Interview conducted by Laura Gould, CCLS, MS

As a certified child life specialist in the inpatient oncology units at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Maddy Yeagar, MS, CCLS covers the bone marrow transplant and neuro-oncology populations. “The most rewarding aspect of my job is having the privilege to meet patients in the beginning of their cancer journey and diagnosis and follow them through the end of treatment or to, unfortunately, the end of life,” she says.

Maddy enjoys the diversity in her work, wearing many hats as lots of child life specialists do! She facilitates developmental play sessions; provides preparation, procedural, and diagnostic education and support; celebrates milestones and offers end of life support. Each encounter is unique.

 All in one day, she may attend an interdisciplinary meeting to collaborate on her patient’s case and learn about their diagnosis, prognosis, and coping, then employing a creative approach to preparing a preschool-age child for an upcoming procedure, engaging in medical play with pretend and actual medical supplies. After that, she might do a preparation session on the phone for an elementary school-age child and family before they are admitted for a bone marrow transplant, transitioning to support a 12-year-old with an Ng tube placement. Bouncing to the room next door, she might work on a coping plan for a port access of a 6-year-old, then going back to the 12-year old’s room for a therapeutic activity. She might also provide developmental play for an infant, then receive a call from a nurse that siblings have arrived for a patient who is nearing end of life, shifting gears once again to explain a new diagnosis to a sibling of a patient who has a brain tumor. Then, she may provide death and dying education to a patient  and asse a families’ cultural and spiritual beliefs. Maddy also runs adolescent and young adult programming in-person and with a virtual component to make sure patients on isolation precautions can be included. Amid this, she is also cleaning toys, providing new nursing education, educating interdisciplinary staff on child-friendly approaches, attending clinical trainings, working with a development team to aid in funding, and supporting staff programing centering around grief and loss. Every day is meaningful, and Maddy views this as a privilege, valuing the trust families build with child life.

Maddy has been a child life specialist for 4 years, and she says seeking supervision and mentorships in the field helps her grow as a professional working in tough situations daily. She admires her manager, Sherry Polise Hughel, as well as Courtney Kissel and Martha Young as leaders in the child life field who demonstrate compassion and empathy. Her favorite quote from Zen Shin aligns with her perspective on her practice: “Flowers do not think about competing with other flowers. They just bloom.” Maddy reminds new child life specialists to develop their own skill set and be their authentic, professional selves. Other advice she gives is to find balance between home and work life by being active, spending time outside, and spending time with loved ones.

Maddy wants others to know that little acts of kindness matter, whether it is a knock on the door, a smile, a soft tone, or consistency of compassionate care. Being alongside young patients and their families who are going through a cancer journey is very challenging, but when viewing her work, she approaches her patient and families’ resiliency through a strength-based perspective.  Sometimes there is not an answer to each situation, but Maddy believes that kindness and presence matter and are at the forefront of her work.