Being the Calm in the Storm: Child Life’s Impact in the Trauma Room

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.