Thomas Hobson has been promoted to director of Child Life at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center. Hobson previously served as manager of the program which helps children understand hospital routines and feel more at home.

Hobson holds a master's degree in music therapy and recently completed work for his master's in health care administration. He is certified in both child life and music therapy, and has drawn from both fields since coming to Le Bonheur in 2002.

The Child Life department believes that healing requires more than medicine. It requires treating the whole child in order to encourage recovery. Developmental activities need to continue even when the child is hospitalized. The staff uses play, art and music therapy to help children deal with their questions and emotions.

One of Hobson's new responsibilities will be overseeing the development of the Le Bonheur Clubhouse family resource center in the new hospital.

"The Le Bonheur Clubhouse will be a nexus point for families, specifically with information, education and support. There are so many possibilities - it becomes almost a physical embodiment of family-centered care. We can set up the lines for peer-to-peer support for families. The possibilities are endless, and it's very exciting," said Hobson.