Katy Hospital
Children’s Memorial Hermann Katy is pleased to offer Child Life services. Our Child Life specialists empower children, adolescents and their families to master challenging life events related to illness, injury and hospitalization. Trained Child Life specialists work collaboratively with other health team members to care for the total child and mobilize appropriate family and community resources.
The care we provide is based on the highly specialized Child Life assessment process with continuous evaluation and reassessment of intervention and priorities. We promote play to facilitate healing, coping, self-expression, creativity, achievement and learning. Our specialists make every attempt to meet the emotional, developmental and psychosocial needs of our young patients and their families with emphasis on understanding of illness or injury and progression to an optimal level of wellness.
The Role of Our Child Life Specialists
- Help patients and their siblings cope with hospitalization
- Provide emotional support, therapeutic play, positive interactions, developmental interventions and recreational opportunities for all pediatric patients
- Provide information about medical and surgical procedures
- Help children and their families prepare for procedures
- Assist children and families of adult ICU patients with issues related to their family member’s hospitalization
- Facilitate hospital and homebound school services
- Provide educational community outreach programs
- Plan holiday and seasonal activities for hospitalized children
What Families Say About Child Life
From a parent: “Our son was very concerned about having surgery but you eased his fears tremendously. You’re a blessing to us and an asset to Memorial Hermann.”
From a parent: “Thank you for taking care of all of us, especially our son. The wagon rides, videos, books, playroom time and sweet visits did all of our hearts good. Thank you again for giving of your kind and gentle spirits.”
From a parent: “I just wanted to thank you for being so kind to our son and us. He is so calm and relaxed when you’re around. Thank you for taking the time to make him feel special.”
From a child: “I just want to say thank you for calming me down before my surgery. You really helped me out a lot. Everything went well and I’m progressing every day. The IV didn’t hurt, and I was asleep before you knew it.”
Meet Our Child Life Specialist
Sarah Rowe, CCLS, BS
A Katy native, Sarah Rowe received a bachelor of science degree in child and family studies from Baylor University in Waco in May 2006. She completed her Child Life practicum at Our Children’s House at Baylor University and her internship at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. She has worked as a personal assistant for a family of three, a youth camp counselor and as a teaching assistant at Baylor University Piper Child Development Center. In 2007, she became a certified child life specialist.