Our Team
At the University of Chicago 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.
Pat Manning, MEd, CCLS--Director, Child Life
patricia.manning@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MEd in child development, Erikson Institute, Loyola University, Chicago
- BA in behavior sciences, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, MO
Jennie Geartz, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist III
jennie.geartz@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in child life and family centered care, Wheelock College, Boston, MA
- BA in psychology, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY
Amy Carter, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist III
amy.carter@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in child life and family centered care, Wheelock College, Boston, MA
- BA in psychology with a child development concentration, Quinnipiac College, Hamden, CT
Jenn Krieger, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist II
jennifer.krieger@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in child development, Erikson Institute, Chicago
- MSW, Columbia University School of Social Work
- BA in psychology, University of Michigan
Erica Turner, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist II
erica.turner@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in child development with specialization in infancy, Erikson Institute, Chicago
- BA in biology, Fisk University, Nashville, TN
Lisa Carlisle, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist I
lisa.carlisle@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in Child Life and Family-Centered Care, Wheelock College, Boston, MA
- BA in child development, California State University, Sacramento
Anne Falder, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist I
anne.falder@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in child life and family centered care, Wheelock College, Boston, MA
- BS in Human and Consumer Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH
Amy Johnston, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist I
amy.johnston@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in child development, Erikson Institute, Chicago
- BS in early childhood education/special education, Iowa State University, Ames
Jennifer Kemp, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist I
jennifer.kemp@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in child development with specialization in infancy, Erikson Institute, Chicago
- BS in multidisciplinary studies, Illinois State University, Normal
Tracy Lau, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist I
tracy.lau@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in child development, Erikson Institute, Chicago
- BS in biology, University of Illinois, Champaign
Alexandria Rigg, MS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist I
alexandria.rigg@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- MS in child development, Erikson Institute, Chicago
- BA in psychology, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Brittany Thomas, BS, CCLS--Child Life Specialist I
brittany.thomas@uchospitals.edu
- Certified Child Life specialist
- BA in child and family studies, Ohio University, Athens, OH
James Cappleman, LCSW--Family-Centered Care Coordinator
james.cappleman@uchospitals.edu
- Licensed clinical social worker
- MSW with mental health specialization, University of Illinois, Chicago
- BS in education with a minor in psychology, University of Houston, TX
Yasuko Yoshihara, MA ATR, LCPC--Art Therapist
yasuko.yoshihara@uchospitals.edu
- Registered art therapist
- MA in art therapy, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago
- BA in textile design, Tokyo Zokei Art University, Tokyo, Japan
