Mary Free Bed Kids has welcomed a new child life specialist to support young patients and their families across its growing Pediatric Rehabilitation Program. This grant-funded position strengthens the services that will be moving into the new Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital this fall, a joint venture with Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
What is a child life specialist?
Child life specialists are trained pediatric health care professionals who help children of all ages manage the emotional, developmental and social challenges that can come with illness or injury. Through therapeutic play and coping support, they help make medical experiences feel more predictable and less overwhelming for kids and their families.
What conditions does a child life specialist treat?
Child life specialists support children with a wide range of conditions, including brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, stroke, cancer, chronic pain and other complex medical needs. These conditions can bring sudden changes in mobility, independence and daily routines, which may feel overwhelming for children and families. A child life specialist can help kids understand what’s happening as they navigate changing mobility needs. They provide emotional support and coping skills as kids move through rehabilitation. By supporting emotional well‑being alongside physical recovery, child life services help children feel more confident, engaged and prepared for healing.
How can a child life specialist support rehabilitation?
In a rehabilitation setting, this support is especially meaningful. A child life specialist can help kids adjust to the changes in routine that accompany a prolonged hospital stay, providing child-friendly coping strategies to manage their emotions. Child life specialists also collaborate closely with therapists across multiple disciplines, including physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapists. This team-based approach helps kids stay engaged in therapy and build confidence as they recover.
Will Mary Free Bed Kids have a child life specialist?
Mary Free Bed Kids is excited to welcome Anna Cook, CCLS, as the newest member of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Team. Anna is a certified child life specialist with experience supporting patients and families through challenging medical experiences, including previous work in the pediatric intensive care unit at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. She specializes in age-appropriate education, preparation and coping strategies for patients, siblings and caregivers. Her expertise also includes support related to previous hospitalizations or medical trauma.
“I’m excited to help bring child life back into the rehabilitation world at Mary Free Bed,” said Anna Cook, CCLS. “Kids are incredibly brave, creative and resilient. I love helping them discover those strengths during their recovery. I can’t wait to partner with our teams across the new children’s rehabilitation hospital to make rehabilitation feel a little less scary and a lot more fun for every child who walks through our doors.”
“Anna brings a wonderful blend of clinical expertise and heartfelt connection to our pediatric program,” said Maria Besta, CTRS, director of integrative therapies and adaptive recreation. “Child Life services are an essential piece of family‑centered rehabilitation, and Anna’s passion for supporting children and their caregivers will strengthen the experience we provide as we build out programming for Mary Free Bed Kids at the new Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. We’re excited to welcome her to the team.”
About Mary Free Bed Kids
Mary Free Bed Kids provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care for children and their families across West Michigan and beyond, including an innovative Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics Program. Opening in fall 2026, Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, located on the Grand Rapids Campus, will offer a full continuum of pediatric rehabilitation services in a new, cutting‑edge facility designed exclusively for children and their families. The hospital will be the first in Michigan dedicated exclusively to pediatric rehabilitation care.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Visit maryfreebed.com/kids/schedule-kids-care/ to schedule an appointment.
