Committed to Caring for Your Child

At the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, our certified child life specialists have extensive training in child development and can provide effective, appropriate support to meet the needs of your youngster or teen.

Our staff members have master's and bachelor's degrees in child development, child life and family centered care, or related fields. These specialists work throughout the hospital and the emergency department, offering support for children and families to help them cope with injuries and illnesses.

Our team also includes caring volunteers and child life interns who are dedicated to making your child's hospital experience as comfortable as possible. They are sensitive to the social and emotional needs of your child and family, and aim to make your experience as positive as possible.

Our Child Life Team

Jennie Ott, MS, CCLS, Director, Child Life

Amy Carter, MS, CCLS, Lead Child Life Specialist–Donations 

Tracy Lau-Esquibel, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist II–Special Events 

Hailey Plote, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist II

Lisa Wolff, MA, CCLS, Child Life Specialist II

Alexandra Barber, MS, CLS, Child Life Specialist I

Elizabeth Davis, MS, CCLS – Child Life Specialist I

Megan Keller, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Tanisha Bryant, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Kathleen Canavan, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Madison Graves, BS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I–NWI Crown Point location

Abigail Hennessy, BS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Cassidy Howard, BS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Caitlin Langs, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Paulina Lopez, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Rebecca Gregory, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Jacquelyn Sandlow, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Caleb Shannon, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Sydney Totaro, BS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Emma Wilson, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist I

Julliana Castaneda, MS, LPMT, MT-BC, NMT, Licensed Professional Neurologic Music Therapist