Cook Children's Pediatric Specialties Denton

11/20/2025

Confetti exploded across the Hochberger Auditorium on Wednesday as the American Nursing Credentialing Center announced that Cook Children’s Medical Center - Fort Worth has achieved its fifth consecutive Magnet® designation.

The medical center didn’t just hit the benchmarks, but exceeded them, to achieve Magnet with DistinctionTM. Less than 2% of the nation’s 6,093 hospitals have achieved Magnet® designation at least five times, according to data from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and less than five children’s hospitals in the world have received the recognition five times in a row.

“Nurses are the number one care providers at the bedside in the nation and certainly at Cook Children’s,” Kaylan Branson, Director of Nursing Quality & Magnet Designation, said. “It feels great to recognize the nurses who do this day in and day out. This recognition is a validation of their hard work.”

The Magnet® Recognition Program is the gold standard in nursing excellence and validation of high-quality patient outcomes. Research shows Magnet® hospitals have increased patient satisfaction, decreased length of hospitalizations, and lower mortality rates, as well as above average nurse-satisfaction and retention rates.

“Everything that goes into magnet designation is recognizing nursing excellence; and a huge part of that is patient outcomes,” Nursing Excellence and Wellbeing Manager Ora Asheton said. “So, everything we’re being recognized for is about the outcomes we have for patients and patient families.”

Hospitals must re-apply for the designation every four years, and Cook Children’s has been recognized consistently since 2006. The requirements become more strenuous each time, Cheryl Peterson, Chief Nursing Officer said, meaning Cook Children’s has to showcase how it has grown, evolved and improved. The designation is a powerful testament to Cook Children’s excellence, but Peterson said Cook Children’s is not content with simply reaching that summit; it's committed to continue exceeding all expectations.

To learn more about this exciting achievement, visit: https://tinyurl.com/ypea6j74

11/20/2025

For many years, the Cook Children’s Physician Network has remained a symbol of compassionate care, driven by growth and community service. The anniversaries of our clinics celebrates every child and life touched through this unwavering commitment to patient care, every milestone celebrated, and every challenged overcome alongside our remarkable patient families. These local clinics ensure that exceptional and specialized treatment is accessible, right where our children and families need it most, all throughout the state of Texas.

The exceptional care provided inside of each of these clinics is all because of the amazing staff, nurses and physicians who have dedicated their lives to this work. The milestones and celebrations would not have been possible without their hard work. We best serve our patients and their families because of each of them. On , we celebrate you and thank you for everything you have done this holiday season!

To read more about these exciting celebrations, visit:

For many years, Cook Children’s Physician Network has remained a symbol of compassionate care, driven by growth and community service. The anniversaries of our clinics celebrates every child and life impacted through this unwavering commitment to patient care, every milestone celebrated and every ...

11/18/2025

In 2023, more than 223,000 deaths occurred in the U.S. due to preventable injuries, according to . This represents a rate 95% higher than in 1992. The message is clear — injuries are not always accidents, and with thoughtful strategy and awareness, lives can be saved.

Prevention does not have to be a long or tedious process. “You can prevent an injury and save a life by taking a few moments of your day to safe-proof your home,” said Eric Gonzalez, program manager for injury prevention at The Center for Community Health at Cook Children’s.

Every two minutes, a preventable injury-related death occurs in the U.S. Simple steps like locking up medications, placing babies in safe sleep environments, and locking and unloading fi****ms can dramatically reduce the risk of tragedy.

Cook Children's Medical Center -- Fort Worth will join health organizations across the country in shining green on Nov. 18, National Injury Prevention Day. The color symbolizes safety, health, and “all good things along life’s path,” the motto for National Injury Prevention Day. Along with this symbolic gesture, the Injury Prevention Team will offer sweet treats, educational handouts, and safety resources to families and staff across Cook Children’s Fort Worth and Prosper medical centers, as well as the Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center.

To learn more, visit:

By Francesca BrownIn 2023, more than 223,000 deaths occurred in the U.S. due to preventable injuries, according to National Injury Prevention Day. This represents a rate 95% higher than in 1992. The message is clear — injuries are not always accidents, and with thoughtful strategy and awareness, l...

11/18/2025

Criar a un niño puede generar muchas preguntas, especialmente cuando se trata de su salud y bienestar. El tema de las vacunas puede despertar mucha conversación y curiosidad entre los padres. Nuestra prioridad es proporcionar a los padres y cuidadores información clara y confiable. Por ello, le pedimos a la Dra. Laura Romano, médico hospitalista en Cook Children’s, que compartiera las 10 preguntas más frecuentes que recibe de las familias.

Deslice aquí para obtener más información. https://tinyurl.com/2ssufsxv

11/18/2025

Raising a child can come with a lot of questions, especially when it comes to their health and well-being. Vaccines, in particular, often spark a lot of conversation and curiosity among parents. It’s our priority to provide parents and caregivers with clear, reliable guidance. That’s why we asked Laura Romano, D.O., a hospitalist at Cook Children’s, to share the top 10 questions she receives from families.

To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/36ba6xzt

11/14/2025

Two years ago today, on November 14, 2023, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the neighborhood health center in the Las Vegas Trail community! On August 5 of this year, the new neighborhood health center opened its doors, bringing a fresh wave of safety, health and nutrition resources to Las Vegas Trail residents.

The center is a first-of-its-kind partnership between JPS Health Network, Cook Children’s Health Care System, The City of Fort Worth, LVTRise and WestAid. More than just a clinic, it serves as a health care hub, connecting individuals and families to services that support every facet of well-being, from personal safety and medical care to food security, financial stability, and strong family foundations.

In the first month of being open, Cook Children’s had 929 visits at this neighborhood health center. Of those 929, 371 are new patients and 74 are newborns. We are excited to have already met and served so many in the community!

To read more about the ribbon cutting on August 5, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yvdt7uz4

11/12/2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program are investigating a multistate outbreak of 15 infant botulism cases, including two in Texas. Nationally, 84 cases of infant botulism have been reported since August 2025.

Infant botulism is an illness caused by ingesting Clostridium botulinum spores or toxins that attack the nervous system. Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., medical director of Infectious Diseases at Cook Children’s, explains that infant formula has not been shown to cause infant botulism previously, noting this is the first time.

“Preliminary testing reveals the possible identification of Clostridium botulinum in one of the cans of formula, with confirmation still pending,” said Dr. Whitworth.

The CDPH Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP) reported an increase in botulism type A infections among infants consuming ByHeart powdered infant formula from August 2025 to November 2025. All 15 cases included in this outbreak are reported to have consumed ByHeart brand powdered infant formula.

The FDA notified ByHeart on Nov. 7, and the company announced Tuesday, Nov. 11, a voluntary recall of all ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula and single-serve Anywhere Pack™ sticks.

To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/mvd6skvj

La FDA y La CDC junto con el Programa de Prevención y Tratamiento del Botulismo Infantil del Departamento de Salud Pública de California están investigando un brote multiestatal de 13 casos de botulismo infantil, incluidos dos en Texas. ByHeart amplió su retiro voluntario de productos el 11 de noviembre a todos los productos de la fórmula infantil ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula y single-serve Anywhere Pack™ sticks.

Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., directora médica de Enfermedades Infecciosas en Cook Children’s, explica lo que padres debe saber. https://tinyurl.com/mtejsw9s

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program are investigating a multistate outbreak of 15 infant botulism cases, including two in Texas. Na...

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.

Remember to connect with Raising Joy on Instagram and TikTok Raising.joy to see video content from episodes.

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. 💙

11/01/2025

10/29/2025

Vote for your favorite pumpkin!! 🎃

05/26/2025

Today, we pause to remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice, for us and our country!

05/23/2025

Our office will be closed Monday 5/26/2025 in observance of Memorial Day. ❤🤍💙

05/16/2025

Our office will be closing at 12:30 today (5/16/25) so that we can celebrate our AMAZING staff at our Annual Employee Appreciation Picnic. ❤

01/08/2025

**THURS 1/9/2025 THE DENTON SPECIALTY OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR PATIENTS AND STAFF** Specialists will be doing video visits and staff will be answering phones remotely. Everyone stay safe & warm!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas!!

12/24/2024

**IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING HOLIDAY HOURS!*

12/20/2024

To celebrate the season and show our appreciation for our AMAZING team, our office will be closing at 2:00 pm on Friday 12/20/24 for our staff holiday party!! ❤️💚

11/27/2024

Our North Denton office will be closed Thursday 11/28/24 and Friday 11/29/24 so that our staff can enjoy time with their loved ones. ❤️

Thankful for love, laughter, and friendships that fill our lives today. Wishing everyone a warm and joyful Thanksgiving!