Bringing Comfort and Understanding: The Role of a Child Life Specialist

At Gilchrist, providing compassionate care extends beyond adult patients—it also includes children facing serious illnesses and their families. The Gilchrist Kids program offers specialized pediatric hospice and palliative care, ensuring that children receive the support they need in a way that honors their unique experiences. At the heart of this program is Kyra Georgas, Gilchrist’s Child Life Specialist, who plays a crucial role in helping children and families navigate the complexities of illness, grief, and end-of-life care.

A Calling to Help Children Find Their Voice

Kyra’s passion for child life services began with a deeply personal experience. In college, her younger cousin was diagnosed with a lung disease and spent much of her life in the hospital waiting for a transplant. Witnessing the resilience of children in medical settings and the loss of confidence many experienced during their treatments, Kyra knew she wanted to be a voice for young patients. “I feel really passionate about respecting kids, teens, and young adults for where they are—not fixing their problems, but giving them choices and a voice to express themselves,” she says. “Children deserve to be heard, and my job is to help them find the words, or sometimes the art, play, or music, to do that.”

What Does a Child Life Specialist Do?

As Gilchrist’s only Child Life Specialist, Kyra’s role is vast and deeply impactful. She works primarily with pediatric hospice patients and their siblings, offering therapeutic support through play, creative activities, and emotional guidance. “Often, my work looks like arts and crafts or play,” Kyra explains. “But it’s really about bringing up emotions, worries, and concerns in a non-threatening way—helping children express their feelings in ways that feel safe.”

Beyond supporting children on hospice, Kyra also collaborates with social workers to provide guidance for children of adult patients. This might involve offering therapeutic activities for families or helping parents understand how to communicate difficult news to their children in an age-appropriate way. “Parents know their children better than anyone else,” Kyra shares. “I’m here for a snapshot of their lives—one chapter. My goal is to support them in having the difficult conversations they never imagined having.”

Helping Families Navigate Tough Conversations

One of the most delicate aspects of Kyra’s work is guiding parents in talking to their children about illness and end-of-life issues. Every family is different, and she tailors her approach to their needs. “When parents hesitate to share information about a diagnosis with their child, I try to understand their concerns,” Kyra explains. “Often, they want to protect their child from fear or sadness. But children are incredibly perceptive. They hear whispers, see tears, and pick up on environmental changes. When they aren’t given clear information, they often fill in the blanks themselves, which can lead to greater anxiety or misplaced guilt.”

Using her expertise in child development, Kyra helps parents frame conversations in a way that is honest yet comforting. For instance, if a child has a terminal illness, she might help the family explain, “What we’ve learned about your cancer is that it won’t fully go away. The medicine isn’t able to make it disappear, but we have ways to help you feel better and keep doing the things you love.” This approach provides clarity without overwhelming the child with fear.

For siblings of pediatric patients, Kyra helps them understand their brother’s or sister’s condition and prepares them for what’s to come. “I’ve worked with kids who later expressed sadness that they didn’t get to say goodbye to their sibling,” Kyra says. “My job is to help families create space for those important moments so children don’t carry unresolved feelings into their grief.”

Providing Support Before, During, and After Loss

Gilchrist’s commitment to pediatric care doesn’t end with a patient’s passing. One of the unique aspects of the Gilchrist Kids program is that support continues beyond end-of-life care. “I get to be there for families before, during, and after,” Kyra explains. “It’s a full-circle relationship, and that’s what makes my role so meaningful.”

For grieving siblings, Kyra offers bereavement sessions, therapeutic activities, and memory-making projects. One such activity is creating a memory box, where children can collect photos, souvenirs, or special items that remind them of their sibling. “It’s about keeping that bond and honoring their relationship, even after their sibling is gone,” she says.

Kyra also works with schools, helping teachers and counselors support children who have lost a sibling or parent. Whether through individual consultations, group bereavement sessions, or educational presentations, she extends her expertise to ensure children receive care beyond their home environment.

Expanding Resources for Families

Despite being Gilchrist’s only Child Life Specialist, Kyra is determined to reach as many children as possible. She has launched Child Life Office Hours, offering social workers new tools to help children of adult hospice patients cope with a parent’s illness. She also hopes to develop support groups for grieving children and explore virtual options to accommodate families across the many counties Gilchrist serves.

Additionally, Kyra plays a significant role in perinatal hospice care, supporting families expecting a baby with a life-limiting condition. She helps parents prepare for their child’s birth. She guides siblings through the experience, ensuring they understand and have opportunities to say hello—and sometimes goodbye—to their baby brother or sister.

Gilchrist is committed to expanding support for pediatric patients and their families, ensuring that no child has to navigate illness or loss alone. With compassionate professionals like Kyra leading the way, the Gilchrist Kids program continues to be a source of comfort, understanding, and hope.

For more information about Gilchrist Kids and Child Life Services, visit Gilchrist’s website.