Topics: Child Life

A woman kneels down to hand a packaged princess costume to a young girl while another woman leans over as she looks on.

Annual party brings ‘spirit’ of Halloween to Children’s Hospital patients and families

Oct 11, 2023

An event at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital helped dozens of young patients celebrate Halloween. The annual Spirit of Children party was hosted by the charitable foundation of the Spirit Halloween stores.

Two images are shown side-by-side. On the left, a little girl with no hair receives a kiss from a golden retriever. On the right, the same girl has a full head of hair, smiling downward at her own clipped hair handed to her by a woman.

Hair ties: At THON, families, patients bond over common side effect

Feb 20, 2023

Some lose it during their treatment. Others have grown it back. For some, it's a badge of honor. For others, it's an ominous sign of things to come. At THON 2023, hair is important.

A young girl with pigtails and a ribbon in her hair visits another young girl in a hospital bed.

The Medical Minute: Supporting siblings when brother or sister is sick

Mar 31, 2022

A sibling may feel worried about their brother or sister, especially if they look ill or are confined to a hospital bed, or they may think they did something to cause the illness. A Penn State Health Child Life specialist talks about how you can help your child when their brother or sister is sick.

Wendy Gilbert, who has short hair and wears a bright top and jean, and Ronald Gilbert, who wears a polo shirt and jeans, hold a framed shadow box containing a resin handprint and 3D heartbeat. They are standing outside with a field in the background. Dylan’s handprints are beside them.

Heartfelt reminders: A young man’s cancer battle inspires a new legacy gift

Mar 9, 2022

Wendy and Ronald Gilbert treasure a tangible reminder of their son, Dylan, who passed away last year – a 3D representation of his heartbeat – created as a legacy gift.

A young girl with a bow in her hair sits in a hospital bed with medical equipment behind her. She is playing with a plastic toy.

Peace of mind in Pediatric Emergency Department: Malaya’s story

Jul 16, 2021

When Malaya has a health crisis, serious complications can develop quickly. For the emergency care she needs, her mom will always take her to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

An exterior photo of Penn State Health Children's Hospital

Penn State Health Children’s Hospital ranks among the best in the nation for more than a decade

Jun 15, 2021

U.S. News and World Report has ranked Penn State Health Children’s Hospital as one of the nation’s best for children in multiple specialties.

Penn State Health employees, teams nominated as 2021 Health Care Heroes finalists

Apr 26, 2021

Thirteen Penn State Health employees and teams are finalists in Central Penn Business Journal’s 2021 Health Care Heroes awards. Donald Hirsch of St. Joseph was nominated by Lehigh Valley Business.

Stacy Gloudemans crouches down and places her hands on the back of Pilot, a facility dog, who wears a service vest. Elevators are in the background.

‘Pilot’ lands at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital

Apr 1, 2021

A new provider has joined the region’s only children’s hospital. Paging Dr. Pilot. Here, boy! Pilot, a black golden retriever, is the third facility dog to join the growing pack at Penn State Health Children's Hospital.

A young girl in a Halloween dress and spider hat stands in the doorway of a hospital room while a woman kneels down near her, holding up a doll-like toy.

Spirit of Children gives record $98,061 to benefit Child Life Program

Feb 17, 2021

Spirit of Children made its largest contribution to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital ever Feb. 17 with the virtual presentation of a check for $98,061 to the hospital’s Child Life Program.

A woman holds a notepad, upon which is a view of Santa Claus’s face. Next to her is another woman in personal protective equipment.

‘Of course, they’re good!’ Santa pays a visit to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital

Dec 9, 2020

Ho, ho, ho! Santa made his annual North Pole-Hershey connection on Friday when he visited virtually with children at Penn State Health Children's Hospital during the annual Santa Connect, made possible by the Child Life team and Penn State Health’s Information Services team.