Melissa Nicely Email & Phone Number

Wilmington, Delaware, United States

Manage major aspects of the child life program, including supervising staff and play spaces, overseeing volunteers for pet therapy and special events, building a CCTV program and studio, coordinating weekly events and special events.Projects and Accomplishments: • Manage and supervise a team of 5-25 staff including child life specialists, creative arts therapists, child activity coordinators and school teachers. Hire and onboard 13 new staff members (60% representing minority… Show more Manage major aspects of the child life program, including supervising staff and play spaces, overseeing volunteers for pet therapy and special events, building a CCTV program and studio, coordinating weekly events and special events.Projects and Accomplishments: • Manage and supervise a team of 5-25 staff including child life specialists, creative arts therapists, child activity coordinators and school teachers. Hire and onboard 13 new staff members (60% representing minority groups) • Support grants up to $750,000; co-authoring grant writing and reporting, implementation, and staff management• Partner with fundraising department and external community partners to support fundraising projects up to $86,000 Show less

Wilmington, Delaware, United States

Responsible for managing child activity coordinator staff and the centralized play space, coordinating events and holiday celebrations, supervising the pet therapy program, and overseeing in-kind donations for the hospital.Projects and Accomplishments:Key stakeholder for the design and construction of a multimillion-dollar child life suite and play space• Lead an annual five-day camp event with 30+ vendors, 200+ daily participants, and a $15,000 budget • Coordinate an annual… Show more Responsible for managing child activity coordinator staff and the centralized play space, coordinating events and holiday celebrations, supervising the pet therapy program, and overseeing in-kind donations for the hospital.Projects and Accomplishments:Key stakeholder for the design and construction of a multimillion-dollar child life suite and play space• Lead an annual five-day camp event with 30+ vendors, 200+ daily participants, and a $15,000 budget • Coordinate an annual holiday donation drive receiving up to an estimated value of $200,000 in toys each year• Collaborate with and engage community groups, corporate volunteers and 50+ internal departments to create hundreds of events each year for patients and families Show less

Wilmington, Delaware, United States

Child life specialist for the post-surgical unit and neurology and endocrinology unit; and outpatient surgery and dialysis.Projects and Accomplishments:• Leadership positions on the Therapy Services Career Ladder Committee, Therapy Services Education Committee, and Education Champion for Child Life Department; co-led Child Life Month planning in 2013 and 2014. • Presented trainings and in-services for nurses, anesthesiologists, physicians and other medical team members… Show more Child life specialist for the post-surgical unit and neurology and endocrinology unit; and outpatient surgery and dialysis.Projects and Accomplishments:• Leadership positions on the Therapy Services Career Ladder Committee, Therapy Services Education Committee, and Education Champion for Child Life Department; co-led Child Life Month planning in 2013 and 2014. • Presented trainings and in-services for nurses, anesthesiologists, physicians and other medical team members • Assisted with writing, filming and editing the “Top 10 Things Kids Need to Know About Surgery” video Show less

Rockville, Md

CCLS using clinical expertise to provide the child life perspective for ACLP headquarters and providing daily support to child life clinical professionals, academic professionals, future child life specialists and the public. Track trends and changing needs of child life professionals to expand resources available through the ACLP. Content expert, editor, and researcher for child life resources including Child Life News Monthly and ACLP Community. Managing Editor for ACLP Bulletin/Focus… Show more CCLS using clinical expertise to provide the child life perspective for ACLP headquarters and providing daily support to child life clinical professionals, academic professionals, future child life specialists and the public. Track trends and changing needs of child life professionals to expand resources available through the ACLP. Content expert, editor, and researcher for child life resources including Child Life News Monthly and ACLP Community. Managing Editor for ACLP Bulletin/Focus Newsletter.Projects and Accomplishments:• Child life content expert at ACLP meetings, including annual conference and webinar planning, practice analysis, item bank reclassification, and exam cut score study• Supervise thirteen ACLP committees and task forces; overseeing ongoing assignments, timelines and goals• Manage committee/task force major projects including the updated Child Life Competencies, Common Internship Application, Internship Modules, Academic Recommendations, Internship Evaluation Tool, Recommended Faculty Credentials, and revised Internship Deadlines• Oversee revision and update of Official Documents of The Child Life Council Show less

Educated and prepared patients and families for day surgery. Facilitated Hospital Orientation Program providing developmentally appropriate surgery tours and medical play for patients and families.Accomplishments:• Planned, initiated, and received grant funds for a major decorative refresh project in the surgery department• Updated Child Life Department print and online materials about available child life services• Advocated for and obtained a bilingual volunteer for… Show more Educated and prepared patients and families for day surgery. Facilitated Hospital Orientation Program providing developmentally appropriate surgery tours and medical play for patients and families.Accomplishments:• Planned, initiated, and received grant funds for a major decorative refresh project in the surgery department• Updated Child Life Department print and online materials about available child life services• Advocated for and obtained a bilingual volunteer for Hospital Orientation Program• Launched scoliosis pre-op teaching program in the Orthopedic Department• Developed and planned rotations and assignments for interns and practicum students Show less

Pediatric Outpatient Renal Clinic: Provided psychosocial support and education for children on hemodialysis and their families and age-appropriate preparation for surgeries and transplantationEmergency Department: Provided therapeutic distraction, preparation and education for procedures, surgeries and hospital admissions Additional Per Diem: Gained child life experience across varied departments including Med/Surg, Hem/Onc, PICU, OICU, Day Surgery, and Orthopedic… Show more Pediatric Outpatient Renal Clinic: Provided psychosocial support and education for children on hemodialysis and their families and age-appropriate preparation for surgeries and transplantationEmergency Department: Provided therapeutic distraction, preparation and education for procedures, surgeries and hospital admissions Additional Per Diem: Gained child life experience across varied departments including Med/Surg, Hem/Onc, PICU, OICU, Day Surgery, and Orthopedic ClinicAccomplishments:• Introduced supportive therapies into Renal Clinic including therapeutic arts and pet therapy• Managed children’s educational activities for community-wide Asthma Day• Organized hemodialysis patients’ participation in Donate Life and CHOC Walks• Served as a volunteer leader for Pediatric Kidney Camp to maximize patient participation and enthusiasm• Authored Grief Preparation for Children, Families and the Medical Team in the Pediatric Outpatient Renal Unit (available upon request) Show less

Ms, Child Life, 4.0

Ba, Psychology

Activities and Societies: Smittcamp Honors Council, President; Associated Student Government, Senator for College of Math and Science.