Grateful Patient Spotlight: The Barrett Family

Emma Barrett was born with a critical congenital heart defect and received care through the pediatric cardiac care program at MercyOne Children’s Hospital. She had her first surgery at five months old and recently had her second at the age of four.

“Being at MercyOne Children’s Hospital was a wonderful experience,” said Tami Barrett, Emma’s mother. “They made her feel comfortable before and even after surgery and seeing a smile on her face almost the entire time was an amazing feeling.”

During their time at MercyOne Children’s Hospital, Emma and her family met with MercyOne Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist, Rebecca Gerecke. Rebecca worked with Emma to help prepare her for her upcoming surgery.

“We explain to kids, meeting them at their developmental level, what will happen,” said Rebecca. “We help to prepare them so they are more cooperative during those procedures, and we engage them in distraction techniques to help them cope.”

Research shows that when kids are prepared, they have better medical outcomes, including shorter recovery time and less need for anesthesia. No two situations are alike. Child life specialists work with young patients and their families to create personalized plans to best fit their needs.

“In talking with the Barrett family I found that Emma loves being outside, being with animals and is a very active girl,” said Rebecca. “After hearing that, we knew that when she started feeling better she was going to want some activities to do and something to keep her occupied.”

“Having the child life specialist there at the hospital before and after surgery made it feel like it wasn't a hospital stay at all,” said Tami. “The day she was discharged, she didn't really want to go home because she was enjoying the attention, interaction and the activities.”

The Barrett family is grateful for the level of care and support Emma receives while at MercyOne Children’s Hospital.

“Taking a child in for a procedure, no matter how small, is stressful and emotional not just for the child but for the parents or guardians,” said Tami. “The MercyOne Children’s Hospital team and the child life specialists kept Emma relaxed and happy which in turn helped take away some of our stress and worry.”

Tami hopes that by sharing Emma’s story other parents are reassured that their children are in good hands at MercyOne Children’s Hospital.

“Our children are fragile and as parents and guardians we want to take away as much pain and negative feelings as we can,” said Tami. “The support Emma and countless other children have gotten and will get through MercyOne Children’s Hospital and child life programming wouldn't be possible without community support.”

Gifts made to the Child Life Endowment support child life specialists to provide comfort to families and pediatric patients, like Emma, during their time at MercyOne Children’s Hospital.

“Our child life program relies on donations,” said Rebecca. “We are so appreciative and can’t thank donors enough for their support.”

“MercyOne Children’s Hospital and child life specialists help protect these children both physically and emotionally,” said Tami.

“Children are our future and I would encourage anyone and everyone to donate and support child life programming at MercyOne Children’s Hospital to keep the future bright.”

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*Designate “Other” in the dropdown and type in “Child Life Endowment.”

For more information on how you can support Child Life at MercyOne Children’s Hospital, please contact MercyOne Des Moines Foundation Senior Director of Development Sophia Ahmad at 515-643-8035 or sahmad@mercydesmoines.org.