Great Imaginings' Hospital Programs

Over the years, varied programs have been brought to hospitals in the Chicago, Illinois area. Sometimes, these interactive programs have been specifically designed or modified for their use with hospital patients. Other presentations were brought for children and families who attended health and safety fairs sponsored by the hospital. Below, you are able to view a selected sampling of recommendation letters regarding programs brought to hospitals in the Chicago metropolitan area:*

2001

Storytelling and Singing [children and parents]

"On behalf of the Child Life and Family Education Program at the University of Chicago Children's Hospital, we would like to thank you for sharing your stories and songs with our children and families…The themes illustrated throughout you stories (i.e. being happy just as you are) helped to promote an enhanced sense of self-confidence within the children. Thank you for reinforcing just how special and unique each child is. The children involved in the playroom and at the bedside enjoyed the performance very much. Thanks for bringing smiles back to children whose smiles are often hard to find during the stress of hospitalization. Children in the hospital are faced with great challenges, from being uncomfortable or in pain to experiencing invasive medical procedures. One of our goals when working with children and families during hospitalization is to provide an opportunity for them to engage in appropriate activities, and enhance their ability to cope with the hospital experience. Your visit certainly helped to meet this important goal as it provided an educational and entertaining distraction for those involved. Your energy and enthusiasm was wonderful and helped to keep the children's attention. It was also nice to have a mixture of storytelling and music. Through this mixed method, children were able to be active participants, something we always encourage! It takes thoughtful people like you to reach out to children and families in need. Our program thrives from the support of visitors lilke you. We thank you for making this event possible."

Amy Sheerman, MS, CCLS Special Event Coordinator		Pat Manning, M.Ed., CCLS Director, Child Life
The University of Chicago Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL

1986- 1991

KidSafe - An Ongoing Child Safety Series [children and parents]

"Elana Ashley is involved in an ongoing program on Child Safety with Highland Park Hospital, presenting a key segment which deals with personal safety, privacy, touching and child abuse. Dr. Ashley is a consummate professional -- skilled, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. She has become deeply involved in our program, giving her time and enthusiasm and bringing a thoroughness that far exceed our expectations. Her unique talents, the breadth of her creative capabilities, her rapport with children, her ability to handle and react to even the most delicate situations keep her audiences involved and enchanted. She entertains and educates the kids and their parents. In short, we are delighted with Dr. Ashley's contributions to our program and look forward to a continuing association with her."

Chuck Block, Marketing Director, Highland Park Hospital, Highland Park, IL

1987

Personal Safety [middle and upper grades]

"I'd like to thank you for the excellent performance on Personal Safety you gave to our Child Unit patients. The program provided a non-threatening presentation on a very delicate topic. You handled the issue with humor, warmth and seriousness that told the children you cared. The staff was extremely impressed with how quickly you were able to connect with the group and how you were able to hold their attention throughout the performance. It was most informative to watch how the children reacted to the material. You were also able to motivate each child into participating and into disclosing personal information. The staff also appreciated the time you took with them discussing the presentation and their reactions. Thank you again for a most worthwhile performance."

Janet Pierce-Ritter, Director of Education, CPC Old Orchard Hospital, Skokie, IL

1986

Healthy Eating and Nutrition [families]

"We were so pleased to have you as participants in our 'Children's Health and Safety Fair.' Your presentation regarding healthy foods and good nutrition certainly captivated our audience of 2 - 12 year olds (and parents, too!). Your show was entertaining, as well as educational, for our audience."

Sorelle S. Stanton, Child Life Coordinator, Department of Pediatrics, Evanston Hospital, Evanston, IL

*These letters of reference are also found in the listing of recommendations under the category of Testimonials, but are presented here for easy access to specific programs that have been brought to hospitals -- programs that have been well-targeted for the audiences of children and families.

For further information about Hospital Programs, e-mail: drashley@greatimaginings.org.

Great Imaginings, Inc.
An Illinois Not-For-Profit Corporation
P. O. Box 101
Northbrook, Illinois 60065-0101
847.480.8998