At St. Jude, nurses with expertise in a variety of subspecialties collaborate with other clinical professionals to ensure the delivery of patient care that is both technically skillful and warmly reassuring. Rehabilitation Services are aimed at preserving or restoring the physical function, strength, and endurance that are often lost through chronic illness or its treatment. Rehabilitation services are tailored to meet the specific challenges of each child s illness and therapy. Occupational therapy and speech therapy help children regain the fine motor skills necessary for everyday functions, such as eating and dressing, and for effective communication. Prosthetic and orthotic services maximize the patient s level of functioning.
Audiologic monitoring seeks to minimize hearing loss caused by some types of therapy.
Psychological, social, and spiritual support provided by the Behavioral Medicine Division can often be crucial to patients and families during their struggle against catastrophic disease. Psychological evaluation, intervention, and counseling are available to help children experiencing emotional, cognitive, or behavioral problems. Social Services provides family counseling during treatment, and coordinates any necessary referrals to help ensure continuity of care as children and families return to their home communities. A Child Life Program provides activities and monitoring designed to prevent or minimize developmental delays often caused by long illness and related stresses. In keeping with a commitment to the total child, the Religious Services Program offers spiritual support and counseling via a team approach.