DISCOVER The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department
February 2026
Field Trip with Friends During patient Ronaldo’s long hospitalization, he found comfort in two of the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department’s beloved programs, KidZone TV (KZTV) and animal assisted therapy (AAT). Ronaldo participated live in-studio and at his bedside; he especially enjoyed watching with facility dog and furry friend Summer. From his AAT sessions with Bethany Pincus, Summer’s primary handler and music therapist, Ronaldo established a strong bond that was eventually shown through his work with the KZTV studio. Grace Webber, KZTV producer who had simultaneously been working with Ronaldo, collaborated with Bethany and Ronaldo to create an original bingo, “Field Trip with Summer.“ The bingo creation experience is meant to give patients choices in a setting where decisions are made for them. Ronaldo wanted to create a bingo that would show all the cool places he could go with Summer. Over the course of a few sessions, Grace worked with Ronaldo to brainstorm where Summer would go on their “field trip,” as well as selecting the images that would be printed on the bingo board. As a way to celebrate this collaboration, Ronaldo was then offered the opportunity to host his bingo show with Bethany and Summer. This cotreatment between Grace, Bethany and Summer was able to motivate and distract Ronaldo, creating a special memory and togetherness during an otherwise difficult time. Ronaldo and Summer pose for a photo featured in his bingo board, “Field Trip with Summer.”
Patients Express Themselves Through Custom Medical Infusion Bags Certified Child Life Specialists Abbey Meeks and Kaleigh Bieling are excited to share a new child life initiative designed to support oncology patients receiving blinatumomab (Blina). Blina is a medication that requires a continuous 28-day infusion, during which patients must always wear an infusion bag. Having to wear this bag for nearly a month can be an adjustment for patients as they go about their daily activities. Abbey and Kaleigh’s new intervention focused on transforming these medical bags into something more personal, creative, and empowering. Patients are invited to customize their infusion bags using a variety of fun materials, including different colored bags, iron-on patches, paint markers, gems, and key chains. Whether a patient chooses bright colors, favorite characters, meaningful words, or simple designs, each bag becomes a reflection of their personality. This hands-on activity not only encourages self-expression and creativity but also helps normalize the hospital experience and gives patients a sense of ownership during a challenging time. The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department is grateful to our friends at the Jack Martin Fund whose generous donation funded the supplies needed to bring this initiative to life. We look forward to seeing how our patients continue to make these bags uniquely their own. Patient, Avery, and Icee wearing their customized Blina bag. LB 2019
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