Aurora, Colo. (September 17, 2021) – Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado) and Child’s Play Charity are hosting the first annual virtual gathering of organizations and individuals to discuss best practices and the future of the rapidly growing fields of gaming technology and extended realities within the realm of pediatric healthcare. This symposium will cover wide-reaching topics encompassing everything from building fledgling programs to deep dives addressing and surmounting common challenges.
This first-of-its-kind symposium kicks off with an inspiring session featuring therapeutic gaming pioneer, videogame designer, and keynote speaker, Jane McGonigal. Meaningful discussions, fun games, raffles and giveaways will help start—or supercharge—participants’ Gaming Technology programs. Gaming Tech starter kits will be given to each participant organization, along with a care package which rounds out this shared virtual experience, ensuring new connections, key takeaways, and transformative ideas.
“This unique symposium demonstrates our ongoing commitment to improving the experience and outcomes for kids,” says Suzy Jaeger, chief patient experience and access officer at Children’s Colorado.
“Sharing the best practices from around the country will have a positive impact on the experience of our patients.”
Child’s Play Charity has funded 32 Pediatric Gaming Technology Specialists (PGTSs) since 2017. “Amid chaos, confusion, isolation, stay-at-home orders and hospital lockdowns, we heard time and time again how Pediatric Gaming Technology Specialists were there to answer the call in 2020, and now well into 2021,” says Travis Eriksen, executive director of Child's Play. “This symposium will shine light on the impactful work of our network hospitals and their Child Life programs. The work PGTS are doing is changing the game for patients and families.”
“As the number of Pediatric Gaming Techs grow, I think we are seeing the emergence of a new profession in pediatric health care. The PGTS is our next step in learning from each other, building our community, and enabling as many children as possible to benefit from gaming technologies,” says Joseph A. Albietz III, MD, medical director of Child Life, Children’s Colorado.
Join the symposium on September 22 – 23, 2021 to join the conversation. To register and attend the symposium please visit: www.childsplaycharity.org/pediatricgamingtechsymposium
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ABOUT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO
Children’s Hospital Colorado is one of the nation’s leading and most expansive pediatric healthcare systems with a mission to improve the health of children through patient care, education, research and advocacy. Founded in 1908 and recognized as a top ten children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s Colorado has established itself as a pioneer in the discovery of innovative and groundbreaking treatments that are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare worldwide. Children’s Colorado offers a full spectrum of family-centered care at its urgent, emergency and specialty care locations throughout Colorado, including its location on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and across the region. In 2019, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs, opened as the first pediatric-only hospital in southern Colorado. For more information, visit www.childrenscolorado.org, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Children’s Hospital Colorado complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
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ABOUT CHILD’S PLAY CHARITY
Founded in 2003 by Penny Arcade creators Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, Child’s Play seeks to improve the lives of young people in child welfare facilities through the power of play. Thanks to the generosity of the video games community, Child’s Play has raised over $50 million since its inception, allowing it to provide support to a network of over 160 hospitals across the globe. If you would like to help raise funds, volunteer or learn more about the impact Child’s Play makes, please visit: www.childsplaycharity.org