Carrie Hefley, Child Life Specialist
Each month our co-workers nominate a Healthcare Hero, who is affectionately known to the staff of Ranken Jordan as the "Big Fish." Healthcare Heroes are Ranken Jordan team members who provide excellent customer service and demonstrate a commitment to the mission of Ranken Jordan.
Q: What is your role at Ranken Jordan?
A: I am a Child Life Specialist and work with patients of all ages. I spend my time here helping promote the patients’ emotional, cognitive and social development. I also provide distraction during procedures or patient care. I help patients cope with their anxieties and fears through play.
Q: What’s the best part of your job?
A: I am able to interact with the children for who they are, not their medical condition. I love that we are able to take our patients off the [clinical] unit and bring them into less stressful environments where they can be a “kid.” I enjoy engaging with the patients in activities that they would be doing outside of the hospital.
Q: What recent accomplishment are you most proud of at Ranken Jordan?
A: Becoming Big Fish!
Q: What do you like most about working at Ranken Jordan?
A: I enjoy the open and fun environment where the patients are invited and allowed to be children, no matter their medical condition. I also like how personable the staff is…it seems like everyone knows everyone and are all very friendly.