Child Life Services

The Child Life Services team at Monroe Carell helps your child and family members cope with medical experiences. Our Certified Child Life Specialists are trained in child development and understand the unique needs of children, teens, and families in the hospital. Through play and education, Certified Child Life Specialists can partner with you to create a friendly and comfortable medical environment for your child. In addition, our child life team can help if:

• Your child is nervous about or has questions about an upcoming procedure or test.
• Your child needs additional support to help them during a procedure or test.
• Your child has questions, concerns, or worries about going to the doctor or being in the hospital.
• A sibling has questions or concerns about the hospital.
• Your child has experienced a traumatic event at home or in the hospital.
• Your child has a long-term condition or was just diagnosed with one.
• Your child needs age-appropriate toys/activities to help them cope with a hospital stay or appointment.
• You have questions about your child's developmental or coping needs.
• You need suggestions for talking to your child about their health or hospital experiences.

To learn more or meet with one of our Certified Child Life Specialists, call (615) 936-4575.

Child life services are available every day, including weekends and holidays. Your child’s nurse or staff members can also help you contact child life services if needed.

Michael Stanley Child Life Fund

To ensure child life services are always available at Monroe Carell, the family of Michael Stanley created the Michael Stanley Child Life Fund.

Michael Stanley, of Nashville, Tenn., was diagnosed with cancer in April 2005. After a 13-hour surgery, 48 weeks of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation and more than 100 days in the hospital, Michael achieved remission. Michael was honored with a Make-a-Wish Foundation trip to Walt Disney World in 2009. He also became the child ambassador to the 2014 Iroquois Steeplechase, one of the largest annual fundraisers for Monroe Carell and a Nashville-area tradition. Michael died in April 2015 after a second battle with cancer.

Your gift will have a long-term impact on families and patients.