by Hannah Berger | Oct 8, 2015 | Other
Shoal Habib said, “Hospitals are unlike other places in that people who are in them don’t want to be.” Consider the children with acute and chronic illness who are in hospitals frequently. They become experts on the unwelcome, unwanted hospital experience. These...
by Hannah Berger | Oct 31, 2015 | Other
Understanding what little ones need is always a challenge—are they hungry, tired, afraid? When they’re in the hospital, that challenge is compounded. Their little minds are inundated with new information, sights, sounds and sensations and then, something unfamiliar...
by Hannah Berger | Sep 30, 2015 | Other
Making the hospital a happier place for children of all ages is a rewarding, but of course challenging task—and there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Tactics and techniques differ for different genders, cultures and age groups. What’s employed for school-age...
by Hannah Berger | Sep 23, 2015 | Other
We never get tired of hearing about how Child Life Specialists arrived in their professions. Brenda Sturgeleski, BA, Ed, LES, CCLS, CTRS, shares how she turned a fine arts degree and passion for serving children into a Child Life career. How did you get involved in...
by Hannah Berger | Sep 17, 2015 | Other
Learning your child has cancer or another serious illness that is or could be life-threatening has the power to make you feel very alone, but it also introduces you to a network of people who understand what you’re going through and understand the power of hope and...
by Hannah Berger | Sep 3, 2015 | Other
Lois Wolgemuth has worked as a Child Life Specialist at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, for 31 years, but discovered her passion for helping hospitalized children at age 12. She’s truly devoted her life to the Child Life profession and shares...
by Hannah Berger | Aug 29, 2015 | Other
“Our JOB is to provide healthcare. The way we do it is our GIFT to patients and families.” –Andrea Standish Recently, I met with a dynamic woman named Kelli Kelley who is the Founder and Executive Director of Hand to Hold. After navigating a path without much support...
by Hannah Berger | Aug 27, 2015 | Other
Hello from Jerusalem! While we are here working with Augusta Victoria Hospital, we are also celebrating our 5th birthday. We’re grateful to those who have supported us, donated, mentored, prayed, laughed, helped and advised us. We’ve gotten social with each other;...
by Hannah Berger | Aug 20, 2015 | Other
Shani Thornton is the voice behind Child Life Mommy, a blog about being a mom and a Certified Child Life Specialist. Shani is a true warrior for child-centered healthcare practices and we’re honored she took the time to chat with us about her experiences as a child...
by Hannah Berger | Aug 17, 2015 | Other
Standish Foundation for Child & Family Centered Healthcare is returning to the pediatric cancer center at Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem on August 16, 2015. Our journey to Jerusalem is bittersweet. We will be going to the memorial of Dr. Tawfiq Nasser....
by Hannah Berger | Aug 1, 2015 | Other
August is national immunization awareness month. Of course, it’s also back-to-school season, so there’s a good chance shots and physicals are on your mind right now, especially if you’re a healthcare provider, or a parent. If you’re the latter, you may be dreading...
by Hannah Berger | Jul 30, 2015 | Other
Summer 2015 marks the five year anniversary of the founding of the Standish Foundation for Child and Family Centered Healthcare. We’re celebrating by sharing the stories of some of the people that have worked alongside us. From Advisory Council Member Caroline...
by Hannah Berger | Jul 9, 2015 | Other
Children at Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem play with “Chemo Ducks”—a specially designed stuffed duck that has a port to help show children what to expect during their chemotherapy treatments. It’s a common scenario. Somehow in conversation my affiliation with...
by Hannah Berger | Apr 21, 2015 | Other
Our team has spent the last 10 days at Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem. We are on our way home, but wanted to send out a brief wrap-up about what’s been accomplished on this Support & Education Trip. Staff members in the pediatric hematology/oncology clinic...
by Hannah Berger | Apr 10, 2015 | Other
Our team has travelled to Jerusalem to provide training and support to the amazing staff at Augusta Victoria Hospital. We have had a very full few days in the pediatric blood and cancer unit of in Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH). (AVH) is housed in a beautiful...
