Certified Child Life Specialists are educated and clinically trained in the developmental impact of illness and injury. Their role helps improve patient and family care, satisfaction, and overall experience. In both healthcare and community settings, Certified Child Life Specialists help infants, children, youth and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss and bereavement. They provide evidence-based, developmentally and psychologically-appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain.

Our staff consists of trained professionals who have either a bachelor’s or master’s degree, have completed a Child Life Internship and have successfully completed the Child Life Professional Certification Exam

• Pediatrics
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
• Pediatric Sedation Program
• Outpatient Surgery & Day Surgery
• Burn Unit
• Endoscopy
• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic
• Consults for children of adult patients undergoing care at UMC