Laughter: The Best Medicine!

Brittany O'Shea, HMBA, CCLS, is currently completing her seventh year as a child life specialist. She received her undergraduate degree from Edgewood College in Madison, WI, where she majored in child life. In October 2017, Brittany earned her Healthcare Management Masters of Business Administration from Chrisfian Brothers University. Currently, she is a child life specialist for the neuro-oncology and solid tumor patients from birth to 10 years old on the inpatient unit at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Brittany utilizes humor on the inpatient unit with her medical team to help lighten the mood and help the inpatients cope with their treatment. Brittany is an active member of the neuro-oncology/solid tumor shared decision-making council and is currently working with leadership to implement a facility dog program.

Shawn Brasher, MS, CCLS has over 25 years of experience working in the child life profession. He is currently employed by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee where he serves as director of the child life program. Clinically, he is part of the patient activity team and is a co-handler for one of St. Jude’s facility dogs, CC. These work efforts allow him the opportunity to provide the patient/family interventions that drew him into the profession. Administratively, he loves to see the child life and music therapy staff understand their purpose, find their work worthwhile, and acknowledge how they make a meaningful difference with patients, families, and staff. Shawn has worked in various positions and hospitals over the span of his career. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Family Infancy and Early Childhood Education and a Master of Science in Family and Child Development from Louisiana Tech University, in Ruston, Louisiana. Shawn is married to wife, Christy and they have a wonderful daughter, Bailey.