Children’s of Alabama is known as one of the top children’s hospitals in the nation, and for good reason! The world-class medical care offered at Children’s brings patients from all over the nation and has earned it a spot among the best children’s hospitals according to U.S. News & World Report.
As a mom, I am so grateful to live in such close proximity to this kind of expert medical care. What I did not know until recently is that Children’s provides even more than medical care for their patients. Through a program called the Sunshine School, they offer academic support to ensure patients continue their education and can successfully return to school post-treatment. This service is yet one more way Children’s provides opportunities to enhance their patients’ overall well-being. If you’re like me and just now learning about this amazing program, let me fill you in!
What is the Junior League of Birmingham Sunshine School?
Supported by The Junior League of Birmingham, the Sunshine School is part of the Integrative Care Department. The program provides free educational support to patients with medical and behavioral health needs. The school employs a team of six certified teachers who work one-on-one with patients to provide academic support during their treatment. While patients remain enrolled in their home-based school, the Sunshine School bridges the gap during their hospitalization.
This looks like communicating with the patient’s school to receive assignments, collaborating with those involved in the patient’s education, facilitating academic instruction, and advocating for a patient’s academic success during hospitalization and upon their return to school. The school serves children from four years old to college-aged patients and currently has students from every county in Alabama and all neighboring states. I was especially impressed to learn that the program has been established for more than 40 years!
The Impact on Patients
Undergoing medical treatment brings a lot of change to a child’s life. Staying engaged with school provides a much-needed sense of normalcy during this time. The opportunities to learn and be creative can help patients maintain their identity and provide hope for their future success. The Sunshine School makes an intentional effort to provide structure and activities that give patients the “school” experience outside of school. Patients enjoy summertime activities, back to school events, and even have a learning lounge where they can complete homework and do educational activities.
One Teacher’s Experience
As I talked with Amy Wilson, I quickly sensed the satisfaction she finds in teaching children through the Sunshine School. A former high school English teacher, Ms. Wilson has spent the past four years teaching a wide array of subjects to patients in the dialysis and kidney transplant unit at Children’s of Alabama. While it is a big change from the classroom, the heart behind her work is the same. She loves providing children with the educational support they need. She also hopes that her work provides a patient’s family with peace of mind and confidence.
While a child is undergoing medical care, concerns about missing school need not be an added burden. Teachers like Ms. Wilson are eager to help and make sure patients have everything they need to stay on track.
Learning more about the Junior League of Birmingham Sunshine School, I am reminded of what an amazing place Children’s of Alabama is! The services and care provided right here in Birmingham are undoubtedly making a tremendous impact on many children’s lives.
