We're Growing!

At Cook Children’s, we believe in care that goes beyond the ordinary—care that’s built on empathy, collaboration and a commitment to do everything for the child. Through imagination and teamwork, we strive to see the world through the eyes of each family we serve. Our growth reflects a deep connection to the needs of our patient families—creating spaces intentionally designed for comfort, warmth and healing. Here, exceptional care happens every single day. And as we expand, it’s going to get even better! We're building a future where every child can experience the health, happiness and wonder they deserve.

Fort Worth expansion Neighborhood Health Centers News and media requests

Fort Worth expansion (West Tower)

As Fort Worth continues to experience rapid growth, the demand for specialized pediatric care has increased significantly. To address this need, Cook Children’s is preparing to embark on a 10-year master plan, beginning with the construction of a new 760,000-square-foot medical tower, referred to as the West Tower. This plan will allow for a new and improved Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), an expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), as well as additional capacity for our Hematology and Oncology Center, operating rooms, and imaging services.

Since 2016, Cook Children’s has seen an almost 90% increase in patient days, or the cumulative care provided over a period of time. Respiratory illness is the top driver of PICU admissions, followed by neurologic injury and disorders of the endocrine system. During busy sick seasons, it’s not uncommon to see 500 to 600 patients in a single day in the Emergency Department (ED), with many requiring admission to the PICU.

The new PICU will feature 56 private rooms, designed to provide a calm and healing environment for patients and their families. The NICU will also be expanded with an additional 37 beds to accommodate the increasing number of critically ill newborns.

To keep pace with current and projected growth in the area, the health system is preparing to meet the moment once again by embarking on a 10-year master plan to expand and enhance its Fort Worth medical center.

Stan Davis, president of Cook Children’s Medical Center, provides an overview Cook Children’s 10-year master plan to expand and enhance our Fort Worth medical center.

Meeting the need

The needs of our community are growing, and so are we. We’re committed to being there for every child, which is why we're exploring opportunities to further expand our campus to better serve the children and families across Fort Worth and the other counties we serve.

Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System

12th

Largest city in the U.S. is Fort Worth

59

People moving to Fort Worth every day

49

Olympic-sized pools would hold the amount of dirt we're excavating

8.1 million

Gallons of Blue Bell ice cream would be needed to hold all the concrete

18

Eiffel Towers on top of each other is the same height as all our concrete columns used

400

Toilets and sinks installed

1.5 million

Pounds of sheetmetal for our ductwork

1,200

Miles of wiring

200

Miles of conduit used, which is enough to power 220 homes

10,000

Plugs and switches installed

100

Miles of pipe will be used

80

Average patients our NICU serves per day

102

Record number of patients in our NICU at one time

37

New NICU beds being added

28

Beds available for Cardiac ICU

56

New private pediatric ICU rooms

500 to 600+

Daily patients in our ED during sick seasons

760,000

Square feet of space within the West Tower

1 million

Total square feet added to Fort Worth campus

Our place in this world is to be there when kids need us, and to provide that necessary support for that family and that child so that they’re able to have as productive of a life as they possibly can. So our belief is we do that by having the facilities, having the physicians and caregivers, having the technology, but also having the heart and the commitment of our community and our team to be able to do that when it’s necessary. That’s why we’re here. We stand in the middle of being able to and not being able to provide that necessary critical care.

Stan Davis, President of Cook Children’s Medical Center

Stay up-to-date on our expansion

Construction updates

Click here to learn about road closures and construction updates week to week

News: Expanding critical care

Cook Children’s unveils plan to expand critical care to meet community demand

News: Fort Worth growth

Cook Children’s looks to expand medical campus to keep up with unprecedented growth in Fort Worth

Press release: Master plan

Cook Children's presents 10-year master plan, beginning with the construction of a new medical tower

Neighborhood Health Center growth

Our community-based Neighborhood Health Centers provide a primary medical home for kids from birth through adolescence. Our pediatricians, clinical staff, administrative staff, and family support staff are here to provide the complete care children need at every age and stage.

Las Vegas Trail

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Cook Children’s Health Care System and JPS Health Network are joining forces to bring critical health care services to children and families in the Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood.

The center will provide pediatric and adult medical services, behavioral health services, and social services support such as food insecurity in the form of a food pantry, community education, and onsite job training for health care industry positions. With support from the City of Fort Worth, a Fort Worth Police Storefront will also be housed in the building to help foster police relations within the community.

In the LVT area, there are more than 20,000 children aged 0-14 with a 7% growth in this population expected by 2025. Currently, Cook Children’s Emergency Department and Urgent Care Clinics account for more than 4,000 annual visits from children in the 76116 and 76108 zip codes. Additionally, more than 7,000 members of Cook Children’s Health Plan live in these zip codes. Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center will allow Cook Children’s patients and Health Plan members to have a medical home for their health care needs that’s close to their own home.

Special thanks to LVTRise, WestAid, Workforce Solutions, Tarrant County College, and others, who are making this project a reality. We appreciate your partnership.

Introducing Cook Children’s Neighborhood Health Center provided by The Happy Davis Foundation and the Texas Rangers

Howdy Fort Worth families and friends! Coming soon to the east side of town is a brand new place dedicated to keeping our kiddos healthy and well! It's called the Cook Children’s Neighborhood Health Center – and guess who's making it happen? The generous folks at The Happy Davis Foundation and your very own Texas Rangers!

This special health center will be your child’s medical home for everything from back-to-school and sports check-ups to sick visits and immunizations. They'll even help connect you with specialists when needed, offer nutrition and behavioral health counseling, and provide extra support for you and your whole family. Get ready for healthier and happier kids, east Fort Worth!

News and media requests

Cook Children’s Public Relations team is available at 682-774-2810. You can also email us at media@cookchildrens.org.