Cook Children's Pediatrics Stephenville

05/01/2026

Welcoming a newborn is a life-changing experience, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. This is why several Cook Children’s Primary Care offices are now offering free newborn classes for new and expecting parents.

“I remember a mom who came to class looking really worried about whether her baby would be getting enough milk in those early days,” Tina Manshadi, M.D. from Cook Children’s Pediatrics Plano shared. “She kept saying, ‘How will I know?’ So, we sat together and walked through all the little clues we look for, such as how a baby feeds, how they’re gaining weight, monitoring diapers, and the signs that her milk supply was coming in just fine. As we talked, you could see her shoulders relax. By the end, we had a plan that matched her goals, and she knew she wouldn’t be figuring it all out alone. We were a team, and that made all the difference.”

The ‘team’ approach is how the pediatricians at Cook Children’s view newborn care. We are here to be a part of your team every step of the way!

To learn more about our newborn classes and find one near your family, visit: https://tinyurl.com/5n6ztn82

04/30/2026

Cook Children’s is proud to partner with Tarrant Area Food Bank to expand access to healthy food, resources and nutrition education with our R.E.D Bus services.

Beginning May 11, the R.E.D. Bus will be onsite at multiple Cook Children’s neighborhood health centers to help families apply for emergency food benefits like SNAP and connect them nutritious food support. Swipe to see the schedule and find a location near your family.

Together, we’re driving solutions to end hunger, one stop at a time.

Learn more about the R.E.D. Bus here: www.tafb.org/red-bus

04/29/2026

We are beyond honored to announce that Cook Children’s Urgent Cares have been named a DFWChild "Best for Families" winner! Congratulations to Cook Children's Urgent Care and Pediatric Specialties - Alliance, Cook Children's Urgent Care Fort Worth, Cook Children's Urgent Care Hurst, Cook Children's Urgent Care and Pediatric Specialties - Mansfield, Cook Children's Urgent Care Walsh Ranch, Cook Children's Urgent Care and Pediatric Specialties - Southlake and Cook Children's Urgent Care Prosper!

This recognition means the world to us because it comes directly from you, our incredible community. Thank you for choosing us, trusting us, and voting for us. We are so proud to be part of your family! 💙✨

04/28/2026

For many families, autism isn’t something they first learned about in a headline or social media; it’s something they come to understand through their own child. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social skills, behaviors of repetitive nature, and causes difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication. While every individual’s journey is unique, all people with autism share one thing in common that can feel nothing short of extraordinary: their resilience.

For one North Texas family, that resilience is embodied in their little boy, Gabriel “Thor” Munoz. Not because life has been easy, but because from the very beginning, he has faced it with a strength that is impossible to ignore.

It regularly takes 40 weeks for a baby to be born, but not for a superhero. For Thor, it only took 24 weeks and three days, weighing just one pound and seven ounces. His parents, Michael and Mary Munoz, stood by Thor’s side while he spent his first six months fighting, and winning, every battle his tiny body faced.

Thor encountered one of his hardest battles at just a few weeks old when he was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious gastrointestinal condition typically seen in premature infants. NEC left Thor with only a 2% chance of surviving corrective surgery. Despite the daunting odds, Michael and Mary chose to take the risk, clinging to that small window of hope for their son’s future.

On the day of the surgery, Cook Children’s surgeon Marty Knott, DO, Ph.D., arrived wearing a surgical cap covered in superheroes, including the well-known god of thunder, Thor. As soon as Michael and Mary saw the cap, they took it as a sign that their little boy was in the right hands.

Three years later, Dr. Knott and Thor’s family reunited to reflect on the profound bond they formed during those vulnerable early days. To honor Thor's journey, Dr. Knott presented the family with the surgical cap he wore during the life-saving procedure, a symbolic reminder that their child not only carries a superhero’s name, but he is also the true hero of his own story.

To learn more about Thor's amazing story during , visit: https://tinyurl.com/3sy5nmr8

04/27/2026

When children need medication at Cook Children’s, accurate and fast delivery to the bedside makes all the difference.

Clinical technicians – specially certified in medication history taking – play a critical role in making that happen. They serve as the liaison between pharmacists, physicians and nurses, ensuring each patient’s medication history is complete and accurate from the start. The program, which serves as a model for medication history programs nationwide, is led by Alice Yeh, Clinical Pharmacy coordinator, and Mary Hernandez, Clinical Pharmacy technician supervisor.

Through the clinical technician program, 24 technicians manage more than 95% of medication histories. They take medication histories in the Emergency Department (ED), on inpatient floors, and in the Perioperative area. They run the ED Satellite Pharmacy, while three technicians support outpatient clinics. More than 95% of admitted patients and caregivers interact with clinical technicians to provide accurate home medication lists. Their role is especially important when every second counts.

This accuracy directly impacts patient care. With a complete medication history including updates to the patients’ allergies, physicians can order medications from the retail pharmacy to be delivered to the bedside as part of the “Meds to Beds” program. Clinical technicians also assist with clinical tasks, reorder doses and coordinate discharges so patients leave with everything they need. If a patient is not tolerating a medication or has run out, clinical technicians work closely with pharmacists and the care team to resolve issues quickly.

Clinical technicians are cross-trained to provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever they are needed in the hospital. In the ED, dedicated clinical technicians are available around the clock to assist pharmacists, improving both safety and turnaround time for medications.

Through the program, clinical technicians help patients identify and resolve issues with their medications. To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/5n7n2zmf

04/24/2026

Cook Children’s is warning parents about a social media challenge after seeing an increase in overdoses involving diphenhydramine, commonly known as Benadryl. In just six months, more than 100 patients have visited the Cook Children’s emergency department for Benadryl overdoses, resulting in one fatality.

“We are seeing either children are taking the medication in an inappropriate amount intentionally or accidentally ingesting it,” said Stephanie Felton, D.O., associate medical director for the emergency department at the medical center in Fort Worth.

Medical experts say open communication is the first line of defense in preventing an overdose. Dr. Felton acknowledges these can be difficult conversations; however, she emphasizes it can make a potentially life-saving difference. To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2t5jnnc6

04/23/2026

This week, the Jane Justin School held its annual Gallery Night, giving students a chance to show off their artwork and newfound culinary skills that extend well beyond the kitchen. 🎨👨‍🍳👩‍🍳

It was an incredible event filled with vibrant canvases and delicious bites, but the real masterpiece was the confidence and pride on our students’ faces. Everyone had something special to show off to their families and classmates!

04/22/2026

When a child struggles with focus or impulse control, it may point to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, behavior and self-control. Because these symptoms are often mistaken for personality traits or a lack of discipline, accessing proper care can be difficult. This is especially true in underserved communities, where cultural beliefs deeply influence how these behaviors are interpreted, diagnosed, and ultimately treated.

“Many parents hesitate to seek therapy or mental health services due to feelings of stigma or guilt. Mental health challenges are common and treatable medical conditions—not a reflection of parental failure,” said Cook Children’s psychiatrist Akemi Watkins, M.D. “Early intervention improves outcomes and many families benefit from the additional support offered through the mental health system.”

Learn more about the significance of early ADHD detection and how you can support your family by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/48u7ej6z

Cuando un niño tiene dificultades para concentrarse o controlar sus impulsos, esto puede indicar un trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH), una condición del neurodesarrollo que afecta la atención, el comportamiento y el autocontrol. Debido a que estos síntomas suelen confundirse con rasgos de personalidad o falta de disciplina, acceder a una atención adecuada puede ser difícil. Esto sucede más comúnmente en comunidades desatendidas, donde las creencias culturales influyen profundamente en cómo se interpretan, diagnostican y se tratan estos comportamientos.

"Muchos padres dudan en buscar terapia o servicios de salud mental debido a sentimientos de estigma o culpa. Los desafíos de salud mental son condiciones médicas comunes y tratables, no un reflejo de fracaso en la crianza", dijo la psiquiatra de Cook Children’s, Akemi Watkins, M.D. "La intervención temprana mejora los resultados y muchas familias se benefician del apoyo adicional que ofrece el sistema de salud mental".

Lee más aquí: https://tinyurl.com/2b57ndc7

When a child struggles with focus or impulse control, it may point to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, behavior and self-control. Because these symptoms are often mistaken for personality traits or a lack of discipline, accessing...

04/20/2026

Healthy futures begin with access to fresh, nutritious food.

Cook Children’s is proud to stand alongside Community Link and the American Heart Association - Texas to support the "Lettuce Shack,” a freight farm that brings fresh produce directly to the community.

By utilizing advanced hydroponic technology, this unique partnership is overcoming traditional hurdles of food spoilage and seasonal limits, ensuring that families have access to leafy greens harvested just hours before they reach their tables.

“By combining education, access, and hands-on support, this partnership aims to create lasting impacts on family health and nutrition, while also laying the foundation for future opportunities to expand and deepen its reach within the community,” said Emily Epperson, program manager at Cook Children’s The Center for Community Health.

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/3sjt27mr

04/17/2026

This month, you’ll find blue pinwheels at Cook Children’s Medical Centers in Fort Worth and Prosper. They represent an awareness and prevention campaign that Cook Children’s undertakes each April during .

Each of the 1,528 pinwheels represents a visit with Cook Children’s Child Advocacy Resource and Evaluation (C.A.R.E) team due to suspected child abuse in 2025. In Prosper, 1,287 pinwheels illustrate the victims of child abuse in Denton County in 2025.

The pinwheels are only one part of Cook Children’s 24/7 efforts to raise awareness about, prevent and care for those impacted by child abuse and neglect. Across North Texas, Cook Children’s is part of a vast support network for families to not only help children when abuse happens, but also to step in beforehand and prevent it.

To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3rafbwy4

04/17/2026

Abril es el Mes Nacional de la Prevención del Abuso Infantil. Estos molinillos buscan atraer la atención sobre el problema y recordar a los cuidadores y familias que no están solos.

En Cook Children’s Medical Center en Fort Worth 1,528 molinillos representa una consulta realizada en 2025 por el equipo de Cook Children’s Child Advocacy Resource and Evaluation (C.A.R.E., por sus siglas en inglés), debido a sospechas de abuso infantil. En Prosper, otros 1,287 molinillos representan a las víctimas de maltrato infantil en el condado de Denton durante el mismo año.

Cada pieza no es solo un caso o una cifra; representa a un niño.

Lee más aquí: https://tinyurl.com/3hz38x8b

04/16/2026

Bell: Rung. 🔔
Treatment: Done. ✅
Dance moves: 10/10. 🕺

Happy dances were in order to celebrate the end of Royce’s treatment. Music and smiles were seen all throughout Cook Children’s. 💙

An eight-year-old danced and did a cartwheel to celebrate beating leukemia.

03/31/2026

🐣🐰 we will be drawing our winner tomorrow for the Easter goody basket. If you haven’t turned in your coloring sheet yet, you still have time!! 🐰🐣

03/30/2026

We will draw our winner on WEDNESDAY! There is still time to turn in a coloring sheet for your child(s) entry 🐰

03/25/2026

This week is National Poison Prevention Week, a time to focus on keeping our homes safe and our medicine cabinets secure. It’s easy to forget that to a curious child, a bright pill looks just like a piece of candy and colorful liquid medicine can be mistaken for a sweet drink. Because accidental ingestion happens in the blink of an eye, keeping all medications locked up and out of reach is essential. Always ensure your medicine is stored "up and away" in its original container, inside a cabinet or a latch box where little hands can’t find them. Take a few seconds and secure your medication today!

03/25/2026

Don’t forget about our drawing to win this Bucket filled with all the Easter goodies!!

Come grab a coloring sheet & bring it back for an entry!

03/21/2026

Today is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. Today signifies the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome. Today we celebrate their strength and uniqueness. Let’s spread love, understanding and continue to advocate for inclusion.💙💛

03/20/2026

🐰🧺🥚🐣🌷 GIVEAWAY 🐰🐣🌷🥚🧺

Come by our office & get your kiddos a coloring sheet to be entered into our Easter basket giveaway!!!

It’s filled with so many goodies!
🐰 chalk, crayons, candy, bubbles, slime, stamps, glasses, coloring book, stuffy & legos!!!

03/18/2026

🐣🐰🐾 Hop little bunny 🐣🐰🐾 HOP HOP HOP

03/18/2026

We’ve been chalked by the spring bunnies 🐾
Come see it & grab a coloring sheet for your kiddos to color to be entered in a drawing for a super fun Easter themed basket with all the goodies 🐣

01/27/2026

❄️❄️ OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED, again TOMORROW. Wednesday, January 28th. ❄️❄️

🥶 these temps y’all 🥶

Janet is already working on calling to reschedule any appts made for tomorrow.

We are working from home with answering phone calls, responding to portal messages & sending in rx refills (as possible).

🥶❄️ Stay Warm & safe ❄️🥶
We’ll see y’all Thursday 🤞🏼

01/26/2026

🥶 Our office will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27. We will be answering phones & responding to portal messages from home, as well as calling to reschedule appointments.

❄️ we hope you are safe & warm ❄️

01/24/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday 1/26/26. Staff will be working remotely answering phones, calling to reschedule appointments and checking portal messages. We will post an update for Tuesday as soon as a decision is made. Stay warm and safe!☃️

12/18/2025

“Most likely” to…these sayings fit us so well 🎄
How crazy is it that Christmas is one week away?!!!