Child Life

Facility dog Velour with Kaylor Glassman, MS, left, and Meredith George, MEd, CCLS. (photo by Susan Urmy)
February 28, 2025

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt welcomes new facility dog Velour

With only a few months on the job, “Vee Vee” as she is affectionately called, is already in high demand and quickly adapting to her work environment.

By Jessica Pasley
Janet Cross, MEd, CCLS, CPXP, right, with Med Rush, MD, at a recent event celebrating Cross’ career. (photo by Susan Urmy)
January 31, 2025

Janet Cross retiring from Vanderbilt after four decades of attending to children’s psychological, emotional and developmental needs

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.

By Christina Echegaray
January 11, 2024

New playroom supported by Dunkin’ allows pediatric patients a place where they feel comfortable to be themselves, have fun and heal

Infants and toddlers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt have a newly renovated space in which to play thanks to a $150,000 grant from Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation.

By Christina Echegaray
November 19, 2021

A death or serious injury of a parent can mean a scared and bewildered child. Arielle Silverman helps children understand and cope.

She has worked with children varying in age from under 2 years old to teenagers as old as 18.

By Wayne Wood
August 24, 2021

Window on Child Life

A glimpse into the lives of some of the Certified Child Life Specialists and the children and families they care for at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

By Erin O. Smith
April 10, 2020

Painted stones offer messages of hope along VUMC pathways

“Just Breathe.” “You are Loved.” “Shine.” “Hope.” “Joy.”

By Christina Echegaray
March 7, 2019

Delta names Gray inaugural Child Life Specialist of the Year

As a student at the University of Mississippi, a career as a child life specialist wasn’t on Sarah Beth Gray’s radar. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t offered as a major. Luckily, Gray’s mother, a longtime preschool and day care owner, knew her daughter’s heart.
By Jessica Pasley
November 1, 2018

Halloween Costume Shop

Cornetta Long, 10, and her mother, Kelli, were all smiles after snagging Cornetta’s favorite costume during Wednesday’s Halloween Costume Shop at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. More than 1,000 costumes for patients and families were donated for this year’s event, which is hosted by Child Life.
By VUMC News and Communications
August 9, 2018

Junior League generosity

The Junior League of Nashville recently presented a gift of $200,000 to support the Child Life Program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
By VUMC News and Communications
May 24, 2018

Child Life Internship Program gains accreditation

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Child Life Internship Program has earned accreditation from the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
By Christina Echegaray
March 5, 2018

Children’s Hospital celebrates reading on Dr. Seuss’ birthday

Thing one: The adults had a good time reading their favorite books. Thing two: The children loved it, too.
By Jennifer Wetzel
December 7, 2017

From Child Life patient to Child Life specialist

Camille Fraser was a teenager with a cancer diagnosis when she was helped by a Vanderbilt Child Life specialist and immediately knew she had seen her future career. That was 13 years ago and Fraser is now a Vanderbilt Child Life specialist herself.
By Christina Echegaray
July 25, 2016

When a child is sick, siblings need care too

Serious health conditions affect the entire family, says Vanderbilt child life specialist Katie Beard. When a child is sick, here’s how to help brothers and sisters cope.
By VUMC News and Communications