Grant Adds Another Child Life Specialist at Jamaica Hospital

Jamaica Hospital’s Pediatric Department was recently awarded a grant by the Starlight Starbright Foundation to hire a part-time child life specialist for the unit.

“We are excited about the grant because we really needed another child life specialist,” said Sarah Wassenbergh, Child Life Specialist. “Right now, we don’t have anyone working on Saturdays and Sundays, leaving the playroom closed on the weekend and children and their families without the additional support they need during their stay.”

The child life specialist will meet and greet children once they're admitted, address their fears by helping them understand medical procedures and diagnoses through play therapy, accompany children through those procedures, and offer psychological and emotional support to children and their families.

“Patients have an easier time knowing they have support,” explained Ms. Wassenbergh. “With an additional child life specialist, we are definitely offering our patients a well-rounded and better department.”

This is not the first grant the Pediatric Department has received from the Starlight Starbright Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with serious medical conditions. Last year, the organization provided the department with a grant to remodel the pediatric playroom. The playroom currently has state-of-the-art equipment, including a flat screen TV, a Wii game system, a laptop with internet access, interactive learning stations, and a wide variety of age-appropriate toys.

The Pediatric Department at Brookdale Hospital has a full-time recreational therapist and Flushing Hospital is in the process of hiring a child life specialist as a result of a Starlight Starbright grant.