A stay in the hospital can be unsettling no matter how old you are. For children, medical procedures, unfamiliar surroundings and new faces can be particularly stressful. The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department helps young patients cope with their fears and anxieties by offering therapeutic activities tailored to meet their social, emotional, and educational needs. Familiar experiences such as play, art, school, and socializing with peers are offered to help young patients understand and cope more effectively with the often overwhelming world of the hospital.

The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department seeks to achieve the following important goals:

• Minimize anxiety and stress experienced by children, adolescents, and families in the medical setting.
• Enhance the young patient's emotional, social, physical, and cognitive growth in the context of his/her family, culture, and stage of development.
• Support parents and encourage their participation in their child's healthcare.
• Enhance understanding of medical experiences for children and families.
• Help children maintain a sense of security during an illness or surgery.
• Help children and families continue everyday living experiences as much as possible.