Into the Comfort Zone: Reducing Fear for Pediatric Patients

Alexa Valyou has faced more health care challenges in her 8 years than most people do in a lifetime. She underwent her first heart procedure less than 24 hours after being born and her first open heart surgery when she was less than a month old. Since then, Alexa has had four more – along with 17 other heart procedures, near fatal brain bleeds, emergency brain surgery and more. Despite Alexa’s resilience and courage, routine medical appointments like blood draws and other diagnostic procedures often tested her resolve – until Alexa and her mother, Brittany, discovered The Comfort Zone at Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM Health. The Comfort Zone is a pre-procedure space designed to help children with complex medical needs navigate medical care with less fear and more personalized support. Join us as we explore a leading-edge approach to helping pediatric patients and families cope with the stress and uncertainty that can impact their willingness to seek medical care later in life – and meet the dedicate team of nurses and Child Life Specialists who are taking care of pediatric patients and are now finding ways to expand The Comfort Zone to help young adults as well.