The Child Life Writers

Thomas M. Hobson

Thomas is a classic example of something rare, being the only male in the entirety of Le Bonheur Children's Child Life Services. He began his career at Le Bonheur Children's serving as child life specialist/music therapist. Since then he has served in management of the program for the past seven years. Currently, he is serving as the Director of Child Life Services, and has helped with the program growth and development. Thomas is a certified child life specialist and a board certified music therapist. Additionally, he holds advanced degrees in music therapy and healthcare management.

Living in Memphis, Tennessee, Thomas is married and has five-year old twins, which have given him a great deal of first hand experience with child development. Most recently, he was voted the third most important person in the universe, in an impartial poll of his children. He came in just behind Mommy and the dog!

Casey Caughran

Casey studied Child Life at Samford University, majoring in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child Life. She completed her internship at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn., and went on to work there for nearly five years. In 2007, Casey and her husband relocated to Memphis, so he could attend medical school. She joined Le Bonheur Children’s Child Life team. As a Certified Child Life Specialist, Casey will celebrate her third anniversary at Le Bonheur in August 2010.

Casey and Jeff have been married for four years, after first meeting while working at a summer camp together in 1999. They remained friends for several years before beginning a relationship. Both of their families are still in Chattanooga, and while they miss being away from them, they look forward to where God will lead them next. Right now their family has much room to grow, while they are very content with the love and attention they get from a dog Vanna.

Lauren Wilson

Lauren has been a Certified Child Life Specialist at Le Bonheur Children's for two years. She previously served in the Neonatal Intensive Care and Infant Care units, and currently serves in Radiology. Lauren graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She takes every opportunity for an Auburn moment to proudly shout “WarEagle!”

Once graduating from college, Lauren returned to Memphis despite her strong desire to live in the mountains. Her love for the outdoors and mountain activities will one day lead her out West. In the meantime, Lauren enjoys being outside while biking, both road and mountain, and is currently training for a half marathon. Her summer goal is to complete a Triathlon. But don’t worry, she balances all the exercise with frequent doses of chocolate.

Dana Givens

Dana received her bachelor’s degree in May 2005 in Human Development and Family Studies majoring in Child Life at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She then did her internship at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS and then on went to the National Child Life Conference and sat for the Child Life Certification Exam in June 2005 in Nashville, Tenn. She continued to pursue her education at the University of Memphis, where she received her Master’s degree in Counseling-Community Agency in May 2008. Dana has been at Le Bonheur for almost 2 years and has worked in radiology and covering the whole hospital! Currently, she is the Certified Child Life Specialist for 7 west working with cardiac and surgical patients.

Living in Memphis with her fun loving chocolate lab Jameison, Dana is from St. Louis where most of her family resides. Dana loves to travel and takes many trips back home to see her friends and family. Her pasttimes are watching scary movies and shopping til she drops, and loving every minutes on it!

Jenny Shelton

Jenny began her career eight years ago at Le Bonheur Children's serving as the Child Life Specialist on the 6th Floor. Since then, she has provided child life services throughout critical care with her current units of coverage being PICU and CVICU. Currently, she is serving as the Lead Child Life Specialist and has helped with the development of the child life internship program and trained many volunteers that serve in the child life department. Jenny is a Certified Child Life Specialist and plans to graduate with her Masters in Social Work in May 2010.

Living in Oakland, Tennessee, Jenny is married and has two four-legged friends, a Boston terrier named Lucy and Black lab named Mally. When not roaming the halls of Le Bonheur, Jenny loves spending time with her family and friends, antiquing, shopping and eating Memphis BBQ!