Our Staff

Executive Director, Josh Cares

Joy holds a B.A. from DePauw University. Initially contemplating a career as a Child Life Specialist, Joy completed a mini-term at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and an internship at Children’s Hospital Boston. Following that, she earned a Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University with a concentration in non-profit management. She began working behind the scenes for youth serving non-profit organizations, focusing on program development and volunteer management. While as a volunteer with the Junior League of Cincinnati, Joy developed skills in grant writing and development. Memories of the children she encountered in Boston never left her and Joy was thrilled when the opportunity came along to promote the need for Child Life services, particularly for those children whose parents are unable to be by their sides consistently throughout their lengthy hospitalizations.

Clinical Education Coordinator, Josh Cares Child Life Fellow Supervisor

Lynn holds a degree in Special Education from Edgecliff College (Xavier University) and has been an employee of Cincinnati Children’s since 1990. Lynn supported patients and families as a Child Life Specialist in dialysis, airway management, Clinical Research Center, and for children in isolation for three years prior to moving to hematology/oncology where she remained until being named the Education Specialist for Child Life in 2008. Lynn is responsible for the design and delivery of educational programs for the preparation of young Child Life professionals who are practicum students, child life interns, and child life fellows. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Integrative Studies, focusing on Counseling and Emotional Care at Northern Kentucky University and loves being a part of the Josh Cares program.

Josh Cares Senior Child Life Fellow

Amy holds a BA in Communications from the University of Cincinnati and an MA from Northern Kentucky University in Integrative Studies. Prior to being a stay at home mom with her three children, Amy taught high school English. Amy became a dedicated activity center and bed-rest volunteer at Cincinnati Children’s, where she discovered her passion for the child life profession. She pursued a Master’s Degree at NKU, completed her Child Life internship at CCHMC and became a Certified Child Life Specialist in 2008. Amy completed an annual fellowship with Josh Cares in 2010. Her leadership skills coupled with her commitment and passion for the patients served by Josh Cares led to her hiring in February 2011 as Josh Cares’ first permanent Senior Child Life Fellow.

Josh Cares Annual Child Life Fellows

Placement: Newborn Intensive Care Unit Alma Mater: The Ohio State University Degree: BS in Human Development and Family Science Internship: Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, CT Hometown: Eaton, Ohio

Placement: Critical Care Units Alma Mater: University of Alabama Degrees: Human Development & Family Studies w/ concentration in Child Life Master's in Human Development and Family Studies Internship: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA Hometown: Cincinnati, Oh

Placement: Newborn Intensive Care Unit Degrees: BA in Psychology, Rikkio University, Tokyo MS in Psychology, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo MS in Child Life & Family Centered Care, Wheelock College, Boston Internship: Newton-Wellesley Hospital, MA and Tufts University Floating Hospital for Children Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Placement: Newborn Intensive Care Unit Alma Mater: Iowa State University Degree: BS in Child and Family Services Internship: Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, IA Hometown: Des Moines, IA

Placement: Critical Care Units Alma Mater: Ohio University Degree: Family Studies with a concentration in Child Life Internship: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh at UPMC Hometown: Cleveland, OH