by Thomas Hobson
Child Life Director

Yesterday was an exciting and entertaining day in child life at Le Bonheur.  We held the 4th Annual Child Life Awards, which is an opportunity to celebrate all of the great things that go on within the department. I may be biased on this, but it’s definitely the hospital event of the year.

Now, as some of you may know, Child Life Month is in March.  So, why do we hold the Child Life Awards in the summer?  The answer is fairly simple.  We spend the entirety of Child Life Month educating and advocating and end up doing more work, simply by raising awareness.  By holding the awards at a different time, we get to enjoy the event without being exhausted.  (Well, at least not exhausted from Child Life Month…)

The awards are filled with staff generated, fun awards. It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our successes, and laugh a little at ourselves. As I always say, we take the work we do seriously, but we don't take ourselves seriously. This year include a "dramatic" reading of poetry and a look back at the past twelve months. 

Two years ago we introduced a new element to the Child Life Awards, the Child Life Associate of the Year.  This is an award given to a child life staff member that has been nominated from someone else within the department.  The winner is a person that over the past year has exemplified the mission and work of Child Life Services.

I have the privilege of receiving the nominations, and delivering them to the selection committee.  As was the case last year, it was definitely a tough decision.  However, the committee did make a selection.

I am please to congratulate Stephanie Kellough as the 2011 Child Life Associate of the Year.  Stephanie serves as a child life assistant, and has been an important member of that team for quite some time.  She works with our special events, donations, and has been a champion of keeping the team positive and supported.  Stephanie's is quick with a joke and to lend a much needed hand, both are always at the perfect time.  We couldn't be prouder of her!