DISCOVER
The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department
KidZone TV: Connecting, Empowering, and Building a Community of Patients and Families
For some of our pediatric patients, the day does not truly begin until 11:30 AM, when they hear “Live - from the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital- it's KidZone TV!” on channel 114. Each day in the hospital, a KZTV producer invites patients to have fun, share their creativity, and make each show, activity, and even the studio itself - their very own.
As a service of Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy department, KidZone TV is the collaborative effort of the department’s professional clinicians and media producers. Since its first live broadcast in 1989, KidZone TV has evolved from hosting simple live activities into an inviting therapeutic outlet that places our young patients at the center of its programming. The studio’s mission is simple yet profound: to empower young patients through creativity, connection, and self-expression.
Patients and caregivers participate by tuning into the live shows from their rooms, visiting the studio as an audience member, or stepping in and becoming a “tech”- a live show producer who controls the camera, video switching board, and the audio and lighting effects. Patients who are medically isolated in their rooms can also host via a “Remote Host” session, where KZTV producers establish a live video link between the patient’s room and the studio, enabling the patient to host any show live. Recently our KZTV producers helped Zayd and his mother remote host a bingo where he shared all his favorite things. When patients become producers like Zayd, they regain a sense of individualism, mastery and control which is sometimes lost while in a hospital.
From hosting their shows to working behind the scenes, young participants are given the tools and guidance to create content that explores their unique experiences. Watch Noah, a recent KZTV creator share how being a patient producer helped him: “You can come to the studio and help make bingo and all those shows. You can press all of the buttons and see all the technology that’s happening behind the scenes. Behind the scenes is my favorite part! It’s really fun. It takes your mind; it takes it away from your pain.”
Along with hosting special guests and our own custom shows, KZTV also aims to support our clinical staff of Child Life Specialists, Music Therapists, and Art Therapists, in engaging with their patients in innovative ways. By hosting live shows, staff offer therapeutic interactions that align with their clinical practices. Patients are often invited to join as co-hosts, strengthening the therapeutic bond and enriching ongoing sessions.
The variety of shows and activities offered by the studio connects to the diverse interests and needs of our patients. Fausta, a Spanish-speaking parent, enjoyed co-hosting a show with a producer and a drama therapist. She taught our staff and viewers how to knit and shared how her love of knitting helps her and her child stay calm and patient while in the hospital Our staff is committed to cultural inclusivity and hosts families that can speak to their unique experiences. By sharing how families in our KZTV community celebrate their beliefs and traditions, we hope to make our community members feel welcome in all departmental programming.
One of the wonderful aspects of KZTV is that the studio is a space dedicated to providing a safe environment where patients can socialize and feel at ease. Patients say the “vibe” in the room is different than anywhere else in the hospital. The often heard “I want to go to the studio” reinforces how this space supports the emotional and social well-being of our participants and fosters a sense of normalcy amidst difficult medical challenges. The studio and staff are here to help patients capture and tell their story, like Isai’s going home video.
As the studio continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the collaborative team remains dedicated to their core belief: meeting children where they are and providing opportunities to express themselves, connect with others, and find joy in their journeys. KidZone TV hopes to continue making a difference in the lives of all our young patients, one show at a time. Follow the studio on Instagram @KZTVlive
Youth and Family Advisory Councils Impact Report
Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital developed a Family Advisory Council (FAC) and a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) in recognition of the crucial role that patients and families play in guiding health care The mission of the Councils is to create a partnership between patients, families, the healthcare team, and hospital administration to promote the delivery of safe, comprehensive, and compassionate patient-and family-centered healthcare. We invite you to follow the QR code and read the 2024 impact report.
New Facility Dog, Summer, Gets Right to Work
Meet Piper, a fourteen-year-old girl who spent ten days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) after undergoing complicated scoliosis repair surgery. Piper and her family came to New York from their home in Arizona for this necessary spinal surgery. The procedure left Piper with significant pain and the daunting task of rehabilitation. Thankfully, the presence of our newest facility dog, Summer, transformed her hospital experience. Summer’s first day as a facility dog at Mount Sinai was on July 22, and with Piper’s surgery taking place just two days after that, Piper was the first patient that Summer met for a session. From the moment Summer walked into Piper’s room, Piper and her family were overjoyed. Piper, who spoke about missing her dogs at home in Arizona, found solace in Summer's warm presence. “The pair quickly formed a bond, with Piper often finding comfort in cuddling with Summer, providing a much-needed distraction from her post-operative pain,” explained Kaleigh Bieling, Certified Child Life Specialist. Throughout her stay, Summer played a pivotal role in Piper’s wellbeing and coping. Sessions with Summer and Piper ranged from Piper lying in bed cuddling with Summer to engaging in physical therapy sessions. “Whether it was petting Summer or participating in short walks, Piper was motivated by the thought of spending time with Summer,” according to Kaleigh. This innovative approach not only aided her physical recovery but also lifted her spirits. With each visit, Summer provided comfort not only to Piper, but to her parents as well. By the time Piper was ready to leave the PICU, she not only had improved mobility but also cherished memories of her time spent with Summer. For Piper, the healing journey was made brighter with Summer by her side, proving the profound impact of animal-assisted therapy in pediatric care.
Katherine Parker, art therapist, works closely with the Dubin Breast Center to support children of adult oncology patients. In July, staff at the Dubin Breast Center were invited to participate in a staff support art group to paint beach-themed scenery. This was an opportunity for staff to take a pause in their busy day to socialize with their coworkers and use art to relieve stress, enhance relaxation and engage in creative expression.
Staff Accomplishments
Diane Rode, Senior Director, Patient and Family Centered Care, led a full-day reflective practice intensive for the child life staff at Inova Children’s Hospital.
Archimedes Bibiano, Mindfulness and Awareness Training Teacher, was the guest speaker at the Wellness Grand Rounds for all staff at Elmhurst Health Center. This event was part of the Helping Healers Heal (H3) wellness series.
Katherine Parker, Family Care Coordinator, was a guest lecturer at the “Integrated Behavioral Health Didactics” for the Icahn School of Medicine Psychology Extern Program, teaching a seminar titled Family Centered Care: Supporting Children Impacted by a Parent’s Medical Diagnosis.
Partnering with Dan Iwrey from Talent, Development, & Learning, Katherine Parker co-facilitated the inaugural launch of a three-session Child-Centered Care Certificate Program, which was designed in collaboration with Diane Rode, Morgan Stojanowski and Ali Spikestein.
Research Study Finds Positive Effects of Facility Dog
The Paws & Play Care for Clinical Teams Program published a research study featuring facility dog Moby. This study demonstrates the clinical impact of implementing regular animal assisted therapy programming in the adult hospital setting supporting staff. “The Impact of Facility Dog Programming on Mood and Stress among Healthcare Workers in Adult Inpatient Oncology Units” was published in the Practical Implementations of Nursing Sciences. This study found that healthcare workers experienced improved mood and a reduction in perceived physical symptoms of stress after having therapeutic interactions with Moby during their shifts. Follow the QR code to read the study.
We are preparing for the holidays! For the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more) we transform our theater space into a holiday gift shop where caregivers “shop” for gifts for their hospitalized child and their siblings. Christmas morning brings extra fun as our volunteer Santas visit families at their bedside. These celebrations would not be possible without your generous support. Please scan the QR code, visit our wish list at https:// amzn.to/3jHGTs9, and choose any items you want to supply for our holiday events. Thank you for your help in giving our families a celebration of fun and joy while they are facing their medical challenges in the hospital!
Meet the NICU Gold Medalists
Outside of the hospital, parents of newborns often engage in celebrations regarding milestones such as birthdays. These interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) aid in normalization and coping, while still honoring the methods to keep our patients safe. Around the time of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Katie Messina, Certified Child Life Specialist, created an intervention where parents were able to pick a medal (offered in English and Spanish) to give to their child. “The Olympics in the NICU provided an opportunity for choice and customization and a chance for normalized fun and celebration,” explained Katie. Many laughs were had, she added.
A Warm Welcome to Our Interns
Sophia Gutierrez Osuna is an international student from Mexico who joins us from New York University. She is a second-year graduate art therapy intern with a background in clinical psychology.
Ema Tufekcic is an international graduate music therapy intern who joins us from Molloy University. She is a professional violist and is now making the journey into clinical music therapy training.
Kierstin Connelly is the fall child life intern. She holds an undergraduate degree in criminology and psychology from SUNY Cortland and a graduate degree in child life studies from Missouri State University.
Pink Pony Procedural Support
One of the ways that music therapy provides support for patients and families at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital is through procedural support, using live music to decrease anxiety and support positive coping during a variety of medical procedures. In a recent metabolic clinic visit, Joseph Cooper, a board-certified music therapist, supported a family during a blood draw by engaging Talin, the patient, and his family through live-singing of a patient-chosen song, Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan. “It really meant a lot to me that everyone was there helping me get through the blood test. I feel like I could do okay with a blood test if I could have help like that but usually I would feel terrible thinking about a blood test,” Talin explained. Focusing one’s attention on a non-stressful stimulus like music may decrease the perception of pain or stress by closing the gate mechanism that relays messages from the body to the brain, making visits more comfortable for patients like Talin and his family. “Music is present in our family’s lives to destress after a tough day, share joy and pass time in the car. Talin was overwhelmed by the idea of a blood draw so much that the doctor had offered to postpone to another day. When Joseph said he could play Talin’s song request, I knew that it was going to work. Then watching Talin mesmerized - Joseph turned a traumatic event into a win. Talin loves to talk about it to everyone,” shared Talin’s mother, Kathryn.
Caregivers Take a Creative Break
Intensive care unit (ICU) child life specialists Abby Patch, Kaleigh Bieling and Katie Messina recently offered an opportunity for families in the ICU to connect with one another while engaging in a creative activity. Caregiver Creation gatherings provide families with an engaging space outside of their child’s room, while having the ability to return to their room if needed. Following the gathering, caregivers can feel the comfort of connecting with other caregivers while engaging in a fun activity that highlighted their child’s personality. This meaningful support to ICU families will be held monthly in the Zone.
Welcome to the Team
The Child Life Zone Hosts VIP Resident Tour
The Zone was filled with pediatric residents for fun and engaging activities during two events- one in August and one in September. This initiative, hosted by Cheryl Strauss, Zone Clinical Coordinator, and Kiara Mendez, Creative Arts Therapy Coordinator, aimed to introduce pediatric medical residents to the Zone as a valuable clinical space and showcase the various interventions and resources available. The events were a huge success with more than 40 residents in attendance. Art therapy, music therapy, animal-assisted therapy, KZTV fun and video games were some of the many entertaining activities featured during the gathering. “We were happy to welcome the residents into our space and hope to continue partnering in the future to provide even more comprehensive care for young patients,” stated Kiara.
Grace Webber is very excited to return to KidZone TV as the new Patient Media Production Assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre with a minor in Drama Therapy from Marymount Manhattan College. Grace produces all weekend KidZone TV programming and works with patients to create exciting new media projects which tell their story and help them reflect on their hospital experiences.
Sarah Griffiths, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Iowa, recently joined the department as a child life specialist on the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) service. Sarah recently completed her child life internship at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Charleston, SC, rotating through the cardiac ICU, same-day surgery, and emergency department.
QR Code: Watch Talin and his family participate in music therapy for procedural support during a blood draw.
Child life specialists and ICU caregivers engage in tie dying and decorating ceramic planting pots.
