Erika Croswhite

I attribute my success to this culmination of my ability to educate and teach others about the child life profession and integrate it into almost any area. Throughout my 27-year career journey, I've been able to translate medical information for children across every diagnosis and hospital setting, preparing them for procedures and alleviating their fears and anxiety. My role has evolved from frontline provider to leadership, where I now manage a team of about 20 professionals and oversee diverse programs including cardiology, radiology, school teachers, adaptive care, and outpatient clinics. I've developed significant initiatives like a new medication support program for significantly distressing procedures in radiology, which took about 3 years to develop and get up and running. Right now, I'm working on a big initiative called the Child Life and Behavioral Health Framework to educate people about the differences between child life specialists and mental health professionals, and I'm developing a training program for our child life specialists to be able to work in behavioral health settings. I really felt like I needed to support that area because it's a specialty area that's obviously growing. I knew an excellent education was important, which is why I attended Colorado State University for undergrad and University of Colorado at Denver for my Masters, and I'm now pursuing my clinical counseling graduate degree at Bellevue University, graduating in June 2027, to strengthen my skill set and understand the difference between child life and being a mental health professional. Everything that I do is for Jesus, so here I am, and I'm gonna do the thing.

One of the best career lessons I have learned is that every day presents an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I believe I have been called to serve children and families during some of their most challenging moments, and I strive to be a compassionate source of support, guidance, and hope. I have also learned the importance of investing in education and lifelong learning, which is why I pursued my undergraduate degree at Colorado State University and continued my graduate studies at the University of Colorado Denver. Combining faith, purpose, and professional development has allowed me to grow as a leader and better serve the children, families, and communities entrusted to my care.

I would tell young women entering this field that anything is possible with dedication, compassion, and a commitment to growth. Child life is an incredibly meaningful and rewarding profession, and it offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. I also believe strongly in the importance of being a positive role model for other women, showing that they can pursue leadership, education, and clinical excellence while staying grounded in purpose and service. As I continue to advance in my own journey transitioning through new educational and clinical experiences I am reminded that growth often comes through change and stepping into the unknown. I remain open to where I am being led next, trusting that each new opportunity is part of a larger purpose to serve and uplift others.

The biggest challenge and opportunity in my field right now is the growing need for child life specialists in behavioral health settings. I'm currently working on developing the Child Life and Behavioral Health Framework to educate people about the differences between child life specialists and mental health professionals, and I'm developing a training program for our child life specialists to be able to work in our behavioral health settings where children have behavioral health diagnoses or are experiencing behavioral health crises. That's an area that we need a lot of focus. It's a specialty area, and it's obviously an area that's growing. I really felt like I needed to support that, and that's one of the reasons I'm pursuing my clinical counseling graduate degree, because I really wanted to understand the difference between child life and being a mental health professional. Another significant opportunity has been developing appropriate medication support programs for significantly distressing procedures, like the brand new program we just got up and running at Children's Hospital in the radiology department, which was a project about 3 years in the making. The field is also expanding outside of healthcare now, which opens up new possibilities.

The most important values to me are being able to work hard to help these children have the same support that adults have to alleviate their fears. We are intense advocates for family-centered care, and we want the families involved in every step. I focus on making sure that my team feels loved and supported and seen and valued and acknowledged. Everything that I do is for Jesus, and I know that is a huge part of what I do. My faith is very important, and it's a very strong space for me. I'm involved in my church, and I can't wait to go to heaven. I have no desire for anything else. In addition to my work, I am currently a Senior Trainer for Vital Hearts where I've developed workshops to help caregiving professionals who experience secondary trauma, helping them cope and maintain a successful career in a healthy way. When I'm not working, I love the outdoors. I'm an outdoors person, so I love hiking, camping, walking, biking, being outside, swimming, going to the pool. I have two dogs, and I love to do yoga. In the wintertime, we snowboard when the snow is good. I love to read, I love to go to church and spend time with Jesus, and I love hanging out with my sweet family. I have a couple kids and my husband, so I spend time with them as much as I can.