Cook Children's Pediatrics Walsh Ranch

11/22/2024

You may have noticed some recognizable spots in Fort Worth glowing purple this month! Throughout the month of November, landmarks across Fort Worth have brightened the skyline with purple, the official color of , in partnership with Cook Children’s Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center.

Locations all over the city, such as Dickies Arena, General Worth Square, Sundance Square, and TCU – Texas Christian University, are shining purple to raise awareness of the disorder.

We are so grateful to have such a supportive community!

11/22/2024

Celebrate the season of giving and help make a difference for Cook Children's! 20% of proceeds from your Kendra Scott purchase will benefit our patients.

Shop online at kendrascott.com and use code GIVEBACK-GMDHR at checkout. Valid through 11/23/2024, 11:59 p.m. PST.

Together, we can spread holiday magic and support the children who need it most!

11/20/2024

This week, Cook Children’s Medical Centers saw a steep increase in children visiting the emergency room due to respiratory-related illnesses. The influx is forcing young patients to wait for a hospital bed.

The surge in hospital visits is due to a sharp spread of RSV and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (walking pneumonia) cases in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

While the rise of respiratory cases happens each year around this time, RSV cases spiked more quickly than usual this year, said Medical Director for Emergency Services Taylor Louden, M.D. Across the system, 23% of patients tested for RSV last week tested positive.

Learn more here:

This week, Cook Children’s Medical Centers saw a steep increase in children visiting the emergency room due to respiratory-related illnesses. The influx is forcing young patients to wait for a hospital bed. On Tuesday alone, Cook Children's Medical Center - Fort Worth saw 572 patients in the Emer...

11/18/2024

There is a new line of defense that gives moms power to protect their babies against severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

In 2023, the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first RSV vaccine for pregnant women, which transfers immunity to newborns.

Two Cook Children’s doctors who often treat children hospitalized due to RSV are enthusiastic about this preventative breakthrough. This past year, their excitement became personal.

Learn more here:

By Ashley AntleThere is a new line of defense against the leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations, and doctors are hopeful it will decrease the spread and severity of a virus that affects nearly two-thirds of all infants during their first year of life.In 2023, the U.S. The Food and Drug Adminis...

11/15/2024

Tonya Fuqua, DDS, is a dentist whose passion for smiles goes beyond the clinic. 🦷

With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Fuqua has devoted herself to improving children’s oral health, spearheading community programs like Save a Smile, and bridging the gap between dental care and overall wellness.

Tune into Untold: The Stories of Cook Children’s on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube to hear Dr. Fuqua’s story—an inspiring journey of compassion, dedication, and her belief in the power of a smile.

https://tinyurl.com/4c66784m

11/13/2024

Our community is growing, and so is the need for quality pediatric care. Today, we’re excited to announce a 10-year master plan to expand and enhance our Fort Worth medical center. This includes a new 700,000-square-foot medical tower, an expanded Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, and more.

Learn more about our plans to meet the growing needs of our community on Checkup Newsroom: https://tinyurl.com/522smvp5

11/13/2024

In this heart-wrenching yet hopeful episode, we join Gina Meyer and Brigitte Shulze, two mothers united by an unimaginable tragedy. Their daughters, Sarah Shulze and Katie Meyer, both promising Division I collegiate athletes, died by su***de within six weeks of each other.

Today on the , Gina and Brigitte share their daughters' stories, shedding light on the immense pressure and mental health struggles that often go unnoticed in the world of athletes on every level. They discuss the importance of open conversations, seeking help, and fostering a culture of support within the athletic community.

As they navigate their grief, Gina and Brigitte have established foundations in honor of their daughters. Learn about the incredible work they're doing to raise awareness, promote mental health, provide resources to athletes and their families, and make legal changes.

This episode is a powerful testament to the enduring love of a mother and the urgent need to prioritize mental health, especially among young athletes.

Listen to this episode on all podcast streaming platforms!

11/08/2024

Paul Thornton, M.D., always knew he would become a doctor. Even when no one else did.

When Dr. Thornton told his guidance counselor in high school that he wanted to become a doctor, the counselor told the man who would become a world expert in a rare disease that he needed a back-up plan.

Listen to today’s episode of “Untold: The Stories of Cook Children’s” to hear about a kid from Ireland’s incredible journey to the United States and his groundbreaking work on hyperinsulinism, a condition affecting only 80 to 120 babies in the U.S. each year.

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/mwrrntsd

11/07/2024

RECALL ALERT: Federal safety officials have recalled the Fisher-Price Snuga Swings and revised their standard for nursing pillows, two moves intended to guard infants against unsafe sleep spaces.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fisher-Price announced the Snuga Swings recall in October 2024. The swings aren’t designed for sleep. According to the CPSC, the deaths of five babies were reported from 2012-2022 when the swings were being used for sleep. Bedding such as blankets had been added to the swing in most of those fatalities.

Find out more about the recalled product and how to protect your little ones here:

Federal safety officials have recalled the Fisher-Price Snuga Swings and revised their standard for nursing pillows, two moves intended to guard infants against unsafe sleep spaces.The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fisher-Price announced the Snuga Swings recall in October 2024.....

11/05/2024

Today and every day, it’s important to prioritize your mental health! Focusing on your mental health looks different for everyone, but one way is to find comfort in JOY.

JOY stands for “Just breathe, Open up, You matter” — the acronym of our JOY Campaign and our Raising Joy Podcast. We encourage you to seek JOY in each day. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/47da6rmm

11/04/2024

Various Cook Children’s locations are experiencing a spike in cases of salmonella. The Texas Department of State Health Services has not reported an outbreak.

Cook Children’s pediatricians Devona Martin, M.D., and Jenica Rose-Stine, D.O., say they have seen a surge in cases at their primary care clinic in Willow Park, Texas.

Since July, the Emergency Department at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth has also reported increased numbers of patients with salmonella, shared Stephanie Felton, D.O., associate medical director of the Cook Children’s Emergency Department.

Dr. Felton, Dr. Martin, and Dr. Rose-Stine provide answers to commonly asked questions about Salmonella.

Learn more here:

Various Cook Children’s locations are experiencing a spike in cases of salmonella.  The Texas Department of State Health Services has not reported an outbreak.  Cook Children’s pediatricians Devona Martin, M.D., and Jenica Rose-Stine, D.O., say they have seen a surge in cases at their primary...

11/01/2024

Shanley Stuteville, 25, has been a lifelong patient at Cook Children’s since she was diagnosed with epilepsy at 3 years old.

When she was 19, she underwent life-changing lesionectomy surgery and hasn’t had a seizure since 2020.

This year, she decided to give back to the community of patients at Cook Children’s by donating a work of art to the “neuro art collection” at the Jane and John Institute for Mind Health.

Throughout her experiences living with epilepsy, her surgery and all of the ups and downs of life, she’s always tried to look for the “rainbow after the storm” and hopes to convey that in her art.

Read Shanley’s story here: https://tinyurl.com/3depke3y

By Amber KaiserShanley Stuteville, 25, has been a lifelong patient at Cook Children’s after she was diagnosed with epilepsy at 3 years old. When she was 19, she underwent life-changing lesionectomy surgery and hasn’t had a seizure since 2020. This year, she decided to give back to the community ...

10/31/2024

from all of us at Cook Children’s! 🎃👻

We had a spook-tacular time celebrating today – our patients and their families at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth and Prosper went trick-or-treating and our employees showed off their Halloween spirit by dressing up in creative costumes!

Click here to see more photos from the festivities:

Happy Halloween from all of us at Cook Children’s! We're excited to share some of the fun and spooky happenings from this week. We have had a spook-tacular time celebrating in many ways:Beetlejuice-Inspired Haunted House: Our Child Life Zone at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth has ...

10/31/2024

The NICU’s spookiest 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 the Halloween spirit to our NICU patients and families. 🧡

10/30/2024

Halloween is a magical time as children dress up to be whatever they can imagine!

While your little vampire, princess, or superhero prepares to gather all the candy possible, consider how to make this spooky night spectacular and avoid mishaps. Our experts at Cook Children’s share a few tips on how you can keep your family safe while embracing the Halloween spirit.

As you prepare for a night full of fun, we wish you and your family a safe and happy Halloween! Read more here:

By Ashley JoyceHalloween is a magical time as children dress up to be whatever they can imagine. While your little vampire, princess, or superhero prepares to gather all the candy possible, consider how to make this spooky night spectacular and avoid mishaps.“Trick-or-treating is what my kids are ...

10/29/2024

Logan Magane entered the world as a bundle of joy in June 2023. While his parents were surprised by his Down syndrome diagnosis at birth, they quickly embraced the unique journey ahead.

According to the CDC, Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the U.S. It’s also called Trisomy 21 because a baby with Down syndrome is born with an extra chromosome 21. Down syndrome affects how the brain and body develop, leading to varying levels of lifetime care needs.

When Logan was 2 and a half months old, he and his family met Cook Children’s Geneticist Alexandra Garza Flores, M.D. “Logan has been a happy and charming little guy ever since I first met him,” Dr. Garza Flores said. “His diagnosis was not known prenatally, and so it was a surprise to his parents. However, they have been wonderful, proactive advocates for him from day one.”

Logan is now 16 months old. His body naturally takes more time to develop motor skills and other growth milestones. Thais advises others to focus on every child’s unique timeline.

“The amazing thing about Logan is that he surprises my family every single day,” Thais said. “And I work hard not to compare. Logan will show us in his own time.”

Dr. Garza Flores also keeps an eye on Logan’s growth. “Today, Logan is cruising, blowing kisses and finding his voice! He loves his big brother and can charm anyone he meets,” Dr. Garza Flores said. “It’s a privilege to be part of Logan’s health care team and watch him grow.”

Thais and her husband’s unwavering love and dedication are a testament to the extraordinary potential that lies within every child.

During , read more about Logan's story here:

By Amber KaiserLogan Magane entered the world as a bundle of joy in June 2023. While his parents were surprised by his Down syndrome diagnosis at birth, they quickly embraced the unique journey ahead. “My labor had already been very different from what I had envisioned, as we both had complication...

10/28/2024

When 12-year-old Deacon Swaim sits at his desk in math class, his peers might notice how focused he is. What they don't see is the journey that led him there. Deacon is one of just 16 students selected out of 332 to participate in his grade’s accelerated math and science program. He also has Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—a fact that might surprise people given his academic achievements.

"I'm always the quiet kid, but I'm really smart," Deacon says, prompting a laugh from his mother Jennifer Swaim. She adds, "Yes, and humble!"

Jennifer, who has worked in the Cook Children's psychology department for almost 17 years, said she recognized signs of ADHD in Deacon when he was still a toddler. According to Deacon’s psychiatrist—Kristen Pyrc, M.D., medical director of Psychiatry Outpatient Services and the Partial Hospitalization Program at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth—ADHD presents in different ways.

But Dr. Pyrc commonly reassures her patients that ADHD can be like a superpower. "Kids with ADHD tend to be more creative because their brain takes those rabbit trails,” she explains. “They work really well in groups because they think outside of the box, and they're very energetic."

In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, Deacon shows how neurodiversity can be a strength. Read more about his superpower here:

When 12-year-old Deacon Swaim sits at his desk in math class, his peers might notice how focused he is. What they don't see is the journey that led him there.Deacon is one of just 16 students selected out of 332 to participate in his grade’s accelerated math and science program. He also has Attent...

10/27/2024

There’s still time to purchase your ticket for this special charity exhibition game! TCU Men's Basketball will face Arkansas on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

TCU will donate proceeds from the charity exhibition to Cook Children's.

Let’s go Frogs! 🐸 💜

Only 1 week until the TCU – Arkansas Men’s Basketball Charity Exhibition Game Presented by Simmons Bank! 🏀

Grab your tickets to see which coach, Jamie Dixon’s or John Calipari’s, team will bring home the win for their charity! 🏆

🎟️ Link in bio.