Meet Our Team

Kelly M. Boyd, MS, CCLS graduated from the University of Georgia and received her bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Human Development and Family Science. She holds also holds a Master’s degree from Texas State University in Family and Child Studies with a concentration in Child Life. Kelly completed her practicum and internship experiences at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital before beginning fulltime work on our Pediatric Medicine unit. Her professional focuses are working with children who have ADHD, Autism, and Asperger’s. 

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. 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 is an Item Writer on the Association of Child Life Professionals’ Child Life Certifying Committee and serves as a mentor in the field. She also has previous experience assisting in conference planning for the Florida Association of Child Life Professionals.

Kate holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kansas State University as well as a Master’s in Child Life from the University of La Verne. She completed her internship at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and then immediately transitioned to the Per Diem role at our facility.

Beth Phillips holds a BA in sociology from Michigan State University as well as a Master’s of Science degree in Child Life from the University of La Verne in California. She has previous experience in the early childhood education as well as residential summer camping industries. Beth began at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital in 2012 and now works in the Pediatric Intensive Care unit. She has a passion for children’s programming and events. Additionally, Beth also serves on the conference planning committee for the Florida Association of Child Life Professionals and has been selected to present at an upcoming conference of the Association of Child Life Professionals. 

Alona Battaglio, BA is a Connecticut native with a B.A. degree in psychology. Prior to joining the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital team, Alona worked as an early childhood educator as well as a supportive counselor for the geriatric population. She considers her work with children to be her true passion and focuses her energy cofacilitating RJ’s Activity Center offering normative and special event experiences to children and their families. Alona is also the Child Life Volunteer Coordinator. 

Nicole McCain, AS, joined the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital team in July 2015. She has 5+ years experience working in the early childhood educational environment in the role of an Assistant Director. She spends her days cofacilitating RJ’s Activity Center offering normative and special event experiences to children and their families. Nicole also is facilitator of the Pet Therapy program and has an AS in Heath Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Kelli is a Per Diem Child Life Specialist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Kelli graduated from Auburn University with a major in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child Life and a minor in Psychology. She completed her internship at Children’s of Alabama and is devoted to aiding patients and their families cope successfully through hospitalization.

Kat Leibbrandt, BS, CCLS is a Certified Child Life Specialist currently in the Per Diem role as a member of the child life department at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa holding a degrees in Health Sciences and Health Communications. She completed her practicum at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, and her internship at Tampa General Hospital. Kat was the primary Specialist on the General Pediatric Unit for approximately 2 years prior to entering the role of Per Diem.