The Children’s Hospital Association is a member organization representing more than 220 children’s hospitals nationwide.

The society provides a forum for young investigators to exchange ideas and encourages research that benefits the well-being of children.

Cross spent her entire career dedicated to helping lay the foundation locally and nationally to solidify child life specialists as part of the health care team.

The largest pediatric off-campus expansion since the freestanding hospital opened in Nashville, Monroe Carell’s Murfreesboro facility recently marked five years, celebrating the team’s work of caring for children over nearly 194,000 visits.

He will step down in late spring/early summer 2025 and then plans to retire from the faculty in June 2026.

Monroe Carell is one of only eight children’s hospitals in the U.S. and the only one in Tennessee to receive a spot on the Top Hospitals list this year.