patients impacted by the child and family life program.
Child and Family Life: Impact
Our child and family life team is composed of over 50 team members, including certified child life specialists, child life assistants, music therapists, teachers, an art therapist, and our facility dog, Indi. They all work together to support the emotional, social and developmental needs of children. In the hospital setting, play, music and art become critical tools for coping and healing. Your support directly impacts the lives of children and families, creating moments of comfort, resilience, and hope at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
Program highlights
Dick and Linda Antonini Hospital School Program
In Spring 2025, the Dick and Linda Antonini Hospital School Program team received the Douglas J Blocksma Award from the West Michigan Counseling Association, which honors and recognizes outstanding professional service in supporting the field of counseling.
“As counselors in West Michigan, we experience first-hand how you (Helen DeVos Children’s Hosptial teachers) work with us and the young people we work with to help improve their wellbeing in so many ways. You are simply amazing in working to keep them on track academically as well as keep them positively engaged and positively focused.” - West Michigan Counseling Association
Edward and June Prein Family Pediatric Music Therapy Program
The Edward and June Prein Family Pediatric Music Therapy Program continues to delight patients with the magic of music throughout Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and the outpatient center. This includes an 8-year-old patient with nephroblastoma. While admitted, she found joy and comfort through singing Taylor Swift songs and trying out new instruments with her music therapist. When she was discharged and began chemotherapy at the outpatient clinic, her music therapist supported her through her first appointment, helping to make the experience a little less stressful. Today, the two continue to sing Taylor Swing during her appointments, and she is now learning how to play guitar. Her mom even stated that she looks forward to seeing her “friends” at the hospital.
Art therapy
In 2025, our Pediatric Art Therapist provided 830 therapy sessions in both one on one and group settings. Art therapy supports emotional expression and healing for both children and teenagers, such as Lexy. Throughout her young life, Lexy had struggled with trauma and loss. When she began cancer treatment at the hospital, she initially expressed mistrust towards staff. But, after a few months, her trust and connection with her treatment team grew. Her ability to express herself in art therapy sessions deepened, and she was able to process feelings about her diagnosis and previous traumas. One day, she shared that it was here at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital that she felt safe, had unconditional support, and received the care to not only treat her body, but the care that helped her heal emotionally too. To mark and commemorate the first day that she began chemotherapy, Lexy made this art piece using a leaf from a plant that was special to her.
Resource Library
In addition to a wide variety of books, the Peter C. and Patricia Cook Library offers a relaxed change of scenery for families and patients. The child and family life team provides a variety of informational resources, toys, and coloring supplies for those in need of a break from their hospital rooms.
“Thank you for an amazing space that makes a less-than-ideal situation more comfortable” – Spring 2025 visitor
“Thank you for such an amazing space for kids to learn, grow, and escape away from their daily struggles!” – Summer 2025 visitor
“We come here as our ‘highlight’ for outpatient appointments. Thank you so much for the bouncy balls” – Fall 2025 visitor
Facility dog
In Fall 2025, Indi celebrated her one-year anniversary at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital! Indi and her handler, Certified Child Life Specialist Spencer Slaghuis, spend most of their time in the radiology and sedation spaces, providing comfort and support to kids who are anxious about what they are going to experience at the hospital. However, over the summer they took a special field trip to Camp Catch-A-Rainbow, which is designed for kids with cancer or who are in remission.
“It was a truly rewarding experience watching Indi impact so many of the campers throughout the week. From fetching a ball or stick to simply finding a friend to cuddle up next to, she enjoyed the full experience.” – Spencer Slaghuis, CCLS
Child and Family Life in action!
At Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Blue Glass Studio (BGTV) creates and produces live, interactive TV programs that are broadcast into hospital rooms throughout the day. Geoff Westman, a child and family life team member who works in BGTV, was delivering Bingo prizes when he stopped at Antheny’s room. Antheny is a six-year-old patient undergoing treatment for leukemia.
Since their first meeting, Geoff has been finding ways to engage Antheny in some of the services offered through BGTV. He has introduced Antheny to Spiderman, Darth Vader, and members of the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball team. Antheny was also able to meet 2-time Grammy Award winner Billy Strings after a private concert on BGTV, and on another occasion he was able to ask actor Ryan Reynolds a question during a virtual event. Antheny even joined the BGTV team in the studio as a special guest co-host on an episode of Bingo.
Special moments like this make all the difference during a child’s stay at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Your philanthropic support for child and family life makes this possible!
pediatric music therapy sessions conducted in 2025.
backpacks distributed to children and families at the annual Back-to-School Celebration.
school sessions conducted by teachers in 2025.
patients impacted by the child and family life program.
pediatric music therapy sessions conducted in 2025.
backpacks distributed to children and families at the annual Back-to-School Celebration.
school sessions conducted by teachers in 2025.
patients impacted by the child and family life program.
pediatric music therapy sessions conducted in 2025.
backpacks distributed to children and families at the annual Back-to-School Celebration.
school sessions conducted by teachers in 2025.
patients impacted by the child and family life program.
pediatric music therapy sessions conducted in 2025.
backpacks distributed to children and families at the annual Back-to-School Celebration.
school sessions conducted by teachers in 2025.
Would you like to make an impact?
Give a gift to support the Child and Family Life program at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.