New certified child life specialist will support children and teens receiving dialysis in our Pediatric Kidney Center
Children or teens with kidney failure often spend several hours a day, several times a week, getting dialysis, which is a process that filters toxins and waste from the blood stream. Having emotional and medical support, a comfortable space, and even another friendly face nearby can be vital for children and families who spend so much time receiving treatment.
Enter Chloe Feld, a newly hired certified child life specialist on our Child and Family Life Services team. Feld is our health system’s first child life specialist dedicated to supporting patients undergoing dialysis in the Pediatric Kidney Center at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. Her role has been made possible by a generous $250,000 commitment over five years from Voyage Wealth Architects, a Private Client Group member firm with Northwestern Mutual.
We spoke with Feld, who began working in the Pediatric Kidney Center earlier this summer, to gain insight into the important role she plays and the impact she has on the lives of children and families undergoing weekly dialysis.
Nurturing empowerment in the Pediatric Kidney Center
Feld holds a unique role within our Child and Family Life Services team. Her responsibilities center around providing in-depth emotional and psychosocial support as well as positive coping techniques for children undergoing dialysis treatment. She partners with patients and their family members to ensure they understand the healthcare experiences they are navigating and that they feel confident and comfortable with their treatment.
“It’s been very rewarding to be able to fill a gap within our system through my new role in the Pediatric Kidney Center,” said Feld. “I offer developmentally appropriate education and preparation for those starting dialysis, facilitate therapeutic activities to normalize the hospital environment, and create individualized coping plans with the patients and their families coming to the Pediatric Kidney Center.”
Feld says these interventions not only help patients and families to be well informed, but also empower them to take a leadership role in their care.
“I use play as a developmentally appropriate form of communication with patients,” Feld said. On any given day, Feld works to build rapport with patients, facilitates therapeutic activities, supports medical dressing changes or other procedures, and helps her young patients learn about dialysis. Since she began this role in June, she's had over 100 patient interactions.
“There is a consistent group of around 8-10 patients who receive dialysis Monday, Wednesday, and Friday every week,” Feld said. “It has been very exciting to get to know the patients, and I have already seen them learn and grow so much!”
