Cook Children's Pediatric Specialties Denton

02/28/2026

Most 18-year-olds are focused on graduation, prom, college, and new beginnings. For Madison “Maddie” Hoffman, the future is bright, and her journey there has required a level of strength most people won’t face in a lifetime. Born with epidermolytic ichthyosis, a rare genetic skin condition affecting only 1 in 200,000 people, Maddie has spent her life navigating a world that wasn't built for fragile skin. She is a young woman on a mission to “turn her disability into something powerful."

Diagnosed at birth, Maddie’s family, friends and Cook Children’s care teams have been impressed with her continuous resilience in facing prejudice, bullying, mental health challenges, pain and hospitalizations due to skin infections. Maddie says she feels empowered to raise awareness of skin conditions and rare diseases.

“God has been so good to me and that resilience comes through because my mentality is ‘OK, it could be worse. How can I make it better?” Maddie said. “How can I make somebody else’s life better?”

There are more than 30 distinct types of ichthyosis, which are rare, mostly genetic disorders. The type Maddie has, epidermolytic ichthyosis, occurs in approximately 1 in 200,000 individuals, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Maddie wants to let other children with rare diseases and disabilities know they aren’t alone.

Cook Children’s dermatologist, Heather Volkman, D.O., says Maddie’s form of ichthyosis makes her skin barrier very fragile and more susceptible to infections. Imagine if you had an open blister at all times. If Maddie acquires bacteria on her skin, such as methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA), which can be resistant to many antibiotics, it can be difficult to treat the infection and sometimes require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics.

“I can’t change (my condition), so I might as well use my disability as something really powerful,” Maddie said. “Don’t count us out in this world. We will always 1,000% surprise you. We are empowering people. I believe people with rare diseases can change this world. I believe I can change this world.”

To learn more about Maddie and her inspiring story, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2p9pnjm9

02/28/2026

February 28 is and we're sharing the stories of two of our incredible patients living with rare diseases. They have two unique journeys and one shared mission of hope at Cook Children's.

Two-year-old Máximo Sagrero was born with Menkes disease, a rare disorder that often occurs in males. It is caused by a gene mutation that affects how the body transports and maintains copper levels and affects the body. It affects how a child grows and can cause damage to the brain and nervous system. In the US, the incidence of Menkes ranges between one in every 50,000 and one in every 250,000 live births, according to the National Institutes of Health.

“Máximo is not defined by his diagnosis. He’s defined by his resilience, by the love that surrounds him and by the faith that carries us through the hardest days and reminds us that God created him with purpose,” says Máximo’s mother, Katy Sagrero.

Máximo loves playing with his toys, listening to music, looking at colorful lights, playing with his cousins and participating in his therapies. Katy says Máximo has come so far and he has encouraged so many others.

Four-year-old Evalyn Scuderi is like any other toddler: she loves Moana, lights, music, swimming and being hugged. But vivacious Evalyn is one of many patients born with a rare disease.

She was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, which affects 3 out of every 10,000 live births in the US and is caused by having an extra copy of chromosome 18, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. This causes low birth weight and a small head, mouth, and jaw. Their hands typically form clenched fists with fingers that overlap. They also might have birth defects involving the hips and feet, heart and kidney problems, and intellectual disability. Only about 10-25% of these children are expected to live longer than one year.

Evalyn is defying the odds and enjoying each day as it comes.

“She will wiggle her arms and legs in joy and make the happiest of sounds and just plant the biggest kiss on your face when you pick her up,” her mother, Amber Marie Scuderi said. “It’s humbling, because she is just happy you’re there to love her and for her to love on you!”

To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/44hb8ctt

02/27/2026

It’s been almost 10 years since Ivy Chacon became the first patient at Cook Children’s to benefit from the use of 3D technology to plan her rare and complicated cardiovascular surgery, and the surgical repairs made then, still hold today.

“There is no doubt the 3D print of Ivy’s heart that surgeons used to plan and prepare for her procedure contributed to the positive outcome and long-term success of the surgical repair,” said Steve Muyskens, M.D., cardiologist and medical director of cardiac MRI and the 3D aPPROaCH Lab at Cook Children’s. “Three-dimensional printing takes away the guesswork for physicians, allowing them to completely visualize a patient’s anatomy and unique anomalies and map their intervention before they get to the operating room.”

Ivy, now 10, was born with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) in which the two lower pumping chambers, or ventricles, of her heart are reversed. At 19 months old, Ivy became a candidate for the Nikaidoh procedure, also known as an aortic translocation.

To prepare for the procedure and to explain the complex surgery to Ivy’s family, Vincent Tam, M.D., pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon and Cook Children’s medical director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, used a 3D printing of Ivy’s heart that was created in Cook Children’s 3D Lab. The printed heart allowed Dr. Tam to visualize Ivy’s exact anatomy so that he knew what to expect going into surgery.

It also helped Ivy’s family understand her complicated diagnosis and Dr. Tam’s plan to save her life.

“I've noticed over time that having these 3D models helps parents and other care providers, like nurses, better connect with the plan of care,” Dr. Muyskens said. “I think that really helps connect those pieces when you have a really unusual case.”

It certainly did for Ivy’s mom, Elizabeth. She says the physical model of Ivy’s heart helped her understand her baby’s complicated condition and Dr. Tam’s surgical plan. Having that knowledge was empowering and compelled her to hold on to hope during her daughter’s day-long surgery.

To learn more about Ivy's inspiring journey, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2eunhfn4

02/26/2026

Helpful hands that heal hearts!

For this February, the Cook Children’s Heart Center team gathered to celebrate and take a photo together in the shape of a ❤️.

We are grateful for this team of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, nurses and experts who take care of our patients every day!

02/25/2026

Rollin’ for a good time!

Cook Children’s is proud to co-host two five-day camps, called iCan Bike, alongside iCan Shine, an organization that offers a variety of programs to enrich and impact the lives of children with disabilities.

Over the course of a week, riders learn how to independently stabilize a bike with the help of volunteers as they gradually discover the skill and joy of riding a bike. These camps run through two weeks in June. Parents, teachers and therapists describe the results as miraculous!

To learn more, visit: https://icanshine.org/ican-bike-fort-worth-tx/

02/18/2026

At Cook Children’s, no one walks alone. This promise is incredibly apparent at The Blast, our family-friendly walk to support Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center. Every step and donation fuels hope, advances research and helps every child receive the care they deserve.

You don’t want to miss the fun at our biggest event of the year! Help blast away childhood cancer by registering today at www.blastwalk.org

02/17/2026

Mardi Gras magic in every moment—celebrating health, happiness, and the spirit of the season throughout Cook Children’s!

This morning, our Child Life Zone threw a parade for our patients and families! Patients got to decorate a float, stroll throughout the halls of the medical center and create arts and crafts in the atrium. Everyone had a slice of King cake to finish the parade.

Mardi Gras music and festivities filled the halls for all to enjoy!

02/11/2026

On Easter Sunday 2025, Emery Nelson was riding her dirt bike on the streets of her north Fort Worth neighborhood when a car hit her in an intersection. While Emery’s memory of the event is spotty, the firefighters who helped save her life remember the crash well. Fire Station 14 is only a few blocks away from where Emery crashed, and firefighters Jordan McConnell, Brant Frazier and Nicholas Hanetho were at the scene within two minutes. They recognized Emery, having seen her on her bright yellow dirtbike frequently. Her injuries were serious; she had a compound fracture of her right tibia and fibula and her right ankle was nearly severed from her leg.

Because bones can shift with a compound fracture, the crew decided to apply a tourniquet. Hanetho acted quickly; he pulled out the device and applied it around her right thigh within two to three minutes of the initial crash.

When Emery fractured her leg, the biggest threat to her life was blood loss. That’s the case for the majority of major trauma victims, according to Brad Maddy, a physician assistant who has worked in Cook Children’s Pediatric Surgery and Trauma department since 2023.

One of the easiest ways to lower the risk of someone bleeding to death is through applying a tourniquet, a device that wraps tightly around a limb to slow or stop bleeding from an injury. This is the device that firefighter Hanetho applied to Emery’s leg. According to Cook Children’s doctors who treated Emery, doing so likely saved the girl’s life.

Stories like Emery’s are why Maddy’s goal is for everyone to know how to use a tourniquet and the reason he lead the charge to start the Stop the Bleed initiative at Cook Children’s. For Maddy, Stop the Bleed is a way to not only serve kids at Cook Children’s, but to potentially help children in the entire community. Cook Children's promise, he said, is not limited to the children within the hospital walls, and Stop the Bleed is one way to fulfill that promise for all children in our community.

To learn more about Emery’s amazing story and the Stop the Bleed initiative, visit: https://tinyurl.com/nxjxc4sz

02/10/2026

Teddy bears, tooth brushes, and tons of smiles!

The Cook Children’s Save-A-Smile Program, in collaboration with the Fort Worth District Dental Society (FWDDS), Texas Dental Association (TDA), and the Children’s Oral Health Coalition (COHC), hosted a BEARY fun National Children’s Dental Health Month celebration today!

Patients in the Fort Worth medical center were invited to the Atrium to receive an age-appropriate oral health kit, participate in arts and crafts and pick out a Build-A-Bear teddy bear to keep.

A Texas-sized thank you to our visitors, especially FWDDS President Dr. James Fischer, for visiting and teaching us all about oral health! Thank you to the FWDDS and The Center for Community Health oral health team for hosting!

02/06/2026

Since the Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center opened in August 2025, it has served as more than just a medical facility; it has become a one-stop shop for a community that was once a health care desert, providing health care clinics, workforce solutions, a food pantry, and more.

A key player at the forefront of this transformation is Sky Ramos, Cook Children’s Health Plan’s (CCHP) first-ever clinic-based Community Health Worker (CHW).

For the roughly 7,000 CCHP members living in the Las Vegas Trail corridor, Ramos represents a major shift in how care is provided for this community. Previously, most member interactions happened over the phone. Today, Ramos is a constant, in-person presence, helping families navigate the complexities of health care from right in their own neighborhood.

Ramos leads CCHP members in this area by organizing community-building events and establishing member engagement. She led the initiative to provide Thanksgiving meals to members and to secure donations from community partners, including 10 turkeys from a church. She also led the holiday assistance programs to help member families have presents under the Christmas tree.

Ramos’s role as a hands-on advocate who helps members is uniquely designed to break down the barriers that often keep families from seeking care.

To learn more about this incredible work, visit: https://tinyurl.com/45c7t5ea

02/05/2026

It’s rodeo season here in Fort Worth! This morning, The American Rodeo gathered a few cowboy and cowgirl friends to bring some rodeo fun to our medical center. 🤠

Many ba****ck riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, steer wrestling and saddle bronc riding stars of The American Rodeo, including Rocker Steiner, Steely Steiner, Shad Mayfield - PRCA Athlete, Kade Berry, Jessie Everett, Hadley Thompson, Tyke Kipp and Gus Gallaird, stopped by to visit with patients and families. There were rodeo-themed arts and crafts, CowboyChannel goodies and Resistol hats provided by Cowboys Who Care Foundation for all to take home. Abigail Johnson, Miss Rodeo Teen Texas, also came to visit and Mel Garesek’s beautiful music filled the room. 🎤

Thank you to everyone who made this such a special morning!

02/04/2026

Every day, our employees exemplify our Promise of exceptional care by going above and beyond for our patients, their families, and each other. Even with severe winter weather across North Texas last week, our employees continued to shine. Their dedication to patient families and to each other allowed everyone to receive the care they needed despite the cold conditions.

Last week, we opened “Hero Hotel” to provide a safe and secure place for staff to sleep and avoid traveling on dangerous roads. Air mattresses were distributed to employees so that they could rest in empty offices, hospital rooms and classrooms in the medical center.
Our teams worked around the clock so that they could care for patients and families, prepare warm meals, make sure sidewalks and entryways are safe, address all the weather impacts and so much more.

A Texas-sized thank you to everyone who has supported Cook Children’s through snow and ice! We are grateful for each and every one of you!

01/29/2026

**OFFICE UPDATE FOR THURS 1/29** DELAYED OPENING & ROAD CLOSURE
DELAYED OPENING: Our office will have delayed opening tomorrow at 10am. We will have 2 staff answering phones remotely starting at 7:30 while the rest of the staff make their way to the office, so please bear with us.
ROAD CLOSURE: Scripture Street will be closed at the I35 service road, so please plan to take an alternate route.

01/28/2026

**UPDATED 1/27 @ 6:30pm**
Our Denton office will be closed again tomorrow, Wednesday 1/28. All specialty visits have been changed to video visits and staff will be available remotely to answer phones and portal messages.

01/26/2026

Be safe!

01/24/2026

**UPDATED 1/26 @ 2:50PM**
Our Denton specialty office will be closed on Tuesday 1/27/2026 for the safety of our patients and staff.

Our Denton specialty office will be closed on Monday 1/26/26. All previously scheduled visits with Dr. Newman have been changed to video. Staff will be answering phones remotely if there are any issues.
We will post an update for Tuesday as soon as a decision is made. Stay warm and safe!☃️

01/23/2026

Our Denton building will close at 3pm today to ensure our patients and staff are home safely before the weather gets bad. Phones will be answered until 5pm as normal. Specialty patients scheduled for the Denton location on Monday 1/26/26 have already been changed to be seen virtually. If the building closes on Monday, phones and portal messages will be answered remotely by staff during normal hours. 🌨️❄️

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!

12/01/2025

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. ❤🤍💙