Week one of Child Life Month and we continue to celebrate with a spotlight and giveaway. I am excited to introduce Patty Weiner, a colleague and mentor of mine in the child life community.
Patricia Weiner is a mother and grandmother whose career spans over thirty-five years as a child life specialist and educator. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and has many years of experience as a teacher; educating and supporting young children, parents and medical professionals (including doctors, residents, nurses and nursing students). Patty is presently an educational consultant to The Making Headway Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to children with brain and spinal cord tumors and their families.
Patty worked as the Director of Child Life and Education Services at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center. At the hospital, Patty initiated many new programs including Reach Out and Read , CCTV (closed circuit TV) bringing fun and recreation to patients at the beside, hospital- based school, a Family Resource Center and a children’s library. Patty was an advocate for Project DOCC: Delivery of Chronic Care, a medical education program developed and taught by parents to educate others about chronic illness and its impact on children, families and communities. Patty was the founding Director of the Master’s Degree program in Child Life at Bank Street College of Education. She served as a faculty member and co-created numerous courses, including a NICU course, which is near and dear to her heart. She continues to serve as a mentor and advisor to Bank Street graduate students.
Over the years, Patty has received numerous service awards for her work. She has been a featured guest lecturer at hospitals, parent groups and organizations, presenting at professional forums on topics including educational advocacy, parenting skills, comfort care for infants and young children, coping techniques for doctor or hospital visits and family-centered care. She has published chapters in books, professional journal articles and a previously published guide-book for parents to learn how to support their children through doctor and healthcare visits. Patty has served on various boards, including Starlight Children’s Foundation, Advisory Board for Child Life at Bank Street College of Education, and the Steering Committee of Music and Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center.
If you would like to contact Patty, you can email her at pbwchild@aol.com or at 212- 828 – 3927.
Patty’s recently published book, Taking Your Child to the Doctor or the Hospital: Helpful suggestions and practical tips to make your child’s visits more comfortable is an impressive and helpful book to teach and support parents and young children on the topic of visiting the doctor or hospital. Purchase your copy today through Amazon and a portion of the proceeds will support children and families in need.
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Good Luck! The winner will be notified on 3/7/15
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