Child Life Program in Wilmington
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
- About Child Life
- Meet Our Team
- Get Involved
- Make a Gift
- Student Opportunities
About
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 children and their families during stressful medical events. We strive to empower children and families, while partnering with them to meet their individual needs.
Email us 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.
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.
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 Services
We can help your child cope with an injury, diagnosis, or treatment by encouraging discussion, answering questions, and talking about feelings and concerns.
We work to reduce your child’s fears and anxiety before a procedure or surgery by explaining what will happen and what to expect.
We try to reduce your child’s anxiety by providing distraction and nonmedical pain management.
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.
We strive to ease physical, psychological, and emotional pain with relaxation strategies such as guided imagery and deep breathing.
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.
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.
We offer comfort, support, and memorial activities for families in the event of a child's death.
Creative Art Therapy
We offer both music therapy and art therapy services. These therapies are evidence-based health services in which music and art are used within a therapeutic relationship to support children’s social, psychological, cognitive, and physical wellness. Learn More
Animal-Assisted Therapy Program
Our hospital has both facility dogs and volunteer pet therapy dogs. Our facility dogs accompany staff handlers and work together to help patients achieve specific goals. Our volunteer pet therapy dogs visit inpatients and outpatients in the hospital for social visits that always bring smiles (and wagging tails).ÌýLearn More
Therapeutic Gaming
We have a pediatric gaming technology coordinator who creates gaming and technology experiences for patients and educates clinicians and families on the importance of gaming as a tool for patient distraction and coping. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and traditional gaming are used to keep patients connected to their friends and family and help get patients out of bed and moving while hospitalized. Learn More
School Program
Our School Program provides patients with a sense of normalcy and structure during their hospital stay. Our hospital teachers can provide individualized instruction at the bedside or in our classroom, communicate with your child’s school, and help with return-to-school planning.ÌýLearn More
FAQs
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 activity coordinators 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.
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.
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 GetWell Network event’s calendar.
Brothers and sisters can absolutely play too. We just ask that all siblings and visitors under 18 years old be supervised by an adult when visiting the child life clubhouse and playrooms.
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 ÌÇÐÄvlog 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 ÌÇÐÄvlog 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 ÌÇÐÄvlog as a manager in child life in November 2020.
Child Life Specialists
Joelle Arrante, MS, CCLS
Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders (Outpatient)
joelle.arrante@nemours.org
Sarah Brakoh, MS, CCLS
Emergency Department
sarah.brakoh@nemours.org
Molly Donadee, MS, CCLS
Pediatric ICU
molly.donadee@nemours.org
Julie Edwards, CCLS
Surgical Services
julianne.edwards@nemours.org
Devorah Furman, MA, CCLS
Float CLS
devorah.furman@nemours.org
Kelly Gavel, MS, NCC, CCLS
Critical Care
kelly.gavel@nemours.org
Mia Grau, MS, CCLS
Swank Autism Center
mia.grau@nemours.org
Julia Greco, MS, CCLS
Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders (Inpatient)
julia.greco@nemours.org
Kennedy Hubbard, CCLS
Cardiac ICU and Cardiac Stepdown
kennedy.hubbard@nemours.org
Gabriella Imperia
4 West (Short Stay)
gabriella.imperia@nemours.org
Meredith Krewson, M.Ed
Emergency Department
meredith.krewson@nemours.org
Laura Mitchell, CCLS
Radiology and Day Medicine
laura.mitchell@nemours.org
Maya Sauer
Dialysis and Outpatient Care
maya.sauer@nemours.org
Kassidy Sholette
General Pediatrics Unit
kassidy.sholette@nemours.org
Addie Snyder, MS, CTRS
3 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
3W/5W (Blood Disorders, Endocrine, and Orthopedics)
kimberly.vignola@nemours.org
Child Life Activity Coordinators
Stacey Avila
Adrianna DiOrrio
Joelle Wilkins
Ezra Wittwer
Ìý
Other Team Members
Child Life Program Coordinator
Sara Narimanian
sara.narimanian@nemours.org
Work Cell: (302) 298-6769
Art Therapist
Jess Kee, MA, ATR-BC
Gaming and Technology Coordinator
Scott Shaw
Music Therapists
Breanna Kratz, MT-BC
Emily Smith, MT-BC
Pet Therapy Coordinator
Kelsey Cebula, CCLS
kelsey.cebula@nemours.org
Work Cell: (302) 287-5172
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 the Child Life Program.
Be Part of Our Child Life Program
One-Time Volunteer Visits:
- For visitors and performers from our community who want to spend time with our patients and families through our programming activities: .
- Learn about our guidelines for visitors and performers.ÌýCommunity 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.
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, new gaming carts, as well as funÌýpatient 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
Preparing for the upcoming 2025 Holiday Donation Season
You’re Invited to the Holiday Joy Drive at Nemours Children’s Health
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 9 to 1 p.m.
Join us for a festive celebration as we honor the incredible donors who support our Child Life Department and help us spread even more holiday cheer this season.
In past years, your generous toy and supply donations have made a world of difference for our patients and families. This year, we’re shifting our focus to an exciting Holiday Matching Campaign! A generous donor has pledged $20,000 in matching funds, doubling every dollar you give, up to $20,000.
Your gift will go twice as far in supporting child life programs that bring joy, comfort, and healing to children all year long. Come enjoy the holiday fun with us.
FAQs
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 — including Nerf gunsÌý— 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
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware offers comprehensive Child Life internships and pre-internship 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