Results of the studies are published in peer-reviewed journals, and are made available to physicians throughout the world who treat children with cancer. In charge of the colorful, kid-friendly playroom, with its toys and games, is the child life program. Child life specialists Dina Evans, MA, and Judi Welch teach the children about their illness. As the specialists use art and therapeutic play to help the children understand what is going on inside and around them, and what will happen while they are in the hospital, the specialists focus on the child's feelings. Child life provides a support group called Teen Cancer Connection, which meets the second Tuesday of every month It is comprised of inpatient and outpatient adolescents who get together to talk about their feelings, fears, and concerns.
School integration is offered to families when a patient is able to return to school.
A child life specialist and clinical nurse specialist, Linda Juse, RN, ms, visits the child's classroom. Presentations include explaining cancer and treatment, hair loss, and discussing misconceptions the classmates may have. So her family has remembered her by giving a 'Thumbs up, Sophie' trophy to each child who completes chemotherapy at the Children's Hospital. The parties are held quarterly and are complete with cake, snacks, and a magician. Clinical social work Dolores Cornejo, LCSW, a medical social worker with Children's Hospital, has dealt with Dr. Bedros on numerous cases.