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This week, we are jolted by another mass school shooting that has claimed more young lives. We are shocked and saddened by the devastating deaths of 19 elementary school children and their two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, victims of intentional gunfire by a mentally unwell individual who was practically a child himself.

We stand with children, families, and other citizens across this country who are trying to make sense of another unimaginable violent act, and call upon our local, regional, and national leaders to meaningfully address gun violence – now the No. 1 cause of death of children and teens in the United States according to CDC data. It is clear: gun control is a public health issue.

As child health professionals, we vow to use our voice and knowledge to advocate for stronger gun laws, mental health support, and more effective interventions for at-risk youth. In order to keep kids safe from gun violence – in schools, grocery stores, on the streets, and in our homes – we must address the access to guns and lead the call to action.

This op-ed was originally posted on InsideSources 

As experts in pediatric infectious diseases, vaccination and epidemiology, we are on the frontlines when it comes to COVID-19 and children. Collectively, we have cared for hundreds of children with severe cases of COVID-19, experiencing firsthand the complexity of caring for a child battling this novel illness and the agony of seeing a child succumb to its ravages.

We cannot stay silent as we witness the barrage of misinformation deterring parents from vaccinating children 5 years old and older against COVID-19. Americans need facts, not agendas.

First, the sheer number of very sick children should be every parent’s wake-up call.

The vaccination data are alarming. As of March 9, only 27 percent of U.S. children between the ages of 5 and 11 and 56 percent between 12 to 15 are fully vaccinated, leaving tens of millions of children still unvaccinated. And while most of those children who will get COVID-19 will have mild to moderate illness, the small percentage of this huge pool of unvaccinated children that will become severely ill translates into large numbers of children needing specialized care.

Certified child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in child development. They help hospitalized infants, children, youth, and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of an acute or chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss, and bereavement.

At NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children's Hospital, the Child Life Specialists and Creative Arts team employ a mix of education, play, therapeutic, and self-expression activities to help children endure their hospitalization and illness. They provide information and support to families, and advocate for family-centered care and the needs of their patients.

The Komansky Child Life and Creative Arts team work closely with our pediatric providers to ensure their patient's emotional, mental, and physical needs are met. They are an integral part of our pediatric healthcare team.

In recognition of Child Life Month, here are 10 things you should know about the Child Life & Creative Arts Team at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children's Hospital:

1. The Komansky Child Life and Creative Arts team is currently made up of one Art Therapist, two Music Therapists, one Child Life Assistant, and 13 Child Life Specialists.

The Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce the promotion of Emily Coppedge, NP to Chief Nurse Practitioner for the Pediatric Subspecialty Practice at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. In this role, Ms. Coppedge will work with the Medical Director and Practice Administrator of the Pediatric Subspecialty Practice to enhance patient care in the unified practice.

As Chief Nurse Practitioner, Ms. Coppedge will serve as a clinical, educational, and administrative resource to nursing personnel and oversee patient care delivery and management. She will work in collaboration with attending physicians and multidisciplinary health care teams to optimize patient care and team performance.  

Ms. Coppedge received a Bachelors in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters in Nursing from New York University.  She is board certified as an advanced practice nurse specializing in pediatrics and brings 16 years of pediatric nursing experience to this role.  As a registered nurse, Ms. Coppedge worked a variety of inpatient and outpatient roles and after extensive training in diabetes care, obtained her certified diabetes educator certification.