Inova Child Life

The Inova Child Life team ensures our youngest patients and their families are put at ease through a variety of services from sibling care, to pre-surgical hospital tours, to therapeutic play.

Coming to a hospital can be scary – especially as a child. Our Child Life Specialists seek to ease these fears as they embody the spirit of Inova, providing high quality, critical support for our pediatric patients and their families during a hospital stay or outpatient procedure.

Certified Child Life Specialists are found throughout Inova Children’s Hospital and are experts in child development and the impact of hospitalization on children and families. They provide a range of services including: pre-surgical tours, procedural preparations, distraction and support during medical procedures, sibling support and normalization activities.

Each floor of Inova Children’s Hospital has a dedicated Child Life Playroom and the 9^th floor houses our Kerrigan’s Korner Teen Room. These rooms are a safe zone for kids, a non-procedural area where they can play and relax. They provide an area for games and activities as well as encourage group play with other children – trying to put as much fun into what can often be a stressful or scary time.

“The greater community may not be aware of the work Child Life Specialists do every day and the impact they have on children’s and families’ lives. They ensure a child’s stay with us, whether short or long, is filled with the everyday joys of childhood. We are humbled to be honored at the Evening of Inova Stars and welcome this opportunity to share more about our team and work. We also want to take this opportunity to thank our many donors, as Child Life is not considered reimbursable by insurance and approximately half of our annual budget is supported by charitable gifts. We simply couldn’t do what we do without your support!”
– Joanna Fazio, Vice President, Inova Children’s Hospital