Child Life Connection's CCLS TEAM
Dr Belinda Hammond, EdD, CCLS, CIMI, Founder, Director of Academic Programming, Development & Outreach
Belinda has been a Certified Child Life Specialist since 1999 and is current faculty at Eastern Washington University, providing academic instruction and advising for students in both their graduate and undergraduate Child Life & Health program. 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 offered virtually 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.
Suzan Watkinson, MA, CCLS, CPMT, RWWP, Director of Clinical Programming & Innovation
Suzan holds a Master’s degree in counseling and over 30 years' experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist. Suzan is an Adjunct Professor of Child Life at Azusa Pacific University and currently serves as the academic internship supervisor for the Child Life Internship program. 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. 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..