Senior Bowl players visit patients at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital
During the visit, players and cheer leaders were divided into groups and fanned out across the hospital, visiting multiple areas. Some of the players sent greetings from the doorways of patients who were too sick to leave their beds.
By Casandra Andrews
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College football players in town for the 76th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl greeted hospitalized patients with fist bumps, hugs and even a few high fives today during an annual visit. Twenty-three players gathered at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital to meet patients and staff, sign autographs, and take photos.
The Senior Bowl visits are organized as part of the hospital's Mapp Child and Family Life Program, which is aimed, in part, at normalizing a child's stay at Children's & Women's Hospital. Research shows that such techniques can lead to better health outcomes for patients.
"It’s always such a delight to have the players and cheerleaders visit our hospital,” said Deborah Browning, MSN, RN, CENP, CEO at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “We have children here dealing with some extremely challenging situations, and often a child’s mood is lifted when they meet special guests. We are so grateful for the Senior Bowl players and the time they spend with our patients, their families, and our staff.”
During the visit, players and cheer leaders were divided into groups and fanned out across the hospital, visiting multiple areas including the pediatric infusion suite, the hospital’s playroom known as the Treehouse, plus ClassAct, the hospital’s school, where five teachers offer instruction on weekdays. Some of the players sent greetings from the doorways of patients who were too sick to leave their beds.
Near the end of the visit inside the infusion suite, two University of Alabama players held a little girl in their arms and posed for photos with the child and her parents.
The Mapp Child and Family Life Program supports families with hospitalized children by utilizing child life specialists, recreational therapists and full-time certified teachers who specialize in education, preparation, and support activities. The goal for these specialists is to minimize stress and help children and their families better cope with their healthcare experience.
