Ali Spikestein Steps into a New Role

Ali Spikestein was promoted to a Program Manager position in the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department in the fall of 2023. Ali will oversee department initiatives and support clinical staff with a supervisory and clinical focus in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Ali joined the department in early 2016, serving as the primary child life specialist in the outpatient pediatric oncology/hematology clinic. In 2017, Ali led the launch of the Paws & Play facility dog program, becoming the primary handler for Mount Sinai’s first facility dog, Professor Bunsen Honeydew. After serving in this role for several years, Ali advanced to a Senior Child Life Specialist position supervising certified child life specialists, taking a larger role in the expansion and management of the facility dogs and their clinical teams, and serving as a department leader throughout Kravis Children’s Hospital. Ali has a special interest in reflective practice, evidence-based research, creative coverage models and supporting new clinicians.

Before joining the team at Mount Sinai, Ali received her Master in Child Life from Bank Street College of Education.