Child life specialist finds the perfect fit

By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

When Sarah Donlan enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington as a freshman, she knew two things about her future career: She wanted to work with kids, and she really liked healthcare.

A part-time job in a research lab focused on the social development of toddlers helped crystallize her vision in the area of Child Life, which is how she landed at Riley Hospital at IU Health North, supporting kids and parents before, during and after surgery.

A child life specialist (CLS) is a certified healthcare professional who helps children and families cope with the fear, anxiety and trauma of medical situations, illnesses or hospitalizations.

Donlan, who started her career at IU Health Arnett Hospital, joined the team at Riley’s flagship campus in Downtown Indianapolis about three years ago. There, she worked on 9E, primarily supporting surgery patients and others undergoing endoscopies.

“I found from working on 9E that I loved surgery … getting to prep kids and support parents,” she said.

When a position came open in surgery at Riley’s IU North location in Carmel about a year and a half ago, she made the switch.

“I get to work with some of the surgeons and the GI team I worked with on 9E, and it feels good to be there for families,” she said. “No matter how small a surgery is, it feels big to them.”

That’s why she took the time last week to connect with 8-month-old Stetson Savage and his dad, Caleb, as the two checked out a toy fish tank before the baby went back for surgery.

“I try to connect with kids through their interests and establish common ground, whether that be with a toy, clothing or something on a backpack,” she said.

“It’s about noticing and taking an interest in them. I think that gets me pretty far with kids when you look at them as more than a patient but as a child who has hopes and dreams.”

Little Stetson might be too young to have hopes and dreams, but when he started to cry before surgery, Donlan offered comfort and reassurance.

“In supporting parents, I remind them that it’s OK for their kiddos to cry,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking for parents, but it’s developmentally appropriate. We know they’re safe and supported, but it’s OK to normalize crying as a form of coping in kids. It lets people know you’re upset, something is hard, and you need something. And that’s not wrong.”

She might have only 15 minutes with a family before surgery, but it’s her goal to build trust and confidence within that time limit.

“I love the challenge of quickly establishing rapport with a patient and family. I also love getting to work directly alongside the Riley doctors. Getting to collaborate to create the best patient experience possible and having that immediate feedback from a patient interaction makes me feel incredibly valued.”

Donlan, who married Brandon Barthel in September, is still in her 20s but jokes that she has “grandma hobbies” like crocheting baby blankets, reading and walking the couple’s dog, Julian.

She is grateful her career brought her to Riley, a place she describes as “super special.”

“Riley values Child Life more than anywhere I’ve ever heard of,” she said. “Our physicians respect us, and our nurses rely on us. We have the resources and ability to be the best at what we do … and I’m just so thankful for that.”