President

The President is the chief elected officer of ACLP and is responsible for the functioning of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The President shall exercise personal leadership in the motivation of other board members, committee chairs, committee members, and the general membership. The President oversees the establishment of goals and objectives for ACLP. The President shall act as spokesperson and leader for ACLP and shall work in partnership with the Executive Leader to achieve established annual goals and objectives. President requires 5-12 hours per week, including weekly calls with ACLP CEO and monthly calls with the executive committee

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. General
   • Oversee the work and activities of the Board, Executive Committee, and other association committees and task forces.
   • Support and defend policies and programs adopted by the membership, Board, and Executive Committee.
   • Ensure progress in implementing the strategic plan.
   • Safeguard ACLP’s reputation and credibility.
   • Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
   • Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
   • Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
2. Board Functions
   • Preside at and facilitate all meetings of the Board and Executive Committee and coordinate agenda material with the Executive Leader.
   • Ensure Board focus on, and progress in, formulating, implementing, and monitoring the strategic plan.
   • In concert with the Executive Leader, ensure that the Board Members are kept fully informed about the conditions and operation of ACLP.
   • Serve as a resource to other Board officers and all other Board members in executing their duties.
   • Work closely with the President-Elect in preparing them to assume the duties of the President.
3. Committees and Task Forces
   • Appoint the chairs of committees and task forces and other appointed leaders for additional groups (i.e., advisory groups); outline the purpose and duties of these committees and task forces, which includes the writing of charges to present to the BOD for approval; and monitor group progress in conjunction with the Board Liaison.
   • Consult with the President-Elect and Executive Leader on the appointment of incoming committee, task force, and other leadership chairs and members. Committee and task force membership is established using the process outlined in the Committee Infrastructure and Appointment Policy.
4. Leadership Liaison to Membership
   • Promote membership interest and active participation in ACLP and report activities of the Board and association to members by means of letters, publications, speeches, podcasts and other forms of technology to meet the current trends in technology.
   • Identify and nurture future leaders of ACLP.
   • Foster an environment that attracts and energizes outstanding volunteer leaders.
5. Collaboration with the ACLP Executive Leader
   • Work with the Executive Leader to ensure basic policies and programs designed to further the goals and objectives of ACLP are planned, formulated, and executed following presentation to and approval from the Board.
   • In cooperation with the Executive Leader, ensure compliance with all operating procedures, protocols, and resolutions of the Board.
   • Work with the Executive Leader to ensure compliance with all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
   • Work with the Executive Leader to oversee implementation of the strategic plan, ensure organizational effectiveness, and plan for future development.
   • Ensure competent management of ACLP and set specific management goals and objectives in collaboration with the Executive Leader.
   • Initiate and oversee an annual performance and salary review of the Executive Leader by the Executive Committee (salary and bonus structure inclusive of the Finance Committee’s recommendations).
6. External Representation of ACLP
   • Act as spokesperson for ACLP to the press, the public, and related organizations.
   • Participate in fundraising activities.
7. Reporting

   a. Term of office: one year.

   b. Method of appointment:

   • Succeed from President-Elect position.
   • Elected by membership.
   c. Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

8. Ad Hoc Responsibilities

1. Committee and task force conference calls.
2. Attendance at various committee meetings as desired and budgeted.
3. Calls and e-mails to volunteers and members.
4. Involvement with external organizations.
5. Oversee and chair the Past Presidents Committee.

See the full list of past ACLP Presidents

President-Elect

The President Elect is a key member of the President’s team and as such serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and assists the President in the performance of duties. 

• 5-8 hours per week
• One-year term, then assumes role as President on the Board the following year, following by a year as Past-President 
• Participation in Board Liaison Committee Meetings and other Task Force conference calls
• Weekly calls with ACLP CEO
• Monthly calls with the Executive Committee

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Serve as a member of the Board and Executive Committee.
2. Serve as an appointed member, ex-officio member or officer, or Board liaison with oversight of association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
3. Serve as the official representative of ACLP at meetings as assigned by the President.
4. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Board or the President.
5. Actively supports and participates in the programs and activities of ACLP.
6. Work to increase member/leader involvement in association activities.
7. Maintain contact with other Board members and reports association developments to the President.
8. Assist the President in all duties, and generally becomes acquainted with the duties of the President.
9. Assist the President and strengthen leadership skills in preparation for assuming the presidential role.
10. With the President, help ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
11. Assist the President in the execution of duties.
12. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
13. Proactively strengthen professional networks and leadership skills in preparation for assuming the office of President.
14. Consult with the outgoing President about the appointment of incoming committee chairs and members, according to leadership development and succession planning procedures.
15. Upon request, participate as a voting member of the Executive Committee.
16. Perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence or incapacity.
17.  Complete the Presidential term in the event of a vacancy.
18. Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
19. Possess abilities as described in President’s role for successful succession.
20. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
21. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
22. Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
23. Reporting

• Term of Office: One year
• Method of Appointment: Elected by membership.
• Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Immediate Past President

The Past President requires 4-6 hours of work per week, including monthly calls with the ACLP Executive Committee and participation in board liaison committee and/or task force conference calls. Past President requires 4-6 hours per week, including monthly calls with executive committee, quarterly director calls, and participation in board liaison committee and/or task force conference calls

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Provide advice and counsel to the President and Board.
2. Serve as a voting member of the Board and of the Executive Committee.
3. Serve as a nonvoting member of the Child Life Certification Commission.
4. Serve as a chair, appointed member, ex-officio member, officer, or Board liaison with oversight of association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
5. Work with the President to ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
6. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
7. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP.
8. Act as both a member and liaison to provide guidance and support with current BOD lens.
9. Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
10. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
11. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
12. Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
13. Reporting:

• Term of Office: One year.
• Method of Appointment: Succeed from office of President.
• Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Treasurer

6-12 hours per month, two-year term, then two-year additional service on the ACLP Finance Committee, participation in conference calls for the Finance Committee (monthly), Executive Committee (monthly), and any other committees with whom this position liaises.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Serve as a voting member of the Board and of the Executive Committee.
2. Serve as a chair, appointed member, ex-officio member, officer, or Board liaison with oversight of association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
3. Serve as chair of the Finance Committee.
4. Manage, with the Finance Committee, the Board’s review of, and action related to, the Board’s financial responsibilities.

1. Work with the Executive Leaders to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the Board on a timely basis.
2. Assist the CEO and COO in preparing the annual budget and presenting the budget to the Board for approval.
3. Work with the Finance Committee and the CEO and COO to develop fiscal policies for recommendation to the Board to ensure the financial integrity and sustainability of the organization.
4. Work with the Finance Committee and the CEO and COO to develop long-term financial strategies.
5. Keep informed of legal, regulatory, and sector developments relating to the Board’s financial responsibilities and work with the President to help ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
6. Review financial issues and deviation from expected income or expense categories at Board meetings, in collaboration with the CEO and COO.
7. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
8. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP.
9. Annually solicit monetary contributions from Board of Directors and Committee Chairs.
10.  Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
11. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
12. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
13. Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
14. Prepare treasurer reports as requested.
15. Review and approve invoices greater than $10,000 on Bill.com.
16. Review monthly ACLP credit card statement.
17. Reporting
    • Term of Office: Two years.
    • Method of Appointment: Elected by membership.
    • Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Secretary

6-12 hours per month, two-year term, participate in conference calls for the ACLP Executive Committee as well as conference calls as Board Liaison with assigned committees and Task Forces.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Provide advice and counsel to the President and Board.
2. Serve as a voting member of the Board and of the Executive Committee.
3. Serve as a chair, appointed member, ex-officio member, officer, or Board liaison with oversight of Association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
4. Record the proceedings of the ACLP Board of Directors and ACLP Annual Conference and maintain a current record of all motions made by the ACLP Board of Directors.
5. Keep minutes of each meeting and post them within two business weeks; include motions, main points of discussion, votes for or against, and abstentions. 
6. Provide draft minutes to all members within 30 days of the meeting. (Board members have a responsibility to review draft minutes within five days of receipt and advise the Secretary of any needed revisions.)
7. Work with the President to help ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
8. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
9. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP.
10. Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
11. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
12. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
13. Hold an employed position practicing or teaching in the child life profession or using child life training and skills in a community-based role at time of nomination.
14. Reporting
    • Term of Office: Two years.
    • Method of Appointment: Elected by membership.
    • Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

Director

6-12 hours per month, two-year term, quarterly Directors' calls, conference calls as Board Liaison with assigned committees and task forces.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities:

1. Provide advice and counsel to the President and Board.
2. Serve as a voting member of the Board.
3. Serve as a chair, appointed member, ex-officio member, officer, or Board liaison with oversight of Association committees, task forces, working groups, and meetings as assigned by the President.
4. Work with the President to help ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures and all relevant legal and ethical standards, including policies and standards governing corporate relationships.
5. Act as a representative or spokesperson for ACLP at the President’s request.
6. Act as a mentor and coach to senior volunteers and emerging leaders to help them strengthen their leadership skills and develop professional networks of value to ACLP.
7. Liaise with assigned committees and provide updates to the Board of Directors.
8. Perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.
9. Participate in quarterly Director calls facilitated by the Past-President.
10. Maintain active ACLP membership in good standing.
11. Maintain active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential.
12.  Reporting
    • Term of Office: Two years.
    • Method of Appointment: Elected by membership.
    • Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors.

President

Elana Brewer, MS, CCLS

Senior Director of Child Life, Education & Creative Arts Therapy Department
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Elana Brewer has been a Certified Child Life Specialist for 24 years and has more than 20 years of experience as a child life administrator. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she first learned of the child life field from one of her professors. She acquired her master’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Purdue University, remaining in the Lafayette, Indiana area where she worked for three years with families and children involved with the Division of Family & Children and the Juvenile Justice court system.

After relocating to Southern California, Elana completed her child life internship at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) where she worked as a child life specialist before being promoted to manager. During her tenure at CHOC, she was responsible for the growth of the child life program, the development of the Family and Youth Advisory Councils, the expansion of volunteer animal assisted activities, and the launch of Radio Lollipop. In her final months at CHOC, she was appointed as the interim director of Family Services. In this capacity she served as chair of the hospital wide Family-Centered Care Committee and was responsible for the pediatric psychology, social services, spiritual care, and language service departments while managing the daily operations of the child life program.

For the past 16 years, Elana has served as the Senior Director of Child Life, Education & Creative Arts Therapy Department at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During her time at CHOP, she was also temporarily responsible the Family-Centered Care program, and oversaw the Volunteer Department for 11 years. Some of the achievements at CHOP under her leadership include the implementation of Seacrest Studios, the creation of an in-person December toy shop for families, and significant expansion of department staff and volunteer services across the enterprise.

Elana has a history of serving the Association of Child Life Professionals. She has been a member of the Nominating and Mentor Committees, served as Chair-Elect and Chair of the Professional Development Mega Committee, and most recently was the Chair of the Staffing Analytics Task Force.

As the mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, Elana has the perspective of both parent and child life administrator which drives her passion for making medical experiences better for patients and their families. She is married and the proud mother of two daughters. They reside in the suburbs of Philadelphia where Elana enjoys DIY projects around the house in her spare time.

President Elect

Victoria (Vicky) Isaacson, CCLS

Victoria (Vicky) Isaacson has been a clinical child life specialist for 20 years. She has experience providing child life services in the pediatric intensive care unit and has also supported the children of adult oncology patients while living abroad in Switzerland. Since 2010, Victoria has worked at the Yale Child Abuse Clinic at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital (YNHCH), which serves as the physical home of the South Central Child Advocacy Center in Connecticut. In this role, she supports and educates patients and their families during clinic visits. Over time, Victoria has expanded the scope of child life services at the clinic by advocating for child life support during forensic interviews and enhancing collaboration between child life and community professionals involved in child abuse investigations. She co-authored a chapter in The Role of Child Life Specialists in Community Settings, exploring child life practices in child advocacy centers. Victoria is also a co-coordinator of the Child Life Student Internship Program at YNHCH and has been an adjunct faculty member at Southern Connecticut State University since 2019. She has volunteered with the Association of Child Life Professionals for over 10 years, contributing to committees and participating in various think tanks and workgroups, including the Community Based Practice Committee, the Internship Accreditation Oversight Committee, and the Internship Readiness Work Group. More recently, she served as a director on the ACLP Board of Directors from 2022 to 2024. In August 2022, she completed an intensive nine-week course with Racially Conscious Collaboration to become a certified collaborator. She aims to apply a diverse, equitable, and inclusive perspective throughout her work. Victoria holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling.

Immediate Past President

Sarah Patterson, MSc, CCLS

Associate Professor & Curriculum Coordinator 
Master's of Science, Child Life & Pediatric Psychosocial Care Program 
McMaster University

Sarah Patterson is a Certified Child Life Specialist whose career has spanned over 30 years, providing care to children in a number of clinical areas at Sick Kids Toronto coupled with over 20 years of teaching at several universities. Currently Sarah is an Associate Professor and the Curriculum Coordinator for the Master of Science in the Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care Program at McMaster University, Canada. She played a critical role in the co-creation of the design and content from inception and establishing the only child life masters program across Canada.  Sarah’s current research within psychosocial practice and simulation education brings together many different discipline collaborators to the studies she is involved with and she has been invited to present her work locally, nationally, and internationally.

Sarah’s expertise and engagement in child life extends beyond her clinical and academic work.  She is an international subject matter expert consultant for Sick Kids International.  Sarah has designed, developed, and delivered pediatric psychosocial training and education initiatives in Austria, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, South Africa, and Qatar.

Sarah’s deep commitment to child life locally and globally extends to her active involvement over many years with the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). She has held several committee member and leadership roles, both positional and within committees, including serving as a board member, journal reviewer, mentor, leadership development academy chair, and within partnership development. In addition to her diverse work with ACLP locally, she has been an invited keynote speaker and trainer for international initiatives in pediatric psychosocial care, representing the ACLP.

Beyond her direct work in child life, Sarah serves as an educational simulation expert. She lends her expertise within simulation faculty development workshops, with committees at INSPIRE (International Network for Simulation-based Pediatric Innovation, Research, & Education), and IPSS (International Pediatric Simulation Society). In the last two years, Sarah was elected to the IPSS Board of Directors as the first child life specialist to serve on the board, and was invited to deliver the INSPIRE inaugural grand rounds in 2022 on unifying emotional and physical safety within simulation-based education.

Sarah is grateful to all child life leaders who pioneered and paved the way.  Sarah believes the child life field of practice continues to thrive and flourish in novel and innovative areas.  Her passion, wisdom, and deep commitment to emotional safety, clinical simulation-based learning, preparation of learners entering the field, overall education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to drive her.

Secretary

Rebecca Meyers, MS, CCLS

Manager, Child Life & Creative Arts Therapies
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Rebecca is currently the manager of Child Life and Creative Arts Therapies at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.  In her role, she mentors and leads a dedicated team of child life specialists, art therapists and music therapists fostering a collaborative environment.  Their commitment to professional development has resulted in a highly skilled and motivated team, dedicated to providing the highest quality care for pediatric patients and their families.  In her time as a leader over the last 10 years, she has doubled the size of her team utilizing CLPDC data and strong partnership with her frontline staff in advocacy.  Rebecca has increased the scope of psychosocial care provided through the addition of technology specialist and facility dog handler roles.  Rebecca has also demonstrated impact through her involvement in efforts across the medical center to integrate the ideas of emotional safety and address the needs of patients with behavioral health concerns from a systems perspective.  Additionally, Rebecca serves as an adjunct professor at Erikson Institute supporting the growth and development of graduate level CCLSs. 

Rebecca holds a master’s degree in Child Development and Certificate in Infant Mental Health from Erikson Institute.  This strong academic foundation has helped to inform her work as a NICU/Infant focused CCLS for over 13 years as well as a manager for the last 10 years.  She has volunteered with the ACLP since 2016 with the strong belief in the power of the collective voice of child life specialists.   Committees and task forces that she has contributed to include the Nominating Committee, Governance Committee, DEI Summit, and the Clinical Ladder Task Force.  

Treasurer

Alyssa Luksa

For more than 26 years, Alyssa has worked as a Certified Child Life Specialist.  She attended Baylor University studying child psychology and child development.  Later, she graduated from the University of Phoenix with a master’s degree in Psychology with a focus on Industrial and Organizational Behaviors. She began her career as a PRN Child Life Specialist at Our Children's House- Baylor in Dallas and soon after secured a full-time position at Children's Hospital of San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.  She had the opportunity to work in oncology, hematology, and bone marrow transplant in San Antonio.  After four years, she made the decision to take a different route and started her long-term career at Children's Memorial Hermann in Houston, where she has now worked for 21 years.  Alyssa served as a Child Life Specialist in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit, Day Surgery, Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, and Pediatric Emergency Department.  Alyssa began her career in management in 2007 as the manager for the Child Life and Expressive Therapies team.  Alyssa was promoted to Director of Operations in 2018 and is now responsible for the Ronald McDonald House, volunteers, the Child Life and Expressive Therapies Team, and educational programming.  Her achievements include expanding the team to 16 Child Life Specialists, 3 Music Therapists, 3 Art Therapists, 2 Facility Dogs, an academic coordinator, and a volunteer coordinator, as well as implementing a full-time Child Life Specialist serving the adult population at Memorial Hermann- Texas Medical Center and developing an artist in residency program in collaboration with CMHH and Theater Under the Stars (TUTS).    Alyssa has been an active ACLP member since 1996.  She has served on multiple committees throughout her time and is currently finishing her 2-year term as a director on the ACLP board.

Director

Hilary Woodward, MS, CCLS

Hilary Woodward, MS, CCLS is a child life specialist in the Pediatric Emergency Department at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. She is founder and director of the child life program at BASE Camp, a simulation-based training program in pediatric emergency medicine for physicians, nurses, and child life specialists. In 2021 and 2023, Hilary was elected to consecutive terms on the executive board of INSPIRE (International Network for Simulation-based Pediatric Innovation, Research, and Education), making her the first psychosocial professional to serve on the INSPIRE board.

Hilary’s professional interests include simulation, interprofessional education and collaboration, and pediatric pain management. She is the author of a textbook chapter and co-author of multiple peer-reviewed publications. She has given over 40 regional, national, and international presentations.

Hilary has been an adjunct faculty member at Bank Street Graduate School of Education and a subject matter expert and item writer for the Child Life Certification Commission. Additionally, she is a past chair of the Association of Child Life Professionals' Mentorship Committee, Pre-Internship Work Group, and Internship Excellence Task Force. Hilary is a 2023 recipient of the Bank Street College Alumni Association Recognition Award.

Director

Dora Castro-Ahillen, MA, CCLS, LCPC, ATR
Child Life Manager
Northwestern Medicine

Dora has been working in the healthcare field for over 25 years. She is currently the Child Life Manager for Northwestern Medicine. She obtained her bachelor’s from Trinity College in Hartford, CT completing a double major in Psychology and Studio Arts. She later obtained her Master’s in Counseling Psychology specializing in Art Therapy from the Adler School of Professional Psychology, now Adler University, in Chicago, IL. She began her career as a Child Life Specialist at Children’s Memorial Hospital, now Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She has worked providing child life services to a variety of pediatric patient populations including those with respiratory and cardiac conditions (i.e. heart transplant). During her almost ten years at Lurie’s, Dora also facilitated a children bereavement support group for the Spanish speaking pediatric families in partnership with a Hispanic community center. Dora also started a graduate level medical art therapy practicum program helping train art therapy students. In the past, Dora also served for six years as an adjunct professor at Adler University within their graduate Art Therapy department.

For the past 15 years, Dora has dedicated herself to providing Child Life services at Northwestern Medicine. When Dora first began her journey with Central DuPage Hospital, part of Northwestern Medicine, she was the only full-time child life specialist working alongside a part-time Child Life Specialist. Dora at that time provided child life services to various pediatric areas including the inpatient pediatric unit, the pediatric intensive care unit, and the pediatric emergency department. She was tasked with helping grow the Child Life program which now employs over 10+ Child Life Specialists at various Northwestern Medicine sites, including the Proton Center and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. She also helped develop a Child Life internship program that received ACLP accreditation and continues to serve as the Child Life Internship Coordinator. With her team of dedicated Child Life specialists, Dora has helped mentor numerous Child Life internship students for over a decade. She also helped create and continues to support the Summer Child Life practicum program. 

Her achievements include greatly expanding the Northwestern Medicine Child Life services and bringing a wide array of programing to the pediatric areas. Dora has been involved in various process improvement projects and played a role in Central DuPage Hospital being designated a ChildKind accredited hospital. Dora remains committed to helping the field of Child Life grow and has been an ACLP member since 2002. She serves as board member for various regional Child Life organizations and is excited to continue collaborating and strategizing ways to support practicing Child Life professionals as well as those who are looking to enter this amazing profession.

Director

Nicole Gandolfo, MA, CCLS, NCC

Child Life Manager
Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware

Nicole is a Child Life Manager at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware.  She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Boston University and earned a Master of Arts in Child Development from the Eliot-Pearson School of Child Development at Tufts University. Nicole has been a Certified Child Life Specialist since 2005, working with children and families in various inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings. She has worked in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric care, Cardiology, and Pediatric Intensive Care, and has spent the majority her clinical child life career supporting children and families with an oncology diagnosis. Prior to entering a management role, Nicole spent over 4 years as Education Specialist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, where she had the privilege of coordinating the child life internship and practicum programs. Throughout her career, Nicole has presented on various topics, including patient education, family-centered care, grief and bereavement, and the benefits of a clinical ladder to child life programs. Most recently, Nicole co-authored an article for the ACLP bulletin on addressing social determinants of health through child life practice (Spring 2023). In her current position, Nicole serves as Child Life Manager, supporting a mid-sized child life, creative arts therapy, and school program. Some initiatives that Nicole has engaged in since joining Nemours in 2020 include, a clinical ladder refresh, revamp of child life competency assessment, integrating child life into the electronic medical record interdisciplinary care plan, supporting the opening of a behavioral health care zone in the emergency department, and various continuous improvement and staffing advancements.  

Nicole has participated in several Association of Child Life Professionals committees and task forces and has served as a past ACLP mentor.  Her involvement has included the CLC Webinar Advisory Group, Child Life Program Review and Development Committee, Practicum Task Force (member and chair), Internship Readiness Work Group, co-chair of Pre-internship Work Group, and Internship Accreditation Oversight Committee, where she serves as the current chair. Nicole is passionate about the child life field and is dedicated to strategizing ways to increase access to the pathway to the profession. 

Director

Katherine Bennett

Katherine has worked as a Certified Child Life Specialist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital for over two decades. She has worked clinically with infants, children, adolescents, and their families in multiple areas. Currently, she works as a Child Life Team Lead where she splits her time between clinical practice in the NICU and staff supervision and coordination of departmental projects and initiatives. Katherine has also worked in the role of educator for Child Life and Volunteer Services, planning and coordinating the clinical training experiences for emerging child life professionals and onboarding new employees. This role also included working with the department's clinical advancement program and providing education about the needs of children in healthcare settings to colleagues both in and outside the Vanderbilt community. In addition to her work inside the hospital, she also had the opportunity to teach for four years as an adjunct instructor at Lipscomb University.

Katherine has written and presented at international conferences and in several published outlets about such topics as medical play and its impacts, developmental theory applied to hospitalized children, and teaching child life in the clinical and university settings. Specifically, she is a co-author of The Value of Certified Child Life Specialists: Direct and Downstream Optimization of Pediatric Patient and Family Outcomes, as well as a chapter in the second edition of The Handbook of Child Life. She served on editorial team of ACLP Bulletin as executive editor, associate editor, and as a Focus review board member. She currently serves as a peer reviewer for The Journal of Child Life and on the ACLP Publications Committee. In the past, Katherine has co-chaired the ACLP Internship Accreditation Task Force, and served as a mentor in the ACLP Mentorship Program. Regionally, she has been an active member and leader in the Southeastern Association of Child Life Professionals (SEACLP) since its beginnings, serving on the leadership service team as chair, chair-elect and co-chair of SEACLP Conference Planning.

Katherine completed her undergraduate work at Freed-Hardeman University and received her Master’s degree from Vanderbilt University. She and her husband have three lively daughters with strong verbal skills and opinions. They all share a love of live music, vintage finds, and dogs.

Public Member 1

Jeffrey Salvon-Harman, MD, CPE, CPPS
Vice President, Safety - Institute for Health Improvement

Jeff Salvon-Harman, MD, CPE, CPPS, Vice President, Safety, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), is a Certified Physician Executive, Certified Professional in Patient Safety and IHI Fellow who is resolute about creating Safety and Belonging for patients and the healthcare workforce. He provides strategic leadership in Safety with deep operational expertise in implementing change initiatives and applying quality improvement methods. He is a recognized subject matter expert in high reliability, patient and workforce safety, Human Factors application to Root Cause Analysis, and system level management of quality and safety. Previously, Dr. Salvon-Harman was the Chief Patient Safety Officer/VP, Quality Institute and Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control for Presbyterian Healthcare Services in New Mexico.

He is retired from the US Public Health Service where he dedicated 20 years to the Indian Health Service and the US Coast Guard in roles ranging from clinical service delivery to management and leadership. Dr. Salvon-Harman completed his residency in Family Medicine at Carilion Health System in Roanoke, VA after graduating from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA.

Public Member 2

Kathy Van Allen, MSN, RN, CPN
Administrative Director | Fetal and Neonatal Institute
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Kathy has a distinguished leader renowned for her ability to develop and lead interdisciplinary teams dedicated to creating innovative programs, enhancing operational workflows, and integrating new concepts to significantly improve patient care. She currently serves as the Administrative Director of the Fetal and Neonatal Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), where she oversees business development and clinical nursing care for the programs within the service line. These programs include the Fetal-Maternal Center, which offers advanced fetal diagnostics, fetal surgery, and individualized care coordination services; a 58-bed Level IV Newborn & Infant Critical Care Unit; a Newborn Follow-Up program for high-risk infants; and community partnerships with Level III NICUs throughout southern California.

Prior to her current role, Kathy held leadership positions at Citrus Valley Medical Center, including Administrative Director of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Executive. She also contributed as an adjunct faculty member at the University of La Verne’s School of Education where she developed child life curriculum and instructed graduate students on the effects of disease and injury on the hospitalized child.

As the Immediate Past President for the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN), Kathy has been a tireless advocate for excellence in pediatric nursing practice nationwide. She currently chairs SPN’s Nominating Committee and has been actively engaged in leadership roles within SPN for the past 25 years. Kathy recently collaborated with the ACLP Patient and Family Experience Committee to review and update the Pediatric Bill of Rights and took part in the ACLP Emotional Safety Summit in 2023.

Kathy has also served on the Board of Directors for the Western Conservancy of Nursing History (2022-2025), Western Advisory Council for the Starlight Children’s Foundation (2006-2009), and the Starlight Children’s Foundation CA*AZ*NV Board of Directors (2001-2005). In 2021, Kathy launched the Regional NICU Nursing Leadership Roundtable, bringing together leaders from 20 neonatal intensive care units throughout southern California to share best practices, address critical issues, and foster collaboration. This leadership network, now in its fourth year, was recognized by the American Nurses Association as a powerful peer-to-peer network in 2024. Kathy was honored with the DAISY Foundation’s Extraordinary Daisy Champion Award in 2016.

Kathy holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University, Los Angeles, a Master of Science in Nursing from California State University, Dominguez Hills, specializing in healthcare leadership and management, and is a certified pediatric nurse.