Fostering happiness that helps heal
Child Life Specialists at Parkland
Spending time in the hospital is never easy, but for families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NNICU), or children who have experienced a traumatic or serious burn injury, celebrating the holidays from a hospital room can be even more difficult. The Child Life team at Parkland Memorial Hospital understands this and is here to ensure families still make meaningful memories and find joy in the season.
A Child Life Specialist is a pediatric healthcare professional who works with children and their families to help cope with the challenges of an injury, illness or hospitalization. They also provide emotional and educational support to patients and their families to help ease the stress and anxiety associated with certain medical procedures.
Emily Ha, MA, CCLS, a child life specialist in the Burn Intensive and Acute Care Units and Burn Outpatient Clinic at Parkland Health, feels immense pride in her role because she knows she is truly making a difference for children treated at Parkland, as well as their families. “Often when I introduce myself to pediatric patients, I say ‘I'm the one who makes sure you know what all happens while you're here and see how I can help it all be less scary.’ It is a privilege to build trust with patients as they arrive at the hospital when they are fearful of staff and in a lot of pain and then get to work with them daily as they go through their healing process,” Ha said.
Being in the hospital in general is scary for children and their families, and this is intensified by being away from home and having an injury. Combined with having to miss important holiday and family gatherings, it can lead to increased stress and frustration. That is why it’s especially important that Ha and her colleagues ensure that patients get to enjoy activities, special visitors and holiday celebrations to improve their hospital experience and keep their healing process on track. For Ha, this means leaning into her crafty side – by planning a fun holiday party, complete with cookie decorating, carols and gifts.
“It’s important we celebrate and have fun activities, special visitors and parties to help patients and families feel more comfortable and like they are at home. We are excited for the holiday season and all that we have planned to bring joy to these families at a time that they need it the most,” Ha said.
Lily Huang, MS, CCLS, a child life specialist in the NNICU at Parkland echoes Ha’s sentiment – her responsibility isn’t just to ensure the comfort and wellbeing for the babies, but also the whole family impacted by a NNICU stay.
“In the NNICU, things can feel really unpredictable, so part of my job is helping families adjust. I try to create a sense of normalcy for everyone, whether it is helping siblings understand what’s happening, giving parents tips on how to bond with their newborn, or just offering comfort when things get tough – it is all about minimizing the stress that comes with medical procedures and helping the family feel supported emotionally,” Huang said.
A baby’s first holiday season is a time many parents look forward to with great anticipation, and Huang works to ensure those important milestones and memories are still documented and celebrated. Whether that’s a visit from Santa himself to the Parkland NNICU or inviting parents to “shop” for gifts for siblings at home, she understands the significance to these small, but meaningful moments.
“Bringing in festive activities or creating moments of joy helps reduce the isolation that families may feel. It also brings moments of hope and comfort, reminding them that despite being in the hospital, they can still share meaningful and special experiences with their baby,” Huang said.
And it’s not just the parents who benefit. “For babies, normalizing the environment as much as possible—by maintaining consistent routines or comforting touches—can also help them feel secure and supported as they grow and develop,” she said.
The work of Child Life Specialists such as Ha and Huang go far beyond just providing emotional support—they’re creating lasting memories, building trust and helping families find joy during some of the most challenging times. Whether it’s a cookie decorating party, a visit from Santa or simply creating routines that provide comfort, the efforts of the Parkland Child Life team are about more than holiday cheer; they’re about healing, connection and creating bonds that last long after a hospital stay.
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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