Cook Children’s Pediatrics Plano

08/18/2025

Nelson Ku didn’t just attend school, he starred in it. The hallways and classrooms of Fort Worth’s All Saint’s Episcopal School were center stage for his uncanny ability to make his friends and classmates laugh. Nelson was known as a smile maker and deeply loved for it.

“Nelson loved going to school because of his love for his classmates,” said Nelson’s father, Peter Ku, D.D.S., a long-time Fort Worth dentist and a member of the Board of Trustees for Cook Children’s Health Care System. “He loved hanging out with them. His love for his friends is why he enjoyed so much being silly and trying to make others laugh.”

So when an asthma attack during Lacrosse practice took his life in February 2024, it devastated the All Saint’s community and left Nelson’s father, mother, Beth, and big brother, Marshall, reeling from their loss. Nelson was just 11 years old when he died.

Dr. Ku and his wife, Beth, believe proper training and education, coupled with the use of rescue tools, could have made a difference in Nelson’s life that day. In hopes of saving others, they are working with Cook Children’s to educate families, schools and sports organizations about the serious health impacts of asthma and the tools available to intervene when a child experiences an attack. The couple hopes asthma rescue medications and resources will one day be as standard in schools, on practice fields and at every sporting event as automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) are today.

In June, Cook Children’s officially launched a new program to help children and families better manage asthma and its hidden threats. It’s known as the Nelson Ku High-Risk Asthma Program. The goal of the program is to identify and address the barriers to asthma care and symptom control of children who often seek care for the condition in the emergency department. The program aims to give them the education and tools they need to reduce the severity of their attacks and the need for hospitalization.

To learn more about the Nelson Ku High-Risk Asthma Program, visit: https://tinyurl.com/wvzzxnuc

08/15/2025

We loved having our second week of our 30 Days of Wellness events at the neighborhood health center in Las Vegas Trail! It was the first full week of events and we were thrilled to see so many new faces stop by.

To celebrate the first week of school, the NHC Demo Kitchen invited kids to create quick, nutritious treats they can make at home for an after school snack. Cook Children’s The Center for Community Health had multiple events throughout the week covering various topics such as asthma action plan basics for kids, safe sleep education, infant resources and parenting tools for communication, routines and resilience. JPS Health Network also hosted several events about their Connection Program, behavioral health services, diabetes education as well as lactation education. My Health My Resources (MHMR) shared early-childhood development screening and support referrals. Lastly, Cook Children’s had art projects that teach kids to identify and express emotions and support coping skills.

Join us for a full month of free wellness activities, education and family-friendly celebrations designed to help our community thrive. Every weekday until September 5, you’ll find hands-on demos, health screenings, safety workshops, nutrition classes and more, all hosted by Cook Children’s and trusted local partners. No registration is needed!

To learn more about the 30 Days of Wellness and see a full calendar of events, visit: https://www.checkupnewsroom.com/30days/

08/14/2025

The new neighborhood health center serving the Las Vegas Trail area isn't just a place for healing—it's also a hub for safety, thanks to the addition of a Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) storefront. The storefront will be home to FWPD’s Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, which works to strengthen security in the area’s many apartment communities. It will also provide space where West Division patrol officers can complete reports and take breaks between patrols.

Neighborhoods marred by crime don’t just feel unsafe, they become hazardous to health. When fear takes root, people retreat indoors and avoid parks, schools, clinics and engaging with their neighbors—all building blocks to healthy bodies and minds.

For decades, the Las Vegas Trail area has been a hotspot for crime in Fort Worth. Although roughly 1% of the population of the City of Fort Worth, the area accounts for roughly 4% of the city’s crime, according to the Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Transformation Plan published in 2022.

However, recent efforts by the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD), in partnership with LVTRise, to reduce crime, increase safety and build community, are producing positive results. Both crime against people and crime against property numbers in the area are trending down, according to Sergeant A.S. Owen, FWPD West Division Lincoln NPO.

“One of the most significant elements of the success our department is having with respect to curbing crime in the LVT corridor is understanding that our job as law enforcement officers is not to simply make arrests, but rather to solve problems and meet the needs of the community,” Sgt. Owen said.

Thanks to these efforts, traditional barriers between law enforcement and the community are eroding. In their place, a foundation of trust is emerging.

To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/hdc2kp82

08/13/2025

We are excited to share a major milestone in our Magnet journey!

Cook Children's Medical Center was designated as a Magnet organization in 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021 by the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®. We have officially received notification that our Magnet document has been fully accepted with no deficiencies. This is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of the outstanding work happening across our organization!

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.

The next step is the Magnet Site Visit, which is scheduled for Sept. 22 – 24.

During this visit, three Magnet Appraisers will be on-site to engage with teams across all the practice areas included in our document.
The purpose of this visit is to validate and celebrate the incredible work described in our written document.

Read the official public notice here: https://tinyurl.com/yc59rmzd

08/12/2025

It’s that time of year again, school is back in session, and so is the Texas heat! That magical time of the year when school is in, and kids are more active. It also brings sweltering temperatures, which lead to sweaty, thirsty children who can become dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to nausea, dizziness, headache, or even heat stroke.

So, how can you tell if your child is staying hydrated? Ask them what color their p*e is! Urine color has been found to be a good marker of how hydrated a person is. Swipe to find out if your child is staying adequately hydrated. (This, of course, also applies to adults!)

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/y8mzrydy

08/11/2025

On Saturday morning, LVTRise hosted a back-to-school event at their Community Center. They had different organizations from all over the community providing services and supplies to prepare families for the fall.

Cook Children’s physicians and nurses distributed immunizations needed for the first day of school. Our furry friends from our Sit…Stay…PLAY Program and Child Life specialists were also there to support the kids as well.

We were grateful to be a part of this day and excited to see so many smiling faces!

08/08/2025

This week kicked off the first few days of our 30 Days of Wellness events at the neighborhood health center in Las Vegas Trail!

Volunteers from the Parent Pass app by The Best Place for Kids stopped by to explain how to navigate the app and share about all the local events and opportunities in the area. Cook Children’s The Center for Community Health's “Aim for Safety” initiative leaders and the JPS Trauma department shared hands-on firearm safety knowledge and safe storage resources. The Fort Worth Police Department demonstrated child-proofing essentials and gave tips to secure your home. It was a successful first three days and we are looking forward to more!

Join us for a full month of free wellness activities, education and family-friendly celebrations designed to help our community thrive. Every weekday until September 5, you’ll find hands-on demos, health screenings, safety workshops, nutrition classes and more, all hosted by Cook Children’s and trusted local partners. No registration is needed!

To learn more about the 30 Days of Wellness and see a full calendar of events, visit: https://www.checkupnewsroom.com/30days/

08/08/2025

It's just about time to prepare for the new school year! Here are a few things to check off your to-do list to ensure your child has a healthy year:

• Check for the school supply list from your child’s school.
• Schedule a back-to-school checkup and sports physical if your child is an athlete.
• Share an action plan for your child’s health condition with their school (Ex. allergies, asthma or diabetes). This plan informs the school about information on medication for your child – dosage and schedule. Having this at the school makes it easier for them to safely manage your child’s condition.
• Practice good oral health at home. When children have dental pain or cavities, it makes it difficult for them to learn in school.

To learn more tips about how to keep your family happy and healthy, visit The Center for Community Health page!

08/06/2025

A new partnership launching this fall is bringing Cook Children’s pediatric expertise directly to Celina ISD campuses. Exciting news for Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper and Celina ISD parents and students!

We're kicking off the school year with some exciting news for Celina ISD parents and students!

A new partnership launching this fall is bringing Cook Children’s pediatric expertise directly to Celina ISD campuses.

This school year, Celina ISD students enrolled in Cook Children's School Based Virtual Health program will benefit from:
● Real-time video visits with a certified nurse practitioner through the school nurse's office.
● Quick diagnosis and treatment for common illnesses like fevers, earaches, sore throats, and more – reducing classroom disruptions and parent work absences.
● Easy follow-up with your child's primary care physician, and your preferred pharmacy for prescriptions.

This collaboration makes it easier than ever for students to get the care they need, right at school.

Learn how to sign up at https://www.celinaisd.com/our-departments/health-services/cookchildrens

08/05/2025

Today, the new neighborhood health center serving the Las Vegas Trail area officially opened its doors, bringing a fresh wave of safety, health and nutrition resources to Las Vegas Trail residents. The center is the product of a historic collaboration between Cook Children’s Health Care System, JPS Health Network, the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, LVTRise and WestAid, with additional support from Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, Tarrant County College and the Fort Worth Police Department.

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.

“This project represents a major strategic investment in the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood, demonstrating our commitment to this vital part of our community,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “The partnership between Cook Children’s, JPS, the City of Fort Worth, LVTRise, West Aid, and many others is a groundbreaking model for comprehensive community care. We are establishing a best practice here, and Fort Worth’s innovative approach will be a model for other cities.”

Learn more about the landmark collaboration bringing the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood a one-of-a-kind community health care hub: https://tinyurl.com/bdd5kjtz

08/04/2025

A new beginning takes flight! Residents of Fort Worth’s Las Vegas Trail (LVT) neighborhood will soon have easy access to doctors, mental health care, nutrition services, career training and more when the new neighborhood health center in Las Vegas Trail fully opens tomorrow.

Under one roof, neighbors will find:
• Cook Children’s Neighborhood Health Center offering pediatric medicine, behavioral health, well-child and sick visit care.
• JPS Health Network offering family medicine, behavioral health, women’s health, social services and more.
• WestAid on-site food pantry
• A demonstration kitchen staffed by a registered dietitian
• Workforce training program focused on customer service positions in health care
• Community education classes for pregnancy, lactation support, asthma, CPR, injury prevention, parenting support, adult health and more
• A Fort Worth Police Department storefront

“The collaboration that has gone into this center is what truly makes it so special, and I’m really honored to say that Cook Children’s is a part of it,” said Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System. “The best part is that the residents have been a huge voice and guiding light in the transformation happening there, even helping us envision and paint a beautiful mural at the new facility. Their fingerprints are all over this project and will continue to guide how we evolve in this space to best serve them.”

To learn more about this neighborhood health center, visit https://www.cookchildrens.org/services/neighborhood-clinics/appointments/nhc-las-vegas/