Cross takes new patient, family-centered care post
Janet Cross has been appointed director of Patient and Family-Centered care for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
![Janet Cross](https://vumc-reporter.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/Cross_Janet001.jpg)
Janet Cross
She will lead teams from Child Life, Volunteer Services, Family Resource Center, School Program, Music and Art Therapy and Pastoral Care.
In her previous position, Cross was director of Child Life Services.
“Janet's knowledge and her passion for the care of children will serve her well as she leads efforts to improve the way we provide care to our patients and their families,” said Susan Hernandez, R.N., MBA, associate hospital director of nursing for Children's Hospital.
Cross, a nationally and internationally known Child Life Services expert, has nearly three decades of service at Children's Hospital.
Since arriving at Vanderbilt in 1982, she has held various positions, including Certified Child Life Specialist, director of the Junior League Family Resource Center and director of Child Life Services.
She also was the president of the Child Life Council in 2008, and in 2010 she was selected as one of five program reviewers for Child Life Council to provide consultation for Child Life Programs around the world.
Cross earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture, home economics and child development from Mississippi State University.
She has her Master's degree in Child Development, Psychology and Human Development from Peabody College.