Cook Children's Pediatrics Aubrey

11/11/2025

Kristen Pyrc, M.D. and Wini King welcome a truly inspiring mother-daughter duo to the : Emerson Bucci and her mother, Ashlee. In an episode that celebrates the power of the human spirit, they share Emerson's incredible journey of survival and recovery.

In August 2024, at just 12 years old, Emerson faced a very rare and life-threatening allergic reaction to the common antibiotic Bactrim. Her lungs were severely compromised, leading to a 36-day stay in the ICU at Cook Children's and being placed on ECMO life support.

Tune in to hear:
• The terrifying process of searching for a diagnosis, the family’s emergency transfer, and the very real possibility of a lung transplant.
• How Emerson, despite being on life support, remained fully awake and even did schoolwork.
• The inspiring story behind Emerson's life-affirming catchphrase, "I got this," which became the family's mantra and even inspired a special tattoo.
• Emerson’s deep faith and remarkable maturity in viewing her ordeal as "temporary".
• How this experience has inspired Emerson to pursue a future career as a physical therapist to help others walk their own road to recovery.

This conversation is a powerful testimony to family love, perseverance, and the miracle of hope.

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11/11/2025

Sebastian is one of about 20,000 people in the United States with a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome. He and his parents, Juan and Rainey Ruiz, make the two-hour drive from their home in Rosebud, Texas, to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth so that their son can receive a new treatment still in the trial stage. That medication, called zorevunersen, works to offset the genetic malfunction that causes Dravet syndrome.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2024 granted the medicine a breakthrough therapy designation as a disease-modifying treatment for Dravet syndrome. In Dravet syndrome, one of the two copies of the SCN1a gene has a variant, or change that impairs the genes ability to make a normally functioning sodium channel. The sodium channel is essential for the brain's neurons to fire appropriately.

Zorevunersen is designed to capitalize on the healthy copy of SCN1a, helping it produce more functional sodium channel proteins in the brain, addressing the disorder’s root cause rather than just treating its symptoms.

Drug manufacturer Stoke Therapeutics, Inc. opened a third phase of the trial, called EMPEROR, in August 2025. M. Scott Perry, M.D., epileptologist and head of the Justin Institute at Cook Children’s, serves as lead investigator at Cook Children’s.

Sebastian had his first seizure at 4 months old and the next one three months later. They happened more frequently after that. Sometimes he had to be intubated at the hospital during a seizure. He started coming to Cook Children’s at age 2 years when the Ruiz family sought out a neurologist who specialized in Dravet syndrome.

“Dr. Perry is the top. He’s amazing,” Rainey said.

Participating in trials can be long and hard, and there’s no guarantee the medication will benefit your child, Rainey pointed out. But they provide hope for better outcomes for patients in the future. She encouraged parents of Dravet syndrome patients to consider enrolling if that’s an option for them.

“It’s just hard for me to stand by and not try to do something,” she said. “Even if it helps other kids, it’s still a win-win. You can change lives in other ways.” To learn more, visit:

Running around too much or getting too hot used to trigger seizures several times a week for 8-year-old Sebastian Ruiz.But since he started new investigational treatment through a clinical study at Cook Children’s, the seizures happen less often -- once or twice a month – and don’t last as lon...

11/10/2025

Food insecurity affects the pediatric population from their time in utero until adulthood. Angela Cabarcas, M.D., associate medical director for Neighborhood Health Centers Cook Children’s Physician Network (CCPN) at Cook Children’s Health Care System, explains that early childhood development, cognitive skills, linear growth and the immune system can all be negatively impacted by poor nutrition.

The impact of the pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is significant, given the existing challenge of food insecurity in North Texas. A recent Cook Children’s Community Health Needs Assessment found that one in five children are food-insecure in the U.S., and Texas has the largest number of food-insecure children in the nation. The report also indicated that in Cook Children’s eight-county service area, 21% of children, about 236,400, live in a household that reported receiving food stamps or SNAP benefits in the past year.

“A child’s everyday behavior could be distracted by their hungry belly or stressed because they don’t know what they will be able to eat for dinner that night,” said Angela.

Recognizing that health is all-encompassing, Cook Children’s Health Care System has actively worked to mitigate the impact of food insecurity before the government shutdown by piloting food distribution to eligible patient families, the Center for Community Health program families, and Health Plan members. To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/p6d3mktj

"Durante los últimos tres años, Cook Children’s ha estado creando nuestra respuesta a la inseguridad alimentaria en general y ha implementado muchas alianzas y nuevos esfuerzos para contribuir a la causa", dijo Courtney Barnard, directora de bienestar comunitario del Centro para la Salud Comunitaria en Cook Children’s Health Care System.

Barnard comparte información esencial para las familias afectadas por la pausa e indica dónde pueden acceder a la asistencia alimentaria. Desliza para más información: https://tinyurl.com/3rxt57j5

Food insecurity affects the pediatric population from their time in utero until adulthood.  Mothers unable to consume adequate calories and a variety of healthy foods can lead to low birth weight infants and birth defects.  Breastfeeding mothers must first nourish their own bodies to produce quali...

11/06/2025

Cook Children’s doctors and researchers are aiming to make an impact on the progression and treatment of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), a rare type of epilepsy that causes seizures that often lead to a cognitive or developmental delay. The seizures typically begin in childhood and LGS leads to increased risk for other health problems and mortality.

The Cook Children’s Lennox-Gastaut Comprehensive Care Center has multiple research projects underway that aim to provide vital information for understanding LGS progression, preventative intervention and developing more effective, targeted treatments. Early recognition and active management are essential for improving developmental outcomes.

Each year, approximately 300 to 400 patients with LGS visit Cook Children’s Neurology, and about 50 of our patients are newly diagnosed with LGS annually.

Cynthia Keator, M.D., Division Chief, Neurology at Cook Children’s Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health and the Cook Children’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), has dedicated her career to helping children with Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE), specifically LGS.

Cook Children’s awarded Dr. Keator as an Endowed Chair in 2024, leading Cook Children’s Lennox-Gastaut Comprehensive Care Center.

The center will follow patients, gather data, and create a more comprehensive study of treatments, including surgery and medications. This is the first comprehensive care center in the country to work on algorithms, protocols and standardized guidelines for LGS care. The goal is to be the main site for clinical trials for new medication therapies for LGS.

“We are always striving for the next best treatment and so are our colleagues throughout the world,” Dr. Keator said. “The impact of epilepsy on a family and community is overwhelming. There is a large community of us working to improve quality of life, access to care, outcomes, treatments and ultimately a cure.”

During , learn more about our Lennox-Gastaut Comprehensive Care Center here: https://tinyurl.com/nez4pmw4

11/05/2025

There are many people who strive to brighten a child’s day during their visit at Cook Children’s. Volunteers are an important part of the patient experience. Through their gifts of time, talent, and compassion, volunteers help patients and their families receive whatever they may need to make their stay a little more comfortable.

For Courtney, volunteering runs deep in her family. Her grandmother was also a volunteer and started the library at Cook Children’s. At the time, this library was bookshelves in a closet, and it has now grown to take up a large portion of the Child Life Zone. Typically, Courtney spends multiple days a week at the Fort Worth Medical Center sharing her love of books with children and carrying on her family legacy. During the fall and winter, she also plays an irreplaceable role in the holiday magic that families experience during the festive season.

On , we celebrate Courtney and all the incredible volunteers who selflessly give their time to make a child’s day a little bit better. As we approach the holiday season, we are so grateful to each of our volunteers for all they do!

If a volunteer has created a special moment for you or your family, share it in the comments. 💙

11/04/2025

In this heartfelt episode of the , Kristen Pyrc, M.D. welcomes Fort Worth author K. Jody Massey to discuss a universal and often difficult topic: parental separation.

Inspired by her own life experiences, Jody created her beautiful children's books, Daddy and Me When Daddy Is Away and Mommy and Me When Mommy's Away.

Jody shares how these books are designed to be a gentle guide and a crucial conversation starter for families navigating time apart—from daycare drop-offs and camp to more complex situations like military deployment, hospital stays, foster care, divorce, and incarceration.

Tune in to discover:
• The most important message Jody hopes to convey to every child: Even if a parent is out of sight, they are always in their kids' heart.
• How the book’s open-ended style and helpful questions in the back guide parents through these hard, emotional conversations that are often avoided.
• The secret messages of hope ("You're loved, you're chosen, you're forgiven") hidden in the illustrations to affirm and support parents and caregivers facing guilt.
• The powerful stories of how these books have helped foster families and parents at local prisons maintain a vital connection with their children.

This episode is a loving reminder that connection and open communication can help children—and parents—feel secure, loved, and whole, no matter the distance.

Find Jody's books: Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and at https://www.kjodymassey.com/.

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11/03/2025

We're so excited to share that 24 of our doctors have been named D Magazine's list of Best Doctors and Pediatric Specialists for 2025. Please join us in celebrating these doctors who make a difference in the lives of each of our patients and families!

10/31/2025

The NICU’s most boo-tiful crew! 🎃

Our tiniest patients and their families are ready to celebrate their first ! Thank you to the Cook Children’s Child Life team for bringing some spooky spirit to our NICU patients and families.

Happy Halloween from all of us at Cook Children’s! 🧡

10/31/2025

The past 2 weekends the Cook Children's Aubrey office has been participating in trunk or treats. It was great to see Dr. Alapati and Dr. Kopalli out in the community seeing their patients and meeting new people.

10/31/2025

And the winner of our Aubrey 1st pumpkin decorating contest is.... Amanda our MA with her cute UP pumpkin. Congratulations Amanda and thank you to all our families that voted on our pumpkins. Happy Halloween.

10/31/2025

Halloween is a fun time where families can let their imagination take hold. Children and parents alike dress up as various characters. A mix of spooky and fun costumes will adorn the streets of North Texas this year, and Cook Children’s wants to make sure families are not spooked by any preventable mishaps.

Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention manager and Laura Romano D.O., hospitalist at Cook Children's share their expert tips to stop the scariest spooks of the night: preventable injuries. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/9ebrzd4e

Disfraces espeluznantes y divertidos adornarán las calles del Norte de Texas, y Cook Children’s Health Care System quiere asegurarse de que las familias no se asusten por percances que se pueden prevenir.

Sharon Evans, gerente de prevención de lesiones por trauma, y Laura Romano, D.O., médico internista en Cook Children's, comparten sus consejos para detener los sustos más aterradores de la noche: las lesiones prevenibles. Lee más aquí: https://tinyurl.com/3cepy36m

10/30/2025

One evening of a perfect fall day, Leόn “King” Reyes, and his wife, Lauren, noticed their 17-month-old daughter, Elliana, acting as if she didn’t feel well. A few hours later, Elliana passed out. They rushed her to the emergency room where tests revealed she was very sick and needed an advanced level of pediatric care as quickly as possible. The youngest Reyes and her mother were whisked onto a Cook Children’s Teddy Bear Transport helicopter. Elliana arrived at Cook Children’s Emergency Department, where physicians initiated a battery of tests.

A diagnosis came quickly — acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a rapidly progressing cancer of the bone marrow where blood cells are made. In AML, the bone marrow produces too many abnormal immature white blood cells. Elliana’s aggressive inpatient chemotherapy treatment began almost immediately after being admitted to Cook Children’s Hematology/Oncology floor, which would become her home for several months.

Even with all of the support, the journey was not easy. There were so many ups and downs that Leόn and Lauren say it felt like a rollercoaster ride where they could do nothing but hold on tight, while trusting the doctors and care team to keep Elliana’s treatment and healing on track.

In May, following her last round of chemotherapy, Elliana rang the bell signaling the completion of her treatment. Her cancer is in remission! According to Lauren, she has a greater than 90% chance that her cancer will not return.

During a recent visit, the family watched as the giant pumpkin in the medical center’s circular courtyard was inflated—a small preview of the holiday magic Cook Children’s brings to life each year.

“Last year, we celebrated every holiday here and watched the decorations for every season go up in the circle. The giant turkey, Christmas lights, Valentine’s Day decorations, Easter eggs, and it all started with the big pumpkin when we first arrived at the hospital,” Lauren said. “Now, the big pumpkin is back a year later, and it’s like we have come full circle. Even though things are not quite back to normal this year, we’re grateful to be able to spend every holiday outside of the hospital. But we still look back and remember how magical Cook Children’s made those holidays and can say we had a very good year of celebrations while there.”

Read more about the Reyes family and their inspiring journey here: https://tinyurl.com/yamyvuvf

10/30/2025

Every year, approximately 2,000 seemingly healthy people under the age of 25 die from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a tragic statistic that Cook Children's is working to change.

In recognition of , Cook Children's is highlighting its year-round commitment to ensure schools and communities are prepared for such a medical emergency through its Project ADAM program, which provides life-saving training and resources. Sudden Cardiac Arrest occurs when the heart stops beating, which leads to loss of breath or irregular breathing and prevents blood flow to the brain and other vital organs.

“With the proper training, anyone can do CPR and use an AED, and with enough of us trained and empowered to do so, we have the ability to potentially save someone’s life,” said Sarah Thieroff, Project Adam Program Coordinator.

Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam's Memory) is a program named after 17-year-old Adam Lemel. In 1999, while playing high school basketball, Adam collapsed and went into Sudden Cardiac Arrest. His family learned that he could have been saved with the right preparation and equipment. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was not available. His parents helped start the Project ADAM program at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in his memory. Cook Children’s was the first in Texas and is now one of 52 hospitals and program sites to provide free cardiac resources, including training and AED devices.

More than 780 schools and 28 school districts are recognized to be Heart Safe. A designated Heart Safe school and district have completed a quality AED training program that includes a CPR/AED trained emergency team, an emergency plan for their AED and required AED drills.

“Knowledge of what to do, and muscle memory from practicing the appropriate steps may correspond to earlier action and in turn lead to a more successful outcome,” said Danielle Moyé, M.D., cardiologist at Cook Children’s Heart Center.

To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/5yhcc7h4

10/29/2025

This week on the , Kristen Pyrc, M.D. and Wini King are back and welcoming special guest Alexandra Morales, Project and Partnership Coordinator for the Parent Pass app, to discuss a groundbreaking tool designed to lift the mental load of parenting.

Alexandra explains how the free Parent Pass app started in 2021 as a solution to connect parents with the resources and community support they were struggling to find in Tarrant County.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How Parent Pass acts as a vetted, one-stop shop for finding everything from fun, low-cost kid-friendly events to reliable health and mental wellness resources.
• How the app uses new AI to customize event and resource information based on your children's ages, interests, and zip code, so you don't have to "scour" for information.
• The overwhelming request for mental health support from local parents, which Parent Pass addresses by linking to organizations like Lena Pope and offering access to trauma-informed yoga classes.
• The app's Parent Help Line and its life-saving connection to the Help Me Grow program, including a powerful story of how a nurse's postpartum education helped a new mom recognize a dangerous blood clot.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation about how a community-driven app is using technology to combat parent isolation and provide critical support, all while continuing to grow and expand!

Learn more about the Parent Pass App here: https://parentpass.app/

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10/17/2025

Come see Dr. Alapati and Dr. Kopalli at TLE trunk or treat. Right next door to the office.

05/20/2025

05/15/2024

My awesome Aubrey and Little Elm team at the CCPN Employee Appreciation Cookout day in West Frisco. Thank you for everything you do!! ❤️🥰

04/13/2023

Our phone and internet is not working this morning. Our IT is working diligently to resolve this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Dr Sri Alapati & CCPN Aubrey Team

03/30/2023

Happy Doctors appreciation day Dr Sri!!

THANK YOU for everything that you do and for giving our patients the best possible care!!