In the last four years, Caroline Peach has worked with hundreds of children and their families to help create a positive, uplifting experience during their time at Beaumont Children’s.
“As a Certified Child Life Specialist, my ultimate goal is to help children and their families cope with their hospital experience,” Caroline said. From supporting them during procedures, teaching them about their diagnosis, and being an advocate
for them during their stay, Caroline is dedicated to making sure these children get the care they need - and feel empowered in the process.
Caroline recently received a heartfelt letter from a 14-year-old patient who wanted to thank her for making her experience a positive one. “My goal was to quickly build rapport with her by talking about school and her interests, (especially her
love of Harry Potter). From there, I explained the procedure and showed her the medical equipment, so she wasn’t seeing it for the first time during her upcoming procedure,” said Caroline.
When meeting with patients and their families for the first time, Caroline makes sure to meet each patient where they are, both emotionally and developmentally. “It’s important to build rapport with each family to better understand their current
needs and how they are coping during their hospital experience,” she said.
“I like to be eye level with the patient, so I am less intimidating and engage them in play and conversation,” Caroline said. “I ask them about their interests, favorite characters, what makes them comfortable, etc. I emphasize that
I am different than doctors and nurses and that my job is to help make the hospital less scary and more fun.”
Caroline is typically stationed at Beaumont, Royal Oak’s Pediatric Emergency, but also supports patients in other areas of the hospital as well. "During the pandemic it was important for the child life team to focus on the emotional needs of pediatric
families in many areas of the hospital such as emergency, pediatric floor, PICU, Children’s Center for Surgery and the proton therapy center,” Caroline said.
When asked what keeps her motivated and positive, she answered, “My husband, family and faith help get me through the pandemic and the challenges of my day to day role. I look to family for strength and support so that I would be able to come to
work and help patients and families though their hospitalizations.”