Child Life Program in Wilmington
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
The Department of Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy & School Programs at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware helps patients and their families cope with medical experiences. Our staff promotes the use of play, preparation, education and self-expression activities as a way to normalize the hospital. Our team of certified Child Life specialists are skilled at supporting the child and their family during a stressful medical event. We strive to empower children and families, while partnering with them to meet their individual needs.
Call to request a visit from a Child Life specialist or, if you need immediate assistance, ask your nurse or another team member to contact us.
- Meet Our Team
- Activities
- Get Involved
- Make a Gift
- Student Opportunities
Our Leadership Team
Hilary Bruno, MS, CTRS, CCLS
Director, Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy and School Programs
hilary.bruno@nemours.org
Hilary earned her Bachelor of Science from University of Delaware and her Master of Science from Springfield College. Hilary has worked in one of the region’s health care systems as a clinician and as a Child Life leader. Hilary joined Nemours in May 2023.
Melissa Nicely, MS, CCLS
Manager, Department of Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy & School Programs
melissa.nicely@nemours.org
Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fresno State in California, and her Master of Arts in Child Life from University of La Verne, in California. Melissa has worked in children’s hospitals in California, and has experience as a nonprofit professional at the Association for Child Life Professionals. Melissa joined Nemours as a child life specialist in 2013, and became a manager in 2015
Nicole Gandolfo, MA, CCLS
Manager, Department of Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy & School Programs
nicole.gandolfo@nemours.org
Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts from Boston University and Master of Arts in Child Development from Tufts University, Eliot-Pearson School of Child Development. Nicole has experience working as a child life specialist and student program coordinator in multiple child life programs across the United States. She has enjoyed professional volunteer involvement with the Association of Child Life Professionals, including serving as a past committee chair. Nicole joined Nemours as a manager in child life in November 2020.
Child Life Specialists
Joelle Arrante, MS, CCLS
Outpatient Oncology
joelle.arrante@nemours.org
Sarah Brakoh, MS
Molly Donadee, MS, CCLS
Pediatric ICU
molly.donadee@nemours.org
Julie Edwards, CCLS
Surgical Services and Dialysis
julianne.edwards@nemours.org
Mia Grau, MS, CCLS
Swank Autism Center
mia.grau@nemours.org
Julia Greco, MS, CCLS
Inpatient Oncology
julia.greco@nemours.org
Devorah Furman, MA, CCLS
Float CLS
devorah.furman@nemours.org
Kennedy Hubbard, Float CLS
Cardiac ICU and Cardiac Stepdown
kennedy.hubbard@nemours.org
Meredith Krewson, M.Ed
Emergency Department
meredith.krewson@nemours.org
Laura Mitchell, CCLS
Radiology and Day Medicine
laura.mitchell@nemours.org
Addie Snyder, MS, CTRS
2 West (Postsurgical, Solid Organ Transplant, Trach/Vent)
addie.snyder@nemours.org
Jana L. Teagle, CTRS, CCLS, CBIS
Rehab
jana.teagle@nemours.org
Madeline Velázquez, CCLS
Emergency Department
madeline.velazquez@nemours.org
Melanie Velez, MS, CCLS
Neonatal ICU
melanie.velez@nemours.org
Kim Vignola, CCLS
3E/3W (Blood Disorders, Endocrine and Orthopedics)
kimberly.vignola@nemours.org
Child Life Activity Coordinators
Stacey Avila
Grace Kennedy
Jordan McGinnes
Joelle Wilkins
Ezra Wittwer
Other Team Members
Child Life Program Coordinator
Sara Narimanian
sara.narimanian@nemours.org
Work Cell: (302) 298-6769
Adapted Care Clinical Coordinator
Valerie Colantuono, MS, BCaBA, CTRS
valerie.colantuono@nemours.org
Art Therapist
Jess Kee, MA, ATR-BC
Gaming and Technology Coordinator
Scott Shaw
Music Therapist
Breanna Kratz, MT-BC
Emily Smith, MT-BC
Pet Therapy Coordinator
Kelsey Cebula, CCLS
kelsey.cebula@nemours.org
Work Cell: (302) 287-5172
What We Do
When a child is anxious or overwhelmed, or other children have difficulty understanding what's happening, it can affect everyone. Child Life specialists support the entire family during a medical experience. Our staff provide all kinds of services and support not only to our patients, but also to parents, siblings and other family members.
Psychosocial support
We can help your child cope with an injury, diagnosis or treatment by encouraging discussion, answering questions, and talking about feelings and concerns.
Preprocedure/preoperative support
We work to reduce your child’s fears and anxiety before a procedure or surgery by explaining what will happen and what to expect.
Support during a procedure
We try to reduce your child’s anxiety by providing distraction and nonmedical pain management.
Medical/therapeutic play
We try to help your child understand and cope better by playing with pretend or real medical equipment and providing opportunities to share feelings, concerns and fears.
Pain and stress management
We strive to ease physical, psychological and emotional pain with relaxation strategies such as guided imagery and deep breathing.
Creative stimulation/development
We use art, music and play activities to promote your child’s growth, maintain developmental milestones, and provide a creative outlet for dealing with emotions.
Bereavement services
We offer comfort, support and memorial activities for families in the event of a child’s death.
Our certified Child Life specialists are trained to understand the different ways children deal with stress, fear, confusion, anger, guilt and sadness — and help them develop coping strategies specific to their individual needs. We’re also here to provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings and other family members as needed.
Child Life Activities & Playrooms
Kids of all ages want to explore, play and laugh, no matter where they are — even the hospital. Of course, in the hospital, kids’ choices are limited. That’s why we offer lots of fun Child Life programs and activities to keep all of the children we see, from tots to teens, uplifted and entertained during even the most difficult hospital stay.
What is the Child Life Clubhouse?
Located on the third floor, around the corner from the Family Resource Center, the Child Life Clubhouse is a fun place for patients and families to escape. The Clubhouse is a safe haven away from medical procedures, equipment and exams, where specially trained Child Life technicians provide normal play activities. Our patients, their families and visitors can participate in arts and crafts, play with a wide variety of toys and games, read, play video games, take part in cooking activities and much more.
Does the hospital also have playrooms?
On each inpatient unit, you'll find a playroom that's stocked with toys and activities. Patients, families and visitors can use the playrooms to relax, visit and engage in small group activities. Please ask a Child Life staff member if you have questions about the playroom on your unit.
How do I find out which activities and events are offered and when?
From the TV in your child's room, just click on the rollercoaster located on the homepage to find out about Child Life activities and events on the GetWellNetwork Event’s Calendar.
Can my child's siblings play too?
Brothers and sisters can absolutely play too. We just ask that all siblings and visitors under 10 years old be supervised by an adult when visiting the Child Life Clubhouse Center and playrooms.
Pet Therapy Program
The hospital is always abuzz when our furry, four-legged friends join us. Trained therapy teams visit in our playrooms and at the bedside. The dogs provide a great distraction and comfort to our children and families.
Benefits of Pet Therapy
Our tail-wagging friends and their certified handlers have an important job to do — bring smiles.
Pet therapy helps to:
- reduce stress
- improve self-esteem
- lower blood pressure
- improve overall well-being
Please contact a Child Life staff member for more information.
Be Part Of Our Child Life Program
We welcome visitors and performers from our community to spend time with our patients and families through our programming activities in our Child Life Program.
Be Part of Our Child Life Program
One-Time Volunteer Visits:
- We welcome visitors and performers from our community to spend time with our patients and families through our programming activities in our Child Life Program. Fill out your application.
- Learn about our guidelines for visitors and performers. Community Group Visitors and Performer Guidelines
Hospital Volunteer Opportunities
Make a Gift or Donation
Thank you for considering the patients and families at Nemours Children's. Your generous toy donations, gift cards, and cash donations help to support their needs all year long.
Join the holiday fun at our Holiday Joy Drive Event.
Drop off a new, unwrapped toy on Saturday, December 7 anytime from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ways You Can Help
1. Make a Financial Contribution
Your donation helps us purchase toys and highly requested items for each child in our care. These contributions also go toward the purchase of new musical instruments for our Music Therapists and new gaming carts, and fun our patient programming and special events.
You can also gather your friends, colleagues or family members to form a fundraising team and raise money as a group to help our Child Life Department purchase toys for our patients.
2. Amazon Wish List
Visit our Amazon Wish List and have a gift shipped directly to the Child Life team. Easily browse some of our patients’ favorite toys and send cheer right to their door.
3. Donate a New and Unwrapped Toy or Gift Card
For those who cannot attend the Holiday Joy Drive Event, we will accept holiday donations between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day from November 25 to December 20 at the main atrium entrance. The latest the hospital can accept holiday toy donations is noon, on December 20.
Please note: Gifts cannot be donated between December 21 and Januanry 3. Drop-offs will resume on January 3 at the main hospital tower entrance. Due to patient confidentiality and infection control, any donated items must be distributed to patients by Nemours staff.
We cannot accept used items. Please do not donate any toy guns, food, candy, or any items that are breakable, sharp or contain latex. Please do not gift wrap toys; however, we're happy to accept donations of wrapping supplies along with the toys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your financial contributions make the greatest and most immediate impact on our patients and families. From purchasing specialized adaptive toys, to celebrating milestones like graduations or birthdays, your gift helps us sustain the programs and projects that bring comfort to our patients and families each day.
Our most needed items include:
- Infant items: rattles, teethers, Oballs, binkies, musical and light up toys, boppy pillows, etc.
- Play-Doh (tubs, sets, cutting tools)
- Gift Cards for Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc. (in amounts of $25)
- Crayola crayons (24 count), washable markers and colored pencils (sets of 8-24)
- Teen and tech items including Bluetooth speakers, headphones and advanced crafts
- New stuffed animals with their tags attached
- Uno, board games, teen card games and decks of playing cards
- Crafts kits for school-age children and teens: art sets, science kits, STEM building, etc.
- Sensory balls and toys, Pop its, Find It Games.
Please note: All donations must be new in its original packaging, including attached tags.
Out of concern for the safety, immunity and allergies of many of our patients, we can only accept new items with the tags still attached. We are unable to accept the following donations:
- Toys
- Used or previously played items, toys, books, games or stuffed animals
- Latex toys, games and balloons
- Collections of items, toys, books, games or stuffed animals that have never been played with but have been stored away or are vintage collectables
- Full-sized sports equipment (soccer goals, basketball nets, etc.), bikes, skateboards, scooters
- Toys that resemble weapons (toy guns, swords, violent action figures, etc.)
- Other items
- Displays or artwork intended for use or display in the hospital
- Handwritten cards, messages or letters for patients and families
- Handmade or sewn clothing
- Homemade food or treats (cookies, cupcakes, bars, etc.)
- Used medical equipment
Due to patient confidentiality and infection control, donors are not able to deliver gifts to our patients. We're also unable to provide pictures with patients in them once a donation is received.
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
ATTN: Child Life
1600 Rockland Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
While we appreciate your thoughtfulness, all toys need to be unwrapped so we can determine which child would best benefit from that gift. You are welcome to donate wrapping supplies as part of your donation.
Please contact us at childlifeprograms@nemours.org or at (302) 298-7047.
Internship and Pre-Internships Programs
The Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware offers comprehensive Child Life internships and pre-internships programs open to college students and graduates during the fall and spring semesters. Curriculums are in alignment with learning modules developed by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
Internship Program
Pre-Internship Program
Contact Program Coordinators
Internship Coordinators
Laura Mitchell, CCLS
Internship Coordinator
(302) 651-4849
childlifestudentprograms@nemours.org
Jana Teagle, CCLS, CTRS, CBIS
Internship Co-Coordinator
(302) 298-7316
childlifestudentprograms@nemours.org
Pre-Internship Coordinators
Julia Greco, MS, CCLS
(302) 651-6377
Pre-Internship Coordinator
childlifestudentprograms@nemours.org
Kim Vignola, CCLS
(302) 298-7712
Pre-Internship Co-Coordinator
childlifestudentprograms@nemours.org