Fort Worth Native Named as Cook Children’s New CDO

Cook Children’s Health Care System is pleased to announce Kyle D. Edgington, Ph.D. is stepping into the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer for the Cook Children’s Health Foundation.

After an extensive search, Cook Children’s chose Dr. Edgington based on his experience and success in leadership, endowment growth, donor engagement and strategic partnerships. He began at Cook Children’s on April 21, taking the fundraising helm for an ambitious $1.25 billion expansion project at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth.

“As we embark on the largest fundraising campaign in the history of Cook Children’s, Kyle brings an expertise that makes him an ideal fit for our organization,” said Rick W. Merrill, president and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System.

“His skillset and proven leadership will be key to raising philanthropic support required to expand and enhance our flagship medical center,” Mr. Merrill said. “We look forward to Kyle’s vital impact steering the fundraising effort for this transformative project.”

Dr. Edgington, a Fort Worth native, comes to Cook Children’s after 16 years at The University of Texas at Dallas, where he held multiple teaching and administrative leadership roles. Most recently, as Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations for the university, he oversaw a 110-member team and a $15 million budget. Just a few of his achievements include:

• Spearheading “New Dimensions: The Campaign for UT Dallas,” which to date has raised $440 million toward a $750 million goal;
• More than doubling the university’s endowment, now valued at $868 million; and
• Boosting annual gift count by 183% and donor count by 70%.

Dr. Edgington holds a Ph.D. in Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Dallas, an MBA from Wayland Baptist University, and a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. In addition to his professional success, he has a long history of serving children in North Texas as a volunteer. He is a past president for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star Foundation, as well as a head youth basketball coach for Allen Sports Association.

“Philanthropy is one of the oldest and most cherished traditions in health care, and few places embody its spirit more profoundly than Cook Children’s. I am excited to join the organization during such a pivotal season of growth and look forward to the impact our work together will have in the community and beyond,” Edgington said.

In November 2024, Cook Children’s unveiled a 10-year master plan, including the new West Tower, to help meet pediatric health care needs for the growing population of North Texas.  The West Tower is a 760,000-square-foot expansion on the campus of our flagship medical center in Fort Worth. This project will increase capacity for critical care, cardiology and transitional care. This expansion also creates next level operating rooms with technology and equipment to support advanced programs like orthospine, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, robotics and more. This tower will be home to leading edge pediatric care, research and innovation demonstrating our commitment to building a healthier future for families in our community and for generations to come.

Sources of financing to build the West Tower will include a mix of operations, bonds and philanthropic support.

“We pledge at Cook Children’s to do everything we can for the health and well-being of the children in our community,” Mr. Merrill said. “Making our Fort Worth medical center bigger and better helps us fulfill that Promise. We’re looking to the future and taking steps to deliver the state-of-the-art facilities that will allow us to continue providing exceptional care for children in our region and beyond.”