When visiting Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, it doesn’t take long to recognize how invaluable Child Life Specialists are. They’re in every area of the hospital, donning their pink and black uniforms, and spreading joy at every opportunity.
What is a Child Life Specialist?
The field of “child life” began more than 50 years ago at a time when it was uncommon for parents to be included in a child’s hospital care. Parents often visited their sick children only during visiting hours or on weekends. Since then, Child Life advocates have worked hard to prove how important it is to empower children and their families during diagnosis, care, and recovery.
Meet the team
Lois Simpson
When Lois Simpson graduated from college, she turned to a recruiter for help in job placement. The recruiter suggested she go into Child Life. “Once I got started, I knew this was for me,” Lois said. With her original title, “Child Life Assistant,” she worked under a Director of Physical Therapy, and under the supervision of a social worker.
Today, applicants require a Child Life Certification for the job (and many colleges offer degrees specific to the field). Lois entered the field before those resources were available, but has since accomplished certification. “My, how things have changed,” she laughed. Currently, Lois serves as the Senior Child Life Specialist, and is celebrating her 30th year in Child Life.
“My favorite part is the pet therapy program. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a child’s face light up when one of his or her furry friends rounds the corner.” Four days per week, hospital-approved dogs and their owners visit the inpatient floors and outpatient clinics. Lois makes the rounds with the pets and owners, ensuring the visits stay on track and positive.
Pet therapy is just the beginning of her work, which includes “anything that makes the hospital less scary,” as Lois described. “I remember, years ago, a child that had severe burns. He was only 2 or 3 years old, and I realized that if I danced, it would make him laugh. So, every time I visited, I would dance silly. Even when children are at their sickest, they still want to play.”
Madeline Howard
Madeline always knew that she wanted to work with kids, but she was unsure how to translate her passion into a career. Though she began as an Elementary Education major at Mississippi State University, her family’s medical background played into her decision to choose Child Life. After an internship at Vanderbilt University, she joined the team at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
Today, Madeline can be found in outpatient clinics and radiology, walking kids through procedures and explaining treatment in terms they can understand. She carries a bag of tricks to aid in her explanations. “I love seek-and-find books to help distract kids from their procedures. Also, bubbles are great; toys with music and lights, and of course our iPad with music and games.” She also carries Frank the teaching doll to more easily explain how bodies work. “I love empowering children through preparation and play to help them cope with whatever happens to them in the hospital. Then hearing them say at the end, ‘it wasn’t so bad.’”
Ashley Zani
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