Meet Our Child Life Team

Carli Fischer is a child life specialist in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Family, Youth and Community Sciences from the University of Florida, followed by a master’s degree in Child Life from the University of Georgia. Fischer completed a child life internship at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

Leah T. Frohnerath, MS, CCLS is a Certified Child Life Specialist. She is a graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences and received her Master’s in Healthcare Administration from University of St. Francis. Since completing her internship at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 1998 and starting her career at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Leah has provided Child Life Services across all diagnosis groups and in many areas.  Leah joined Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in February of 2013. She is a co-coordinator for the Pet Therapy Program which boasts 25 dog teams and 1 miniature horse.  Leah primarily provides Child Life Services to the Cancer and Blood Disorder In-patient unit.  Her professional focus is on facilitating a collaborative relationship between the child and family and the medical team and empowering children through their medical journey. 

Katie Grabowski, MS, CCLS has been with the child life department since 2013 and serves as an inpatient child life specialist as well as the Education Specialist. She spends much of her time in the neurosciences/surgical unit (7N), but also provides additional coverage to the inpatient team, particularly the general pediatrics unit. Katie has a Bachelor's degree in Social Science Education from the University of Central Florida as well as a master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a specialization in Child Life from Illinois State University. Katie has served as an Item Writer on the Association of Child Life Professionals’ Child Life Certifying Committee and as a mentor in the field. She also has previous experience assisting in conference planning for the Florida Association of Child Life Professionals.

Claire Jennings provides child life services on the dialysis and neonatal intensive care units at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She joined the hospital staff in 2020. Jennings earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and completed additional child life courses at the University of California Santa Barbara. Jennings completed her practicum at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and an internship at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

Sara Sefret is a Child Life specialist at Johns Hopkins all Children’s Hospital. Sefret earned her bachelor’s degree in Child Development Psychology with a concentration in Family Studies from the University of Maryland. She completed her practicum at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., followed by an internship at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida before joining the team in a per diem role.

Carol B. Dahlquist, BA, CCLS began her career in the field of child life in 1997. She has a B.A. in Special Education from Florida Atlantic University and has previously taught in public schools in Florida and North Carolina. Throughout her career, Carol has served on the executive board of the Florida Association of Child Life Professionals and assisted with conference planning. She works primarily in the outpatient setting in the Pre-Operational Unit and with the CCDH population. 

Dara Jackson, BS, CCLS is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. She has worked at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital since September 2008. She has 15 + years in the field of Child Life. The majority of that has been working with the hematology/oncology population. She is the Child Life practicum coordinator and works primarily in the hematology/oncology clinic and infusion center. Dara is active on several committees with the Association of Child Life Professionals. 

Renee Savic, BS, CCLS graduated from Florida State University and received her Bachelor’s degree in Family, Child, and Consumer Sciences. Before joining the staff at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in 2012, Renee worked at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Tampa for 18 years where she was the child life coordinator. Renee has served as President of the Florida Association of Child Life Professionals and on various committees for the Association of Child Life Professionals. Renee received the Mary Barkey Clinical Excellence Award in 2018. This award is presented annually to an individual child life specialist who has demonstrated exemplary child life care and a high level of clinical skill. 

Rayna is a child life specialist in the Emergency Center at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. She is a graduate of Ball State University and received her Bachelor’s degree in Child Life and Family Studies in 2013. Rayna completed her child life internship at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and became certified in child life in March of 2014.  

Maggie Teichmann is a child life specialist in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She completed her internship at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

Alexandra Dorn earned her Bachelor of Science degree in educational studies from the University of South Florida. She joined the hospital staff in August 2020. Before joining the hospital, Dorn worked for an elementary school in the Pinellas County school system.

Jacqueline Gomez joined the hospital staff in September 2020. Prior to joining, she spent time as a research intern where she focused her research on childhood behavioral concerns, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Gomez also has experience with early childhood education programs and has worked in school systems and community summer camps.

Allison McLelland earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University and a minor in education and a developmental disabilities. She joined the hospital staff in September 2020. Before joining the hospital, she worked as a registered behavioral technician.

Rita Pruitt is a Child Life tech in RJ’s Activity Center. She joined the hospital staff in October 2018. Before joining the Child Life team, Rita worked as a patient service representative in the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Sleep Clinic.

Hazel Velez graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Biology. She joined the hospital staff in 2020. Velez works in RJ’s Activity Center and provides patients and families with special events and activities.

Tasha Ellis is a Child Life Aide who focuses on patient safety through ensuring the sanitation of departmental toys and providing memorable play experiences in RJ’s Activity Center. She began her Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Career in the Environmental Services department in 1999 and after two years, transitioned to the Child Life Team.

Elijah Shannon is a Child Life Aide who focuses on keeping patients and families safe through sanitizing toys in the playrooms of our facility. He is a Florida native and has been working with the department since 2015.

Emily Prior is the administrative assistant for Child Life. Before joining the Child Life department, Prior worked with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Home Care as a patient service coordinator. Before joining the hospital staff, Prior worked as a lead certified medical assistant at Moffitt Cancer Center. She also has health care experience in geriatrics. Prior graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in health administration and a concentration in health management.