Our Blog
News and insight from Franciscan about our philosophy of hope through healthcare and recent issues affecting children’s wellness.
Review: Speechless Premiere on ABC TV
ABC’s new TV Series, Speechless, follows the adventures of DiMeo family and is one of the first of its kind to offer unique insight into the life of a family with a child who has a disability. It is our privilege to work with incredible children and families who share challenges similar to those of JJ and the DiMeos – so we tuned in to check out the pilot episode. Now, we’re sharing some initial reactions from our Speech-Language Pathologists, Kennedy Day School teachers, and even a few of our Kennedy Day School students!
Franciscan Children’s Pediatric Dentist Wins America’s Greatest Makers Reality TV Challenge
Have you heard of America’s Greatest Makers? Alongside her partners, Dr. Anubha Sacheti, one of the pediatric dentists in our Surgical Services program, competed in and ultimately won the reality show’s pilot season where designers and developers pitch their devices, then defend them against competitors. A practical application of powerful technology, Sacheti and her team pitched the “Grush” – a digital toothbrush that transforms teeth brushing into a fun and interactive activity.
Introducing New Tree Nut and Peanut Safety Practices
To best protect the children we serve, Franciscan Children’s is taking steps to promote tree nut and peanut safety by changing our policies, an initiative that aims to educate patients, staff, and guests alike on the dangers that lie in tree nut and peanut consumption on hospital grounds.
Pokémon Go: Tips for Parents
Has Pokémon Go captured your family’s hearts (and screens) yet? If it hasn’t, you’ve likely heard all about the new augmented-reality gaming app that has quickly become a big part of popular culture. So, what does this virtual phenomenon mean for parents? We’ve compiled a few tips to help you navigate this new Pokémon world.
Extending the Conversation on Pediatric Mental Health
The Parent Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) has given a voice to families and advocated for improved access to mental health services for children, youth and their families since 1991. Recently, Franciscan Children’s had the opportunity to host a PPAL training session focused on Family Engagement, designed to further the conversation and advocacy efforts to improve the quality of care available.
Music Therapy: Setting the Stage for Learning
Music Therapy is an integral part of the curriculum at the Kennedy Day School – engaging students in learning, working toward their individual goals, and having fun! In this blog post, we explore what a Music Therapy and Speech-Language Co-Treatment session looks like, to the tune of Justin Bieber’s “Sorry.”
Reflections of a KDS Speech-Language Pathologist
Nimisha Muttiah is leaving Franciscan Children’s to continue her work in Speech-Language Pathology in her home country of Sri Lanka, serving children where resources, therapeutic experts and technology are incredibly limited. We will miss her dearly, but are proud that she will continue to share our unwavering passion for helping each child reach their fullest potential with those families in need. Nimisha wrote the following blog post as a reflection of her time spent as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Kennedy Day School (KDS) at Franciscan Children’s.
A Day in the Life of a Franciscan Children’s Dietitian
At Franciscan Children’s, our dietitians work in variety of departments including Pediatric Rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Inpatient Mental Health, and outpatient Pediatrics. In honor of the recent National Nutrition Month celebrations, we’ll break down the busy lives of the Franciscan Dietitians!
Franciscan Children’s Announces Plan to Use Legos in Ongoing Campus Construction
Franciscan Children’s, a local nonprofit specializing in providing medical, mental health and education services to children with complex needs, announced today that they will embrace Lego bricks as a primary material in ongoing campus construction.
Why We Love (and Need) Child Life
At Franciscan Children’s, our Child Life Specialists work closely with children in our inpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation, inpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and outpatient Surgical Services programs and can frequently be seen spreading their contagious, fun spirit throughout our campus. In celebration of Child Life Month and the wonderful work that they do, we asked staff and patients what they love the most about Child Life, and why it’s so important.
What’s in a Name?
What’s in a name? A lot actually. With the healthcare landscape changing, the number of children with complex medical, mental health and educational needs continues to grow. We have evolved to become far more than a hospital. To reflect how we are growing and evolving, we have made the decision to change our name to better reflect all of the services we provide.
Heart Health for Kids
Did you know that February is American Heart Month? The entire month is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease which is, unfortunately, the number one cause of death for Americans. With many diet and exercise habits starting in childhood, there are easy ways for families to reduce the risk of heart disease starting at home!
Sibling Support Program: A Family-Centered Mental Health Initiative
Thursday nights at Franciscan are a time of learning and healing for families of children admitted to the Child and Adolescent Inpatient Mental Health Program, thanks to a new partnership between UMass Medical School and Franciscan Hospital for Children.
2015 Year in Review
Around the globe, people are welcoming 2016 with parties, parades and fireworks – each tradition a chance to give thanks for a year of milestones and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lay ahead.
Adaptive Ice Skating: 2015 Program Recap
On Wednesday evenings from mid-September through mid-November, Simoni Rink in Cambridge is home to the Franciscan Adaptive Ice Skating Program. Uniquely designed to serve children with special needs, the Adaptive Ice Skating program runs for one hour per week for 10 weeks. With diagnoses of autism, cerebral palsy, and genetic conditions, 21 children with disabilities participated in the program this year, along with 11 of their siblings.
Tiny Breaths, Big Responsibility:
Respiratory Therapy for Premature Babies
With the respiratory system developing in the final weeks of pregnancy, underdeveloped lungs can be a big concern for premature babies. Our Respiratory Therapists are key players on our care team, working each day with our littlest patients to address breathing challenges.
National Rehabilitation Week:
The Rewards of Rehab
In honor of National Rehabilitation Week, we asked a handful of our rehab staff to answer the question, “What is the most rewarding part of working as a rehabilitation professional at Franciscan Hospital for Children?”
Back to School Stress: Tips for Making the Transition from Summer to School Easier
All children (and adults) experience some level of anxiety when faced with new situations, and the start of a new school year can be a trigger for that stress. In this blog post, we’re talking tips for making the transition from summer to school easier.
A Different Perspective on Back-to-School
Our guest blogger is mom to Michael and Eric, twin boys who attend the Kennedy Day School onsite at Franciscan, and Katie who attends a local public school. Back-to-School is a bit different for the Murray family, and Amy tells us why!
Breakfast: Fuel for School
There’s a reason why breakfast is often called “the most important meal of the day.” Emily, one of our Registered Dietitians, talks the benefits of breakfast, the best kinds of breakfasts, and easy, breezy, breakfast ideas for your family!