A Crash Course on Reading and Interpreting Empirical Research Articles

Brittany Wittenberg Camp, PhD, CCLS, CFLE is a Program Development Coordinator for the Child Life and Therapeutic Arts Program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. In this role, Brittany is developing, implementing, and evaluating the adaptive care program throughout the Phoenix Children’s network, and providing clinical leadership to the outpatient child life team. Brittany completed her PhD, MA, and BS in Human Development and Family Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. Brittany practiced as a child life specialist at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas and worked in academia as an assistant professor at Missouri State University and Louisiana State University, where she helped develop and grow the child life programs at both universities. Brittany’s research interests include academic and research preparation of child life students; healthcare professionals' perception of the CCLS role; and the impact of child life services on children, their families, and healthcare providers. Brittany has published in the The Journal of Child Life: Psychosocial Theory and Practice, Journal of Interprofessional Care, Pediatric Dental Journal, Family Relations, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Journal of Child and Family Studies. In 2015, Brittany completed the inaugural ACLP Leadership Academy and has since served on various ACLP committees, including Scientific Advancement of Professional Practice, Awards, and Research and Scholarship.

Megan Cassani MA, CCLS, RWWP, CIMI, has been a certified Child Life Specialist at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital since 2014. Megan graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. She has experience working in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation with patients of all ages. Megan has worked to develop a family-centered care child life program promoting caregiver and sibling coping as well as family bonding and connectedness.

Dottie Barnhart is a former teacher turned child life assistant who now works as a General Pediatric Child Life Specialist. She completed undergrad at the University of Texas in Austin, with a double major in English Literature and Spanish Language. After teaching for 5 years, she returned to school to complete a Master's Degree in Family and Child Development at Texas State University. Her passions include trauma-informed care, research, interprofessional collaboration among the healthcare team, and hiking. She is a mom to a one year old, and has been married to her husband Matt for 5 years.