Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

The Child Life Department at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital is staffed by certified and compassionate child life specialists whose goals are to promote optimum development, maintain normal living patterns and minimize psychological trauma for children during their stay at the hospital. Our child life specialists work closely with the child's healthcare team to provide a full continuum of quality and compassionate care for our pediatric patients.

Child Life Department activities and services include:

Hospital Homebound School Program

In partnership with Broward County Schools, a Broward County homebound teacher is on site during regular school hours to help hospitalized children (K-12) keep up with their schoolwork.

Lotsy Dotsy

Meet Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital's resident clown! Whether she's singing songs, blowing bubbles or playing her trademark harmonica, the wonderfully entertaining Lotsy Dotsy knows how to bring smiles to the faces of our patients and the families. For more than two decades, Lotsy Dotsy has been a beloved fixture at our hospital.

Medical Play

Our child life specialists help patients become more comfortable with medical procedures through supervised play using dolls and real medical equipment.

Pain Management

We know that some procedures and treatments can hurt. Our team helps to distract children during painful procedures and assist recovering patients with developing strategies for coping with pain.

Pet-A-Pet Program

Some of our volunteers have four legs! Our team of fuzzy, four-legged pet volunteers spread smiles throughout Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. To learn more, or to schedule a fuzzy four-legged visit, call the bark line at 954-265-BARK.

Special Activity Centers

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital features several activity centers where patients and families can relax, watch TV, study, enjoy a snack and even do laundry.

Teddy Bear Tours

Go behind the scenes at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital with our Teddy Bear Tours. Children (age 3 and older) scheduled for surgery can take a special tour of the hospital to familiarize themselves with the facility and learn what to expect during their hospital visit.

For more information about the Child Life Program or to schedule a Teddy Bear Tour, contact a Child Life Specialist at 954-265-0108.