Cook Children's Pediatrics Lake Worth

10/08/2025

Many small but mighty researchers roamed the halls of Cook Children’s yesterday!

To celebrate and share about our family-centered care, patients had the opportunity to “Be A Researcher” alongside members of our Nursing Evidence-Based Practice and Research (NEBPR) council as they walked through an exercise. It was a fun and educational day for everyone!

10/07/2025

Cook Children’s is proud to announce that six of our specialty programs have been ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News and World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. This recognition underscores the health care system's unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care to children and their families.

The following Cook Children’s specialties were named among the top programs:

• Pediatric Behavioral Health – Top 50
• Pediatric Cancer - #41 in the nation
• Pediatric Endocrinology - #35 in the nation
• Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery - #33 in the nation
• Pediatric Orthopedics - #49 in the nation
• Pediatric Pulmonology - #48 in the nation

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/mwwh4nja

Cook Children’s Health Care System is proud to announce that six of its specialty programs have been ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. This recognition underscores the health care system's unwavering commitment to p...

10/03/2025

Spirit Halloween is adding a little magic to spooky season by helping you save while supporting Cook Children’s. Show the coupon to save 10% on your purchase and donate 10% to Child Life at Cook Children’s.

A hospital visit shouldn’t be spooky. Our Child Life specialists are experts in FUN, providing comfort through art, music and furry friend cuddles. You can support their work and spark healing by visiting Spirit Halloween today!

To save and show your support, use the coupon linked here: https://www.cookchildrenspromise.org/halloween

10/02/2025

Congratulations to Heather Minton, fourth-grade teacher at the Jane Justin School, for being named one of Fort Worth Magazine’s Top 10 Teachers! Heather is one of the many incredible individuals at the Jane Justin School and we are thrilled that she is being honored for all that she does.

Heather works with children who have developmental and learning disabilities with the goal of making each child the best scholar, citizen, and loyal friend they can be. “Teaching them to be kind, respectful, patient, and forgiving,” she says. “I try to teach them and show them that their action makes a difference, and they can make a positive difference.”

Read more here: https://fwtx.com/culture/people/fort-worth-top-teachers-2025/

Nominated by those who know them best, these 10 standout educators from public, private, and charter schools are shaping minds, shifting perspectives, and leaving lasting impressions in classrooms across the city.

10/02/2025

Just a friendly reminder we still have availability for our flu clinic this Saturday October 4th. Please call our office to book your child's appointment!

10/02/2025

This October, we stand together for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At Cook Children’s, we honor the survivors, support those fighting the disease, and remember the ones we’ve lost. Together, we can honor their strength by continuing to fight for a cure.

10/01/2025

The Texas Poison Center has reported 192 exposures involving kratom or 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) this year. 7-OH is a chemical compound found in small traces in kratom, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom is known for its stimulant and opioid-like effects. Both 7-OH and kratom are often marketed as remedies for pain, anxiety or opioid withdrawal.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends “consumers avoid 7-OH products, including conventional foods, dietary supplements, and those claiming to treat an ailment or disorder.” Neither 7-OH nor kratom is FDA-approved for medicinal use, and has not been proven safe or effective.

The Texas Department of State Health Services issued a public health alert on the use of 7-OH, on Sept. 2. DSHS has found 7-OH in low levels of kratom products sold as liquid extracts, powders and gummies across the state.

Klaressa Broughton, poison prevention program coordinator for Cook Children’s Center for Community Health, explains that the public health alert is intended to raise awareness of the dangers posed by 7-OH products due to the rise in cases and increased access to these products. She shares what parents should know about this public health alert and offers guidance on how to talk to their children.

To learn more about this alert and how you can protect your family, visit:

The Texas Poison Control Network received 192 reports of kratom and other 7-OH products in 2025 alone, compared with 229 exposures combined in 2023 and 2024.The agency reported 19 cases this year. Eleven of those cases required treatment at a health care facility due to significant health risks. 

09/29/2025

With a little bit of teasing and a lot of affection, siblings Anyah and Cobus Johnson like to talk about how much they have in common.

Anyah, 13, and 11-year-old Cobus share the same friends and favorite games. They even share identical blood and immune systems. That’s because doctors at Cook Children’s in September 2024 infused a small portion of Cobus’ bone marrow into Anyah’s body in hopes of curing her sickle cell disease (SCD).

Anyah was born with SCD, a genetic disorder that bends red blood cells into a crescent shape. SCD can cause pain, anemia, stroke and other complications when those sickled cells get clumped up in the blood vessels.

Thanks to the healthy cells she received from her brother, Anyah now makes her own healthy red blood cells instead of abnormal ones. She doesn’t have limits on physical activity or need blood transfusions like she did before the stem cell transplant.

“My favorite thing is that I don’t have sickle cell anymore. I’m able to do more things,” she said.

September is , a time to promote understanding and encouragement for the estimated 100,000 people in the United States who live with SCD. The Cook Children’s Sickle Cell Program follows about 600 patients with services including diagnosis, treatment, stroke screening, clinical trials and more.

To learn more about our Stem Cell Transplant Program and read more about Anyah and Cobus’s incredible story, visit: https://tinyurl.com/22nxpp7s

09/26/2025

Last week, Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology Center held a Be The Match Swab event to help parents and visitors join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). NMDP is a global leader in bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants, driving life-saving research. Cook Children’s is proud to partner with NMDP and have an NMDP program of our own here.

The first step to being someone's cure is to join Be The Match Registry®. If you are between the ages of 18-44, committed to donating to any patient in need, and meet the health guidelines, there are two ways to join. You can join in person at a donor registry drive in your community or request a swab kit to be mailed to you by registering online.

To learn more and join the registry, visit: https://www.nmdp.org/get-involved/join-the-registry

09/25/2025

Advanced Practice Providers (APP) are integral members of the health care team that promote and support the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective care here at Cook Children’s. What does that encompass? APPs consist of all types of advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives) and physician assistants.

Our APPs collaborate with our physicians to provide care to our patients in a variety of clinical settings. From the medical centers, to our urgent cares, to the Dodson surgery center and specialty clinics, and many of our neighborhood and primary care clinics, APPs are able to provide a comprehensive range of health care services to our patients. With over 445 APP’s in our organization, each of them practice in almost every specialty and their group continues to grow in numbers.

To celebrate Advanced Practice Providers Week, we sat down with three of our APP's to learn a little more about this unique role. Read more here:

Advanced Practice Providers (APP) are integral members of the health care team that promote and support the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective care here at Cook Children’s. What does that encompass? APPs consist of all types of advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners, certified ...

09/24/2025

Greetings,

We are sharing a message today because there has been a lot of news regarding vaccines over the last few weeks and we are getting a lot of questions about what it all means for our care of children here at Cook Children’s in Lake Worth . A lot of our patients’ families are confused about all the noise that they are hearing from multiple sources of “information”. A clear message from us is therefore needed. We are focused only on providing the very best care that science and medical evidence indicates should be given, and we will continue to partner with you and providing that care as faithfully as we have always done.

Recent events in our federal government have resulted in the loss of credibility and confidence in our national public health system-specifically the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result of this, the professional organization for pediatricians.-the American Academy of Pediatrics-has stepped up to provide the science and evidence-based recommendations that we rely upon to guide our provision of vaccines to our patients.

We have already received shipments of influenza vaccinations and will continue to provide those as we have always done. Influenza vaccination is recommended for all children 6 months of age and older. We already have flu clinics arranged and we invite you to give us a call or send us a portal message to assist in getting your child scheduled if your child is not getting one at a regularly scheduled Well Check in the near future.

The current COVID-19 vaccination recommendations from our national public health organizations are different from what they have been in the past and from what the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends. This practice will continue to follow those recommendations provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics for those families who want COVID-19 vaccinations for their children. We understand that there may be variability in insurance coverage of this vaccine because of the current COVID-19 vaccination recommendations from the federal government. This is a rapidly evolving situation that we will continue to follow carefully and we will do our best to provide you with the best and most current information that we can.

We will continue to be your trusted voice and messenger that will cut through all the “noise” that you may be hearing .

Kind regards,

The Cook Children’s Lake Worth Team

09/24/2025

In 2023, 43% of children killed in car crashes were unrestrained, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Texas law requires children under the age of 8 and those under 4 feet 9 inches to be in a child safety seat. Despite these laws, NHTSA data shows that 46% of car seats are installed incorrectly.

A Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) can help ensure a child is safely and correctly secured in their car seat. Cook Children’s Health Care System has 66 CPSTs across North Texas.

CPSTs at Cook Children's work with patients and their families to ensure a safe discharge from the hospital. Nurses screen patients during admission to confirm they are in the correct car seat or booster. If a family needs a car seat, it is provided free of charge, and a CPST then educates them on its proper use and installation.

During Child Car Safety and Child Passenger Week, learn more about how to protect your family in the car and how Cook Children’s can help: https://tinyurl.com/skp9nf58

Lo que debe saber sobre la seguridad de pasajeros menores de edad. En 2023, el 43% de los niños que murieron en accidentes automovilísticos no llevaban puesto el cinturón de seguridad, según la Administración Nacional de Seguridad del Tráfico en las Carreteras (NHTSA, por sus siglas en inglés). Incluso los datos de la NHTSA muestran que el 46% de los asientos de seguridad se instalan incorrectamente.

Un Técnico Certificado en Seguridad de los niños como Pasajeros (CPST, por sus siglas en inglés) puede ayudar a garantizar que un niño esté seguro y correctamente sujeto en su asiento de seguridad para el coche. El Cook Children's Health Care System tiene 66 CPST en todo el norte de Texas.

Lee más aquí: https://tinyurl.com/2vybn9ek

Free car seat checksTexas law requires kids to ride in a safety seat that fits by weight and height until age 8 or at least 57 inches tall.The Injury Prevention Collaborative offers events where you can make an appointment with a certified technician. We offer FREE car seat checks and assistance to....

09/24/2025

In May 2024, 6-year-old Ellis was diagnosed with mature B-cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Sept. 15, 2025 marked his first year of being in remission. His parents, Zach and Lea Ashcraft, are grateful for the care he received from Lauren Akers, D.O., a hematologist and the team at Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center at Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper.

“Cook Children’s has been such a blessing to our family and we are so thankful for the medical care they have provided for our son,” Zach and Lea said.

Ellis went through four rounds of chemotherapy after a tumor was removed. Zach and Lea were blessed to have a close support system throughout his treatment—their community provided them with meals, child care for Ellis’ brother, gifts, letters, financial support and prayers. They are forever thankful for the people who helped them throughout the tough times.

“Let people support and help you,” Zach advised. “It’s not a journey to take alone.”

Reminding yourself to take life one day at a time and remembering not to focus on the things that you can’t change can bring comfort.

“Be there in each moment with your child,” Zach and Lea said. “You are their safe place and need to be sure to take care of yourself, too. Staying grounded in prayer and helping bring them joy in the day-to-day is so valuable.”

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a special time dedicated to raising awareness about pediatric cancer and advocating for innovative research, medical treatments, clinical trials and support for affected families. Learn more about our care services and the latest research and therapy for lymphoma and other childhood cancers. https://www.cookchildrens.org/services/hematology-oncology/conditions/hemophilia/

09/23/2025

No one is made for cancer, but Perry Oviedo certainly has the s***k it takes to beat it. At just 3 years old, she’s already spent nearly two years fighting a type of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and she’s done it with a heaping dose of grit and grace.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is an aggressive cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells that crowd out healthy blood cells. Perry’s diagnosis came after about six weeks of symptoms that doctors originally thought were due to a viral infection. After weeks of not having an answer, one finally came on a Wednesday morning in January 2024 at the Emergency Department at Cook Children’s Medical Center, and it changed their lives forever.

On that fateful day, Holly Pacenta, M.D., Cook Children’s hematologist/oncologist, and Alan Ready, CPNP-AC, a hematology/oncology nurse practitioner, met the Oviedos in the ER to explain the diagnosis and next steps, which included two and a half years of chemotherapy. By that evening, Perry was settling into what would become her home away from home during much of her treatment—Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Unit. Within 24 hours, she began her first round of chemotherapy.

As treatment progressed, the Oviedos began to see glimpses of their daughter’s s***ky personality return. Her care team noticed, too. “She is such a sweet little girl with a lot of s***k,” said Dr. Pacenta. “Whenever she comes to clinic, she usually ends up in the workroom where the doctors and nurses sit, entertaining us or showing off her outfit. She is always happy to see us and full of joy, even when she knows she’s coming to her doctor visit to get chemo. It reminds me that she’s still just a little toddler who just wants to play and laugh.”

Even with Perry’s favorable response to treatment, her journey hasn’t been without its complications and setbacks, Ashley says. What they once called s***k and sass, they now recognize as the spirit of the warrior Perry has proven herself to be. Their eyes remain firmly fixed on the prize ahead—that ever symbolic and special bell-ringing day.

Read more about Perry's inspiring journey and watch the full video here: https://tinyurl.com/2vj345wb

09/22/2025

Amy Knight's career journey has come full circle, leading her back to Cook Children's Health Care System as the new Chief Administrative Officer. She started at Cook Children’s years ago as an intern and is now back to help amplify our promise and our story. Her story is a powerful testament to what makes this organization special.

In a recent interview with Becker's Hospital Review, Amy shares details about her return to Fort Worth, her passion for the system's "thoughtful expansion," and her vision for the future.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/4ks4cdu9

09/16/2025

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09/10/2025

September is World Alzheimer's Month, a time to increase awareness of this progressive brain disease and challenge the stigma often linked to it.

08/20/2025

The month of August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Immunizations are a shot or vaccine that helps your body become strong against certain illnesses. If you need help understanding immunizations we encourage you to talk to your child’s physician or check out our Cook Children’s Immunizations and Vaccine Resources page. https://www.cookchildrens.org/health-resources/immunizations-and-vaccines/

08/13/2025

Happy International Lefthanders Day to all our amazing left-handed kids and parents! Only 10% of the population is left-handed, so we celebrate your awesome individuality.

08/08/2025

Happy International Coworking day to all of the collaborative teams out there. We know all of the teams at Cook Children’s are amazing and we want to thank you for being the best coworkers ever!

08/06/2025

August is Don’t Be a Bully Month. Bullying is when someone repeatedly hurts or scares another person on purpose, this can happen through words, physical harm or trying to control or intimidate someone. If you are worried that your child is a victim of bullying or might be bullying someone else, check out these resources. https://www.cookchildrens.org/health-resources/school-life/bullying-at-school/

05/14/2025