Wellstar Children's of Georgia
Child Life Specialists
At Wellstar Children’s of Georgia, our Child Life Specialists are expertly trained in helping children and youth navigate the challenges of illness, injury or disability, hospitalization, treatment or new diagnosis.
About Us
- What is a Child Life Specialist?
- The Healing Power of Play
- Understanding Care
- Preparation
- Support for Patients and Family
- Grief and Bereavement Support
- Grief Resources
What is a Child Life Specialist?
A Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is a healthcare professional who helps children, teens, and families understand and cope with injury, illness, hospitalization, or death and loss. Their goal is to help reduce anxiety, fear, pain, and misconceptions pertaining to medical experiences. Often through play, child life specialists enable children to explore, learn, and develop effective coping skills for facing challenging events.
What education does a Child Life Specialist need?
To become a CCLS, a four-year undergraduate degree is required. Some Child Life Specialists also choose to earn a master’s degree, which offers advanced training in working with pediatric patients.
Every member of our team is a CCLS by national examination.Association of Child Life Professionals.
The Healing Power of Play
Play helps children make sense of the world—and it’s especially important in a healthcare setting. Our Child Life Specialists use play to:- Support healthy development and positive coping strategies
- Prepare children for medical procedures in age-appropriate ways
- Help children process their experiences and emotions
- Give children choices and a sense of controlEncourage normal development and positive coping throughout healthcare experiences
Helping Children Understand Care
Our team of Child Life Specialists understands that children and teens cope best when they are prepared for healthcare encounters in ways they can understand. We use our knowledge of child development to provide education tailored to each child’s age and needs. Using play, technology and realistic medical equipment, Child Life Specialists help explain diagnoses, procedures and tests in developmentally appropriate ways.We’re also a resource for caregivers and parents who want to better understand how children develop, respond to challenges and cope with stress.
Preparation
Hospital visits and medical procedures can be stressful for children and their families. Children may feel nervous, have questions or misunderstand what’s happening based on unfamiliar medical terms. By preparing children honestly and in age-appropriate ways, Child Life Specialists help to:
- Reduce anxiety
- Build trust with care team members
- Identify stressors and teach coping skills
- Offer choices and a sense of control
We guide children through what to expect—what they may feel, see, hear, taste and smell—so they feel more confident and informed. Using developmentally appropriate language, pictures and medical tools, we help children make sense of their experience and express any fears or concerns.
Support for Patients and Family
Child Life Specialists help children and their families develop positive coping skills and establish plans and techniques for facing challenging events. Coping strategies are unique to each child and family.For Parents
- Honestly explaining to your child how something may feel without minimizing their emotions or the experience
- Informing team members of important facts about your child
- Remaining positive, calm and supportive toward your child
- Providing your presence/full attention and offering specific praise before, during and after a procedure
- Utilizing comfort positioning so that your child can always see and touch you
- Preparing yourself for your child’s upcoming procedure
For Children
- Distraction: Refocusing your child’s attention on an activity they find engaging
- Imagery: Asking your child to close their eyes and recall a positive place or memory
- Breathing: Encouraging your child to take slow, deep breaths
- Comfort: Bringing along your child’s favorite blanket or stuffed animal to hold before, during or after the procedure
Grief & Bereavement Support
Child Life Specialists are trained in how children understand and respond to the death of a loved one. They provide guidance on talking to children about a loved one who has died or is nearing the end of their life. Using play, art and developmentally appropriate language, Child Life Specialists help children and teens understand the death, express emotions and create keepsakes in memory of their loved one.Helping Children Deal with Grief
Camp Tranquility and Camp Dogwood are one-day events for children and adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Both are sponsored by Wellstar Hospice Care.Camp Tranquility
Camp Tranquility is a community workshop for families who have lost a loved one. Adults and children ages 6 and older participate in sessions designed to support healthy grief expression. Participants connect with others experiencing similar losses while learning:
- Age-specific strategies for processing grief
- Self-care and stress reduction
- Parenting through loss
- Talking to children about death and grief
- Activities for family healing over time
Camp Dogwood
Camp Dogwood is a free, one-day event for children ages 6 to 12 in West Georgia and surrounding areas who have experienced the loss of a loved one.Founded in 1997 as an outreach of West Georgia Hospice, the camp now serves up to 60 children each summer, supported by about 80 volunteers.
Through art, games and stories, campers:
- Understand that everyone grieves
- Learn healthy ways to cope
- Find meaningful ways to remember loved ones
- Build coping skills while enjoying fun, supportive activities
Additional Resources & Grief Support Materials
Services & Resources
- Opportunities for play, growth and development in the healthcare setting
- Healthcare education for children and families
- Procedural and surgical preparation and support
- Strategies for coping with stressful situations
- Advocacy that promotes emotional safety for children, teens and families
- Support of siblings during their brother's or sister’s hospitalization
- Illness education and coping support for children and teens whose loved one is hospitalized
- Grief and bereavement support
- Guidance for parents and caregivers on child development and ways to manage stress and trauma
News
Related Articles
Highlights
Wellstar Kennestone Opens Next-Generation NICU Designed for Babies and Families
Family-centered design
The new 49-bed NICU uses advanced monitoring technology to support babies who need intensive care, including those born early or facing medical challenges. As a high-volume, high-acuity Level III NICU, the care team is experienced in caring for newborns with a range of needs. Beyond clinical care, the unit was designed with families in mind. Spacious rooms, natural light and a calming color palette create a more peaceful environment for babies and parents. “This new design helps transform the NICU experience from something that can feel overwhelming into one that is more supportive, more personal and more centered around the family,” said Dr. Amanda M. Evans, Wellstar neonatal medical director and NICU medical director at Wellstar Kennestone. One of the most meaningful features is the unit’s six couplet care rooms, where mothers and babies can remain together after delivery when medically appropriate. “It allows the care team to support both patients together, creating stronger bonds and better outcomes—which is truly at the heart of what we are trying to achieve,” Dr. Evans said.Personalized nutrition for the smallest patients
The NICU also includes an innovative milk lab—a centralized pharmacy that prepares fortified human milk, donor milk and prescribed formulas. The dedicated space helps ensure precise nutrition for newborns who need tailored feeding plans. “One of the most important advances is the ability to analyze breast milk for its nutritional content,” Dr. Evans said. “Every mother’s milk is unique. With this technology, we can better understand what every baby is receiving and make individualized adjustments when needed.” For families, the milk lab offers confidence in every feeding. It gives the care team advanced tools to deliver personalized nutrition with the highest standards of safety.Expanding access to advanced neonatal care
As one of Georgia’s most trusted hospitals for women’s and children’s services, Wellstar Kennestone continues to invest in pediatric care. The new NICU expands access to specialized neonatal services across Cobb County and Metro Atlanta—so parents can find exceptional care without traveling far. “Every baby in the NICU deserves the most advanced care from the very first breath,” said Varma Rameswar, vice president of pediatric operations and service line at Wellstar. “We’re redefining what’s possible in neonatal care by providing leading-edge support for every baby and every family.” Learn more about neonatology services at Wellstar.
Highlights
Inside Her Ears: A Story of Hearing Loss and Hope
As summer approaches, the familiar hum of cicadas—noisy, winged insects common across Georgia—often fills the air. For 66-year-old Jeri Ann Herman of Smyrna, that buzzing sound once felt constant—even indoors and in the quiet moments of daily life.
What she was hearing wasn’t coming from outside.
Looking back, Jeri Ann said she likely began experiencing hearing loss around age 60. At first, the changes were subtle. She found herself asking others to speak up or repeat themselves, brushing off the difficulty as a normal part of aging.
“I developed hearing ‘crutches,’” she said. “Turning up the TV worked at home, but conversations in restaurants became really difficult. I’d only heard negative things about hearing aids, so I kept telling myself I didn’t want to deal with more frustration.”
Over time, conversations became harder to follow. Family gatherings, once full of laughter and connection, left her feeling increasingly disconnected. Often, she said, she would smile along without fully understanding what was being said.
Eventually, Jeri Ann sought medical help for what she described as a constant sound of “cicadas” in her ears. She was diagnosed with tinnitus, a condition that causes the perception of sound when no external noise is present.
Working with Wellstar Audiologist Dr. Brooke Watkins, Jeri Ann began exploring ways to manage both her hearing loss and the persistent buzzing.
“Jeri Ann actually has a specific program built into her devices that she can turn on when needed,” Dr. Watkins said. “It plays what we call a ‘masker’ to help distract her from the sounds she’s hearing, similar to a white noise machine you might use for sleep. We customized that setting for her in the office so it better counters the cicada-like buzzing and gives her relief throughout the day.”
With guidance from Watkins and Wellstar lead ear, nose and throat physician Dr. Timothy Ryan, Jeri Ann tried several options before finding the right fit. Today, she wears custom in-ear hearing aids designed specifically for her needs—and they’re so small, no one even notices them.
“Finding Dr. Watkins was a game-changer,” she said. “She truly believes everyone deserves to hear, and she took the time to find what worked for me. When one hearing aid didn’t fit and was uncomfortable, she had it completely redone.”
The results were remarkable. The constant internal noise faded, and everyday conversations became clearer again.
“Many patients don’t realize how much hearing loss and tinnitus are affecting their day-to-day lives until they experience the difference,” Dr. Ryan said. “When we treat both, it’s not just about reducing noise. It’s about restoring clarity, confidence and the ability to stay connected to the people and moments that matter most.”
Hearing loss is common, particularly among older adults. About 1 in 3 adults ages 65 to 74 have hearing loss, and nearly half of adults 75 and older are affected, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Tinnitus is closely linked, often occurring when tiny sensory cells in the inner ear are damaged, and the brain compensates by creating its own sound.
For Jeri Ann, addressing both conditions brought relief she hadn’t thought possible.
“Aging comes with challenges,” she said. “I got glasses when my vision changed, so hearing aids should have been the next step. But it didn’t happen until I was emotionally ready.”
Now, she is once again fully engaged in conversations with her husband, children and grandchildren, no longer sidelined by the sounds she couldn’t control.
Jeri Ann hopes sharing her story will encourage others to recognize the signs of hearing loss and seek help sooner.
“I didn’t realize how much I was missing,” she said. “Now I don’t want to miss a thing.”
Highlights
Men, Make Health Your Habit
If you’re a sports fan, you probably know your stats.
Like how NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins remains undefeated in Atlanta Hawks history for points (23,292) and ranks second in team history in steals (1,245). But there are a few, even more important numbers you should know off the top of your head: your health stats.
Do you know your blood pressure? What about your low-density lipoproteins? Maybe you can clock an eight-minute mile or bench press 250 pounds, but do you know your hemoglobin A1C?
Men are less likely than women to see their healthcare team once a year. Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Tameka Byrd said it’s crucial men stay up to date on preventative care and essential screenings.
“Yearly physicals can catch illnesses before they start and prevent health issues from getting worse,” Dr. Byrd said. “Your primary care provider will tailor a screening plan depending on your age, health history and other factors so you can proactive with your wellness.”
Getting and staying healthy doesn’t just help us feel better—it ensures we can be there for those we care about too.
“It’s also for loved ones—spouses, partners, children and parents. We’re not only here for us. We’re here for our friends and family,” said Wellstar Urologist Dr. Scott Miller. “The best thing you can do for those you care for is to take care of yourself.”
Stats all men should know to stay in the game include:
BMI determines whether you have a healthy body weight and categorizes obesity levels. A recommended BMI range is between 18.5 to 25.
This blood test measures cholesterol levels and should be part of your wellness routine starting in your 20s. For men 20 or older, healthy LDL levels should be under 100 milligrams per deciliter and aim to keep your HDL above 40.
Your clinician will take your blood pressure during your regular visit, but you can also find blood pressure checking stations at many pharmacies or buy your own device to use at home. Blood pressure under 120/80 is considered ideal.
This metric measures whether or not you have healthy blood sugar. If you are diabetic, you should check your A1C every three months.
Men who are 50 or older should discuss prostate cancer testing with their clinician, according to the American Cancer Society. Men at a higher risk, including Black men and those who had a brother or father diagnosed with cancer before age 65, should ask their care team about testing at age 45. Patients who had more than one close relative with prostate cancer at an early age should have this conversation with their clinician when they’re 40. The Wellstar Prostate Health Program evaluates and treats people with a higher risk for prostate conditions.
An abnormal PSA result could be an indication of prostate cancer. For men in their 40s and 50s, a PSA score higher than 2.5 nanograms per milliliter is considered abnormal, and men in their 60s should have a PSA score of 4.0 nanograms per milliliter or less.
Along with staying up to date on those health stats, men should also be getting regular colorectal cancer screenings. The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk for colorectal cancer screening get checked regularly beginning at age 45. Screenings should continue through age 75, and after that patients can discuss their personal risk and history with their clinician.
Your Wellstar primary care team will partner with you in creating a personalized health plan. Find a clinician near you and book online.