2009 Conference Program - Child Life Council

Friday, May 22
Thursday, May 21, 2009 (continued)
2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tour of Children’s Hospital Boston
$25 – All Attendees – Limited Space (100)
Children’s Hospital Boston is a 397-bed comprehensive
center for pediatric healthcare. As one of the largest pediatric
medical centers in the United States, Children’s offers
a complete range of healthcare services for children from
birth through 21 years of age.
Children’s is the primary pediatric teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School, where most of our physicians hold
faculty appointments. Children’s is also home to the world’s
largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center,
where its discoveries have benefited both children and
adults since 1869. Current initiatives have attracted a record
$176 million in funding; including more federal funding
than is awarded to any other pediatric facility.
Since U.S. News & World Report began ranking hospitals 19
years ago, Children’s Hospital Boston has consistently been
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 22, 2009
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Opening General Session & Emma Plank
Keynote Address
(2 PDHs)
Sponsored by
Loretta LaRouche, The Humor Potential
The Emma Plank Keynote address will be given by Loretta
LaRouche, an international stress management and humor
consultant. Loretta is founder and president of The Humor
Potential, Inc, a company offering programs and products
for lifestyle management. Her special brand of optimistic
psychology has an incontestable positive effect on the
health of all that are exposed to her. She is also a wellrecognized
TV personality on PBS and bestselling author.
Loretta is on the Mass General advisory council for anxiety
and depression and was recently awarded the National
Humor Treasure Award.
rated as one of the top two pediatric hospitals in the country.
This year, Children’s is ranked second nationally and
remains the number one pediatric hospital in New England.
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
New Member/First Timer Orientation
Sponsored by
The New Member/First-Timer Orientation is a great
opportunity to join veteran CLC members and staff for an
informative overview of CLC and the Annual Conference
on Professional Issues. Whether you are a new member, a
first-time conference attendee or potential member, this is
a great opportunity to learn how to make the most out of
networking opportunities and professional development
through the Child Life Council. This event will set the
stage for a successful conference experience and has a history
of launching lasting friendships. Refreshments will be
served, and participants are sure to leave with their questions
answered!
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Plenary Sessions
A. Play: An Endangered Species?
(1.5 PDHs)
Diane Levin, PhD, Professor of Education, Wheelock College,
Boston, MA
Play is vital to optimal social, emotional, physical and
cognitive development in the early years. Yet there are
many factors at work today that are robbing children of
the full benefits of play—such as the time children
spend in front of a screen instead of playing, the many
electronic and highly structured toys linked to the
media that take control of play away from children, and
the pressure in schools from the youngest ages to focus
on early teaching of basic skills and test scores rather
than on establishing a healthy foundation for learning
through play. This session explores the many forces at
work in today’s society that are endangering play, how
endangering children’s play can undermine their
optimal learning and development, and what we can do
to promote healthy play in these times.
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch and Bookstore in Exhibit Hall
Enjoy a casual meal and great conversation with fellow
conference attendees and exhibitors. Don’t forget to
take time to visit each exhibit booth, and learn more
about the latest programs, products and services available
to child life specialists.
B. Child life – Champions of Patient- and Family-
Centered Care: A Family Perspective
Juliette Schlucter, President, Bridgekeeper, Malvern, PA
Sponsored by
Child Life professionals value a model of patient- and
family-centered collaboration. This presentation shares
10 | Child Life Council 27th Annual Conference on Professional Issues