CL DISCOVER 2022 April

DISCOVER The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department

April 2022

A Month of Special Activities Highlight the Efforts Child Life and Creative Arts Therapists March was Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Month - a time to recognize, educate and celebrate the hard work of child life specialists and creative arts therapists.

To kick off the celebration, the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department hosted an Instagram takeover on the Mount Sinai Hospital page to highlight different aspects of our work to their thousands of followers. Led by a team member each day, the takeover featured information about child life, Paws & Play, The Zone, KidZone TV Studio, creative arts therapy and family engagement. Since one of the goals of the Instagram takeover was to educate about the work of this department, attention was given to the different modalities of our staff and the areas served throughout the hospital. Background information about education and their clinical goals when working with patients and caregivers was also provided. Other areas of focus during this takeover included introducing the child life Zone, our three facility dogs, Amos, Moby and Professor, as well as additional information about the Youth Advisory Council, Family Advisory Council and NICU Family Advisory Council. Highlights from the takeover can be found on Mount Sinai’s Instagram page (@mountsinainyc) and can be accessed at any time.

The child life Zone and KidZone TV also took part in educating patients and families throughout the month by incorporating special programming into the schedule. In the Zone, the music therapy, art therapy and child life interns each facilitated an activity centered on their modality. Patients and families engaged in an art project or music making during their time in the Zone, and learned more about each respective field.

Additionally, on KidZone TV, there were educational shows run throughout the month, including “Alphabet Coping” bingo, “Lights, Camera, KidZone TV” bingo and child lifefocused shows hosted by Sariah Dalumpines, the child life intern.

Child Life Expands Into Radiology The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department is excited to announce the establishment of a child life position for the Department of Radiology at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. Brielle Napolitano, CCLS, will partner with pediatric inpatient and outpatient radiology to support children receiving radiological services throughout the hospital. Although the initial focus will be on MRI, CT and fluoroscopy procedures, this position will also address pediatric needs related to x-rays, ultrasounds, interventional radiology and beyond. Clinical interventions, which will include the use of technology and virtual reality programs, will focus on preparation, procedural support, and the enhancement of coping strategies.

Brielle Napolitano, Child Life Specialist LB 2019

Mountsinai.org/childlife

-

Facebook.com/MSchildlife -

Instagram: @MSchildlife

@KZTVlive

@mountsinai_pawsandplay

The Evolution of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Offerings In the summer of 2020, in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many other losses and violent acts steeped in anti-Black racism, the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy program made a commitment to create more intentional spaces to discuss the impact of oppression on clinical work within the medical system. The department decided to engage in an ongoing “courageous conversation” series, which was meant to be a space to discuss the many injustices that our patients and families face.

Small groups met quarterly, and several staff members were trained by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to moderate each discussion. The hope was that a dedicated space to learning and self-reflection would help our team become even more aware of the importance of equity and social justice within our practice. Our intention was to create a safe space to dialogue and investigate how to apply a cultural humble lens within our work.

After some time, we decided that we wanted to have these dialogues with other medical professionals outside of our department, taking a more collaborative approach in brainstorming action steps to address the incidence of bias. Presently, our department collaborates with the residency program and the social work department on a monthly series called “Health Equity Journal Club.” For each session, two facilitators identify a research article that addresses some component of health inequity, and members of the disciplinary team gather to discuss the findings and explore the applicability to their own work.

The Zone Celebrates Sixteen Fun-Filled Years Monday, February 7, 2022, marked a special day for the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital Child Life Zone. On this date sixteen years ago, the Child Life Zone opened its doors for the first time to an excited group of patients, families, staff and guests who eagerly participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony and a host of entertaining activities. Sixteen years later, the Child Life Zone remains a preeminent healing space in which play and other therapeutic modalities thrive. In recognition of this year’s “Sweet 16” milestone, children, teens and adult members of the Kravis community enjoyed a day of celebratory art, games and more in the Zone and on the inpatient units. Special thanks to Garth Brooks, magician Tyler Gibgot and Mount Sinai Hospital executive chef David Hutchinson for kicking off the festivities with appearances on a birthday themed KidZone TV show.

A sweet game for a sweet birthday.

Accessories enhance the sweet 16 birthday celebration.

Birthday fun carried on throughout the day.

Data Reflects Strong Commitment to Staff Support Since the pandemic began in 2020, the Child Life and Creative Art Therapy Department’s staff support programming has grown tremendously. Our Paws & Play team and furry coworkers, Amos, Professor and Moby, have widened their reach not only within pediatrics, but also throughout the entire health system. In first quarter of 2022, the Paws & Play team supported 2,400 staff members including nursing, physicians and other clinical team members. Additionally, our child life and creative arts therapy team has incorporated staff support sessions on the inpatient units in various spaces for staff to enjoy tea, aromatherapy, art activities, snacks and a moment of peace within their often chaotic day. In the first quarter of 2022, the child life and creative arts therapy supported for over 1,700 clinical team members. We are proud to take on this critical role in support our healthcare heroes.

Mountsinai.org/childlife

-

Facebook.com/MSchildlife -

Instagram: @MSchildlife

@KZTVlive

@mountsinai_pawsandplay 2

Mid-Year Snap Shot of the Advisory Councils Because of the diligent efforts of three Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital advisory boards, critical issues that affect patient and family centered care are being addressed. Through the passionate leadership of Cheryl Strauss (Family Advisory Council), Lindsay Davis (NICU Family Advisory Council) and Morgan Stojanowski (Youth Advisory Council), the voices of patients and families are heard. Below is mid-year look at the hard work of our councils, as expressed by their leaders.

Since the start of the term in September 2021, the Family Advisory Council (FAC) has met each month to give voice to the patient and family perspective in the development and implementation of various Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital initiatives. Comprised of parents and staff, this dynamic group provided feedback on new programs and projects including electronic meal ordering in pediatrics, the development of a pressure injury prevention safety card and the onboarding of a Patient Service Liaison on P5. The FAC also actively engaged in rich discussions with physician and nurse leaders on topics ranging from the pediatric perioperative process to the hospital’s discharge metric and more.

In a joint meeting with the Youth Advisory Council in February, the group met with Kravis leaders, Dr. Ferrer and Dr. Satlin, for an interactive discussion regarding the state and goals of the Department of Pediatrics and the children’s hospital at large.

The NICU Family Advisory Council is focused on creating content for an orientation video to be shown to new NICU nurses. The council has identified topics generated by their own personal experiences and rooted in patient and family centered care that they feel are important for incoming nursing staff. The video will be created in an interview format, using stories and examples from advisors to illustrate the positive impact nursing can have on the patient experience during this stressful time. The NICU FAC also continues to explore avenues for providing peer-to-peer support to NICU parents in a virtual manner. The council kicked off topic-focused virtual support group evenings, beginning with “NICU Dad’s Night.” Stay tuned for plans to expand offerings this spring.

As we enter the spring season, we look back on some of the salient topics that have been presented to the Youth Advisory Council in the first half of the term to recognize the insights and accomplishments of its advisors. Jenny Aquaro, Director of Patient Services, Food and Nutrition, presented the YAC with an introduction to CBORD, an electronic food ordering application being piloted in pediatrics. In addition to praising this technological advancement, advisors provided meaningful feedback related to the user-ability of the application and the collateral materials promoting this program. During the first half of the year, the Youth Advisory Council also had the opportunity to review and develop important materials for Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. A full meeting was dedicated to going through a draft version of a pediatric welcome packet created by hospital leadership. As current and former patients, the advisors provided valuable insight and feedback related to the content, structure and implementation of this document. In addition to the welcome packet, the Youth Advisory Council partnered with nursing leadership and the child life team to create a pediatric patient “bill of rights.” Currently in its draft form, this document will speak to the inherent rights of pediatric patients, including pain management, open communication and psychosocial support. Most recently, Ellen BlackKurzrok, Pediatric-Clinical Education Program Manager, introduced a new training program for Patient Care Associates (PCAs) performing blood draws and IV insertions. Responses from advisors highlighted the importance of recognizing patients as partners in care and approaching the bedside with compassion and patience.

This mid-year reflection illustrates the important matters that our councils take on month after month. We look forward to updates throughout 2022.

Meet the Interns Sariah Dalumpines is a child life intern who joins us from Azusa Pacific University, where she is completing her master’s degree in child life. A fun fact about Sariah is that she and all of her siblings were born on holidays.

Mountsinai.org/childlife

-

Jake Gladwin is a KidZone TV Intern from Marymount Manhattan College where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre and a minor in Arts Management. A fun fact about Jake is that he has a twin sister, Ava!

Facebook.com/MSchildlife -

Lucas Pepin is a KidZone TV intern from Hofstra University, where he is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in TV production, with minors in music and public relations. A fun fact about Lucas is that he is in two a cappella groups at his college.

Instagram: @MSchildlife

@KZTVlive

Michelle Shlomovich is a KidZone TV intern from Marymount Manhattan College where she’s pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Stage Management and Producing.

@mountsinai_pawsandplay

3

Creative Arts Therapy: Art Spotlight Creative arts therapies are offered to patients with an interest in the arts as a form of expression and developmental growth. Creative arts therapists collaborate closely with the unit child life specialists to coordinate and create therapeutic experiences for patients and families.

Examples of the creative arts are: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and Creative Writing. Our creative arts therapy staff supports the developmental needs of patients from the youngest child through teenagers, encouraging creativity and offering additional avenues for expression and coping.

Every month, NICU caregivers are invited to attend an art therapy group in the Zone as a way to take a break, engage in art making and socialize with other caregivers. In March, participants were invited to create “affirmation stones” by painting positive words and symbolic colors onto rocks. Once completed, the stones can be carried around or placed in a meaningful place as a reminder of the encouraging message.

NICU Team Brings Joy to All on Purim and St. Patrick’s Day For the first time in almost 40 years, Purim and St. Patrick's Day landed on the same day, and the NICU made sure all the babies celebrated.

Despite the fact that these two holidays come from vastly different backgrounds, the one thing both holidays have in common is the tradition of revelry and festivities. Purim is a holiday to celebrate the overturning of events and the Jewish people’s fates. The holiday is characterized by opposites - hence the tradition of dressing up (similar to Halloween) - and is all about celebration and merriment. St. Patrick’s Day, on the other hand, was originally a religious feast day celebrating the Irish Catholic saint. Thanks to the historical immigration of Irish migrants to the USA, this feast day has evolved to a more secularized holiday that celebrates everything Irish. Following in the themes of merriment, the NICU child life team celebrated these festive holidays with patients and families with milestone pictures with St. Patty’s Day blankets and Purim clown costumes. It was a fun milestone to remember!

Staff Accomplishments Morgan Stojanowski was nominated as the chair for the New York Regional Solutions for Patient Safety Patient and Family Engagement Group.

Gretchen Greenlee co-facilitated a Health Equity Journal Club discussion in February on caring for LGBTQ+ patients.

Gretchen Greenlee and Stefani Tower co-facilitated a bereavement training presentation in March for social work as part of the bereavement committee.

Stefani Tower and Jackie Craig created a workbook for children and teens who have a parent who is hospitalized or coping with serious illness. The book is designed to help children identify their feelings and develop ways to cope with changes that may be happening in their lives.

Follow Us and See the Exciting Things Happening Every Day!

Instagram Child Life

Facebook Child Life

Instagram KZTV

Instagram Paws & Play 4