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Development Office
Child Life Program
The Child Life Program at Boston Medical Center serves children and families who are faced with stressful health care
issues such as chronic illness, serious injury, and long-term hospitalization. In addition, Child Life Specialists
work with many children who present in the emergency room or primary care facilities with less serious conditions,
but are nevertheless traumatized by a hospital environment. Child Life Specialists endeavor to minimize the psychological
trauma associated with a broad range of pediatric health conditions through a number of counseling and advocacy services.
Interruption of normal life experiences, such as physical limitations due to illness, can jeopardize a child’s growth and
development and may invite dependency or low self-esteem. A child’s health care encounter can be positive if he or she is
adequately prepared for all medical procedures and is provided with opportunities for play, learning, self-expression and
peer interaction. Child Life Specialists work in all departments of BMC, including the ER and operating rooms, and seek
to create a positive environment by helping to reduce stress and anxiety for children and their families.
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