Phone: 617-724-5727
Child Life Services at MassGeneral Hospital for Children assists children and adolescents coping with illness and medical treatment. The program is dedicated to creating a comfortable, therapeutic and family centered environment. Our goal is to optimize a patient’s growth and development, decrease anxiety and foster positive coping skills. Medical preparation and procedural support, offered by Child Life, helps patients gain a sense of mastery over their health care experiences. We encourage play opportunities and peer socialization to help normalize the hospital setting.Child Life Specialists are certified in the assessment and treatment of the developmental, emotional and psychosocial issues of children. As members of the health care team, we provide consultation and intervention services regarding child development and the impact of illness, injury and hospitalization on children and families.
Services:
- Hospital pre-admission tours and education by appointment.
- Support to patients and families before, during and after medical procedures.
- Therapeutic play and recreational activities to monitor intellectual, motor, emotional and social development in a comforting, child-centered environment.
- Educational and supportive services for staff, patients, families and school systems, emphasizing emotional needs and comprehensive health care.
Inpatient Special programs:
- Music Therapy
- Artist in Residence
- Pet Therapy
- Hole in the Wall Volunteers
- Angels Above theme parties and patient visits
- Child Life volunteers
- Starlight Foundation monthly activities
- Parent coffee hours
- Child Life student internships
- Spring placement application deadline 9/30, offer deadline 11/1, acceptance deadline 11/15
- Fall placement application deadline 4/15, offer deadline 5/15, acceptance deadline 6/1
- For additional child life internship information, please contact Anne Bouchard, ambouchard@partners.org, or 617.724.5839.
Staff
Inpatient Staff:Ellison 17 (Infant, Toddler, & Preschool Unit)
Office Phone | 617-724-5727
Marilyn Gifford, CCLS, mgifford@partners.org
Ashley Reardon, CCLS, abreardon@partners.org
Ellison 18 (School Age & Adolescent Unit)
Office Phone | 617-724-5839
Anne Marie Bouchard-Pizzano, MS, CCLS ambouchard@partners.org
Sacha Field, MS, CCLS, shfield@partners.org
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit & Emergency Department
Hillary D’Amato, MS, CCLS, hdamato@partners.org
Outpatient Staff:
Hematology, Oncology & Proton Radiation Center
Office Phone | 617-643-1819
Heather Peach, MS, CCLS, hpeach@partners.org
