Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper

07/25/2025

Tis the season to escape the heat and celebrate Christmas in July! 🎄🎅🤶

A Texas-sized thank you our Child Life team for bringing holiday cheer to our patients! 🎁

07/23/2025

***Emergency Management DRILL at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper***

If you see unusual activity around our Prosper medical center today, please know this is only a drill.

We’re conducting an emergency management drill to ensure our teams are prepared for any type of emergency. This drill will involve the participation of staff from across the medical center, as well as local emergency responders.

During the drill, you may see some unusual activity, such as:
• Increased traffic and activity around the medical center
• People wearing mock injuries or carrying simulated medical equipment
• The use of loud noises or sirens

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, it is important that we conduct these drills regularly to ensure that we are prepared to respond to any emergency situation.

This drill will NOT impact or delay patient care.

Thank you for your understanding.

06/19/2025

Leannyvette Hernandez has a lot to celebrate -- she just turned 15 and has worked hard to improve her health. She was the first patient to undergo weight loss surgery at Cook Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program in November 2024. She has struggled with obesity since age 4, when her extra pounds already raised concerns about potential diabetes and fatty liver disease. Starting in preschool, other kids bullied her. As a teen, she needed increasing doses of medications to treat several conditions related to obesity.
There are 158 teens and adolescents enrolled in the program, which offers customized support and resources for patients who qualify, accepting ages 13-18. It’s an evidence-based approach in a clinical setting that applies expertise and sensitivity to the physical and emotional challenges of obesity.
Six monthly appointments include evaluation, education, nutrition, health behavior, lifestyle therapy and other services at the clinic, located at Cook Children’s Pediatric Specialties Prosper.

On Nov. 18, 2024, Leannyvette made Cook Children’s history by becoming the first patient in the program to undergo gastric sleeve surgery, which removed about 70 percent of her stomach.
Leannyvette wants to share her experience so that she can help inform and inspire young people who suffer from obesity, a chronic disease that affects an estimated 14.4 million children and teens in the United States. She remembers heading into surgery with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Her mom, Mayra Gonzalez, sent a simple text message on that November morning: “Her new life will start today.”
“People might think that surgery is the easy way out for obesity, but it’s not,” Mayra said. “The kids have to learn how to eat again. They have to learn to make better choices. It’s not just before the surgery or during the process, it’s for their whole life if they want to stay within the limit of the BMI.”

06/15/2025

“You’re the best thing since sliced bread!” 🍞💙
This Father’s Day, our amazing volunteer handed out special treats from Cook Children’s Prosper- Family Support Services to celebrate the incredible dads we serve. A small token of appreciation for the huge impact they make every day.

06/12/2025

Teens with severe obesity are losing weight, making healthier food choices and gaining self-confidence thanks to the Cook Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program.

Since seeing the first patients in April 2024, the bariatric program in its debut year treated 158 teens who struggle with the complex and chronic disease of obesity.

The program – located at Cook Children’s Pediatric Specialties Prosper - is designed as a series of appointments for evaluation, education, nutrition counseling and other services. In consultation with their parents and the medical team, patients may choose to undergo gastric sleeve surgery six months into the program. It’s an evidence-based approach in a clinical setting that applies expertise and sensitivity to the physical and emotional challenges of obesity.

“Families feel an immense sense of relief during their visits with us,” said pediatric surgeon Kanika Bowen-Jallow, M.D., the program’s medical director. “They deeply appreciate being in a safe, supportive environment where they can openly discuss their child’s weight loss journey and explore options without fear, judgment or shame.”

Obesity affects an estimated 14.4 million children and teens in the United States. It’s caused by genetics and other factors. The program at Cook Children’s gives hope and results.

Not everyone in the program chooses to do bariatric surgery, but it’s an option. Dr. Bowen-Jallow performed gastric sleeve surgery on 15 teens in the program’s first year.

Read more about the program’s key points and successes here: https://tinyurl.com/yjmd3ecr

06/11/2025

It was May 7, 2024 when Natalie and Carlos Bendana Sr. learned their son, Carlos, had leukemia. He was just 3 years old and had been feeling sick off and on for a few months. With navigating Carlos’ regular treatment, caring for two other children and working full-time jobs, Natalie and Carlos Sr.’s lives were turned upside down. “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” Natalie said.

Leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer and can be a result of genetic risk factors, although the exact cause is often unknown. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the leukemia usually starts from the lymphoid cells in the bone marrow.

Lauren Akers, D.O., hematologist at Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Prosper, diagnosed Carlos with leukemia. “The directness and honesty from Dr. Akers helped me prepare,” Natalie said. “I felt a mix of emotions the day she diagnosed Carlitos with leukemia.”

Carlos is being treated close to home at the Cook Children’s Infusion Center in Prosper. The specialist team does everything they can to make it comfortable for kids. “All the hospital staff have been amazing! Everyone even knows Carlitos’ name,” Natalie said. “He has four nurses and they laugh together and walk around with him. They always go above and beyond to make him feel comfortable and that he’s able to trust them.”

Read more about Carlos and his story by visiting the link here: https://www.checkupnewsroom.com/determined-to-heal-4-year-old-fights-leukemia-one-day-at-a-time---cook-childrens---prosper/

06/04/2025

During this CPR and AED Awareness week, we highlight the incredible work of Project ADAM. Project ADAM is a nationwide, nonprofit organization founded by Adam Lemel’s family after his sudden cardiac arrest and death in 1999.

Sarah Mendoza Thieroff, Project ADAM Texas Coordinator, said, “The Project ADAM program at Cook Children’s provides free lifesaving training and resources to schools and youth sports programs across the state of Texas. We’re proud to serve over 775 Heart Safe Schools and together, along with 51 other hospitals in 35 states, our Project ADAM program is part of a nationwide movement to save more lives through cardiac emergency preparedness.”

Danielle Moyé, M.D., Cook Children’s pediatric cardiologist and physician director for Project ADAM, is passionate about Project ADAM because “as a cardiologist, I consult on the children who are admitted after a cardiac arrest. I have seen kids who attend local ‘Heart Safe Schools,’ have a sudden cardiac arrest, receive amazing resuscitation at their school, and leave the hospital with no long term complications. It is truly life-saving and I wish every school across the nation and world could be as prepared as possible.”

Project ADAM’s mission is to provide schools across the state of Texas with necessary tools and education. Join us in recognizing their dedication this week, which plays a critical role in building safer communities for our youth. If you and your school/organization want to be involved, visit the link here: https://www.cookchildrens.org/services/cardiology/project-adam/

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!

05/22/2025

We're not just helping kids grow up healthy inside our walls — we're helping them bloom all over North Texas! 🌸 Our friends at Prosper ISD's Prepare to Prosper are digging into gardening with support from Cook Children's Center for Community Health, growing yummy veggies AND important life skills. How cool is that?! Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/46ctrf7x

05/21/2025

It's and we are sharing our gratitude for our partners across the community. These heroic EMTs and paramedics deliver lifesaving care, often serving as the first point of contact in critical situations. We deeply appreciate their dedication and the essential service they provide to our patients before they even reach our doors.

05/19/2025

With summer travel beginning for many families, maintaining water safety awareness is crucial for everyone, regardless of age or location. Whether you're near swimming pools, lakes, or beaches, potential hazards exist, but proper preparation can help prevent tragedies.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4, and the second leading cause for kids 1-14 in Texas. 88% of drownings occur with at least one adult present.

That’s scary information, but there are steps you can take to help protect your child around water, whether it is swim time, unplanned time around water or even bath time.

Click here to read 5 key water safety tips and view a list of swim lesson resources: https://tinyurl.com/a9fskknj

With summer travel beginning for many families, maintaining water safety awareness is crucial for everyone, regardless of age or location. Whether you're near swimming pools, lakes, or beaches, potential hazards exist, but proper preparation can help prevent tragedies.Drowning is the leading cause o...

05/12/2025

Important Traffic Update! ⚠️ Starting May 19, a new concrete barrier will change how you access our driveway near the Specialty Clinics from Highway 380. This means you will no longer be able to make direct left turns into or out of the clinic drive from the highway.

Please see the graphic below for the new traffic flow. We understand this may cause some inconvenience and we appreciate your patience and understanding. 🚗🚧