Inside the Children's Hospital

Has your child been burned? Whether it was hot water, ramen noodles, a stove, fireworks, or another accident, this episode guides parents through what to do next.
In this episode, Katie sits down with Christella Almonacy, Certified Child Life Specialist at Wellstar's Burn Program, to discuss what families can expect after a child experiences a burn injury. Together, they explore the physical and emotional recovery process, how Child Life Specialists help children cope with painful procedures, and why giving kids choices can make all the difference.
Christella also shares common causes of pediatric burns, practical prevention tips, and resources that help children and siblings navigate life after a burn injury.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or pediatric healthcare professional, this episode offers reassurance, education, and hope.
Key Takeaways
Burn injuries happen more often than families realize—and accidents can happen to anyone.

Parents often experience intense guilt after a child's burn injury, but they aren't alone.

Child Life Specialists prepare children for procedures, reduce fear, and build coping skills.

Giving children choices helps them regain a sense of control during medical care.

Burn recovery includes emotional healing, not just physical healing.

Siblings may also need support after witnessing a traumatic injury.

Burn prevention starts with awareness of everyday household risks.

Timestamps
2:59 Christella's path to Child Life
3:30 Supporting families after a burn injury
5:58 What children experience after a serious burn
7:28 Preparing kids for procedures and surgery
9:15 Giving children choices during treatment
12:30 What to expect in a burn clinic
17:10 Meet the burn care team
18:50 Burn prevention tips every family should know
22:08 The burn recovery journey
25:50 Returning to school after a burn
27:15 Supporting siblings through trauma
29:20 A powerful patient story
Resources Mentioned
Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors

Sarah Steps by the Phoenix Society for Young Children

Connect with Us
Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital

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Keywords
Pediatric burns, burn prevention, child life specialist, burn recovery, pediatric burn care, burn clinic, childhood injuries, coping with hospitalization, emotional recovery after burns, parenting after a burn injury.
 
Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child and family.

What is it really like to have a baby in the NICU?
 Katie Taylor sits down with NICU nurse, educator, and content creator Alyssa Saldivar (@alyssathenurse) to discuss how families can find confidence, connection, and support during one of the most challenging experiences of parenthood.
Alyssa shares her journey of becoming a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic, her passion for supporting both families and fellow nurses, and the practical ways parents can become active participants in their baby's care. Together, Katie and Alyssa explore everything from skin-to-skin care and developmental support to advocacy, bonding, and life after NICU discharge.
Whether you're currently navigating a NICU stay, preparing for a high-risk delivery, or reflecting on a NICU experience from years ago, this conversation offers encouragement, validation, and actionable guidance.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Becoming a NICU nurse during an unprecedented time in healthcare
Supporting parents through the emotional realities of the NICU
Why skin-to-skin care is so powerful for premature babies
Helping families feel confident and involved in their baby's care
How parents can advocate for themselves and their baby
Pain management and comfort strategies in the NICU
Developmentally appropriate ways to soothe premature infants
Supporting parents who cannot be at the bedside every day
Navigating bonding challenges and NICU trauma
Resources available to support families during hospitalization
The transition from NICU to home
Timestamps
00:00 Meet Alyssa Saldivar and her journey into NICU nursing
02:15 Starting a nursing career during the COVID-19 pandemic
03:40 Building confidence as a NICU nurse and educator
05:30 How becoming a parent changed Alyssa's approach to family-centered care
06:20 Caring for extremely premature babies and empowering parents
06:50 The importance of skin-to-skin care in the NICU
07:45 Why first diaper changes matter for parent confidence
08:30 Supporting parents who can't be at the bedside every day
09:20 Scent cloths, breast milk, and maintaining connection
10:10 Creating a family-centered environment in the NICU
11:20 How parents can advocate for their baby's needs
13:15 Parent involvement during painful procedures and treatments
15:15 Helping babies recover and regulate after procedures
16:00 Developmentally appropriate ways to comfort premature babies
18:00 Alyssa's mission to support NICU families beyond the bedside
20:00 Processing NICU experiences years after discharge
21:00 Supporting NICU dads during moments of uncertainty
22:10 When bonding doesn't happen immediately
24:15 Child life specialists, social workers, chaplains, and other support resources
25:15 Filling the gap between NICU discharge and follow-up care
26:30 What Alyssa hopes families take away from her content
27:45 Final encouragement for NICU families
Connect with Alyssa
Instagram: @alysthenurse
TikTok: @alysthenurse
Connect with Us
Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital

Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Visit insidethechildrenshospital.com to search stories and episodes easily

Leave a Review: It helps other families find us and access our resources
 

Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child and family.
Keywords: NICU Nurse, Neonatology, Family Centered Care, NICU Support

What happens when a pediatric nurse practitioner suddenly finds herself on the other side of diagnosis?
On this week's episode of Inside the Children's Hospital, Katie Taylor sits down with Laura Forcella, a developmental pediatric nurse practitioner and mom to a son with Dup15q syndrome and epilepsy. Laura shares the deeply personal journey of recognizing her son's infantile spasms, navigating a rare disease diagnosis, and balancing life as both a medical professional and a caregiver.
Laura opens up about the unique challenges of being a "med mom," the emotional shift from provider to parent, and how her experiences have transformed the way she supports families in her own clinical practice. Together, Katie and Laura discuss the power of parental intuition, the importance of early intervention, building a village of support, and finding moments of joy amidst the complexities of caregiving.
Whether you're a parent navigating a diagnosis, a healthcare professional supporting families, or someone looking for encouragement on a difficult journey, this conversation is filled with compassion, wisdom, and hope.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
Laura's path from pediatric ICU and ER nurse to developmental pediatric nurse practitioner

How she recognized the early signs of infantile spasms in her son

The diagnostic journey that led to a Dup15q syndrome diagnosis

What it's like to care for patients while navigating your own child's medical complexities

Why videos can be critical when seeking answers for concerning symptoms

The importance of trusting your instincts as a parent

How early intervention services can help while waiting for specialist appointments

The realities of balancing advocacy, caregiving, work, and self-care

Finding community through rare disease organizations and social media

How a child's diagnosis can shape and strengthen a parent's identity

Resources Mentioned:
Dup15q Alliance

Early Intervention Programs (available in every U.S. state)

Connect with Laura:
Developmental Med Mom on Instagram (@developmentalmedmom)

Connect with us!
Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital

Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Visit insidethechildrenshospital.com to search stories and episodes easily

Leave a Review: It helps other families find us and access our resources
 

Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child and family.
 
Keywords: Infantile Spasms, Dupq15, Nurse Practitioner, Developmental Pediatrics, Seizures, Child Life Specialist, Support

When a child needs emergency transport to a children's hospital, families are often facing one of the hardest moments of their lives. Behind every ambulance ride, helicopter flight, or plane transfer is a highly trained team working together to keep children safe, while also supporting parents through the unknown.
In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital, Katie Taylor sits down with Kami Stone, Assistant Clinical Director at Texas Children's Hospital Austin, and Jacob, a transport EMT with the Texas Children's Kangaroo Crew, to talk about what pediatric transport really looks like behind the scenes.
Together, they share:
What happens when a pediatric transport team arrives

The roles of EMTs, nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians during transport

How transport teams prepare for weather, traffic, logistics, and emergencies

Why Texas Children's prioritizes family-centered care during transport

What parents can expect during ambulance, helicopter, and plane transports

How simulation training prepares teams for high-stress situations

The emotional realities of caring for critically ill children and supporting families in crisis

Why is asking questions during transport always encouraged

The small moments of human connection that families never forget

Jacob also shares his personal story of being treated at Texas Children's as a child after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes — and how that experience inspired him to dedicate his career to pediatric transport care.
This conversation offers a rare look into the people and systems families depend on during medical emergencies, while reminding parents that they are never alone during the journey.
About Our Guests
Kami Stone, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Kami Stone is the Assistant Clinical Director overseeing the Emergency Center, trauma program, and transport team at Texas Children's Hospital in Austin, Texas. With a background in emergency nursing and healthcare leadership, Kami is passionate about building systems that improve both patient outcomes and family experiences during transport care.
Jacob Willets Martinez, EMT
Jacob is a pediatric transport EMT with the Texas Children's Kangaroo Crew. After receiving care at Texas Children's as a teenager following his Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, he knew he wanted to one day work for the organization that supported his family during such a difficult time.
Resources & Links
Learn more about Texas Children's Austin: https://www.texaschildrens.org/austin

Learn more about Inside the Children's Hospital: https://insidethechildrenshospital.com

Connect with Child Life On Call
Instagram: @insidethechildrenshospital and @childlifeoncall

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For many families, going home from the hospital feels like the finish line. But what happens when the emotional impact of a medical experience lingers long after discharge?
On this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital, Katie Taylor sits down with Jen Aspengren, founder of Alongside Network, to discuss pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS), a common yet often overlooked experience that affects children, parents, siblings, and caregivers following serious medical events.
Jen shares her family's journey after her infant son underwent life-saving airway surgery at just seven months old. While his physical recovery went well, the emotional effects lasted for years, leading Jen to discover a significant gap in support for families navigating life after hospitalization.
Together, Katie and Jen explore:
Jen's son's diagnosis of congenital subglottic stenosis and emergency airway surgery

The unexpected emotional toll that followed after returning home

What pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) is and how it affects the entire family

Common signs of traumatic stress in children, parents, and caregivers

Why many families feel isolated after discharge despite receiving excellent medical care

The importance of validation, community, and coping skills during recovery

How small moments of connection from healthcare providers can build trust and resilience

The impact of emotional support on long-term health outcomes and medical adherence

How Alongside Network is helping families and healthcare providers better navigate medical trauma

Jen also shares practical insights for healthcare professionals, highlighting how simple actions—such as a follow-up phone call or a few moments of acknowledgment—can make a lasting difference for families facing difficult diagnoses and hospitalizations.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing doesn't end when a child leaves the hospital. Supporting the emotional well-being of children, parents, and caregivers is an essential part of recovery.
About Our Guest
Jen Aspengren
Jen Aspengren is the founder of Alongside Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families and healthcare providers address pediatric medical traumatic stress. Prior to founding Alongside, Jen spent over 20 years working in systems-change initiatives and supporting social entrepreneurs around the world. Today, she combines her professional expertise with her lived experience as a healthcare parent to improve support systems for families navigating medical challenges.
About Alongside Network
Alongside Network works to ensure that families affected by pediatric illness, injury, and hospitalization have access to the emotional support they need during and after medical experiences.
One of their core offerings is a free six-week virtual well-being program for parents and caregivers based on the evidence-based Take a Breath curriculum developed at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. The program focuses on:
Validation of family experiences

Building supportive community connections

Developing coping and resilience skills

Resources & Links
Learn more about Alongside Network: https://www.alongsidenetwork.org

Connect with us!
Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital

Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Visit insidethechildrenshospital.com to search stories and episodes easily

Leave a Review: It helps other families find us and access our resources
 

Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child and family.
Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress, Medical Trauma, Medical Parenting, Child Life Specialist, Family-Centered Care, Pediatric Mental Health, Caregiver Support, Pediatric Hospitalization, Trauma-Informed Care, Family Resilience