Krista Hauswald: “This is my passion, my calling, my mission in life.”
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
More than two decades ago, Krista Hauswald shifted her college course path from teaching to the study of child life at Purdue University.
The patients and families at Riley Hospital for Children came out on top when she made that decision. Next week, Hauswald will celebrate 20 years as a certified child life specialist at Riley.
A native of tiny Rising Sun, Indiana, she felt fortunate to join the team at Riley, where she had volunteered while in college.
“The patients and families are the whole reason I’m here,” she said. “This is my passion, my calling, my mission in life – to help people when they are going through some of the most challenging times of their lives.”
Hauswald works primarily in the Riley Outpatient Center infusion clinic, where she keeps her pockets full of squishies, buzzies, light spinners and stress balls to help kids be brave during needle pokes and procedures.
“I always knew I wanted to work with kids, and I liked the hospital setting, but I didn’t want to be the one poking anybody,” she said.
Now, she’s the one who helps calm kids before, during or after those pokes, including kids like 2-year-old Scarlett Amstutz, who was checking out the playroom during an appointment this week.
“The biggest thing I do is get down on their level and try to get to know them,” she said. “Building that rapport helps me figure out the best approach.”
Then when she sees a child who has come in super anxious but leaves feeling proud of themselves as their fears wash away, she feels a sense of calm and relief herself. That’s her reward.
Working with the oncology population or other patients who come in frequently for any type of infusion allows her the opportunity to build relationships, which are key in her professional and personal life.
Married to Paul and mother to Cooper and Piper, Hauswald is a runner, collecting medals in multiple half-marathons. She also loves to bake, travel, watch her kids play sports, volunteer and participate in anything Purdue-related.
As a mom of two Riley kids herself, she has seen the magic of child life specialists from the parent perspective and has felt cared for in those moments.
“We were here when Santa came to visit,” she said. “I’ve been on the other side of those visits with patients, so it was nice to be on the receiving end.”
The integration of child life within the care teams is key to maintaining a patient-first culture at Riley.
“Physicians trust our expertise,” she said. “We all want the best for our patients.”
Jenna Yarnell, Riley Child Life manager, said Hauswald’s passion for serving the hematology/oncology population is evident in every interaction and intervention she provides.
“She is always ready to advocate for what is in the best interest of the patient, and she also does an amazing job of helping patients and caregivers learn to advocate for themselves in the hospital setting,” Yarnell said.
“She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to supporting patients and families, and I am so grateful to have her on my team.”
One more thing about Hauswald, Yarnell said, is how she is adept at matching patients’ interests with activities and special events put on by the Child Life Zone.
“She knows her patients and families so well.”
Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org
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