San Angelo Child Life Services

The Child Life Department at Shannon assists infants, children, youth, and their families in coping with the stress of the healthcare setting, trauma, and illness through the provision of developmentally appropriate interventions such as education, preparation, play, and psycho-social support in order to facilitate healing and coping while reducing fear, anxiety, and pain.

A Child Life Specialist assists pediatric patients with the stress of illness, injury, or treatment by providing education, play, emotional support, and opportunities for self-expression.

Elizabeth Bailey BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCLS, has over 25 years of experience in healthcare. She received her certification as a Nurse of Professional Development and is a Certified Child Life Specialist.

Hear Elizabeth share more about Child Life Services at Shannon.

Our Child Life Specialist, Elizabeth Bailey, can be contacted at 325.747.6198 or elizabethbailey@shannonhealth.org.

To contribute to the Shannon Child Life program, you can make a donation online at or buy directly from the Amazon Wish List.

Resources for Parents

• Supporting Newborns in Medical Procedures
• Supporting Your Child During COVID-19 Nasal Swab Testing Source: Source: Mayo Clinic
• How to Help Your Child at the Doctor's Office
• Examples of Comfort Positions
• How to Use Lidocaine Cream to Reduce Hurt During IV Start
• How to Put Lidocaine Cream on Your Child Before a Blood Draw
• How to Use Lidocaine Cream to Reduce Hurt During Lab Draw
• Tips on How to Support Your Child Having Surgery
• How to Support Your Child in the Hospital Through Development Stages
• Information on Developmental Milestones
• Information on Supporting During and After Hospitalization
• Information on Identifying Medical Trauma
• Helping Children Involved in Traumatic Events
• How to Help When a Grownup Has Cancer
• How to Help Your Child During Medical Procedures Source: University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital
• Information on Grief
• Talking with Children about Difficult Topics in the News

Reducing Hurt During Needle Procedures

Procedures, especially those involving a needle or poke, can be stressful for children or teenagers.

Please click on your child's provider below for helpful tips and schedule of vaccinations.

• Hector Acton, MD
• Alejandra Ayestaran, MD
• Penni Cambre, MD
• Emir Campanini, MD
• Sara Halfmann, MD
• Melissa Hohensee, APRN, MSN, PNP
• Lori Lion, APRN, CPNP
• Lori Looka, APRN, MSN, CPNP
• Stacey Manion, DO, FAAP
• Jennifer Marburger, ACPNP
• Srikanth Podaralla, MD
• Carolyn Riley, MD
• Michelle Sarraff, MD
• Stephen Sawyer, MD
• Saundra Seifert, MD
• Bradley Stevens, PA-C, MPAS
• Michael Wagnon, DO
• Josiah Ward, DO
• Elizabeth Young, MD

For more information, send us a message or call 325.747.6198 to speak with our team.