Karen Gloer, CCLS has been a certified child life specialist for 21 years, with 14 years of experience providing services to patients and families in Radiology. In her role as a CLS in Radiology, Karen has actively participated in several quality improvement initiatives aimed at providing more comprehensive care to Radiology patients and families. These initiatives have included the development of easy to understand written preparation materials, creation of peer-model preparation videos, and institution of a pre-call program designed to set patients and families up for success.

Sara Easley, CCLS has been a child life specialist for 22 years, with 20 years of experience providing services within the Radiology department. In 2012, Sara launched the MRI Try Without program at Children’s Mercy Hospital and was published in Pediatric Radiology, Effects of an MRI Try Without program on patient access (2019). 

Amy McCullough, CCLS, has been a certified child life specialist for 22 years and currently serves as Child Life Program Coordinator at a Children’s Mercy satellite location in Independence, MO. Amy has 15 years of experience providing services in the Radiology department and with the help of co-presenter, Sara Easley, launched our MRI/VCUG pre-call program in 2020 in order to improve communication with our patients and families.

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, who holds a First Degree Black Belt in the Korean art of Choi Kwon Do, first provided a therapeutic martial arts program at Camp Simcha, where he served as the Director from 1990 to 2002.

Having lost his first child to leukemia at the age of 2 years, Rabbi Goldberg brings a wealth of personal experience and sensitivity to dealing with children and families facing life-threatening illness. His commitment to ease the pain of very sick children and his dream of bringing healing through the empowering focus of the martial arts resulted in the creation of the Kids Kicking Cancer organization in June, 1999.

Rabbi Goldberg, was a recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leader's Award (2004) and the McCarty Cancer Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year Award (2004). He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Rabbi Goldberg received his BA from Yeshiva University, summa cum laude. Ordination and graduate training were also at Yeshiva University.

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, who holds a First Degree Black Belt in the Korean art of Choi Kwon Do, first provided a therapeutic martial arts program at Camp Simcha, where he served as the Director from 1990 to 2002.

Having lost his first child to leukemia at the age of 2 years, Rabbi Goldberg brings a wealth of personal experience and sensitivity to dealing with children and families facing life-threatening illness. His commitment to ease the pain of very sick children and his dream of bringing healing through the empowering focus of the martial arts resulted in the creation of the Kids Kicking Cancer organization in June, 1999.

Rabbi Goldberg, was a recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leader's Award (2004) and the McCarty Cancer Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year Award (2004). He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Rabbi Goldberg received his BA from Yeshiva University, summa cum laude. Ordination and graduate training were also at Yeshiva University.

Kristina is a Certified Child Life Specialist in the Kentucky Children’s Hospital DanceBlue Hematology Oncology Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky. She graduated from the University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Development, and went on to get her master’s degree in Family Sciences from the University of Kentucky. Kristina has been practicing child life for about 9 years and has been an active member of ACLP, serving as committee member and chair for the Education and Training Committee. She has also facilitated several professional presentations at regional child life and nursing conferences, as well as at the ACLP’s annual conference, on child-life related topics and program development.

Janelle Mitchell is an assistant clinical professor of Child and Family Studies at Ohio University and a former child life specialist at Nationwide Children's Hospital.  Janelle completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science from The Ohio State University and graduated from Bank Street College of Education’s Child Life master’s program.  She is a member of the Governance Committee, Academic Excellence Task Force, past Director of the ACLP Board of Directors, and Educator-at-Large of Great Lakes of Child Life Professionals.  At Ohio University, Janelle’s clinical interests include creating partnerships within the College of Health Sciences and Professions and Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine further to build interprofessional education and collaboration with future healthcare professionals. 

Helen Magdalinos, CCLS, BA, Dip Human Rel & Family Life Ed. has been a Certified Child Life specialist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital in Montreal, Quebec since 2004. She worked with the Cystic Fibrosis population for the first ten years, and inclusively on the surgical inpatient unit for 17 years. Helen has a variety of experiences working with technically dependent patients who have been living on the surgical unit for over 5 years, as well as, working on both Neurosurgery and Trauma teams. She has also been the Child Life internship supervisor for over 10 years. Prior to her Child Life certification, she worked as a research coordinator at the Montreal Children's Hospital from 2000 to 2006, with a focus on injury prevention under the tutelage of Dr. Barry Pless.

Alicia Basmajian, CCLS obtained a Bachelors of Science in Child Development with an emphasis in Child Life from Texas Woman’s University in 2009. She worked as a child life assistant from 2009-2012 at Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas, TX. Alicia completed her internship at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth in 2012. In 2014 she was hired on as a child life specialist in the Emergency Department at Cook Children’s Medical Center which is where she remains today. Alicia serves on the ACLP Certification Committee.

Debbie Wheeler, MS, CCLS, CIMI obtained a Masters of Science in Child Life and Family Centered Care from Wheelock College in 2003 as well as a Bachelors in Sociology with a concentration in Health Services from University of Delaware in 2000. She did her training throughout the northeast at several hospitals including The Children’s Hospital Milton Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, as well as, Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Rhode Island. She worked as a child life specialist in a wide array of clinical areas and diagnoses within the hospitals of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, and her current placement at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. She is trained as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and a Certified Passenger Safety Technician. Debbie serves on the ACLP Certification Committee.

Lauren Young, MS, CCLS obtained a Masters in Child Advocacy from Montclair State University in 2017 and Bachelors of Science in Family Studies from Abilene Christian University in 2008. Lauren completed her internship at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in 2009, followed by a fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia from 2010-2011. In 2012, Laruen was hired at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, TX. Lauren remains employed at Cook Children’s and has worked in the Infusion Center, Special Procedure’s Area and Emergency Department as a child life specialist throughout the last 9 years. She is a Child Passenger Safety Technician and serves on the ACLP Mentor Committee.

Courtney Rosborough MS CCLS PTP: Courtney received her MS in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care from the Health Sciences department at McMaster University in 2017. She has been a Certified Child Life Specialist since 2014 and was initially hired as a Child Life Specialist at the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Since then, she has taken child life out into the community in non-traditional settings such as the non-profit organization, Kids with Cancer Society and private specialized services company Kids Uncomplicated. For the past six years, she has worked in an elementary/junior high school as an Emotional Behavioural Specialist. Courtney is passionate about collaborative communication, the power of play, and advocating for child life beyond the hospital walls.

Katie Dillard, CCLS, PMH-C graduated from The University of Alabama and has been a child life specialist for 12 years. She is also a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist. Katie has experience working in inpatient and outpatient settings including NICU, NICU follow up clinic and Labor and Delivery with an emphasis on maternal mental health support. She is a volunteer coordinator for Postpartum Support International and a Resolve Through Sharing perinatal loss coordinator.

Karen Gloer, CCLS has been a certified child life specialist for 21 years, with 14 years of experience providing services to patients and families in Radiology. In her role as a CLS in Radiology, Karen has actively participated in several quality improvement initiatives aimed at providing more comprehensive care to Radiology patients and families. These initiatives have included the development of easy to understand written preparation materials, creation of peer-model preparation videos, and institution of a pre-call program designed to set patients and families up for success.

Amanda Porter, CCLS has been a child life specialist for 6 years, currently providing services in the Dialysis Unit and Kidney Center. She serves as a member of the Children's Mercy Health Literacy Committee and leads the Health Literacy Education Subcommittee.

Barbie Rudder, CCLS has been a child life specialist for 18 years, currently serving as a manager for the Child Life Ambulatory Team at Children's Mercy. She serves as a member of the Children's Mercy Health Literacy Committee and co-leads the health literacy written document review committee for the Patient and Family Services department.

Laura Moore, EdD, CHES, CCLS brings extensive experience and a strong passion for supporting children, teens and families whose lives have been touched by illness and loss of a loved one. Her first job found her working on a pediatric oncology unit where she recognized the importance of combining emotional support, education and creative activities to create an environment where children, teens and families can relax and be themselves. Her experience in the past 20 years has included hospital, school and not-for-profit settings. Laura’s academic areas of focus include health education, health psychology, emotional support, program design, curriculum development and research design. Laura holds a Doctorate in Health and Behavior from Teacher’s College, Columbia University and is certified as a Health Educator, Child Life Specialist and in Pediatric Grief and Bereavement.

Just after receiving her Masters in Social Work degree from Columbia University, Anna went to work for Gilda’s Club/Westchester, providing individual counseling, facilitating support groups, and completing intakes in the internationally-renowned organization’s ‘Children, Teens, and Families Program.’ Previously, she completed an internship as a clinical social worker at Stamford Hospital’s Bennett Cancer Center. There, she counseled both patients and family members, and worked collaboratively with hospital staff to implement a holistic approach to the treatment of cancer, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients. Anna’s interest in working with children began at Wellesley College, where she interned at the campus’ experimental preschool. During her tenure as an elementary school teacher, Anna became acutely aware of the importance of emotional support for families dealing with serious health issues. Additionally, Anna has facilitated support sessions in schools around mindfulness, coping skills, and developmentally-appropriate psychoeducation.