- Hello -
Come along with me on the adventure that all started when I left my small, cozy town in southwest Kansas with aspirations of becoming a Child Life Specialist. After the move, I was accepted into the Child Life Graduate Program at Texas Woman's University and became a pediatric volunteer at the only children's hospital within a 300+ mile radius of my hometown. Following that, I made a couple more stops to fulfill my clinical hours through a child life practicum in Colorado Springs, CO and child life internship in Green Bay, WI. Despite the many obstacles throughout my journey thus far, I successfully graduated as Kayla Peña, MS, CLS, passed the Child Life Certification Exam and made the daring decision to move to Denver during a worldwide pandemic, after accepting my first job as a Child Life Specialist. After that? I'll let you keep reading! ☻
About Me.
I grew up in a family who has faced many medical crises, racial adversities, educational restrictions, cultural differences, and a consistent feeling of not feel like an “American.” When my family faces adversity, we work collaboratively to tackle the problem, which is what I carry into my daily practice. I collaboratively work with children and their families amongst the medical team daily where I continuously reference my personal past of advocating for what’s right, understanding cultural differences, navigating limited educational opportunities and racial disparities.
I have always loved being around children. I love their boundless curiosity, endless energy, innocent spirits, and the funny things they say with no filter. I have always had a passion for working with children, largely due to the adventurous and compassionate environment they provide. It wasn’t until my child life practicum that I realized that my passion lies with advocating for children. Although, I have always felt called to work with children, I immediately knew child life was for me, as I knew from experience that advocating for children in a frightening and stressful situation can help restore a child’s innocence and curiosity while developing coping skill and learning the world around them.
Professional Timeline
2020 - Current
Denver Health
Certified Child Life Specialist
Despite the initial challenges of starting during a global pandemic, Denver Health has been a great fit for me because of their emphasis on providing access to the highest quality and equitable health care to our community regardless of their ability to pay, as well as the emphasis on the importance of respect and creating a sense of belonging, especially to the recent immigrants and refugees. Having the opportunity to utilize and implement a multitude of child life interventions has been a great way to challenge myself and grow as a professional within Denver Health. It has allowed me to expand my skillset between diagnosis education, procedural preparation and support, therapeutic interventions, grief and bereavement support, working with children of adult patients, as well as constant communication and collaboration within the multidisciplinary team.
2019
Texas Woman's University
Child Life
I successfully completed my Masters Degree while also fulfilling the requirements of volunteer hours, a child life practicum, and a child life internship, on top of two full-time jobs! My studies here have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of child development, childhood theorists, childhood disparities, childhood adversities and family dynamics which enables me to provide individualized care to the patients and families I serve.
2019
HSHS St. Vincent
Children's Hospital
Child Life Internship
During my child life internship, I was challenged in ways that I had never experienced before. Despite the difficulties, I persevered, learned, developed and mastered the necessary skillset to succeed in my future career such as diagnosis education, procedure preparation, developmental play interventions, collaboration and communication amongst the multi-disciplinary team, while also learning how to apply the skills learned to a wide variety of pediatric and adult interventions.
2018
Penrose - St. Francis
Medical Center
Child Life Practicum
My child life practicum was a transformative experience for me. Under the guidance of an amazing supervisor, I gained valuable insight into the profession through observing child life interventions, facilitating bedside activities, and working with hospitalized children. This solidified my decision in continuing to develop a career in child life, as well as my passion for making a positive impact on the lives of children and their family.
2017 - 2019
Wesley Children's Hospital
Child Life Volunteer
As a lead volunteer, I had the privilege of serving children and families who were hospitalized by providing them with a normal outlet of play both at the bedside and in playrooms. While volunteering, I was tasked to supervise the playrooms and maintain hospital standard cleanliness. Additionally, I took on a leadership role and oriented new volunteers to ensure that they were able to provide the best possible practice while working in the hospital with children and their families.
2015
Kansas State University
Communication, Sciences & Disorders
Gerontology, Secondary Major
While pursuing my bachelors degree in speech pathology at Kansas State University, I acquired valuable knowledge and skills that have served as the foundation of child development and engaging interventions, which I find myself utilizing on a regular basis.
2013
Garden City Community College
Music
I hold an Associates Degree in Music, as I once aspired to become a music teacher. My passion for music has also led me to use my skills distracting patients during medical procedures and creating a fun atmosphere with dance parties.
Favorable Mentions
Photo Booth
Buckle up & hold on tight as you follow the photographic journey this Kansas took (after clicking her ruby red slippers, of course) to get Dorothy where she is today! ♡
PHONE
303.602.7542