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Before Sarah Okot, MS, CCLS, was a child life specialist at Phoenix Children’s, she was a patient, founding member of our Children’s Advisory Board and volunteer. With first-hand experience as a patient and almost 13 years' experience in her role, she offers these words of wisdom for those considering a career in child life, “We have an emotionally challenging job. It’s important to have work/life balance and never take work home. You can’t fill from an empty cup, so have outlets for physical, emotional and spiritual encouragement.”
Before Sarah Okot, MS, CCLS, was a child life specialist at Phoenix Children’s, she was a patient, founding member of our Children’s Advisory Board and volunteer. With first-hand experience as a patient and almost 13 years' experience in her role, she offers these words of wisdom for those considering a career in child life, “We have an emotionally challenging job. It’s important to have work/life balance and never take work home. You can’t fill from an empty cup, so have outlets for physical, emotional and spiritual encouragement.”
Dr. Tiffany Hamilton, a cardiology fellow at Phoenix Children’s, co-published clinical findings on heart defects of the main arteries in the American Society of Echocardiography’s Cardiovascular Imaging Case Reports; findings she also presented at the 2023 Advances in Congenital Heart Disease Summit.
Dr. Tiffany Hamilton, a cardiology fellow at Phoenix Children’s, co-published clinical findings on heart defects of the main arteries in the American Society of Echocardiography’s Cardiovascular Imaging Case Reports; findings she also presented at the 2023 Advances in Congenital Heart Disease Summit.
Taylor Belk, MS, CCLS, is a child life specialist in Phoenix Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. She loves being able to use play to teach patients about their diagnoses, treatments and procedures. “I am focused on the emotional safety of patient families. It’s special to watch their coping skills evolve as they gain a better understanding of what is going on.”
Taylor Belk, MS, CCLS, is a child life specialist in Phoenix Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. She loves being able to use play to teach patients about their diagnoses, treatments and procedures. “I am focused on the emotional safety of patient families. It’s special to watch their coping skills evolve as they gain a better understanding of what is going on.”
Karen Harrison, MS, CCLS, has been a member of Phoenix Children’s child life team for more than 15 years. As a child life specialist, she works alongside our emergency department team to help ensure our patient families have the best possible experience. “This career is often misunderstood to be ‘the fun job’ within a hospital, and while we do use play to communicate with pediatric patients and accomplish care plans, our main role is to hold the space for patient families so they feel safe on what is often one of the most challenging days of their lives. It’s a rewarding career for sure. Make sure you understand the full scope of the role and its day-to-day responsibilities before starting your journey to become a child life specialist.”
Karen Harrison, MS, CCLS, has been a member of Phoenix Children’s child life team for more than 15 years. As a child life specialist, she works alongside our emergency department team to help ensure our patient families have the best possible experience. “This career is often misunderstood to be ‘the fun job’ within a hospital, and while we do use play to communicate with pediatric patients and accomplish care plans, our main role is to hold the space for patient families so they feel safe on what is often one of the most challenging days of their lives. It’s a rewarding career for sure. Make sure you understand the full scope of the role and its day-to-day responsibilities before starting your journey to become a child life specialist.”
Rylie Fields, M.Ed., CCLS, is a child life specialist in Phoenix Children’s cardiovascular intensive care unit. Her focus is primarily on the psychosocial health of children who are hospitalized at Phoenix Children’s. When asked about her career choice, she said, “The most rewarding part of my job is helping children build coping skills and confidence. Seeing a child’s progression as they use my coping strategies independently is why I do this work. The job is not easy, but it’s worth doing!”
Rylie Fields, M.Ed., CCLS, is a child life specialist in Phoenix Children’s cardiovascular intensive care unit. Her focus is primarily on the psychosocial health of children who are hospitalized at Phoenix Children’s. When asked about her career choice, she said, “The most rewarding part of my job is helping children build coping skills and confidence. Seeing a child’s progression as they use my coping strategies independently is why I do this work. The job is not easy, but it’s worth doing!”
Dr. Heather Menzer, orthopedic surgeon at Phoenix Children’s (left), Dr. Jeffrey Vaughn, director of our sports medicine program (not pictured) and Dr. Sailesh Tummala, of Mayo Clinic (right), recently co-presented a poster session during the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2023 annual meeting. Their study used data from physically testing athletes six months after surgery to determine how different types of bone graft procedures impacted patient outcomes.
Dr. Heather Menzer, orthopedic surgeon at Phoenix Children’s (left), Dr. Jeffrey Vaughn, director of our sports medicine program (not pictured) and Dr. Sailesh Tummala, of Mayo Clinic (right), recently co-presented a poster session during the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2023 annual meeting. Their study used data from physically testing athletes six months after surgery to determine how different types of bone graft procedures impacted patient outcomes.
In 2023, Phoenix Children’s Down Syndrome Clinic is celebrating a decade of providing comprehensive, family-centered care to children of all ages who have trisomy or chromosomal disorders. Led by Dr. Dannah Raz, a developmental pediatrician, our program brings together a cross-functional team of clinical specialists to deliver holistic care and support for our patient families. Our ultimate goal: To help elevate our patients’ strengths so they can life to the fullest!
In 2023, Phoenix Children’s Down Syndrome Clinic is celebrating a decade of providing comprehensive, family-centered care to children of all ages who have trisomy or chromosomal disorders. Led by Dr. Dannah Raz, a developmental pediatrician, our program brings together a cross-functional team of clinical specialists to deliver holistic care and support for our patient families. Our ultimate goal: To help elevate our patients’ strengths so they can life to the fullest!
Dominique Lombard, BS, CCLS, is a child life specialist who works with children in our liver and kidney transplant, neurology, urology and medical/surgical units. She began pursuing a career in child life in 2019, and has served at Phoenix Children’s in a variety of capacities — from volunteer and child life assistant to her current role as child life specialist. When asked why she chose her career at Phoenix Children’s, she said, “I have always been impressed by Phoenix Children’s promise to provide the best quality care to patient families. I appreciate our department’s resources and creativity that help support hospital stays for patient families, including our Child Life Zone, Ohmni Labs robots, music and art therapy, and full-time facility dogs.”
Dominique Lombard, BS, CCLS, is a child life specialist who works with children in our liver and kidney transplant, neurology, urology and medical/surgical units. She began pursuing a career in child life in 2019, and has served at Phoenix Children’s in a variety of capacities — from volunteer and child life assistant to her current role as child life specialist. When asked why she chose her career at Phoenix Children’s, she said, “I have always been impressed by Phoenix Children’s promise to provide the best quality care to patient families. I appreciate our department’s resources and creativity that help support hospital stays for patient families, including our Child Life Zone, Ohmni Labs robots, music and art therapy, and full-time facility dogs.”
Chris Birnbaum, BA, CCLS, is a child life specialist who has supported patients at Phoenix Children’s for almost 10 years What does she love most about her role? “Having the opportunity to come alongside families as they navigate the challenges of a hospital stay and helping patients cope through some of the difficulties that can arise over the course of their visits.”
Chris Birnbaum, BA, CCLS, is a child life specialist who has supported patients at Phoenix Children’s for almost 10 years What does she love most about her role? “Having the opportunity to come alongside families as they navigate the challenges of a hospital stay and helping patients cope through some of the difficulties that can arise over the course of their visits.”
Representatives of Phoenix Children’s Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship recently presented and participated in the American College of Cardiology's ACC23/WCCardio conference in New Orleans.
Representatives of Phoenix Children’s Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship recently presented and participated in the American College of Cardiology's ACC23/WCCardio conference in New Orleans.