Cook Children's Pediatric Specialties Denton

01/07/2026

Kaitlin Groves, registered nurse at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth, originally was an engineering major at Texas A&M University, and had never thought about a career in health care. After springing into action and helping a fellow student on campus who had gotten into an accident, Groves realized her calling was to help people. During her studies, she decided she wanted to pursue a career in pediatrics and applied to the Nurse Residency program at Cook Children’s.

The Nurse Residency Program is a 12-month pediatric nurse residency program that allows nurses to rotate between various specialty units, expand their knowledge through clinical experiences, and grow alongside their cohort of fellow nurses. This experience accelerates their transition into professional pediatric nursing and provides them with a sense of community as they navigate this transition with peers who often become friends. Groves shared her cohort loves to spend time outside of the medical center with each other, grabbing dinner and making memories together after class.

Outside of nursing, Groves spends her time training as a triathlete for her upcoming events. Last October, she competed at the 2025 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Kaitlin shares that she finds this training as a way to clear her brain and take care of herself so she can take care of others!

“I couldn’t have prevented anything that would’ve caused them to come here, but I can help the situation that they are in right now,” shares Groves when asked about her outlook on being a nurse. “I can help our patients get better and hopefully get to go home healthy,” she continued. “Getting to be a part of that journey is really important to me, and I love getting to be a part of their story.”

To learn more about our nurse residency program, visit https://www.cookchildrens.org/healthcare-professionals/nursing/nurse-residency-program/

01/06/2026

Kara Starnes, D.O., directora médica de Cook Children's Urgent Care, anima padres tomar precauciones ante la gripe y otras enfermedades respiratorias:

“La vacuna contra la gripe ofrece la mejor protección para prevenir las complicaciones más graves de la enfermedad”, dijo la Dra. Starnes. “Una vacuna no siempre previene la gripe por completo, por lo general hace que la enfermedad sea mucho menos grave y de menor duración. No es demasiado tarde para vacunarse, incluso si usted o su hijo ya han tenido la gripe

• Nunca es tarde para vacunarse contra 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.

Lee más aquí: https://tinyurl.com/2ydpabp6

01/06/2026

The holiday season is over and school is back in session, and so is the flu. Cook Children’s has seen an increase in flu cases at our medical centers, but our experts have tips to help you and your family stay healthy.

Kara Starnes, D.O., medical director of Urgent Care at Cook Children’s, encourages parents to practice prevention when it comes to flu and other respiratory illness:

• Keep your children at home and away from public areas if they are not feeling well
• Wash your hands
• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Get a flu vaccine for you and your child

“The flu vaccine provides the best chance at preventing the more serious complications of the flu,” said Dr. Starnes. “While a flu vaccine may not always completely prevent the flu, it typically makes the illness much less severe and of a shorter duration. It is not too late to get a flu shot, even if you or your child has had the flu.”

If your child is feeling sick, call your pediatrician first. They can help you decide if your child needs to visit their office or go to an urgent care center or the emergency room. For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2ne4bbuk

12/30/2025

As another year winds down, we want to revisit a few of the 2025 headlines that demonstrate the values we prioritize at Cook Children’s. Those values -- kindness, collaboration, imagination, respect, safety and generosity --- happen in big and small ways every day at Cook Children’s!

We are grateful for all the moments of magic that 2025 held and look forward to seeing what 2026 has in store.

For a recap of 12 stories guaranteed to ring in your new year with good cheer, visit:

As another year winds down, we want to revisit a few of the 2025 headlines that demonstrate the values we prioritize at Cook Children’s. Those values -- kindness, collaboration, imagination, respect, safety and generosity --- happen in big and small ways every day at Cook Children’s. Here’s a ...

12/29/2025

Parents-to-be from Georgia found hope earlier this year at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Fort Worth. Thanks to our heart surgeon, Dr. Vincent Tam, M.D., the Medical Director of Cook Children's Cardiothoracic Surgery their family will enjoyed the holidays together at home.

Just weeks before Sarah Ellen Beavers was due to give birth to her first child, she still did not know where she would deliver. She and her husband, Zach Beavers, spoke with numerous hospitals, but none were willing nor equipped to handle the heart defect that had been detected in their unborn daughter.

While still in the womb, Anna Claire was diagnosed with a rare heart condition in which the left side of the heart is too small to pump blood. To make things more complicated, she also had a genetic condition that stilted her growth. The Atlanta hospital where Sarah Ellen planned to deliver said it did not have the ability to treat Anna Claire’s condition.

Pioneering research by Cook Children's and UNT Health Fort Worth that was presented at a cardiology conference in Florida led a doctor connected to the Beaver Family to call them to tell them that Cook Children's had unusually positive results treating Anna Claire’s condition,

With less than a month to go, hope found a home here thanks to a phone call between the Beavers, Dr. Tam and Kevin Wilkes, M.D., cardiologist. Dr. Tam walked them through the procedures he would perform on Anna Claire. While other hospitals would not consider taking on her condition, Dr. Tam seemed undaunted. After that call and just days before giving birth, the Beavers packed their suitcases and relocated to Fort Worth where they would temporarily live for several months.

After Anna Claire was born, the Cook Children's medical team performed two successful open-heart surgeries allowing her to spend her first Christmas at home in Georgia with her family.

To learn more about Anna Claire's life-saving surgery performed by the Heart Hero Dr. Tam, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3ebh2twv

12/26/2025

Parents-to-be from Georgia found hope earlier this year at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Fort Worth. Thanks to our heart surgeon, Vincent Tam, M.D., medical director of Cook Children's Cardiothoracic Surgery, their family will enjoy the holidays together at home.

Just weeks before Sarah Ellen Beavers was due to give birth to her first child, she still did not know where she would deliver. She and her husband, Zach Beavers, spoke with numerous hospitals, but none were willing nor equipped to handle the heart defect that had been detected in their unborn daughter.

While still in the womb, Anna Claire was diagnosed with a rare heart condition in which the left side of the heart is too small to pump blood. To make things more complicated, she also had a genetic condition that stilted her growth. The Atlanta hospital where Sarah Ellen planned to deliver said it did not have the ability to treat Anna Claire’s condition.

Pioneering research by Cook Children’s and The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth that was presented at a cardiology conference in Florida led a doctor connected to the Beaver Family to call them to tell them that Cook Children's had unusually positive results treating Anna Claire’s condition.

With less than a month to go, hope found a home here thanks to a phone call between the Beavers, Dr. Tam and Kevin Wilkes, M.D., cardiologist at Cook Children's. Dr. Tam walked them through the procedures he would perform on Anna Claire. While other hospitals would not consider taking on her condition, Dr. Tam seemed undaunted. After that call and just days before giving birth, the Beavers packed their suitcases and relocated to Fort Worth, where they would temporarily live for several months.

After Anna Claire was born, the Cook Children's medical team performed two successful open-heart surgeries, allowing her to spend her first Christmas at home in Georgia with her family.

To learn more about Anna Claire's life-saving surgery performed by the Heart Hero Dr. Tam, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3ebh2twv

12/25/2025

Lighting up the sky, with every color dazzling bright, Cook Children’s shines and brings joy to all, patients big and small!

Happy Holidays from Wonderland at Cook Children’s! ✨

12/24/2025

Santa stopped by Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth to tell our tiniest patients, who are celebrating their first Christmas in our NICU, that they are most certainly on the nice list. 🎅

Santa, also known as Randall Grubbs, M.D., a neonatologist at Cook Children’s, brought Christmas magic to each one of these little ones and their families! They are all snuggled up and ready for the holidays.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Cook Children’s! 🎄💙💚

12/23/2025

Saturday was a beautiful day for a stroll with Santa Claus! For the first time, the Cook Children’s Teddy Bear Transport team gave Santa's reindeer some extra nap time before Christmas Eve, taking Santa on a ride-along through the Las Vegas Trail Community. The Fort Worth Police Department guided Santa and Teddy Bear Transport through three neighborhoods.

“Seeing children light up as Santa arrived in their own neighborhood was a powerful reminder that joy and connection can be created anywhere, especially when families are met with care and heart," said Sky Ramos, a community health worker at Cook Children’s Neighborhood Health Center Las Vegas Trail.

Children rode on their bikes, while others ran with their arms wide open; parents followed closely, carrying their babies. Santa greeted everyone while his "elves" distributed candy canes, small presents and information about the health center.

In true holiday spirit, Cook Children’s Health Care System showed up for its community. All goodies were prepared by Cook Children's administration, The Center for Community Health (C4CH), Cook Children’s Health Plan (CCHP), and Child Life.

Santa's work is never done. He continued the celebration at the Las Vegas Trail Rise Community Center. Paige Charbonnet, executive director of LVTRise, led her annual Christmas event, ensuring families all across the community received a bit of cheer.

It was a very special morning filled with holiday cheer! To read more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/rbk579ay

12/23/2025

**HOLIDAY HOURS FOR DENTON SPECIALTY OFFICE**
🎄12/24 - Office Closed
🎅12/25 - Office Closed
🎁12/26 - Office Closed

✨12/31 - Open until noon
🎉1/1 - Office Closed

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday!

12/23/2025

In this powerful, final episode of the , hosts Kristen Pyrc, M.D. and Wini King announce that Raising Joy is going on a hiatus after more than six successful seasons and over 125 episodes. They celebrate that the mission of the Joy Campaign—to support the mental well-being of children—will absolutely continue at Cook Children's.

To close out their run, they welcome back their very first guest: Kathleen Powderly, M.D. Dr. Powderly was the "canary in the coal mine" who first sounded the alarm on the youth mental health crisis during the pandemic.

She shares vital progress:
• Reduced Stigma: Fewer severe su***de attempts and a massive shift in families being willing to seek help earlier, before the situation becomes desperate.
• Better Resources: Increased availability of therapists, more insurance options, and the growth of employee assistance programs (EAPs).
• Success Stories: Dr. Powderly shares the professional "joy" of seeing her former patients who accessed help during the crisis.

To our listeners, thank you for many moments of JOY! We are grateful for each and every one of you.

To learn more about the close of our Raising Joy Podcast, visit https://tinyurl.com/5bdjc275

Remember, “Just Breathe, Open Up, You Matter!”

12/23/2025

The holidays bring many new “toys” for kids. New toys bring the potential for new bumps and bruises, given that Cook Children's tends to see an uptick in injuries due to e-bikes and e-scooters after the holidays. Most electronic bikes and scooters can reach speeds of more than 20 mph.

Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention manager for Cook Children's, explains that, while these may seem like gifts without much concern, it is important to understand they are vehicles. She offers families tips on how to help their children safely enjoy e-bikes and e-scooters. Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/46zk8hfz

Llegó la temporada de los nuevos 'juguetes'. Sin embargo, en Cook Children's Health Care System solemos notar un aumento en las lesiones por bicicletas y patinetes eléctricos (e-bikes y e-scooters) después de las festividades. Aquí le compartimos información para que la diversión continúe sin accidentes. Lee más aquí: https://tinyurl.com/4j543t9n

The holidays bring many new “toys” for the kids. New toys bring the potential for new bumps and bruises, given that Cook Children's Health Care System tends to see an uptick in injuries due to e-bikes and e-scooters after the holidays. Most electronic bikes and scooters can reach speeds of mo...

12/22/2025

Thinking of and creating homemade gifts doesn't have to be daunting. It can be fun for the whole family, and there’s nothing better than a gift from the heart.

Ashley Pagenkopf, MS, CCLS, a child life specialist at Cook Children’s, asked our resident artists, Sydney Peel and Suzanne Minatra, to share simple, fun ideas that kids can create this year. The artists shared several thoughtful projects that are easy to complete and require minimal time, transforming dollar store finds into beautiful, one-of-a-kind treasures.

Learn more about how your family can create homemade gifts from the heart this holiday season: https://tinyurl.com/2afa7r2u

12/01/2025

Our North Denton P*P & Specialty location is collaborating with the Cook Children's South Denton office to collect donations to distribute to the 'Denton Tiny Pantries' throughout town! You can drop any donations in the designated bins at either location!

11/26/2025

*Our office will be closed Thursday 11/27 and Friday 11/28. We will return with normal office hours on Monday 12/1/25*

Today and every day, we’re thankful for our patients, families, nurses, doctors, and team members who make Cook Children’s such a special place. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving! ❤️🧡💛🤎

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!! ❤️💚