Each team member is a trained professional who has advanced training and/or a bachelor's or master's degree in the areas of child life, child development, special education, or recreational therapy. All Child Life Specialists maintain professional certification by the Child Life Council.
Child Life Manager:
Jill Houser-Malan, MSW jhm4969@bjc.org (314) 454-2327
Child Life Specialists:
Surgery, Burns, Orthopedics, Pediatric Ambulatory Wound Clinic
Emergency Unit
Same Day Surgery, Ambulatory Procedure Center, Internship Coordinator, Infant Massage Certification pending
Cardiology, CICU, PICU, Camp Rhythm, Infant Massage Certification pending
General Medicine
Hematology/Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, Infant Massage Certification pending
Hematology/Oncology Clinic, Sickle Cell, Bone Marrow Transplant
Radiology
Heart and Lung Transplant
Emergency Unit
Stacy Sedlack, BS, CCLS, CIMI, CPST
sxs3529@bjc.org (314) 454-4152
Cystic Fibrosis, Dialysis/Infusion, Kidney and Liver Transplant, Pulmonology
Megan Stodard, BS, CCLS,
mes4189@bjc.org (314) 454-4155
Neurology, Neuro-Surgery, Neuro-Rehabilitation, Infant Massage Certification pending
Art Therapist:Julie Gant, MA, ATR, LPC
jxg1201@bjc.org (314) 454-2758
Music Therapist:Christy Merrell, MT
csm297@bjc.org (314) 454-2749
Clown Docs:Jane Abendschein
Dana Abendschein, PhD
Diane Patty
Curt Patty
Debbie Schwartz
St. Louis Public School District Teachers: Donna Ellebracht
Additional Staff:Interns --Students complete an internship to fulfill bachelor or master degree requirements from their university. For program information:
The Internship Experience.
Volunteers --Over 85 volunteers who assist with daily programs and activities support the Child Life Center. Find out about
how you can volunteer.