child like you feel like they would care for their own,” Tiffany said. “That’s truly what it felt like.”

Grant was released from the medical center in Fort Worth on Sept. 11, and to the family’s surprise, Grant had recovered well enough to make it to homecoming at his school. Grant said this medical journey has brought him closer to his faith and that he hopes to use his story to encourage others to never give up.

“It was crazy to think how God works because I progressed so much in 10 days and on the final day I felt so much joy when I heard the words that we could go home,” Grant said. “What makes this place so special and unique is how kind and caring the staff are. They were amazing and they knew what to do. I trusted in God and all of them.”

Second Heart Incident

In late October, Grant went to the Cook Children’s Emergency Department - Prosper a second time when his heart caused him discomfort when he woke up in the middle of the night. He felt like his heartbeat was abnormal again.

The family rushed to the emergency department and his care team discovered that his heart was in a rare and dangerous arrhythmia called preexcited atrial fibrillation, which is associated with his Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Through a telehealth visit at the emergency department, a Cook Children’s cardiologist in Fort Worth was able to identify his rare type of arrhythmia and the team at the emergency department in Prosper shocked his heart back into a normal rhythm.

He was flown to Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth where electrophysiology cardiologist Rohit Madani, M.D. cared for him. Dr. Madani performed an electrophysiology study in which he ablated the abnormal electrical pathway in his heart with a specialized catheter that burns heart tissue. Grant has recovered well from this procedure and Dr. Madani’s hope is that this will be a long-term cure for Grant’s arrhythmia.

“Grant at this point has the same risk of a heart event happening in the future as anybody else,” Tiffany said. “We’re very grateful.”

A nurse at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper has become the facility’s first recipient of the DAISY Award, which is bestowed by a worldwide organization for extraordinary care in nursing.

On Nov. 14, a team of nurses at Prosper gathered around as Sheralyn Hartline, AVP of Nursing and Patient Care, presented the award.

Hartline read aloud the nomination, which was sent in by a patient’s parent.

“Care was exceptional. Not only did this nurse do an amazing job the last visit, but she continued to be amazing during our recent stay. She connected with my daughter on a personal level and made her feel comfortable and safe from the very start of our experience,” Hartline read.

Hartline announced that the award winner was Haley Nelson, RN, a Med/Surg nurse. The nomination letter said Nelson got to know the patient’s personality as well as her illness, included her in the care plan and kept the parent informed and answered all her questions.

“This nurse took amazing care of my daughter,” Hartline said.

Nelson wiped her eyes as she accepted the certificate. Recipients of the Daisy Award receive a copy of their nomination, an Honoree pin, an Award certificate, a Healer’s Touch sculpture, a banner to hang in their unit and cinnamon rolls. The nominations are sent to an internal committee who do not know the names or detailed information about the nominees.

“It's just a great program and we’re excited to have it here in Prosper,” Hartline said.

The DAISY foundation began in 1999 in honor of Patrick Barnes, who was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. While he and his family spent eight weeks in the hospital, “the nurses helped the family through the darkest hours of their lives.” The award has grown into a nationwide honor.

The award is a way to show nurses that the work they do matters and that they are supported and appreciated, Hartline said.

At first, Nelson said she was nervous about the team gathering because she did not know what it was about. About halfway through reading the nomination, she was shocked to realize that the award was for her.

“I’ve been a nurse for a very long time and this is the first time I’ve gotten an amazing recognition,” Nelson said.

Nelson’s experience raising four children as a single parent helps her relate to parents who are going through a challenging time. While some nurses might feel burnt out as they get older, Nelson said she feels herself growing more passionate as time goes on. Growing up, she always wanted to be a nurse and always took care of those around her. Her experiences -- and receiving the DAISY award -- reaffirm that she is exactly where she is supposed to be. 

“We send (patients and patients’ families) home with paperwork and bags and follow-up appointments and prescriptions and all of the things and to think that (the patient’s mother) went home and thought to write and say that I was doing a good job -- that says a lot,” Nelson said. “It’s really special.”

Hartline said that Nelson is a wonderful nurse; she is always helpful, kind and puts patients and families first. As the DAISY Award nominations continue, she is excited to continue to recognize the compassion and dedication that Prosper’s nurses bring to patients and their families every day.

“We are fortunate to have our talented nurses here in Prosper,” said Kelley Ruther, senior secretary for nursing administration. “They are caring and collaborative in their approach. We have so many to recognize and we can’t wait to see who receives it next.”

El martes, Cook Children's Medical Center en Fort Worth atendió 572 pacientes en el departamento de emergencia. En los siete Centros de Cuidado de Urgencia hubo 842 pacientes. Entre el 10 de noviembre y 16 de noviembre Cook Children's Medical Center en Prosper evaluaron a 113 pacientes por Virus Respiratorio Sincitial (RSV, por sus siglas en ingles) y 29 resultaron positivos.

Cook Children's Medical Center en Prosper también ha notado un gran volumen de pacientes en la sala de emergencia. La mayoría de los pacientes admitidos ha sido debido a VRS, influenza o neumonía.

El aumento de las visitas al hospital se debe a una fuerte propagación del VRS y neumonía ambulante (mycoplasma pneumoniae) en Dallas-Fort Worth.

Cada año por estas fechas, los casos de VRS aumentan más rápidamente de lo habitual este año, dijo El Director Médico de Servicios de Emergencia, Dr. Taylor Louden.

"Hemos visto a más de 1,100 pacientes en los últimos dos días a través de la sala de emergencias, y ha sido es muy difícil para nosotros manejar este volumen de una sola vez", dijo Louden.

De los 972 pacientes examinados en Cook Children's Medical Center entre el 10 y el 16 de noviembre, el 39% de los niños tenían VRS o neumonía ambulante. De ellos, 224 dieron positivo para el VRS y 99 resultaron positivos para neumonía.

¿Qué es el VRS y cuando debo de ir a la sala de emergencia?

El VSR generalmente afecta más a niños menores de dos años y puede causar una acumulación de moco y congestión que dificulta la respiración de los niños. Los padres deben tomar precauciones para limitar la propagación del virus. Quédese en casa si están enfermos. La vacuna contra el VRS está disponible para mujeres embarazadas, bebes, y personas mayores.

Si su hijo está enfermo, los padres y cuidadores pueden ayudar a reducir el estrés en el sistema de servicios de emergencia sabiendo cuándo llevar a su hija a la sala de emergencia y cuándo programar una cita. Limitar el tráfico de la sala de emergencias a verdaderas emergencias ayuda a evitar que el sistema se sobrecargué.

Si su hijo está enfermo, pero no tiene problemas agudos, consulte con su pediatra. Si es posible, programe una cita con unos de los Centros de Cuidado de Urgencia en lugar de visitar la sala de emergencias.

El tratamiento para el VSR es monitoreando y tratando los síntomas. No hay cura para el virus. Muchas enfermedades respiratorias virales se pueden tratar en casa con descanso, hidratación y electrolitos. Para la congestión, los padres y cuidadores pueden usar solución salina nasal para diluir la mucosidad y succionarla con una pera.

¿Qué es neumonía ambulante?

Desde el verano casos de neumonía ambulante han estado alto, dijo Louden. Entre el 10 y el 16 de noviembre, 99 niños resultaron positivos para la enfermedad. A comparación del año pasado, durante la misma temporada, Cook Children's reportó menos de 10 de casos de neumonía ambulante entre agosto y diciembre.

La neumonía ambulante suele afectar a los niños en edad escolar. Algunos de los síntomas incluyen: fiebre leve, fatiga y tos. La mayoría de los casos de neumonía atípica se pueden tratar con antibióticos, pero si su hijo tiene neumonía y ha tenido fiebre durante más de cinco días y/o dificultad para respirar, busque atención de emergencia.

La neumonía, el VRS, la gripe y el COVID-19 pueden tener síntomas similares. La gripe y el COVID-19 también pueden incluir dolor de garganta, dolores de cabeza, dolores corporales, escalofríos y cambios/pérdida del gusto y el olfato. Los padres no deben acudir a atención de urgencia ni al departamento de emergencias para hacerse una prueba de RSV, gripe o COVID. Su pediatra puede realizar pruebas para todos estos.

En muchos casos, los médicos pueden evaluar y tratar a un paciente mediante una cita de salud virtual. Descargue la aplicación MyCookChildrens para programar una cita virtual de salud/telemedicina aquí.

¿Cuándo acudir la sala de emergencia?

•  La temperatura mayor de 100.4F o 38°C en bebes menores de dos meses, es una emergencia médica.
•  Si su hijo tiene fiebre por más de tres días, comuníquese con su pediatra o el centro de cuidado de urgencia.
• Preocupación por deshidratación.  En bebes deshidratados habrá menos pañales mojados o falta de lágrimas. La fontanela hundida puede ser un signo de deshidratación.   
• Su hijo está respirando inusualmente rápido y se puede ver la piel entre las costillas.
• Su hijo requiere más su inhalador de rescate o los síntomas de asma empeoran

Síntomas

Síntomas de Virus Respiratorio Sincitial (RSV, por sus siglas en ingles) en bebes menores de 6 meses:

• Irritabilidad
• Letargo
• Apetito reducido
•  Episodios en donde dejan de respirar
•  Fiebre

Síntomas en bebes y niños mayores de 6 meses:

• Mocos
• Congestión
• Apetito reducido
• Tos
• Estornudos
• Fiebre
• A veces sibilancias

¿Cómo prevenir?

•  Nunca es tarde para vacunarse. Llame a su pediatra para obtener la vacuna contra el COVID-19 y la influenza.
• Adopte buenas prácticas de higiene como cubrirse al toser y estornudar.
•  Lavarse o desinfectarse las manos a menudo.
•  Limpiar las superficies que se tocan con frecuencia.
•  Si usted o su hijo se sienten mal, quédense en casa para prevenir la propagación de enfermedad. Tome tiempo para descansar y manténganse hidratado.

The Project ADAM program at Cook Children's hosted a FREE hands-only CPR/AED demonstration on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper alongside special guests Prosper Fire Rescue and Police Department. Cook Children's also shared resources for drowning prevention and safe sleep education, free car seat checks, Build A Bear and Kona Ice!

Another event will be held at Cook Children's Medical Center - Fort Worth at the Atrium on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join us to learn how to save a life! Kids, be sure to wear your Halloween costume! We look forward to seeing you! 

Resources and Being Prepared

More than 700 schools in North Texas have partnered with the Project ADAM program at Cook Children’s to become a “Heart Safe” school. The program trains school staff members on CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and helps create an emergency plan. It also provides resources and support to become a Heart Safe school, which is renewed every year through training and requirements. Project ADAM is a free resource for schools and the community.

The likelihood of sudden cardiac arrest in children and young athletes is known to be enhanced by athletic participation. On average, a seemingly healthy young person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest every three days in the U.S. and it's the leading cause of death in exercising young athletes.

Project ADAM reiterates the importance of being prepared for a cardiac emergency, especially in sports and school settings, with CPR and an AED.

Athletic personnel need to recognize the threat to young athletes and properly prepare for sudden cardiac arrest. Every school or organization that sponsors athletic activities should have an AED, trained coaches, and a written Emergency Action Plan.

Cardiac emergency preparedness training empowers people to use the AED device. Texas requires all schools to have an AED, but often people don’t know where it is located, how to use it in an emergency or rely solely on the school nurse to use the device.

Sign and symptoms of pediatric heart disease

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. SCA often occurs in active people with no history of heart conditions. In children, common causes are genetic, congenital or related to a sudden blow to the chest. If treated quickly, using an automated external defibrillator (AED), it is possible to restart the heart and increase the chances of survival. 

Pediatric heart disease has warning signs and symptoms that can go unnoticed. It is important to recognize the following:

• Fainting or near-fainting during or after exercise, emotion or surprise
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Extreme fatigue associated with exercise
• Extreme shortness of breath associated with exercise
• Discomfort, pain or pressure in chest during or after exercise
• Skipping or racing heartbeats
• High blood pressure
• Congenital heart abnormality
• Family history of sudden death prior to age 50 or known heart abnormalities

Not all episodes of sudden cardiac arrest are preventable because many of the kids do not have symptoms until they have the episode. For this reason, secondary prevention strategies are important.

About Project ADAM

Project ADAM, which is nonprofit and nationwide, aims to educate school systems, nurses, coaches, trainers, parents and others about pediatric sudden cardiac death and to establish emergency programs to help provide a timely and lifesaving response as emergency medical services are on their way to an incident.

Project ADAM was started in 1999 after a 17-year-old Wisconsin student named Adam Lemel collapsed and died while playing basketball. His parents helped start the Project ADAM program at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in his memory. Cook Children’s is one of 35 hospitals and program sites providing free cardiac resources, including training and AED devices.

RELATED: How to Become a Heart Safe School

• Best Hospital: Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper
• Best Emergency Department: Cook Children’s Prosper - Emergency Department

Cook Children’s is honored to play a vital role in the lives of our patients in Prosper, Celina and beyond. Every day our employees are committed to our values of kindness, respect, collaboration, safety, imagination and generosity while providing world-class care and fulfilling our Pinky Promise, “Everything for the child.”

Thousands of babies, children and teens from across the northern region of North Texas have been able to stay closer to home while receiving high-quality care at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper. To plan for the region’s growth, this year, the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) was relocated to the second floor and the medical center added a third operating room. The emergency department team has grown and expanded with additional patient beds.

“For all team members who work here at the Cook Children’s Prosper Emergency Department, this recognition humbles us,” said Julio Castillo, M.D., Medical Director of Cook Children’s - Prosper Emergency Department. “We want each family to feel a special connection with our hospital and that every child will receive our very best care possible.”

Whether it’s a life-saving intervention or a moment of simple comfort, we've provided excellent care with kindness, collaboration and safety for every patient who enters our world-class medical center. 

Emergency Department Nurse Manager Brittanye Ehle says the staff is honored with the Readers' Choice award.

“Since our opening, we have doubled our staff, expanded our rooms and strengthened our connections with local EMS services, all in the pursuit of providing excellent care for our patients and their families," Ehle said. "This award reflects our dedication to serving our community with the highest standards of patient care, and we are incredibly grateful for the trust and support we have received. Being recognized by the community is a privilege and we look forward to continuing to provide compassionate, exceptional service.”

From the leadership team at Prosper:

“To be named the Best Hospital and Best Emergency Department are testaments to the unwavering commitment from our doctors, nurses and health care professionals to provide exceptional care to our patients. Our families trust us to care for their most cherished gift: their child. There is no higher honor.”

Living Magazine Prosper & Celina is a lifestyle magazine with editions across Texas focusing on wellness, home, adventure and business.

A new program at Cook Children’s targets obesity by offering bariatric surgery, nutrition counseling and other services to help teens get to a healthier weight.

To start the program, patients need a referral from a health care professional. Eligibility is determined by age, body mass index (BMI) and any medical problems related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or fatty liver disease.

The Cook Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program is designed as a series of evaluations and education in monthly appointments. After six months -- if the patient, family and physicians agree that bariatric surgery is the next right step – the patient may undergo a laparoscopic procedure that removes more than half the stomach.

The program takes an evidence-based approach to treating obesity in a clinical setting. It recognizes that many factors contribute to obesity: genetics, environment, food and exercise habits … even adverse life events. Participation by the patient’s family plays an important role in all aspects of treatment.

The program’s first patients started their clinic visits in April 2024; the first surgeries are anticipated by the fall of 2024. The program is located at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Specialties in Prosper. Its format follows guidelines for obesity treatment from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 

Pediatric surgeon Kanika Bowen-Jallow, M.D. serves as medical director. Dr. Bowen-Jallow said teens who undergo bariatric surgery can expect a 30% reduction in BMI over the first year.

“The goal of course is weight loss and to get them to a healthy BMI,” she said. “Will you feel more secure in your skin? Will you be able to exercise with your peers? Will you be able to be social with your peers without feeling ostracized? Will you be able to participate in sports? All these things happen as they start to lose the weight.”

Obesity is a chronic and complex disease that affects an estimated 14.4 million children and teens in the United States. That’s almost one out of every five kids and adolescents impacted by the strain that obesity places on physical and mental well-being.

Board-certified obesity medicine director Lily Han, M.D. provides the program’s medical management of obesity and the comorbidities associated with obesity. Comorbidities are other conditions that commonly occur together with obesity.

“You see diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and difficulty with sleep. It increases the risk for asthma. It increases risk for depression and anxiety,” Dr. Han said. “It can affect every organ of your body, even your skin. You're more likely to have acne. You're more likely to have infections of skinfolds. That's what we want to address.”

The program taps the expertise of Dr. Bowen-Jallow, Dr. Han, a dietician, and other medical staff who have knowledge and sensitivity for teens with obesity. While the program in Prosper began only recently, there’s already a proven record of success in the field of weight loss surgery.

“We have 10-year data on bariatric surgery in adolescents,” Dr. Bowen-Jallow said. “This isn't new, it's not New Age, it's not experimental. This is what we need to be doing for our kids so they can have long, healthy lives.”

What does the Cook Children’s bariatric program offer? Who qualifies? Here’s what you need to know.

Six-Month Course

The program is designed for patients ages 13-18. Eligibility takes into account the patient’s BMI, which is calculated using age, gender, height and weight.

To qualify for the bariatric program at Cook Children’s, patients must have either:

• BMI of 35 or higher, along with an obesity-related medical condition
• BMI of 40 or higher

The initial visit gives an overview to help patients and their families get comfortable with the program’s structure. Detailed health history questions ask whether obesity runs in the family, or other concerns such as coagulation disorders or blood clots, as well as questions about previous exercise or weight loss programs the patient has tried.

“We also set expectations, because that's really important,” Dr. Bowen-Jallow said. “What is their goal weight? When was the last time you were that goal weight? We can work from there on what realistic expectations are.” It’s realistic, for instance, to predict a patient’s BMI will drop from 40 to 28 after bariatric surgery, she said.

Each monthly appointment lasts one hour and includes instruction about nutrition and lifestyle behavioral strategies. That’s because a good understanding of nutrition helps the patients maintain their lower weight after surgery.

The AAP guidelines recommend intensive therapy to help adolescents with obesity understand how their food choices, physical activity, sleep and stress affect their weight, Dr. Han said. She uses a technique called motivational interviewing.

“We really need to address their health by finding what is motivating for that family and that child, and working together for a common goal,” Dr. Han said. “That’s why there is a six-month protocol. We're not rushing anybody to surgery, but it is a tool in our toolbox.”

If appropriate, Dr. Han can run genetic tests or prescribe medications for weight loss. Patients who take medication are closely monitored for side effects. Dr. Han’s role helps patients reduce their adipose tissue, also called body fat, and manage their comorbidities.

“We want to intervene early. Previously it was like, ‘Everybody has a little baby fat. We all should just grow out of it.’ We realize that that is not true for everybody. Some do, but the majority don't. And it stays with them through adulthood,” Dr. Han said. 

Surgery and Follow-up

Candidates for gastric sleeve surgery at Cook Children’s can undergo the procedure six months after entering the bariatric program. The surgeon vertically staples the stomach into two sections, and the larger section comes out through a small hole made in the abdomen. 

“If you think of the stomach as a big balloon, essentially we just cut off 70% of that balloon,” Dr. Bowen-Jallow said. “We're not changing metabolically what the body does. We're just removing some of that hormone feedback that you get from food coming into the stomach and restricting the size of the stomach.”

Medication via a skin patch and other non-narcotic medications help control nausea and vomiting, the most common complaints after gastric sleeve surgery. Most patients should be able to go home the next day using over-the-counter pain meds such as Motrin or Tylenol, she said.  

The section of the stomach that is removed contains receptors and active hormone secreting tissue affecting appetite cues and the amount of time that food spends in the stomach, Dr. Han explained.

Patients can expect to lose a pound a day for the first 30 days after surgery. Weight comes off because their remaining stomach capacity is smaller and because they don’t have as much of the hormonal hunger stimulation. 

Following surgery, patients will come for checkups at the clinic after two weeks, four weeks, three months, six months and each year for four years. They will continue to have access to the dietitian and all the program’s resources.  

Reassurance and Results

Studies show that bias against children with obesity starts as early as preschool, Dr. Han pointed out. Obesity negatively impacts social, academic and athletic participation. And 78% of adolescents with obesity report being body-shamed or bullied. Their self-esteem and mental health suffer.

Some people worry that diagnosing a child or teen with obesity might trigger anorexia or bulimia, Dr. Han said.

“The medical literature demonstrates that if we address weight and health in a structured medical setting, we actually decrease the risk for eating disorders,” she said. “It’s a sensitive topic. “When we treat patients in an evidenced-based medical setting, those children are much less likely to develop eating disorders than the yo-yo dieter, the person who's looking things up on TikTok or doing what the latest fad is.”

Weight loss through surgical intervention can be life-changing, Dr. Bowen-Jallow said. Parents who want to know more should consult their child’s pediatrician for a possible referral. She reassures patient families that Cook Children’s takes a comprehensive and collaborative approach.

“Take a deep breath. It's OK,” she said. “Remember this is a six-month process, so nobody's rushing anybody to surgery. We’re taking into account the whole child and the whole family.”

Related Content:

• Tune into the Doc Talk podcast where Dr. Bowen-Jallow and Dr. Han discuss this program.
• World Health Day: How to Grow a Garden With Your Kids (checkupnewsroom.com)
• Dietitian Shares How to Eat Nutritiously for Less (checkupnewsroom.com)
• Covibesity: Rapid Weight Gain Among Children and Teens Alarms Doctors (checkupnewsroom.com)

By Heather Duge

Since the beginning of 2023, Sheralyn Hartline, DNP, RN, CNEP, RNC-NIC, and Stefanie Tanner, MSN, RN, BCEN, have shifted into leadership roles as part of the opening of Cook Children’s second Medical Center in Prosper, Texas. Both nurses described opening a new facility as a unique experience – one that has challenged them and allowed them to think outside the box. 

“We are here to guide the ship, but the staff took ownership of our processes and ultimately provided the safest, quality care for our patients,” Sheralyn said.

Stefanie said it has been a year of robust learning.

“The community, market and population are very different in Prosper so it’s not just copying and pasting what is being done at the Fort Worth campus,” Stefanie said.

Providing the highest quality care and a one-of-a-kind experience is always at the top of their minds as they know people in Prosper have many options to choose from when looking at hospitals.

“As we enter new territory, it has been increasingly important to be involved in community events and build relationships with leaders in the region,” Sheralyn said.

Sheralyn, assistant vice president for Nursing and Patient Care, and Stefanie, director of Nursing and Patient Care, worked to create and implement processes to improve practices for 200 nurses across multiple departments at the Prosper campus.

“Our teams refined what is working well,” Sheralyn said. “We also found processes that we needed to take back to the drawing board."

One of the projects spearheaded by Morgan Cotton, Clinical Risk/Quality Improvement coordinator and Amanda Pulley, manager of Laboratory Operations, is the Emergency Department and Lab Specimen Integrity Project. The interdisciplinary team worked together to provide solutions for keeping specimen integrity.

Another project led by frontline staff called Difficult IV Access (DIVA) involved collaboration with child life specialists, Advanced Care Technicians and nurses to improve the process for IV placement and infiltrations. Now, a nurse from the DIVA team who is trained to place IVs in patients with difficult access can be called at any time.  

Sheralyn and Stefanie also have supported many educational opportunities on the Prosper campus such as the emergency nurse pediatric course, the trauma nursing core course and crisis prevention intervention, largely driven by clinical practice and advanced education specialist Lucinda Berent.

“It’s a huge plus for staff if they don’t have to travel to Fort Worth or elsewhere to get certifications,” Sheralyn said.

Previously at Cook Children's Medical Center - Fort Worth, Stefanie served in the Emergency Department and Sheralyn led the Level IV NICU. Their different perspectives complement each other well. The dynamic duo communicates with each other from the moment they wake up until going to bed.

“I am a thinker and Sheralyn is a feeler,” Stefanie said. “We are both very outgoing and truly love our jobs. It’s busy and some days are 10 to 14 hours, but when I’m collaborating with Sheralyn, it doesn’t feel like work. I feel like this is what I get to do every day and I’m lucky to get paid for it.”

Sheralyn agrees and says she is blessed to be able to go to a job and do what she loves all day. Her passion for our organization’s Promise is reflected in all that has been accomplished since the opening of the Prosper facility.

“We are so proud of the culture that the team has created in Prosper while using our Promise as the guiding compass,” Sheralyn said.

COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day was created to officially recognize the front-line workers whose steadfast commitment kept Texans safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and remember the nearly 95,000 Texans who lost their lives to the disease. Other Texas hospitals also commemorated the day.

At Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper, employees gathered to receive a blessing and honor those we lost in a moment of silence led by chaplain Amanda Payne Lindsay, M. Div. There was also an opportunity to spend time in a reflective prayer activity and grab a pin to support this day. At Cook Children's Medical Center - Fort Worth, employees similarly gathered to receive a blessing and recognize the day in a moment of silence led by Jennifer Hayes, MDiv, BCC, Director of Spiritual Care at Cook Children’s. There was also a display for employees to participate in by sharing who they are both honoring and remembering today. 

An artwork titled “Here Comes the Sun” blends a whimsical mix of images to inspire and comfort visitors in the chapel at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper. 

You’ll see snippets of children’s drawings, storybook characters, animals, words of affirmation and old photos glued together on this unique panel. McKinney artist Jim Wilson created the custom abstract work, which measures 4.5 x 6.5 feet.

“Here Comes the Sun” invites viewers to look closely, like it’s a puzzle or game of I Spy. Wilson estimates he used more than a thousand strips of paper and cut-outs to design the intricate landscape. Scenes contain kids in various poses: at play, kneeling at prayer, in a wheelchair, arm in a sling. SpongeBob SquarePants makes an appearance. So does this message: “You are loved.”

Crews installed the artwork in January 2024 in time for the medical center’s first anniversary. Its location – on a wall between the chapel’s water feature and colorful windows – makes a focal point for anyone seeking a peaceful spot for prayerful contemplation or rest.

“It’s beautiful,” said chaplain Amanda Payne Lindsay, M. Div. “Every time I stand in front of it, I see something new.”

Payne Lindsay described the artwork as interactive, playful and inclusive for people of all backgrounds. Like the chapel itself, the piece is diverse and welcoming to people of every faith, or no particular faith. It speaks to the universal nature of hope.

“Almost every religion is based on hope,” she said. “Whatever our spiritual tradition, we can identify with hope, and we believe in love. Those are ways we find connections.” 

Visitors of all ages, from toddlers to teens to adults, can find those connections and moments of magic when they encounter “Here Comes the Sun.” Here’s how the finished product came together.

A Team Approach

Wilson works in a mixed media style, which incorporates assorted materials. Some of the materials used to create the Cook Children’s chapel artwork came from the children themselves. Patients who wanted to join the project were given crayons, paint and prompts such as:

• What is God like?
• What is love?
• What questions do you have for God?
• What makes you feel better?

Wilson then cut the children’s pictures apart, assembling the fragments onto the panel. The handwritten word “Hope” stands out. So does a baseball.

After the artwork was installed, the boy who drew the baseball came to the medical center for a chemotherapy infusion. He stopped by the chapel and was excited to see his baseball -- somewhat hidden, but recognizable in the panel’s midsection. 

“His face lit up,” Payne Lindsay recalled. “We talked about how this art is going to be there for a really long time. After he’s done with his treatments and leaves Cook Children’s, he’ll know that a little piece of him is preserved here.”

Wilson said he considers the patients his fellow artists and collaborators. The parts contributed by the children add imagination and authenticity.  

“I just think it makes it such a richer piece. It gives it a depth I couldn’t do on my own,” he said.

The artwork also honors patients from the past. The medical center in Prosper opened in 2023, but the roots of Cook Children’s Health Care System date back to 1918. “Here Comes the Sun” pays tribute to history by including a photo from the Cook Children’s archives that depicts a young polio patient.   

Also pasted into the artwork are artifacts such as a Cook Ranch land survey, architectural renderings and newspaper clippings that highlight Cook Children’s mission to provide excellence in pediatric health services.

Payne Lindsay credited Wilson with skillfully assembling the various pieces in a way that forms a cohesive whole. Along with soft lighting and the ambient sounds from the waterfall, the artwork contributes to a soothing environment for chapel-goers. 

“He thought deeply about the space,” she said. “He took it to heart and produced something so beautiful.”

Inspiration and Inclusion

Setting out, Wilson wanted to understand the perspectives of patients and their families in the context of the chapel. So he read from the Quran, the Torah, the Bible and other texts. He also spoke with hospital employees to get a sense of the emotional impact of treating critical injuries and illnesses in children. It was important to him to strike the right tone in the chapel, which offers refuge for visitors who might be experiencing grief or fear.

“I see it as a holy piece. It’s in a holy place, and it’s about big things,” he said.

Wilson worked on the panel off and on for about six months in his warehouse studio. His tools? An Exacto knife, painter’s tape, paint, glue and an acrylic finish brushed on at the end.

Music contributes to Wilson’s inspiration as an artist. One day, after listening to the Beatles, he chose the title “Here Comes the Sun” to amplify the themes of hope and joy.

The artwork emerged and evolved, he said, until one day he knew it was finished. Nothing else needed to be added. The end result looked to Wilson like a combination of playground, hospital and heaven.

“I hope everybody likes it. I hope it’s meaningful – something that people can relate to, and see themselves and their story, and maybe understand someone else’s story,” he said. “It was a huge honor for me to be part of this unique project, and I’m very, very grateful.”

About the Chapel

While it’s not open to the public, the nondenominational chapel at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper is available day and night for admitted patients, their families and our employees. The setting promotes a sense of tranquility for body, mind and spirit. If they wish, visitors may make prayer requests or use the books and prayer rugs provided.

RELATED STORIES:

• Cook Children's Marks One Year in Prosper with Massive Prayer Bear Donation
• Design of Chapel at Cook Children's Medical Center – Prosper Welcomes All Faiths 

Severe winter weather is hitting North Texas over the weekend and early this week—with below-freezing temperatures, piercing wind chills, and the potential for snow and ice. 

Road and school closures are a possibility, which means you and your little ones might be stuck at home for a few days—but even if the roads stay clear, you’ll likely have to brave some pretty intense cold. No matter what the weather brings, our Cook Children’s experts have shared some of their go-to tips and tricks for staying safe, healthy, and entertained in the days to come.

Tips for Staying Healthy at Home  

Erin Bridgewater, M.D., pediatrician at Cook Children's Pediatrics Celina, offered some ways to ensure you and your family stay healthy through a potential freeze. 

1. Make sure your medicine cabinet is stocked. There’s no need to hoard, but it’s important to make sure you have some basic medications handy in case your child gets sick and the weather makes it hard to get to a doctor. Tylenol, Motrin, Pedialyte, and Benadryl are all great to have on hand.  “If your child requires prescription medications for asthma, seizures, or other chronic illness, make sure you are not running low when winter storms are coming,” said Dr. Bridgewater.
2. Practice carbon monoxide safety. In the case of a power outage, you might be desperate to find alternative ways to heat your home. Never use a gas stove for household heat, and only operate portable stoves and charcoal grills outside and at least 20 feet away from windows. “If you have a new generator you want to try out, make sure to read the manual and use it properly,” said Dr. Bridgewater. “Also make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home. Improper use of generators in or around the home can lead to deadly carbon monoxide accumulation and poisoning.” If you lose heat and all else fails, consider stocking up on handwarmers and bundling up with winter wear and blankets until the power comes back on. 
3. Bundle Up.  It's safe to let your kiddos go out and play in the snow, as long as it's not too terribly cold. “Remember that cold weather does NOT cause head colds—viruses do. Just make sure your little ones are properly bundled. They may prefer several light, but warm layers over super bulky clothing.” 

Tips for Staying Safe Outside  

Sharon Evans, Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator, filled us in on safety precautions for the car and playing outside.

1. Never dress your child in a coat in their car seat. No matter how much you tighten the harness, a coat will still allow for enough slack to cause potential dangers during a crash. “For infants, you can heat up the car while you put them in their infant seat inside. Place a blanket over the harness, and then take them out to the car once it’s warmed up,” Sharon explains. "If they’re older, just harness them in and put their jacket backwards over the harness so they can take it off as the car heats up.”
2. Always wear a helmet when playing on ice. Whether it’s sledding, ice skating, or anything in between, it’s easy to fall on ice. Wearing a helmet could protect your child from a serious head injury. “We usually don't have the proper equipment for sledding, for example, so protecting your child's head is really important."
3. Ensure your child is wearing safe clothing. “Some hoodies and coats have drawstrings around the neck, which could be choking hazards." Parents should ensure their kids have good rubber-soled boots to reduce their risk of slipping on ice. “It's fun to play and slide around in the ice and snow, but you don't want them falling and breaking a bone or hurting their head."

Tips for Keeping Your Family Entertained 

Ashley Pagenkopf, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist at Cook Children's, told us how to turn being stuck inside into fun and adventurous quality time. 

1. Stock up on hands-on, creative supplies. “I like to have crafting stuff available, things that kids can color or paint that you might not get out on a regular day to play,” Ashley said.
2. Focus on stimulating, long-form activities. Ashley emphasizes the importance of engaging in activities that pass the time, like painting a mural on an old delivery box or building and reconstructing Legos. “I always try to encourage creativity and have things that kids enjoy doing,” she said. “Anything that you can build and then change to try something new is really helpful.” 
3. Make it a movie day. This option won’t work if your power goes out (but we’re hopeful that won’t happen)! Snuggle up and watch your kids’ favorite movies—keeping in mind screen time limitations, which we’ll get to on number 5. She also suggests keeping fun snacks and yummy beverages on hand. “Having some popcorn or hot chocolate with marshmallows is really fun for kids."
4. Set expectations for outside playtime. Only let your kids go outside for 20-25 minutes at a time, taking breaks to come back in and warm up for a while in between. “When kids see snow and ice, they just want to run out and play, and that's typically how they get hurt,” Ashley explains. “I try to prepare my kids by telling them exactly what clothes they need to put on and setting an expectation for how many times we’re going to go outside throughout the day.” 
5. Limit screen time as much as possible. Be careful letting your kids watch TV all day, as they will inevitably become irritable from too much time in front of the screen. “Getting outside is great as long as you have the right clothes, but also getting up and moving around and maybe having a dance party inside is helpful,” she said. “I would encourage families to limit screen time to the afternoon or evening, because if you start the day with it, your kids won’t want to do anything else.”

No matter what the winter weather brings, we hope you stay warm, healthy, and safe and can enjoy some quality time with your family. Inclement weather may cause many of our primary care offices and specialty clinics to close or delay openings. Click here to view closure updates and delayed openings at our Cook Children's locations.

A wintery mix of snow and freezing rain is expected Sunday night through Monday. Amounts are forecasted to remain relatively low; however, anything that falls will likely result in impacts given the very cold air that will already be in place.

The best thing you can do is to have a plan in place to keep your family safe and warm through this first taste of winter.

Take these tips from MedStar on what a winter weather plan should include:

• Make sure that you have important phone numbers, including your health care providers, pharmacy, and veterinarian.
• Assure you have enough medication for several days on hand.
• If you rely on medical devices in your home, have a backup plan in case you lose power for an extended period of time, such as a backup generator or battery pack and backup oxygen bottles.
• Have a communication plan for your family.
• Know how to get reliable information during the storm.
• Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power.

Dress Warmly

• Make sure newborns are dressed appropriately. Dress them in layers and cover their heads, hands and feet.
• For the most warmth, dress your little ones in wool instead of cotton. Essential winter items include hats and gloves, as well as sweatshirts or T-shirts that can be layered under overcoats or jackets.
• Blue skin, shivering and a cool chest and stomach are signs that children may be dangerously cold. If you see these signs, take action immediately to get kids out of the cold. Seek immediate medical attention if you're not able to warm the body.

Keep an eye out for signs of hypothermia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, "is a dangerous condition that can occur when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures." 

Warning signs for adults include:

• Shivering, exhaustion
• Confusion, fumbling hands
• Memory loss, slurred speech drowsiness

Warning signs for infants include:

• Bright red, cold skin
• Very low energy

Victims of hypothermia can include babies sleeping in cold rooms.

If the power goes out, be very cautious of carbon monoxide.

During the Texas winter storm in February 2021, Cook Children’s treated 13 patients for carbon monoxide poisoning in one night. 

Here are some tips for keeping your family safe during this time:

• Don’t use anything such as a BBQ grill or propane tank to heat your home.
• Don’t run a vehicle inside of a garage attached to your home.
• Don’t heat your home with a gas oven or stovetop.
• Don’t burn charcoal inside your home.
• Do seek medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Do ensure the carbon monoxide detectors in your home are properly functioning and installed in areas that will wake you if it alarms.
• Do check for local resources, such as warming shelters, to keep your family safe.

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Upset Stomach
• Chest Pain
• Confusion
• Flu-like symptoms

If you have to travel, have a plan in place to keep yourself and your child safe.

Proper car seat use is one of the most critical ways parents can keep their young children safe when driving during inclement weather conditions. Here are a few safety tips to consider:

• Don’t strap your children into their car seats with their heavy coats on. In a crash, padding from a coat or thick layers will flatten out, leaving room under the car seat harness. This increases the risk of a child slipping through the straps and being thrown from the car seat. Instead, dress your child in thin layers. Once buckled up, slip the coat on backward with the sleeves on the child’s arms. This way, the coat acts as a blanket and doesn’t affect the fit of the harness.
• Give yourself extra time to get where you are going. And don't forget to account for traffic. 

• Pack an emergency bag for your car. It’s a good idea to have blankets, warm clothing, hats, and gloves available in case you become stuck in winter weather. You’ll also want to have nonperishable snacks packed away.
• Avoid overpasses if possible. Plan alternate routes to your destination and avoid high traffic areas when possible.
• Give yourself enough space from the car in front of you to gradually brake. When weather conditions are poor, give yourself double the time it normally takes to come to a complete stop.

Inclement weather may cause many of our primary care offices and specialty clinics to close or delay openings. Click here to view closure updates and delayed openings at our Cook Children's locations.

The 10-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper has moved to its long-term location on the hospital’s second floor.

Previously, the PICU had been temporarily situated on the fifth floor since the medical center opened its doors Jan. 9, 2023. On the facility's one-year anniversary Tuesday, the PICU moved into a new space specifically built to care for the hospital’s sickest patients and their families.

Kevin Greene, vice president and administrator at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper, said the new PICU occupies 26,021 square feet on the second floor. That area was an empty shell when the medical center opened a year ago. Nine additional months of construction went into the new PICU, which is strategically positioned near the operating rooms and infusion center.

It’s an intentional approach to completing the medical center in ways that most efficiently respond to the needs of the community. Beautiful as well as high tech, the new PICU reflects the investment by Cook Children’s to bring world-class pediatric health care to the booming population on the north side of the Metroplex, Greene said.

“This is another example of Cook Children’s commitment to our families in Prosper and throughout the northern region,” he said. “We want to make sure that when our families need us most, that we’re continuing to expand and to bring more resources here so they don’t have to travel far from their homes for great care.”

The PICU is where patients go for treatment of life-threatening injuries or illnesses.  The new unit in Prosper features state-of-the-art medical services. But the layout also places a high priority on providing a comfortable experience for families.

Sheralyn Hartline, assistant vice president for Nursing and Patient Care, said the PICU’s attractive design creates a feeling of calm refuge. Amenities include a lounge, laundry facilities, food storage, and showers in private bathrooms attached to every patient room. Parents can grab a bite to eat or take a shower without leaving the unit. 

“Cook Children’s is very big into aesthetics and making things feel as homey as possible for the families,” Hartline said. “No one wants to be in the PICU. But if you have to be, let’s try to make it the best we can for you and your family.”

Making the Move   

It took months of planning to map out the logistics of safely transporting PICU patients in their beds from the fifth floor to the second floor. The move required good communication and extra support from nurses, physicians and departments across the medical center. 

The process was coordinated in stages, Hartline said, taking into account the monitors, ventilators and other vital equipment for each patient. Another key factor? Getting the right supplies to the new location. At the PICU’s previous site on the fifth floor, supplies came from carts shared with the Medical-Surgical unit. 

The PICU connects to the operating rooms and infusion center by a hallway now instead of an elevator ride. That means transitions will be faster for patients who require intensive care following surgery or an adverse reaction to an infusion, said Kathy Ramsey, D.O., medical director of the PICU in Prosper.  

“We get a lot of post-op surgical patients, and so it’s very thoughtfully planned,” Dr. Ramsey said.

The setup includes physician sleep rooms in close proximity to the patients. Nooks were built so that physicians could write notes and consult with one another privately rather than in shared offices.

Meanwhile, back on the fifth floor, the Medical-Surgical unit will expand into the vacancy left by the PICU’s move. Medical-Surgical now has room for 10 additional beds, for a total of 24, to keep up with higher patient volumes.

The leadership team had anticipated from the beginning that the facilities and services would need to expand to meet the projected population growth in Collin and Denton counties and surrounding areas. That’s why several floors originally contained open shell spaces that could be outfitted later for specific purposes. Having the empty shells created the flexibility to tailor the building utilization based on data trends. Much like the PICU’s buildout and relocation, future projects are underway or in the planning stages.  

Treating the Sickest Patients

The PICU serves children of all ages, from babies to teens. Families can expect a team of experts on site in the PICU at all hours of the day and night. Here are a few more PICU facts:

• Staff includes Intensivists, nurses, patient care technicians, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and chaplains. Cardiologists, neurologists, pulmonologists, oncologists and other specialists are available for consultation. 
• During the surge in respiratory illnesses last fall and into the winter months, the Prosper PICU was full for the first time.
• Cook Children’s Teddy Bear Transport brings critically ill patients to the PICU via ambulance, helicopter and airplane. 

The Cook Children’s presence in Prosper dates back to 2019 with the opening of an urgent care center and several primary care offices, followed by a medical office building and outpatient surgery center in 2020. The campus now encompasses 35 acres. As part of an integrated health care system, doctors in Prosper have the capability to video conference with their colleagues at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth.  

Moving the PICU to its long-term home is an exciting chapter in our young story and another great example of our Promise in action, Greene said.

The landscape of pediatric health care services in North Texas changed on Jan. 9, 2023, when Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper opened its doors to offer emergency care, surgery and other crucial hospital services.

Over the past year, thousands of babies, children and teens from across the northern region of North Texas have been able to stay closer to home while receiving the same high-quality care that Cook Children’s has long provided at our Fort Worth medical center. The new facility in Prosper – with innovative technology, whimsical décor and the signature Blue Peaks – brought a more convenient location to families in the rapidly growing northern region of the Metroplex.

The first year at the medical center was a period of excitement and growth. The facility opened on Jan. 9, 2023, with 24 inpatient beds; by fall 2024, plans are underway to double its capacity in order to be ready to care for more families as the region’s population continues to boom. To make sure the campus is best positioned to grow with the needs of the region, the system purchased an additional 12 acres, increasing the total size of the campus from 23 acres to 35 acres.   

“What a whirlwind year it's been! Caring for the precious children of Prosper and the surrounding communities has filled us with immense joy and purpose,” said Rick W. Merrill, president and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System. “The warm embrace from the community is a most cherished milestone in this journey.  Your trust in us is an honor we hold close.” 

Nancy Cychol, Executive Vice President & Chief of Hospital Services for Cook Children’s, gave credit to a workforce that fosters an atmosphere of kindness and collaboration toward a common goal: Everything for the child.   

“Achieving accreditation from the Joint Commission within 50 days of opening in Prosper is a testament to our dedicated team's unwavering commitment,” Cychol said. “As we continue to grow and expand, we pledge to be here for your children at every step.” 

Tony Anani, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and gastroenterologist at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper, said the first year of operation brought rewards and challenges. By adding specialized services along the way, he said, the hospital was able to handle more patients with complex needs, rather than transporting them elsewhere. Neighbors in and around Prosper were welcoming. 

“Thank you for the trust, thank you for the feedback, thank you for the patience, and thank you for the partnership as we continue to bring world-class care and the Cook Children’s culture to this area,” Dr. Anani said.  

Sheralyn Hartline, assistant vice president for Nursing and Patient Care, predicted that the second year will also bring great progress in the medical center’s clinical capabilities.

“The staff have been amazing at identifying change opportunities and being flexible while making adjustments,” Hartline said. “We are very excited to be able to keep these patients in their community and provide them the high-quality care that Cook Children’s offers.”

The medical center’s first anniversary today is a happy occasion to revisit the building’s spectacular design and the dedication of the staff. Let’s take a look back -- and then preview some of what Cook Children’s is planning as we deliver on the Promise to improve the health and wellbeing of every child in our community. 

Laying a Foundation

Cook Children’s set down roots in Prosper in 2019 with an urgent care and primary care clinic, followed by a medical office building and outpatient surgery center in 2020. From 2019 to 2022, Cook Children’s primary care network grew from 13 providers to more than 43 providers becoming the largest pediatric primary care network on the eastern side of the Metroplex. When the medical center came on the scene in 2023, it enhanced the existing services by adding an emergency department; surgery and procedure rooms; outpatient infusion center; imaging services; a retail pharmacy; medical-surgical and pediatric intensive care beds; lab services; and two floors of shell space.

Kevin Greene, vice president and administrator, Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper, said the design of the campus is the first of its kind in the region as it allowed families to have access to a full complement of outpatient, emergent and inpatient services on one campus. Designing the campus in such a way has allowed our teams to help connect the dots for our families so that they can more easily access the appropriate services for their child’s needs.

“From our primary care and urgent care clinics, to our specialty clinics, outpatient surgery center and medical center, our families now have access to the full weight of Cook Children’s Health Care System close to home,” Greene said.   

Here are a few highlights of the medical center:

• Playful features just inside the front doors have proven very popular with visitors of all ages. The atrium includes a digital wall, a ceiling mural of flying cows and twinkling lights, and a color-coded path on the floor that guides families to their destination. 
• Each inpatient room includes a 65-inch television that syncs with personal devices for ordering food and for entertainment as well as medical consultations.  
• Health technology advocates at the Peaks Tech Zone are on hand to assist with setting up medical devices and MyCookChildren’s accounts.

The building itself was intentionally designed with special touches that reduce the stress on parents and make our patients feel safe when receiving treatment for their injuries and illness. After 365 days, you can see more than ever the thought that went into making the patient and family experience a priority: Spacious and beautiful rooms, great food, ample parking and most of all … employees who love and support their patients. Greene said he has had families tell him how grateful they are that Cook Children’s came to Prosper and how their child didn’t want to leave because of how much they enjoy being here.

New services were implemented during the first year as needs arose. One of the most significant additions came seven months after opening when the medical center, in conjunction with Fort Worth’s neurology team, brought on continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring. It’s a test that reads electrical activity in the brain so that seizure disorder can be detected and diagnosed. By providing this service, patients and families were now able to receive critical neurology services close to home.

Looking to the Future

The medical center's 10-bed emergency department will be expanding to 20 beds in 2024. Two operating rooms opened last year, with plans to add a third OR in 2024 and a fourth at a later date.

The hospital will continue to provide excellent care, while evaluating opportunities to bring on additional services that will allow for more complex patients to receive emergent and inpatient care in Prosper. The continued investment in our services and in our people will ensure that when our patients and families need us we’ll be ready, no matter the situation.

Teamwork and Gratitude

The Cook Children’s systemwide culture platform – the values of respect, safety, generosity, collaboration, imagination and kindness – set the tone for the Prosper medical center’s first year. The medical center had hired about 350 employees, most of them new to Cook Children’s. They came together and committed to the culture.

Greene gave credit to the vision of Mr. Merrill, the Cook Children’s Board of Directors and senior leadership who years ago recognized as a part of our Promise, the escalating need for pediatric health care services in the northern region.

 “We all feel like we're a part of this journey together, and that we're creating the foundation for the next 100 years in Prosper,” he said. “From our outpatient clinics to the medical center, the team has done an amazing job providing world-class care and a one-of-a-kind experience. In doing so, our families have entrusted us to care for their most cherished gift, their child, and for that we are truly honored.”

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• App and In-Room Technology Level Up Patient Experience at Cook Children’s 

Hospitals can be complex to navigate, especially for the health care novice, but family friendly tech features integrated into every inpatient room at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper keep children and families in control of their hospital experience and make their health care journey easier. 

While these rooms appear much like any hospital room, the technology that powers them puts everything the patient may need or want during their stay right at their fingertips, from access to their health information to conducting a telemedicine visit with a specialist to ordering food and selecting in-house entertainment. And it can all be viewed and operated from the patient or family’s own smart device through an easy-to-use app, or from the television in each patient room.

When designing patient rooms for the Prosper facility, which opened in January, Cook Children’s wanted to match the innovation that patients and families experience at every turn throughout the facility, from the life-size digital display in the front atrium to the operating rooms equipped with technology that allows real-time remote viewing and physician collaboration. The teams designing the rooms, particularly the technology behind them, conducted extensive research and asked patients and families for feedback on what tools would make their stay easier.

“The majority of ideas we heard centered around empowering patients and their families to have more control of their stay and experience, having clear and concise communication and a better understanding of who was a part of their child’s care team,” said Nicole Yowell, digital products manager for the inpatient experience and leader of Cook Children’s Virtual Health program.

All of these features and many more were built into an app for patients and families that puts control of their experience right in the palm of their own hands.

Complimentary Care

When families download the app during their hospital stay, they can view and interact with much of the behind-the-scenes workflow involved in their child’s care. If, for example, the patient is awaiting lab results, families can view those results in the app once they are posted in their child’s electronic medical record. They no longer have to rely solely on a nurse or other provider to update them, giving waiting families better access to their information.

“The goal is really to bring visibility, from a patient and family experience perspective to everything that the staff is doing,” said Danika Meyer, product owner for patient experience at Cook Children’s. “So when we think about our clinical strategies for informing patients along the way, a lot of that is dependent on interactions with our care team, which is a huge part of what we do. We didn’t necessarily want to take any of that away, but more so compliment it with the technology already available to us so that families aren’t kept waiting longer than necessary and our clinicians are better supported to focus on patient care.”

Features like an in-app TV remote, food service link and much more allow patients to access creature comforts when and how they want them for a customized, individualized experience.

“A lot of times in health care, if not all the time, everybody's thinking in terms of outcomes like an illness has been cured or a wound has been healed, and a lot of the softer side of things is overlooked,” said Lesley Wager, director of digital products at Cook Children’s. “But our outcomes are also about the experience and the journey, right? The stuff that parents and kids are going through is scary, and while a little bit of a delight feature that we add in any of these rooms or in our apps might not change the fact that their bone was mended. It does help the general overall outcome for their mental health and their emotional wellbeing. That's incredibly important to us.”

Room Service

In addition to the app, the communication portals in each patient room are fully digitized and populated with information in real-time.

Traditionally, in-room whiteboards are used to communicate information about the patient’s care team and daily schedule. They have to be updated manually by a nurse or patient care technician using a dry-erase marker. 

The new generation of whiteboards at Cook Children’s - Prosper are both digital and interactive. In addition to information on the patient’s care team, they display mobility and pain scores, educational assignments and completion, meal times, food offerings, room temperature control, interactive requests for assistance and hospital information sharing. 

Outside of each room, digital door signs use icons to communicate important patient alerts such as fall precautions and isolation procedures to the patient’s care team, family and visitors so they can take the appropriate safeguards before entering a room.

“The patient-centered room is the digital room of the future, allowing patients and families to interact seamlessly with technology through the digital whiteboard in the room for patient care information as well as the ability to watch TV, stream movies and play games,” said Gina Basham, Cook Children’s assistant vice president, Inpatient Clinical Apps. “In the future, we hope to expand these in-room technologies to include patient schedules and further interaction with MyChart beyond just the mobile app. Incorporating these features is in keeping with our commitment to do everything for the child.”

Collaborate and Communicate

Integration between multiple tech platforms, and collaboration among several health system departments and tech vendors, help make the app and other patient communication tools the seamless supporting players for the care and comfort of patients that they are. All of these innovations talk to and inform each other.

“We had to do a multi-level integration across multiple technologies so that when something happened in one, it triggered a workflow in another,” Yowell explained.

For example, when a nurse is assigned to a patient in the electronic medical record, that information also flows to the nurse call system as well as the in-room digital whiteboard and the patient’s TV. This eliminates the need for nurses to write on the whiteboard who they are at each shift change, so the patient is informed about who is caring for them before they even enter their room.

These tools help Cook Children’s communicate with and care for a tech-savvy generation in the way they prefer to consume information. But, should a patient not have access to a personal device or care not to use one, there are multiple ways to communicate and access the information and features offered in the app.

Telemedicine appointments with specialists can also be streamed on the TVs in patient rooms, giving patients access to specialists all across Cook Children’s Health Care System. When a middle-of-the-night consult is needed, these features allow physicians to conduct a telemedicine visit from their home. Eliminating the need for a physician to make a late-night trip to the hospital when it isn’t necessary gives patients quicker access to care and saves the physician time, energy and sleep for their next busy workday.

After Your Stay

Use of the app isn’t limited to the inpatient stay. After a patient gets home, access to the app remains available to inform and empower them in the next phase of their health journey. Parents can view their child’s discharge instructions, medication list, information about their care team and follow-up care, for example, and have this information at their fingertips to share with their child’s primary care physician, who may or may not be a Cook Children’s doctor.

When patients are empowered with tools and information that make their lives easier, they’re more engaged with their care and more confident in their health journey, all of which health tech experts say lead to better overall outcomes.

“At Cook Children's, we talk about creating moments of magic and this definitely brings some magic to the experience for the patient and their family,” Yowell said. “It really is based on improving outcomes for their physical health and mental and emotional wellbeing by providing them the information that they need to make educated decisions and really understand what's going on in their care, along with giving them some delight features that make their time with us more comfortable.”

By Jean Yaeger

Splashes of water flow with a soothing sound for those who seek contemplation and peace at the Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper chapel.

Sunlight enters softly through pastel flourishes on the windows. A table displays the Bible, the Quran, the Tanakh, and a few children’s books. Slips of paper are available if someone wants to write a prayer request. Visitors may also use the prayer rugs folded in a basket.

The Prosper Medical Center opened in January 2023, and since then its nondenominational chapel has offered a respite for people of any religious background or no particular faith. You won’t see fixtures resembling the interior of a church, temple or mosque. That’s because the chapel was designed to be an inclusive and nurturing environment for all people. The Prosper Chapel printed glass wall installation features the replicated painting Touching Petals© by the artist Vara Kamin.*

“It’s a sacred space for everybody to feel seen, to feel welcome, to feel valued no matter what their faith tradition or their life journey may be,” said Jennifer Hayes, M. Div., Cook Children’s Director of Spiritual Care.

While it’s not for public use, the chapel is open all hours for patients admitted to the Prosper Medical Center and their families. Hospital employees frequently stop in too. There’s a sense of tranquility and rest -- for the body, mind and soul.   

“The employees especially enjoy the beautiful ambient sound from the water feature. It creates a space to retreat and reflect or to simply take some time to recharge,” said Amanda Payne Lindsay, M.Div., a chaplain at the Prosper Medical Center. “It’s really beautiful when I come in the chapel and see that both the prayer mats and the Bibles have been used.  We offer a place for everyone to honor their faith.”

Imagination and Collaboration

With the help of Cook Children’s patients, McKinney artist Jim Wilson is creating a custom mixed medium artwork to be hung on a blank wall of the chapel. Child Life specialists handed out “Chapel Art Bags” with supplies that patients used to paint, sketch or write words that will help shape the commissioned artwork. For inspiration, the bags contained a few prompts:   

• What is God like?
• What is love?
• What questions do you have for God?
• What makes you feel better?

An 11-year-old, for instance, drew heart-shaped bubbles blown from a wand. Another submission features the wisdom of a 3-year-old: “Doctors help me feel brave. Daddy and Mama make me feel brave.”

Wilson is working to incorporate the patients’ contributions – plus maps, photos and materials that reflect Cook Children’s history -- into an abstract collage roughly 4.5 x 6.5 feet in size. Wilson plans to cut up the papers, glue the fragments to a panel, add paint, sand it, and apply an acrylic finish. He envisions a cohesive tapestry assembled from many parts.   

“Hopefully there will be a lightness to it, a joy infused into it, peace and serenity,” he said.

His collaborators – the children – will be able to see glimpses of their efforts in the end result, which Wilson expects to complete by the end of 2023. He says it’s an honor to produce an installation that may help console and support future chapel-goers who face circumstances of grief or fear.

“I feel a sense of responsibility,” Wilson said. “If I can be part of a team that makes what these people are going through a little bit easier or a little bit more peaceful, then I’ve been a part of a wonderful thing.”

Hayes predicts the chapel centerpiece will showcase the track record of generosity and respect in the culture at Cook Children’s. “And the hope that our goodness will continue to positively impact our community,” she said.

Spirituality through Connections

The Spiritual Care team at Cook Children’s has the training and resources to engage with patients at every age in meaningful ways that reflect their faith traditions. The job encompasses a calling to listen with kindness, give guidance, serve as an advocate, and tend to hurting spirits.  They don’t judge or try to convert anyone.

Often, the first contact the Spiritual Care department makes with families is through the beloved PrayerBear program. Volunteers gave away almost 17,000 PrayerBears at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth in 2022. The gift of a PrayerBear encourages and comforts patients during their stay in the hospital.

Hayes points out that playfulness is key to building rapport with a young child. A chaplain might speak in a silly voice pretending to be the PrayerBear. And the chaplain finds out what’s important to the child. She recalled a time she helped a constipated patient pray about … well, pooping.

“You have to be willing to step out of what some people would deem typical clerical behavior,” she said. “You have to be able to laugh. You have to be able to play games. Because if you can't tend to their spirit without using overtly religious language in the small things, then they're not going to trust you in those big things.”

Teenage patients might feel angry or ask hard questions related to their health challenges. Hayes said the chaplains strive to help teens process their emotions and find hope. Spiritual Care also serves parents and siblings, if desired.

For those who have no specific faith tradition or religious beliefs, the Spiritual Care team can minister to the universal need for connection and community. “Every single person we encounter has that thread of humanity,” she said.

Hayes wants to bust the myth that hospital chaplains push religion on people or condemn those who don’t adhere to a particular faith.  

“We're kind of like the scaffolding of buildings," Hayes said. “We’re there to support you when you feel like you're falling down. And if that's what you need in that moment, then we're going to do everything that we can to be that scaffolding and to uphold you.”

Editor's Note: *S.I.T.E.™ (Sensory Immersion Transition Experience™) by Vara Kamin provides in-person immersive artistic service in healing spaces designed to reduce over-stimulation and engage the relaxation response. S.I.T.E ™ is a transformational tool and experience that invites individuals to connect with their innate healing capacities through self-reflection and the cultivation of insight.

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Your child’s urine colors can range from clear to dark yellow to orange, depending on how hydrated they are. But what about red, brown, green or blue?

Pink or red urine may be due to foods or drinks, such as beets or blackberries, but could also be from blood in the urine. Things like urinary tract infections, trauma, kidney inflammation, stones, malignancy, medications, and urologic problems could be the cause of bloody urine.

Brown urine, like cola-colored, could also mean there is blood present due to kidney inflammation. Liver issues or muscle breakdown from working out excessively could cause brownish urine.

Parents should take their child to the emergency department if there is pink, red, or brown urine associated with pain, edema or high blood pressure.

Different food dyes or medicines can cause blue or green urine. Some types of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections can also turn urine these colors. Rare genetic diseases can also lead to these color findings.

See a doctor if your child’s urine color is concerning. Your child may be referred to a pediatric nephrologist or urologist.

Checklist:

• Is my child taking any medicine that could cause the unusual color?
• Did my child eat something with food dye or coloring?

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How to Tell if Your Child is Dehydrated (checkupnewsroom.com) 

Shalyn Coulombe, RN, of Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper says spreading joy is one of her favorite things to do.

“I like to add a little happiness and smiles wherever I can,” Coulombe said.

Lately, that place has been the windows of rooms in prep/recovery at Cook Children’s in Prosper so when patients are taken to their pre-operation room the first thing they see is a whimsical character. Coulombe draws characters such as Peaks the Dragon, Bluey, Olaf, Little Mermaid, Moana, Rapunzel and Mario.

Coulombe’s love for drawing began a few years ago during college. While at Disneyland, she visited the animation station and drew Mickey Mouse with a Disney artist. She had no idea her newfound passion would become a highlight of her day at work.

“Being in the hospital can be super scary for children and seeing the characters and familiar faces for a brief moment can bring comfort,” Coulombe said. “For many kids who are having anxiety being in a new place with new people, the art flips the switch and lets them focus on something else.”

Her masterpieces have brought smiles to more than patients and passersby – they are a much-anticipated part of her coworkers’ days. Many of them have young children and have ideas for the next drawing. The team takes part in polls with three options to vote on. Coulombe says it has become a bonding moment for the whole unit.

“I feel like I can make a difference even in the small things like this,” Coulombe said. “It gives a more personal touch to the patient families’ experience and hopefully adds a little magic to their days.”

Today, Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper launched a new testing and diagnostic service that allows children experiencing seizures to receive care closer to their homes and communities. The test, called continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, reads electrical activity in the brain and is an essential tool for detecting and diagnosing a seizure disorder. 

Prosper resident and father of two, Kevin Greene knows all too well the challenges of having to leave your community to seek medical care and how that impacts a family. In February, the vice president and administrator at Cook Children’s – Prosper, Greene and his wife Christy, took their 9-month-old son Matthew to the emergency department at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth after he experienced what appeared to be a seizure episode at their home.

The Greenes began to notice symptoms in Matthew a couple of weeks prior to the event and consulted with Damian Campbell, D.O., a Prosper-based pediatric neurologist and member of Cook Children’s Physician Network.

“We took Matthew to see Dr. Campbell, who is amazing, and we were watching his condition closely, but following this episode he encouraged us to go to our medical center in Fort Worth for further evaluation,” Greene said. “Our medical center in Prosper was open, but I knew we did not offer continuous EEG monitoring at the time and would not be able to provide the appropriate services to be able to monitor and capture what was happening. Upon arriving in Fort Worth, Matthew was examined in the emergency department where he was ultimately admitted to our epilepsy monitoring unit.”

The new EEG monitoring service at Cook Children’s – Prosper is made possible through collaboration with the Neurosciences team in Fort Worth, an effort that began months before Greene and his family had their own emergency.

Patients experiencing a potential seizure are admitted to the inpatient unit at Cook Children’s – Prosper where an EEG technician sets up mobile monitoring equipment and attaches monitoring electrodes to the patient’s scalp. The test livestreams to clinicians in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth for observation and reading. The monitoring process typically takes at least 24 hours and requires an overnight stay in the hospital.

“This is a relationship that we've been working on for multiple months with the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health team in Fort Worth led by M. Scott Perry, M.D., head of Neurosciences and Cynthia Keator, M.D., Medical Director of Neurology,” Greene said. “It is another great example of how the children and families we care for at Cook Children’s – Prosper will have the full weight and expertise of the entire health care system behind them.”

Several obstacles were overcome to make this remote monitoring service a reality, including building the technological infrastructure to support high-speed and secure data-sharing channels between the two medical centers for real-time monitoring of the patient’s EEG patterns and events.

“We’ve been fortunate to have the support of our main campus while we grow and bring various systems online,” said neurologist Damian Campbell, D.O. of Cook Children’s – Prosper. “Their support has offered us an opportunity to really plan out our own approach here in Prosper. We’re excited to now be able to provide continuous EEG monitoring to our community; another step forward toward our promise of delivering the highest quality care to every child in our care and communities.”

Communication and collaboration protocols between the monitoring team in Fort Worth and clinical team members in Prosper were established to coordinate care activities, share essential information and maintain seamless operations during the monitoring process. 

“The project's success can be attributed to the dedication, expertise, and commitment of professionals from Cook Children's in Prosper and Fort Worth working together to achieve a common goal of providing the best possible care for patients,” said Rickey Ross, manager of the Neurodiagnostics Lab at Cook Children’s – Fort Worth. “Not only does this enhance access to specialized care and more timely interventions for kids in Prosper and the surrounding communities, but it offers convenience and comfort for patients and families, promotes knowledge sharing and optimizes resource utilization, all of which ultimately improve patient outcomes and well-being.”

Monitoring technicians in Fort Worth and nurses in Prosper underwent comprehensive training and education to prepare to support the service. 

“Our nurses and clinical care team members at Cook Children’s – Prosper are excited to be able to care for patient’s needing this critical service,” said Sheralyn Hartline, RN, assistant vice president of nursing and patient care at Cook Children’s – Prosper. “Through the collaboration with our medical team in Fort Worth, we are forever changing the way families are able to access world-class pediatric neurological services close to home.”

“Our family is truly grateful for the amazing care and kindness that was provided to our son during our time in Fort Worth,” Greene said. “It brings me great joy knowing we are now able to extend the same high-quality care and experience to our families seeking care at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper.”

By Eline Wiggins and Sydney Hanes. Video by Tom Riehm.

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.

“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.”

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.

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

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.

“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.

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!”

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

Story by Jean Yaeger. Video by Tom Riehm.

When she was an elementary school student, LaQuatre Rhodes, D.O. had a passion for science projects and a big goal: to become a doctor.

“Your experience at the pediatrician's office is one that either excites you as a kid or makes you nervous,” said Dr. Rhodes, pediatric gastroenterologist. “I would be excited because I knew I was probably going to get a little treat, and I liked all the things that were happening there.”

That same enthusiasm carries over these days in her practice at Cook Children’s Specialty Clinics in Prosper. As she treats children and teens who have GI issues - diseases and disorders of the digestive system – Dr. Rhodes provides medical expertise and an example for aspiring physicians. She often notices a special look of recognition and wonders on the faces of her Black patients when they meet her in the exam room. Feeling at ease, those patients will approach her in very close contact.

“It’s just the exposure. It’s a joy and humbling to know that seeing someone who looks like you makes you feel more comfortable,” she said. “Some of them will let me know that they want to be a doctor. Seeing me definitely helps to put that in reality for them.”

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), about 5% of physicians in the United States identify as Black or African American, like Dr. Rhodes. That proportion could increase as medical school demographics shift. The AAMC reports that 11.3% of students entering med school in 2021-2022 cited Black or African American race or ethnicity, up from 9.5% the previous year.

As we celebrate Black History Month in February, Cook Children’s wants to salute Dr. Rhodes and everyone who brings diverse representation and voices of advocacy to health care.

“You can be the face of change you want to see by going into a field where you’re a minority,” said Dr. Rhodes, who never encountered a Black pediatrician growing up in Shreveport, La. “Having a seat at the table and more diversity is what changes the field and allows people to see things from a different lens.”

Path to her Goal

Science was Dr. Rhodes’ favorite subject, stemming early on from her participation in science fair competitions. One of her projects measured the effects of antacids (Rolaids, Tums etc.) on indigestion; as a fourth-grader, she already showed a preference for GI topics. Dr. Rhodes took Advanced Placement courses in high school. But academics wasn’t her only love … ballet, student council and sports also kept her busy.

Dr. Rhodes gives credit to her mother for modeling the core values of perseverance and hard work. Even though her mother was 18 when Dr. Rhodes was born, she was determined to achieve higher education. She was the first in the family to graduate from college and obtain a master’s degree.

“I was raised by a single mother who always instilled in me to reach for the stars, to be bold, be brave, and dare to be different,” Dr. Rhodes said. “Everything I learned, everything that has driven me to be very independent and focused, has come from her.”

She also volunteered at a free health care clinic where she saw the need for greater access to care. Her aspiration grew even stronger when she saw several slightly older Black acquaintances from her hometown enter medical school.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Baylor University and a master’s in biology from Louisiana Tech University. A summer program allowed her to shadow physicians, go to an anatomy lab, and preview other facets of medical careers.

But the MCAT tripped her up. Dr. Rhodes took the medical college admission test three times before scoring high enough to submit an application. She cites the MCAT as her biggest hurdle. “Once I got in, I was able to soar” at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she earned her medical degree.

While on a clinical rotation at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Rhodes crossed paths with a pediatric resident named Anthony Anani, M.D. Fast forward several years, and Dr. Anani was medical director for Clinical Services at Cook Children’s Medical Center reaching out to Dr. Rhodes about job openings in Prosper. Dr. Rhodes joined Cook Children’s in August 2022 as Dr. Anani’s colleague in pediatric gastroenterology.

Helping Sick Kids Get Better

Dr. Rhodes enjoys working with adults as well as children. But she decided to focus on pediatrics because of the resilience of children.

“Children are just pure joy,” she said, “and when they're sick, you want to make them well. And when they're doing well, it's a rewarding, humbling feeling.”

Her love for the human digestive system developed in part from research on the livers of rats that were fed various diets. The structure and function of the GI tract key parts – including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver and pancreas – fascinate Dr. Rhodes.  As she puts it: “All roads end up leading to GI.”

Reflux and constipation are common concerns for the patients she sees. More complicated cases include inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease, and unexplained vomiting/nausea and bleeding. Dr. Rhodes provides biopsies, endoscopies, colonoscopies and other services.

Finding Inspiration

Dr. Rhodes points to Dr. Rebecca Crumpler as a health care pioneer for her achievement in 1864 as the first Black female physician in the United States. Dr. Rhodes predicts the physician workforce will continue to become more diverse. Cognizant of the opportunity to influence future doctors, she makes herself available to young people seeking reassurance about medical school.

One of Dr. Rhodes’ favorite quotes embodies her philosophy of pursuing your goal even in the midst of challenges: "Every dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." – Harriet Tubman

“That quote just really inspires and motivates you to want to be great and to dream big. It gives you the inspiration that it's possible, and to embrace things that come along the way.”

Many counties in North Texas are under an Ice Storm Warning or a Winter Storm Warning. Travel conditions are expected to worsen as additional sleet and freezing rain deteriorates roads areawide. Travel is NOT recommended, according to the National Weather Service. Delay or plan alternate routes for travel. Slow down when driving and allow for additional travel time.

Ice has the potential to accumulate on trees and power lines Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Prepare for tree limb breakage and localized power outages in this region.

Dozens of Cook Children’s staff members are preparing for another night of winter weather. About 70 employees are expected to spend a second night at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Fort Worth to ensure they’re ready to take care of the children who need them tomorrow.  

In addition, our facilities crews have worked all day to make sure the roads and sidewalks around the Fort Worth and Prosper hospitals are safe. And our food services and environmental services teams are going above and beyond to make sure everyone working through the storm has clean sheets and warm meals. We are grateful for each and every one of them!

Take these tips from MedStar on what a winter weather plan should include:

• Make sure that you have important phone numbers, including your health care providers, pharmacy, and veterinarian.
• Assure you have enough medication for several days on hand.
• If you rely on medical devices in your home, have a backup plan in case you lose power for an extended period of time, such as a backup generator or battery pack and backup oxygen bottles.
• Have a communication plan for your family.
• Know how to get reliable information during the storm.
• Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power.

Carbon Monoxide

If the power does go out, be very cautious of carbon monoxide.

During the Texas winter storm in February 2021, Cook Children’s treated 13 patients for carbon monoxide poisoning in one night. Sam Selby, D.O., worked the overnight shift in the emergency department on Feb. 15, 2021 and saw families use propane or diesel-burning engines that are meant for outside use with adequate ventilation.

Dr. Selby described how families used generators inside or too close to their homes or garages to keep warm. Generators emit fumes and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Carbon monoxide poisoning prevents your blood from being able to bind to or carry oxygen. You suffocate while you are still breathing,” Dr. Selby explained. 

Here are some additional ways to keep your family safe during this time:

• Don’t use anything such as a BBQ grill or propane tank to heat your home.
• Don’t run a vehicle inside of a garage attached to your home.
• Don’t heat your home with a gas oven or stovetop.
• Don’t burn charcoal inside your home. 
• Do seek medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Do ensure the carbon monoxide detectors in your home are properly functioning and installed in areas that will wake you if it alarms.
• Do check for local resources, such as warming shelters, to keep your family safe. 

Coats & Car Seats

Don’t strap your children into their car seats with their heavy coats on. In a crash, padding from a coat or thick layers will flatten out, leaving room under the car seat harness. This increases the risk of a child slipping through the straps and being thrown from the car seat. Instead, dress your child in thin layers. Once buckled up, slip the coat on backward with the sleeves on the child’s arms. This way, the coat acts as a blanket and doesn’t affect the fit of the harness.

Pack an emergency bag for your car. It’s a good idea to have blankets, warm clothing, hats, and gloves available in case you become stuck in winter weather. You’ll also want to have nonperishable snacks packed away.

Dressing Warmly

When Outside

• Make sure newborns are dressed appropriately. "A good rule of thumb is to dress newborns in as many layers as you're wearing," said Diane Arnaout, M.D., Cook Children’s Medical Advisor for Digital Health. "That includes covering their heads, hands and feet. Those areas can lose a lot of heat and be harder to keep warm."
• For the most warmth, dress your little ones in wool instead of cotton. Essential winter items include hats and gloves, as well as sweatshirts or T-shirts that can be layered under overcoats or jackets.
• Blue skin, shivering and a cool chest and stomach are signs that children may be dangerously cold. If you see these signs, take action immediately to get kids out of the cold. Seek immediate medical attention if you're not able to warm your body.

Recognizing Hypothermia

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, "is a dangerous condition that can occur when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures." To learn more about the warning signs of hypothermia, click on this site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Warning signs for adults include:

• Shivering, exhaustion
• Confusion, fumbling hands
• Memory loss, slurred speech drowsiness

Infants:

• Bright red, cold skin
• Very low energy

Victims of hypothermia can include babies sleeping in cold rooms.

For Kevin Greene, business is personal.

Every day that he walks into work as vice president and administrator at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper, his two young sons are on his mind. Greene sees them in every face he encounters throughout the corridors of North Texas’ newest pediatric hospital. They are what makes Cook Children’s Promise to improve the well-being of every child in its care and communities a personal mission, just like he’d want it for his own children.

“I look at every child that comes through these doors like it's one of my boys, and I think that’s not just unique to me,” Greene said. “Everyone here thinks that way. It’s what I’ve always loved about Cook Children’s.”

Greene’s path to leadership at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper began with an internship while on summer break from Abilene Christian University where he studied business administration and biology. His plans back then were to work in medical device or pharmaceutical sales, but a Cook Children’s internship opened his eyes and his heart to the possibility of a much different calling — a career in hospital administration.

“I was just trying to learn more about the industry,” Greene said. “Cook Children’s gave me the opportunity to do a six-week internship in operations and then a six-week internship on the clinical side. I was able to really get the sense of what it means to be a part of an organization where every person I met loved being a member of the Cook Children’s family and were aligned in their commitment towards our Promise.”

That was the first of two summer internships he’d complete at Cook Children’s, followed later by a full-time position in the Information Services department as a project coordinator. In 2013, Greene left Cook Children’s to attend Trinity University where he completed a master’s degree in health care administration and was awarded the coveted Community Health Systems’ full tuition scholarship given to a single individual in each graduating class. The scholarship also guarantees the recipient a residency upon graduation.

That led to multiple administrative leadership roles in various hospitals throughout Texas. Then, two roads converged. Cook Children’s set a path for the development of a medical campus in Prosper, opening the door for a new administrative leadership opportunity. For Greene, the time was right to return to the health system where it all began.

“I always knew I wanted to come back to Cook Children’s,” he said. “I didn't know if that was going to be 20 years or two years, but if there was one place that I was going to pick up for in a moment's notice, it was Cook Children’s. That's what brought my family to Prosper, and it's been so exciting to be a part of this journey for the last three and a half years.”

As a native of Fort Worth, the sight of Cook Children’s signature blue peaks are etched into his memory — literally and figuratively.

“I have a scar on my head that was stitched up in the Cook Children’s emergency department,” Greene said laughing about a childhood injury. “It's a reminder of the full circle moment this is for me. I’ve gone from being a patient at Cook Children’s all of those years ago to now being a father of two who trusts Cook Children’s with my own kids’ health care, and I get the honor of working for a system that has always held a special place in my heart.”

Now Greene is making history under a new set of blue peaks as he leads the administrative team at Cook Children’s newest medical campus. It is only the second time in the health system’s more than 104-year history that it has opened a new medical center, connecting the world-class pediatric care Cook Children’s is known for to families living on the northeast side of the Metroplex, East Texas, and all the way up to the Red River and beyond.

Greene isn’t just working in Prosper. He settled his family there just minutes from the medical center and immersed himself in Prosper community life. Greene is the president-elect of the board of directors for the Prosper Chamber of Commerce, a member of the board of directors for Prosper ISD’s Education Foundation and a member of the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife, Christy, have been married for seven years. The two met at church, and their faith remains the cornerstone of their lives.

“Faith is something that has always been at the core of who we are individually and was the primary component that ultimately brought us together,” he said. “Through all of the ups and downs, our faith has always been our guide. I’m so grateful for the paths God set before us, even the difficult ones, because I know he used them to lead us here.”

Greene’s sons are 5 years old and 6 months old. Like with every young family, balancing it all is a challenge. He credits his wife, Christy, with any success they have in keeping the wheels turning. An avid runner, he often makes the Prosper campus a part of his running path. Greene is proud to work for an organization he says connects the dots between personal and family life and a strong and healthy workforce.

“The beauty of the Cook Children’s family is we are all so intentional in our work, but there's also this balance organizationally where leadership supports and encourages the importance of being present with our own families,” he said. “To have an organization and leadership that supports these values is invaluable in today’s environment.”

Everything for the child

Greene looks forward to serving alongside the 550 team members at the Prosper campus. Together, they will steward Cook Children’s long legacy and keep its Promise to improve the care and well-being of every child in its care and communities.

“In my role, I'm centrally focused on several key areas,” Greene said. “Organizationally, working with our leadership team to create an environment where every child and family member that steps foot on our campus receives world-class pediatric care and a world-class experience. While at the same time building on our culture where our physicians, nurses and support team member feel supported, served and cared for.”

Take a virtual tour of the new Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper and view images from the ribbon cutting event.

at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 9. Our team members in Prosper have already served patients in the community under Cook Children’s signature blue peaks.

Larger than life-size digital displays, storybook murals, walking paths that invite exploration and play, and spaces bathed in every color of the rainbow — it’s what childhood daydreams and imaginations are made of. These are also a few of the moments of magic kids and their families will feel, see and experience when they walk through the doors of the new Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper.

Ten-month-old Faylinn Harris was the first patient at Prosper. Her mother, Tionne Harris, said she was relieved to have the medical center so close to where they live.

“It makes me feel 10 times better about everything, especially considering it's right down the street, so this is just great," Tionne said. “The people who took care of her did a really great job and they were really nice.”

The 23-acre Cook Children’s campus in Prosper is the culmination of a multi-year expansion project into the rapidly growing northern region of the state. Cook Children’s began developing the health care landscape in the area in 2019 with the opening of an urgent care center and several area primary care offices, followed by a medical office building and outpatient surgery center in 2020.

Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper is the next step in supporting those services and serving families in Prosper and the surrounding communities. It brings world-class medical care from Fort Worth closer to the homes of children living in the northern sector of the Metroplex. We are honored to be able to offer families the care they’ve come to expect and trust from Cook Children’s but in a location closer to their neighborhoods where they have the support structure of family, friends and community.

We are so excited about the opening of the new medical center and want to thank everyone for their hard work in making today a reality.

Go here to view the open positions we're excited to fill in Prosper.

RELATED STORIES: The Cook Children's Story: A New Chapter Unfolds in Prosper

Cook Children’s Unveils New Medical Center in Prosper, Blending Technology with Moments of Magic 

Larger than life-size digital displays, storybook murals, walking paths that invite exploration and play, and spaces bathed in every color of the rainbow — it’s what childhood daydreams and imaginations are made of. These are also a few of the moments of magic kids and their families will feel, see and experience when they walk through the doors of the new Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper.

The medical center opens to the community on Monday, Jan. 9, at 8 a.m., and is ready to serve those from Prosper and beyond seeking care under Cook Children’s signature blue peaks.

The 23-acre Cook Children’s campus in Prosper is the culmination of a multi-year expansion project into the rapidly growing northern region of the state. Cook Children’s began developing the health care landscape in the area in 2019 with the opening of an urgent care center and several area primary care offices, followed by a medical office building and outpatient surgery center in 2020. The medical center will support these existing services 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 beds; and two floors of shell space that allow for growth to meet the future needs of the community.

“Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper is the next step in supporting those services and serving families in Prosper and the surrounding communities,” said Rick W. Merrill, president and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System. “It brings world-class medical care from Fort Worth closer to the homes of children living in the northern sector of the Metroplex. We’re very excited to be able to offer families the care they’ve come to expect and trust from Cook Children’s but in a location closer to their neighborhoods where they have the support structure of family, friends and community resources.”

A Leading Legacy

Those who know the heritage of Cook Children’s say that while construction of the Prosper campus took several years, it’s actually been generations in the making.

“Multiple generations have built Cook Children’s,” said Kevin Greene, vice president and administrator, Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper. “We have a nearly 105-year history of dedicated doctors, nurses and support staff caring for children. We are stewards of that history, and I believe that is one of the key components that differentiates Cook Children’s from other pediatric health care systems. Being able to provide top-tier pediatric care with a world-class experience is a product of our century old legacy and the generations that came before us.”

The patient and visitor experience was paramount when it came to creating the building’s blueprint. Each space of the facility is designed with everything for the child in mind.

In the main entrance, guests are welcomed by a Sistine Chapel-like painting of cartoonish flying cows — a nod to Cook Children’s Cowtown roots — a giant digital wall, and a tile motif of a tree whose color-coded falling leaves create a kid-friendly and interactive wayfinding trail to the emergency department in one direction and outpatient services in the other. At each stop in their journey through the facility, kids and their families are greeted with spaces that invite imagination, discovery, play and rest in a way that connects the dots between their ideal experience at Cook Children’s and the health care they receive along the way.

“If I had to pick one of my favorite aspects of the medical center, it's the initial presentation our families experience when they walk in our front doors,” Greene said. “It’s so focused on that child’s experience, and everything has been designed with the child in mind. You feel like you're in a special place. We were very intentional with that. I can't wait for the community to experience and understand who we are in that first moment when they walk in.”

Critical Additions

The medical center's 10-bed emergency department adds much-needed emergency care beds to the area in a time when many pediatric emergency departments are overflowing from an unprecedented season of viral illnesses. Over the next several months, Cook Children’s anticipates opening an additional 10 emergency department beds to support the emergency care needs of children.

Anticipating future growth, a total of four operating rooms have been built and equipped to keep kids close to home when they need surgery. Two will open with the medical center on Jan. 9. The remaining two will open in the future as the community and its needs grow. Each operating room is equipped with technology that allows for real-time remote viewing and physician collaboration with colleagues at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth if needed. This gives Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper patients and families the advantage of the health system’s full network of world-class physicians and surgeons.

“I’m really excited about the technology built into this campus, and I like the fact that physicians and providers were involved in the design process from day one,” said Tony Anani, M.D., MPH, MBA, gastroenterologist and Medical Director of Clinical Specialties at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper. “There are some features that we’re really going to enjoy while practicing medicine. One of them is the ability for doctors to beam into our surgery and our endoscopy suites. So all our partners in Fort Worth have the ability to help us with their brain trust for difficult patients up here without us having to move the child downtown, and that would not have been possible without the technology and without it being designed into the building.”

Patients awaiting surgery are prepped in one of 12 private pre-operative exam rooms. A surgery waiting area provides private space for families to wait while a child undergoes a procedure.

Until now, children in Prosper and throughout the northern region needing intravenous infusion therapy would have to travel to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth or to Dallas. A dedicated infusion center at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper will now bring this critical service close to home for our families. In addition, a specialty procedure area, also referred to as the SPA, has three procedure rooms for gastroenterologists, pulmonologists and ear, nose and throat specialists. The SPA is designed so that physicians can easily work together on difficult cases.

Supporting each of these services is an imaging center equipped with all of the imaging and diagnostic technology needed to provide advanced care for pediatric patients.

Each inpatient room includes a 65-inch television that can integrate with the patient and family’s personal devices. The television serves as an interactive hub for anything the patient may need, from ordering food to entertainment to connecting and consulting with Cook Children’s specialty physicians at the medical center in Fort Worth if needed.

“We're not just Cook Children's – Prosper. We're part of the integrated health care system,” Greene said. “When a family is cared for on our campus or in one of our clinics, they will have the full weight of the entire Cook Children’s Health Care System behind them. From our home health division, to our health plan and physician network made up of more than 800 physicians and providers, our families can rest easy knowing they now have access to one of the nation’s largest integrated pediatric health care systems focused entirely on their child's care.”

Welcoming New Talent

In addition to its technology, infrastructure and patient experience, Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper is attracting trailblazing medical talent and bringing more than 500 jobs to the community. Trailblazers like Kanika Bowen-Jallow, M.D., a pediatric surgeon at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper, and only the ninth Black female pediatric surgeon in the United States. Also, Dr. Anani, who was the first physician hired at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper when all administrators had to show him was an empty parcel of land and a vision. Both Dr. Bowen-Jallow and Dr. Anani shared Cook Children’s vision and have been instrumental in the development of the Prosper campus and its services.

“Cook Children’s is hiring,” Dr. Anani said. “That’s an infusion into the economy of Prosper and the surrounding area. We're hiring people that truly care about providing care for the children in our community. I'm really excited about this because I live in Prosper. My kids go to the schools here in Prosper, and I'm happy that we'll have the care we need nearby. What’s good for kids is good for the community, including the local economy.”

Go here to view the open positions we're excited to fill in Prosper.

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Starting in February, a nationwide recall affected the supply of infant formula. Parents and caregivers were searching for information to help during the shortage.

2.     Right Time, Right Place: Long-Lost Brother and Sister Brought Together at Cook Children’s

In August, we shared the heartwarming story of Cook Children’s very own Raymond Turner and how a Christmas present of a DNA kit led him to a sister who he never knew he had. His half-sister, Christina Sadberry, has been bringing her son to Cook Children’s for seven years. Go here to watch the reunion video.

3.     Does My Baby Need His Tongue-Tie Cut?

Dr. Diane received questions from parents about cutting their baby’s tongue ties, the thin band of skin underneath your tongue. She wrote this article after discussing the procedure with many different experts, including a dentist, lactation consultant, speech language pathologist, and an ear-nose-throat physician.

4.     Asking for Some Grace: Cook Children’s Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centers Overwhelmed

Cook Children’s Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centers were overwhelmed with patients starting with the back-to-school season.

5.     Accidental Ingestion of Marijuana in Babies and Toddlers More Than Doubled in 2021

The number of babies and toddlers who screened positive for marijuana in the Emergency Department (ED) at Cook Children’s more than doubled in 2021 from the previous year.

6.     Ongoing Issue: Cook Children’s Desperately Asking for Community’s Help

Cook Children’s continued to be overwhelmed with patients concerned with COVID-19 and upper respiratory infections, like colds.

7.     Cook Children’s Unveil New Medical Center in Prosper, Blending Technology with Moments of Magic

For the first time in 100 years, Cook Children’s cut the ribbon and debuted a new Medical Center. The state-of-the-art facility was built with everything for the child in mind, including what they'll see and experience as they make their way through the facility. Go here to look inside the new hospital.

8.     Emotional Reunion: Suicide-Attempt Survivor Returns to Cook Children’s to Thank Medical Team

Payton Singh survived a suicide attempt when she was 12 years old. In August, she reunited with members of the medical team at Cook Children’s who helped her on her journey back to health.

9.     Does My Child Have Allergies, COVID, a Cold or the Flu?

A runny nose and cough could point to a few things. We broke down how parents might get a better idea of what their child is suffering from.

10.  Uvalde School Shooting: Cook Children’s Doctors, Experts Share How Parents can Discuss Tragedy, Support Their Children

In the wake of the Uvalde school shooting, our doctors and pediatricians gathered to discuss how parents can help their children after a tragedy.

The state-of-the-art facility was built with everything for the child in mind, including what they'll see and experience as they make their way through the facility. Spaces are bathed in every color of the rainbow. Storybook murals meant to capture and stoke the imaginations of children define many spaces.

In the main entrance, guests are welcomed by a Sistine Chapel-like painting of flying cows — a nod to Cook Children's Cowtown roots — a massive video wall and a tile motif of a tree whose color-coded falling leaves guide visitors to the emergency department in one direction and outpatient services in the other.

“This is an extraordinary time in our almost 105-year history in North Texas,” said Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System. “Families in this fast-growing region can take comfort in knowing there’s no need to drive long distances to see board-certified pediatricians, specialists, intensivists, hospitalists, and emergency medical doctors. Their child’s medical needs can be met right here by our outstanding team in Prosper.”

Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper includes an emergency department, operating and procedure rooms, pediatric ICU, medical/surgical unit, outpatient infusion center, imaging services, retail pharmacy, laboratory services, and pharmacy services.

With thousands of families moving to this area of North Texas each month, the need for quality pediatric health care is evident. Cook Children’s has already served more than 260,000 children through its 17 primary-care clinics located in this booming region, which includes Prosper, Aubrey, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Denton, Celina, Frisco, Little Elm, Flower Mound, and Carrollton.

“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,” said Kevin Greene, Vice President and Administrator at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper. “When your child needs world-class pediatric care, we’re here – whether it’s primary, urgent or emergency care, or treatment for a chronic condition. You can trust our team to take care of you and your child’s every need.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper coincides with a new look for the health care system. This month, Cook Children’s unveiled a new logo and a culture platform to reinforce its commitment to its patients and community. Patient families in the Prosper area can expect to experience the same culture of kindness, safety, and compassion they’ve come to know from Cook Children’s.

Cook Children’s has long been recognized as a leader in pediatric health. In fact, US News & World Report has ranked Cook Children’s among the best children’s hospitals in the United States every year for the past 15 years. In 2022, Cook Children’s earned recognition for cancer treatment, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology.

Many of these medical specialties are currently available at Cook Children’s Prosper campus, which opened in 2019 with urgent care and primary care services. A medical office building was added in 2020 providing access to 14 specialties including:

• Cardiology
• Ear, Nose and Throat
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Hematology and Oncology
• Nephrology
• Neurosurgery
• Psychology
• Sleep Medicine
• Urology
• Neurology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Pulmonology
• Sports Medicine

An ambulatory surgery center for outpatient procedures, outpatient lab, and retail pharmacy are also located in the medical office building. By the end of the year, 549 medical professionals and ancillary staff will work at the Prosper medical campus. 

“Cook Children’s is known nationally and internationally for its world class patient care, leading clinical research and medical advancements,” said Tony Anani, M.D., MPH, MBA, gastroenterologist and Medical Director of Clinical Specialties at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper. “I’m proud to be part of this incredible organization that truly embodies the motto, “Everything for the child.”

Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper also showcases the best available medical technology including features directly related to patient satisfaction. For example, if a patient in the hospital needs to see a specialist at Cook Children’s Fort Worth campus, they can visit virtually through the in-room TV.

In addition, the MyCookChildrens app provides patient families access to wayfinding, information about their care team, and daily schedule, to name a few. Another perk of the Prosper campus is Peaks Tech Zone. Similar to Apple’s Genius Bar, Peaks Tech Zone provides families access to health technology advocates who can assist with setup and support for their child’s medical device and/or MyCookChildren’s account.

Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper marks the first hospital Cook Children’s has built outside of the flagship medical campus in Fort Worth.

Media partners: If you are interested in telling this story, please contact Public Relations Manager Kim Brown at Kim.Brown3@cookchildrens.org or at 682-885-1080, 817-266-3728

But for those whose gaming experiences consisted of Pac-Man at the local arcade, technology isn’t so intuitive. For many, it can feel like a barrier in a world where everything from ordering takeout to scheduling a visit with a physician are increasingly pushed to online platforms. Learning to use these innovations can be intimidating and overwhelming.

Add a new medical diagnosis into the mix and the digital devices required for care can complicate an already difficult circumstance, whether you are tech savvy or not. 

Cook Children’s Health Care System is hoping to change that with an inventive new service called Peaks Tech Zone, which opened its doors at Cook Children’s Pediatric Specialties - Prosper on October 1.

"We believe it’s the first of its kind in Texas," said Matthew Albers, assistant vice president of digital experience at Cook Children's. “We haven't seen any other pediatric locations with a space like this."

Peaks Tech Zone is a cross between a technology lounge and in-person help desk, complete with a self-service space and a consultation area for one-on-one assistance from a health technology advocate, or techspert. It’s a place where families can get guided, hands-on experience with devices and online applications recommended for their child’s care. Techsperts are on hand to teach parents and patients how to access and use these tools to better manage their health and personal health information. They’ll help Tech Zone visitors do everything from setting up their MyCookChildren’s patient portal so they can view their child’s medical chart to syncing their personal technology to medical devices and apps recommended by their child’s physician. Visitors can also learn how to utilize virtual care, telemedicine services and any new Cook Children’s innovation that helps them meet the health needs of their family.

A 98-inch digital coloring wall featuring the story of Cook Children’s beloved mascot, Peaks the dragon, gives kids a fun and creative activity to keep their attention while parents and caregivers work with techsperts. A technology-to-go vending machine allows families to purchase commonly forgotten devices such as earbuds, charging cables, personal gaming systems and tablets to make their hospital visit as comfortable as possible. Consumer-grade medical devices approved by Cook Children’s - Prosper specialists as potentially helpful in the management of a child’s care are also available for families to purchase from the vending machine.

Evan Wilkerson is Cook Children’s first ever health technology manager. Think of him as a personal technology guide whose focus is helping patients marry health care with the digital applications and devices that will help them along their health journey.

“I spent a long time working for a well-known technology company,” Wilkerson said. “That really helped me find what drives and motivates me, and that's truly helping others around me get the most out of themselves and their technology. What really drew me here was being able to provide these positive outcomes for our patients who may have just gotten some pretty bad or life-altering news. Anything that I can do to help support the community and make those outcomes better for them, that's what I'm here for.”

Peaks Tech Zone is the result of a Cook Children’s strategic initiative to create a digital experience for families that enhances their journey through the health system and empowers them with tools that help improve their health.

“We already know our families feel taken care of from a clinical standpoint,” said Lesley Wager, digital products manager at Cook Children’s. “But we want to make sure that they never feel abandoned from a technology standpoint. Peaks Tech Zone was designed to fill that gap.” 

Physicians often recommend to patients digital devices necessary for managing their disease, like in the case of diabetes, where using a glucometer to test and track glucose levels is a must. Traditionally, patients have had to manually test and keep written logs of their levels to know the amount of medication they need to maintain a healthy blood sugar. Technology has automated this task with glucometers that connect to a smart device with testing and data tracking capabilities. These applications give physicians the ability to easily review their patient’s data, recognize trends in their numbers and use all of that information to make data-informed treatment decisions for the patient.

These are tools that physicians see as critical to patient care and health management but often do not have adequate appointment time or staffing to train families on the ins and outs of their use. 

“If you have a provider who is spending a lot of time trying to just explain the technology, that takes away the opportunities to actually provide the care that they’re trying to give,” said Danika Meyer, EPIC application systems analyst at Cook Children’s. “This space is designed to be the face of the Cook Children’s digital experience so that they can get the tech support they need from our techsperts rather than having clinicians spend time in an office visit doing all of that.”

Over the course of eight months, a team consisting of clinical experts, internal tech partners, finance, construction and facilities personnel, Child Life specialists and Build-a-Bear friends from Cook Children’s main campus in Fort Worth worked together to design Peaks Tech Zone. They relied on feedback from physicians and clinical providers about the help they needed in making digital health tools accessible and usable for their patients.

“One of the most wonderful things about working on this project was the effort, collaboration, and dedication of multiple teams within the organization to fully execute something at this scale on such a short timeline,” Meyer said. “It couldn’t have gone live without the enthusiasm, partnership, and dedication of the multiple people who were integral to this project that also believe so heavily in our Promise.”

The team’s goal was to remove barriers like technology know-how and access with a space dedicated to both.

“I look at it as my responsibility to remove barriers for the customer and to be an extension of the health provider in teaching customers how to use these technical tools,” Wilkerson said. “Whether you're technically literate or not, it's my goal for you to get the most out of whatever application or whatever technology that you're needing to use. We're talking about increasing quality of life and whether you're good at electronics or not, shouldn't be the barrier there.”

It’s a service that levels the playing field in terms of health equity for all patients, whether they have technology at their fingertips or not.

“This isn’t just about technical and health literacy. It’s about health equity, too.” Meyer said. “We see this as an equity tool that helps us make sure these technology based health tools aren’t just available to those that find technology and innovation easily accessible, but to everyone.”

Whether you are a seasoned technology user looking to level up your use of applications that help you better manage your child’s health, or a beginner who needs help setting up an email address and logging onto the MyCookChildren’s patient portal, the Tech Zone is designed for you.

Peaks Tech Zone is currently open to visitors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a break for lunch. Hours will expand as staffing increases. Consultation appointments with a techspert, available both in person and virtually, will be made through physician referral or via walk-in.

For more information about Peaks Tech Zone, log on to peakstechzone.org.

“This topping out ceremony is a symbolic moment of the progress we have made thus far on our new health care campus in the Town of Prosper. Serving families across Collin and Denton counties and beyond, our new medical center is designed with the child in mind,” said Rick W. Merrill, president and CEO of Cook Children’s. “When families enter these doors they can expect an experience that’s completely centered around them. The care that will happen inside and outside these walls will be done with great care and compassion, keeping in mind every need of the child.”

The new inpatient pediatric hospital, of which the final beam was just placed, will open in phases. Phase I will include a 10-bed emergency room with capacity to grow to 22 rooms as needed. The pediatric intensive care unit will have 10 beds and there will be 14 medical/surgical beds. The hospital will also have four operating rooms, three procedure rooms, an infusion center, pharmacy and lab. In addition, Cook Children’s Teddy Bear Transport will provide medical transport services.

“The topping out event marks a major milestone in our Promise to improve the health of every child,” said Kevin Greene, assistant vice president and administrator of Cook Children’s – Prosper. “Through our comprehensive network of urgent care, primary care and specialty care clinics, our Cook Children’s team has already seen more than 160,000 patient visits in the northern region since opening our doors in October 2019. Come December 2022, Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper will be the next chapter in our commitment to bring world-class pediatric care close to home for so many of our patients and families.”

Because Cook Children’s offers so many different services, families don’t have to worry about keeping track of medical records. Our integrated system allows physicians from across the network to access patient records, and even pick up the phone and consult with one another to determine what is best for the patient. Telehealth appointments are another convenient feature offered at the new campus. Using the latest telehealth technology, video equipment and a 65-inch TV, patients at the Prosper campus are able to be seen by their physicians at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth.

Specialty services currently available at Cook Children’s – Prosper include:

• Cardiology
• Ear, Nose and Throat
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Hematology and Oncology 
• Nephrology
• Neurology and neurosurgery 
• Pediatric surgery 
• Pulmonology
• Sports Medicine 
• Urology 
• Psychology 

Cook Children’s will be hiring more than 120 positions for the Prosper medical center, which is expected to open in December 2022.

**You may be wondering why a tree adorned the final beam. The tree is a symbol that signifies construction has reached the sky without the loss of life or injury and is good luck for the future inhabitants of the building. 

"I honestly had never thought about it before because there are so few of us, that’s always been my reality," Bowen-Jallow told "Good Morning America." "You’re just used to that."

Dr. Bowen-Jallow attained her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and earned a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch.

"I wanted to be a cardiothoracic surgeon and then I desired to be a neurosurgeon," Dr. Bowen-Jallow remembered. "Right before I decided to go into pediatric surgery, I wanted to be a plastic surgeon."

She said becoming a pediatric surgeon was an accident, but it was the best accident that could've happened. She also believes it was worth enduring all 17 years of higher education.

"I'd committed to doing plastic surgery and was lining up interviews," she said. "As I signed up for my acting internship (AI), I wanted to do general surgery and was informed there were no more spots available. My only option was pediatric surgery, and within three days I'd changed my career path. I knew pediatric surgery was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."

"Working with children is instant gratification," Dr. Bowen-Jallow explained. "If you perform a good operation, perfect your technique and pay attention to detail. Children will recover well."

Kevin Greene, assistant vice president of Cook Children’s - Prosper, recruited Dr. Bowen-Jallow.

"She’s a great surgeon, she comes from great training and she’s really been able to inspire and connect with families," he told GMA. "She's someone who personally wants to provide the best care for every child that steps foot on our campus."

Read the full story here.

“I loved the game,” Dr. Bowen-Jallow recalled. “I would also play with my doctor kit, and listen to my parents' heartbeats with the stethoscope and take their temperature with my tiny thermometer.”

Just one month into her career at Cook Children’s, Dr. Bowen-Jallow was recently recognized by the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) as the 9th Black female pediatric surgeon in the U.S.

"When the Benjy Brooks committee informed me I’d be recognized for my contributions, I was on cloud nine," Dr. Bowen-Jallow recalled. "When APSA released the recognition to their social media account, it was a wonderful day for everyone to see all of my hard work."

Dr. Benjy Brooks was the first female pediatric surgeon from Texas. Dr. Bowen-Jallow identifies with Brooks' roots and was grateful to receive recognition in her honor. She says credits the recognition to hard work and perseverance.

Hard Work

Dr. Bowen-Jallow attained her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and earned a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch.

"I wanted to be a cardiothoracic surgeon and then I desired to be a neurosurgeon," Dr. Bowen-Jallow remembered. "Right before I decided to go into pediatric surgery, I wanted to be a plastic surgeon."

She said becoming a pediatric surgeon was an accident, but it was the best accident that could've happened. She also believes it was worth enduring all 17 years of higher education.

"I'd committed to doing plastic surgery and was lining up interviews," she said. "As I signed up for my acting internship (AI), I wanted to do general surgery and was informed there were no more spots available. My only option was pediatric surgery, and within three days I'd changed my career path. I knew pediatric surgery was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."

"Working with children is instant gratification," Dr. Bowen-Jallow explained. "If you perform a good operation, perfect your technique and pay attention to detail. Children will recover well."

Dr. Bowen-Jallow also expresses her love for children and admires their resiliency. She enjoys seeing children recover and giving parents peace of mind after an operation.

"It fuels my soul, knowing I’m doing what I’ve been called to do," she said.

Dr. Bowen-Jallow performs surgery on all things from the neck to the pelvis, excluding heart surgery. She also focuses on gastrointestinal surgery and trauma. In her practice, she enjoys researching pediatric health disparities and pediatric obesity. 

Breaking Barriers

Dr. Bowen is proud of her recent recognition. However, she believes it is essential to have minority representation in medicine; being the 9th Black female surgeon is still minimal. 

"There is a sense of sadness knowing how many others like me could have attained more, without implicit bias in the world; and if minority students weren’t underrepresented in medical school," she explained.

Dr. Bowen-Jallow agrees culturally things have changed significantly, but there is still work to be done to get everyone on an equitable playing field. She recalls growing up, seeing very few women surgeons, and not ever seeing a Black pediatric surgeon before residency.

"It is important to have diversity within the medical system, so people know anything you put your mind to is attainable,” Dr. Bowen-Jallow said.

Dr. Bowen-Jallow advises young professionals who want to follow in her footsteps. 

"You have to know where you come from and where you're going. You must set yourself up for success," Dr. Bowen-Jallow explains.

However, for minorities, she believes the advice has to differ because of the adversities they face.

"There is implicit bias. It's not fair and it's not right," Dr. Bowen-Jallow said. "You always have to do better, know more, and perform better so you can stand out among your peers."

Dr. Bowen-Jallow recalls a time in high school where she was written off and told she would never be successful. She remembers that moment being the push she needed any time she wanted to give up.

"My calculus teacher told me I would never be a physician because I wasn't good at math," Dr. Bowen-Jallow said. "That still sticks with me today. Once I got into medical school, I wrote that teacher a note and dropped it off at the school so he could realize the power of his words."

Outside of the Operating Room

When Dr. Bowen-Jallow isn't in the operating room, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 14 years and her children, ages 3 and 5. She credits her husband for standing by her side through numerous years of education and being the family's backbone.

"I couldn't do any of this without the help of my husband," she said. "He has always supported my dreams and supports the late nights and early mornings on the job. My career wouldn't be possible without him."

The family recently relocated to Prosper, Texas, where Dr. Bowen-Jallow will practice full-time once the new Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper opens next fall.

To decompress, she and her family enjoy running, biking, and other outdoor activities.

"Having young children of my own, I understand the trust and faith that my patients' families place in me every day," Dr. Bowen-Jallow expressed. "Knowing this, I adhere to the golden rule by treating every family the way I would want my own family treated." 

Operation is no longer a game for Dr. Bowen-Jallow. Changing the lives of children, one surgery at a time, is now her reality.

"There are a lot of patients who need specialized care or even higher levels of care and it’s really important that in this rapidly growing community that we have that available to these families," said Dr. Hogan, pediatricitian at Cook Children's Pediatrics Prosper Trail.

Dr. Hogan is one of 24 Cook Children's pediatricians currently treating patients in this region of North Texas. She says patients like hers need a place to access specialized and emergency pediatric care without having to drive 30 minutes to an hour away from home.

"A lot families have hardships and are not able to drive that far, or take off work all the time to go to these visits, and having this inpatient hospital and specialized care right her will make it easier for all the families," Dr. Hogan explained.

Construction of Cook Children's Medical Center North is in the initial phases with plans to have a full service hospital completed in 2022. The new hospital will be located on a 23-acre site in Prosper at Windsong Parkway and Highway 380. Having started in October of last year, phase one is already underway with plans to open a primary and urgent care clinic in the fall. An outpatient surgery center and specialty clinic with imaging and lab services will open in 2020.

"I'm really excited about the hospital opening up and being able to refer my patients to specialists, right here in Prosper, and being able to send my patients to get the specialized care that they need, having higher levels of care right across town," said Dr. Hogan. "I think that is going to be really wonderful for the families here."

Currently, Cook Children’s operates eight primary care offices in and around the Town of Prosper. The expansion near Windsong Ranch marks the first time in Cook Children's 101 year history that a full-service hospital has been built outside of Fort Worth.

"Just like the Town of Prosper is family, a close knit community, so is Cook Children’s," said Dr. Hogan. "We are all here wanting your children to be healthy and do better in life and be able to get the care they need to grow up to be happy and healthy adults."