John Hancock Child Life and Wellness Program
Contact Information
John Hancock Child Life and Wellness Program
Anne Bouchard Pizzano, MS, CCLS
Program Manager
Phone: 617-724-5839
Email: apizzano@partners.org
Explore This Program
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 the John Hancock Child Life and Wellness Program, 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 Programs
MFA
Monthly interactive workshops with facilitators from the Museum of Fine Arts. Patients model their own projects on the greatest masters throughout history.
SEA Star
Offers children and their families an opportunity to experience the New England Aquarium after hours for a unique, crowd-free, educational, and fun-filled visit.
STEAM Team
Established by the Museum of Science, this program provides engaging hands-on engineering and science activities which build self-confidence and creativity in children.
Hero Circle, Martial Arts Program
Weekly demonstrations from Sensei Joe and his team focusing on empowering patients and promoting positive energy through deep breathing and martial arts exercises.
HOP Program
Also known as the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp Hospital Outreach Program, the HOP Program brings the spirit of camp—including opportunities for play, creativity and self-expression—to our inpatient units.
Ryan’s Case for Smiles
Sewing group which engages children in creating personalized pillowcases.
PUPP (Police Uniting with Pediatric Patients)
Police and security staff at Mass General partner with pediatric patients on the inpatient units to engage in fun, interactive activities.
Fairytale Fridays
Magical Miss Amy comes monthly dressed as favorite Disney princesses, as she enchants pediatric patients on the inpatient units.
Child Life Volunteers
Child Life volunteers support and provide play opportunities for our inpatient population. For additional information, please refer to the volunteer web page.
Baby Cuddling
Specially trained volunteers offer nurturing and comfort to our youngest population. For additional information, please refer to the volunteer web page.
Complimentary Therapies
Pet therapy, music therapy, art therapy, massage, acupuncture and clown therapy.
Patient Resources
John Hancock Child Life and Wellness Program Internship
We are currently accepting applications for a 600 hour internship for the Fall 2023 semester.
The John Hancock Child Life and Wellness Program Internship offers interns the chance to work with children of all ages in a variety of inpatient programs.
Learn about the internshipOur Multidisciplinary Team
Meet the Team
John Hancock Child Life and Wellness Program Manager
Anne Bouchard Pizzano, MS, CCLS
apizzano@partners.org
617-724-5839
Ellison 17 Pediatric Unit (Birth through Eight Years)
Office Phone: 617-724-5727
- Ashley Reardon, CCLS, abreardon@partners.org
- Melissa Tecci, MS, CCLS, mtecci@partners.org
- Becky Warsofsky, MS, CCLS, rwarsofsky@partners.org
Ellison 18 Pediatric Unit (Eight Years through Twenty-One Years)
Office Phone: 617-724-5839
- Eva Mintz-Bacon, MS, CCLS, emintz@partners.org
- Anne Bouchard Pizzano, MS, CCLS, apizzano@partners.org
- Laurel Schnitman, BS, CCLS
Emergency Department
Office Phone: 617-643-9276
- Danielle Surprenant, MS, CCLS,dsurprenant@partners.org
- Hillary D’Amato, MS, CCLS,hdamato@partners.org
Pediatric Endoscopy
Office Phone: 857-238-7347
- Jamie Rossi, MS, CCLS, jlrossi@partners.org
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Clinic
Office Phone: 617-643-1819
- Clare Kelley, MS, CCLS
- Heather Peach, MS, CCLS,hpeach@partners.org
Pediatric Imaging
Office Phone: 617-724-1153
- Katie Weagle, MS, CCLS, kweagle@partners.org
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Office Phone: 617-724-4350
- Casey McGoldrick, BA, CCLS, cmmcgoldrick@partners.org
Pediatric Radiation Oncology
Office Phone: 617-643-9233
- Kaitlyn Wallace, MS, CCLS, kawallace@partners.org
Perioperative Area
- Briana Tierney, MS, CCLS