Child Life Connection's CCLS TEAM
Dr Belinda Hammond, EdD, CCLS, CIMI, Founder, Director of Academic Programming
Belinda has been a Certified Child Life Specialist since 1999 and is current faculty at Eastern Washington University and Sonoma State University, providing academic instruction and advising for students in both graduate and undergraduate Child Life academic programs. With her doctorate in Educational Leadership and a specialization in Social Justice, Belinda has long been an advocate for students and has been involved in the creation of multiple academic and clinical programs, including the Child Life Community Practicum (hybrid) since 2020 and the Child Life Connection: Student Forum on Facebook to provide continuing supports for students, a page that has grown to include students from around the globe.
As the founder of Child Life Connection, Belinda has overseen the development of child-friendly spaces in large part thanks to Pepsi Refresh for funding 24 original murals, and to the Oscar Litwak Foundation for their mobile playroom donations. In more recent years, Belinda has transitioned her focus to supporting the creation of academic programs within Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Servicing Institutions (HSIs) to support the need for representation in medical care, and to expanding internship offerings to see more CCLS jobs filled and to explore closer-to-home opportunities for students.
Sandie (Sandra) Sternberg, M.Ed, CCLS, CPE, Director of Student Engagement & Outreach
Sandie is a Certified Child Life Specialist with extensive experience supporting children and families across the healthcare continuum. Throughout her career, she has consistently integrated clinical practice with leadership roles, spanning inpatient and outpatient pediatrics, trauma, emergency and intensive care, grief support, and supporting children of adult patients. In addition to her clinical work, she has served as Executive Director of a children’s grief support center, furthering her commitment to fostering healing and hope for families experiencing the loss of a loved one.
A lifelong learner, Sandie holds a Multidisciplinary Certificate in Pediatric Palliative Care from the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute and earned her Master of Education in 2023 to strengthen her teaching skills. She has also shared her expertise as a lecturer at California State University, Northridge, and as a clinical supervisor for Child Life United’s Virtual Practicum. Sandie is passionate about mentoring and preparing future professionals in child life, child development, and healthcare. She is dedicated to fostering supportive learning environments where students can grow with confidence, skill, and purpose, and finds deep fulfillment in contributing to Child Life Connection and the students it serves.
Kristin Heath-Buchheit, MA, CCLS, CTRS, Director of Clinical Programming & Innovation
Kristin obtained her master's degree in Child Life and holds dual certification in both Child Life and Recreation Therapy. With a broad and dynamic background in both inpatient and outpatient pediatric healthcare, her expertise and heart lie with pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients. She has also rebuilt and developed a Child Life program at a large adult hospital and now works in pediatric mental health - helping children and families with anxiety/OCD build resilience through evidence-based care.
Kristin has presented at national and regional conferences, helped develop an innovative practicum model to enhance student equity, and mentored future child life professionals across various clinical and educational settings. By leading with authenticity, Kristin strives to share practical insights, nurture community, and advance inclusive, compassionate care for children, families, and students alike.
Suzan Watkinson, MA, CCLS, CPMT, RWWP, Director of Clinical Partnerships & Field Experiences
Suzan holds a Master's degree in counseling and brings over three decades of expertise in Child Life to her instruction and mentorship of future professionals, with a career encompassing direct clinical work with hospitalized children and their families, significant leadership roles, and the innovative development of new child life programming — including a staff education project during her international practicum supervision in Cape Town, South Africa. Suzan currently serves as Adjunct Instructor of Child Life at UCSB PaCE and as Summer Program Director of Edward J Madden Open Hearts Camp. She also served for three years as Adjunct Professor of Child Life and Academic Internship Supervisor for Child Life interns at Azusa Pacific University. Working both domestically and internationally, she has provided Child Life teaching to students overseas, as a Child Life practicum preceptor, as well as provided psychosocial support and mentorship globally with Operation Smile. As a Registered Wonders & Worries and WonderFund provider, she supports families navigating serious parental illness or injury, and has completed three deployments with Child Life Disaster Relief. Suzan has served patients and families in both inpatient and outpatient settings around the US prior to transitioning into the community setting of Child Life work with Child Life Connection.