Pediatric unit gets Virtual Reality headsets
The nonprofit Starlight Children’s Foundation celebrated one of its annual Starlight Award recipients by delivering Virtual Reality (VR) headsets to children in the pediatric intensive care unit at AdventHealth Tampa, where the Golden Hero award recipient, Michele Axford, is part of the hospital’s child life team, according to a news release.
Starlight VR supports patients during their health care journey, encouraging kids to relax during pain or discomfort and can guide them through exercises to improve their range of motion.
In some cases, VR can reduce the need for pain medication when immersed in a virtual experience, the release said.
Through Axford’s support of Starlight’s mission, eligible families registered to become a Starlight family. They received a VR headset to aid in their child’s treatment and recovery at home or in the hospital.
Starlight honored certified child life specialist Axford with the Golden Hero Award for advocating for patients and going above and beyond to ensure children receive the positive impact of Starlight programs, including Starlight hospital gowns, gaming, toy deliveries, and now Virtual Reality. To learn more, visit Starlight.org.
Sparking an interest in health care
Students at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa received firsthand experience of some of the most in-demand careers in health care with AdventHealth Carrollwood. As part of its strategic plan, AdventHealth reached out to schools, both public and private, and Berkeley Prep was one of the first to step up to take part in the new student-focused outreach program. This is the second time the Carrollwood hospital has had the opportunity to work with Berkeley Prep students — earlier this year, clinical team members visited the school with ‘Nurse Anne,’ a simulator, to provide a bit of hands-on medical training.
