KATIE E.

GRABOWSKI
Curriculum vitae
September 2020

CONTACT INFORMATION
katie.e.grabowski@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/katie-grabowski

EDUCATION
M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, Specialization in Child Life (GPA: 4.0)
Illinois State University, May 2013

B.S. in Social Science Education, Minor in History (GPA: 3.8)

University of Central Florida, May 2011

CURRENT CERTIFICATIONS
• Certified Child Life Specialist
• Florida Teaching Certificate: Social Science (Grades 6-12)
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)

EXPERIENCE
Child Life Specialist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (St. Petersburg, FL) May 2013-Present
• Foster relationships and collaborate with coworkers and patients/families to develop creative solutions that improve
understanding, promote mental/physical health, and enjoyment for approximately 80+ patients/month
• Redesigned departmental onboarding curriculum for new employees and provided subject matter expertise for a
technological-focused development training program allowing new employees to orient to relevant computer
programs including MS Office and the electronic medical record
• Results-oriented leader of assessment initiatives to quantify psychosocial risk of patients and track statistics
department-wide resulting in better management of human capital to meet patient needs
• Develop and present live educational in-services to parents, multidisciplinary team members and the community to
promote/advocate for psychosocial and developmental needs of children
• Mentor and coach student interns during 2-, 6-, and 8-week rotations resulting in 100% pass rate on first attempt of
board certification exams and 100% job placement within 1 year
• Committee Participation: Hospital-wide Preceptor Advisory Group (Chair), Child Life Department Evidenced Based
Practice Journal Club (Chair, Primary Facilitator), Child Life Department Internship Task Force (member), ELITE
Preceptor, EPIC Transition Champion, Child Life Department interview committee (leader, member)
Educational Professional/English as a Second Language Instructor at VIPKid (China) February 2020-Present
• Provide one-on-one English immersion language instruction and assessment to non-native, school-aged students in
China utilizing personalized teaching strategies
• 100% top feedback scores from parents regarding teaching methodologies, personality, and delivery of instruction
• Designated primary educator, based on student preference, of numerous students
Etiquette Consultant at Northeast Cotillion (St. Petersburg, FL) October 2017-Present
• Utilize educational theories to develop and implement an 18-unit curriculum focused on supporting the development
of character, manners, and respectful behavior in 21st century youth
• Provide etiquette instruction and coaching to 3 groups of 100 preadolescents each month
Child Life Intern at Children’s Hospital of Greenville Health System January 2013-April 2013
• Gained experience through completing a 600+ hour clinical experience functioning as a member of the
interdisciplinary team, advocating for patients and families, providing diagnosis education/procedure education, and
teaching coping strategies aimed at making the hospital a better experience for children and their families
• Facilitated developmentally-appropriate therapeutic and normalization activities, medical play, sibling interactions,
bereavement support, procedural preparation and diagnosis education
Child Life Graduate Assistant at Community Cancer Center (Normal, IL) February 2012-December 2012
• Planned for and facilitated support groups for children and teens who have a loved one with cancer or who have
experienced the death of a loved one from cancer
• Collected current and informative resources for patients, families, and the community
• Implemented practices to make the health care environment a more welcoming place for children
Child Life Practicum Student at Methodist Medical Center (Peoria, IL) August 2012-December 2012
• Gained experience understanding the needs of children ages 0-18 and their families in a hospitalized setting while
serving as a practicum student in a one-person child life program
• Observed and participated in preparing children for upcoming procedures
• Learned to better understand patient acuity levels and prioritize patient needs
Practicum Student at St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Clinic (Peoria, IL) January 2012-May 2012
• Promoted psychosocial health through facilitating developmentally-appropriate activities/play for patients and their
families in the clinic playroom/teen lounge
• Assisted in patient distraction, education, and family-centered care according to each individual’s developmental
age, stage, and situation
• Observed and participated in the integration of child life services as a key member of the health care team
Practicum Student at Children’s Hospital of Illinois (Peoria, IL) August 2011-December 2011
• Gained experience understanding the pains, psychosocial needs, and concerns of hospitalized patients by
observing Child Life Specialists in radiology, general pediatrics, the emergency department, pediatric intensive care
unit, surgery unit, pediatric critical care unit, and the activity room
• Introduced child life services and assisted with providing procedure preparation to patients and their families
• Created activities for patients and designed a bulletin board for the Activity Room
• Assisted with Child Life Department fundraising events
Univ. of Central Florida, College of Education Student Intern at Winter Springs High January 2011-April 2011
School (Winter Springs, FL)
• Utilized discussion, film, discovery activities, games, cooperative learning groups, and lecture to teach world history
and critical thinking skills to tenth-grade students
• Worked with school staff to articulate and plan student curriculum aimed at catering to various styles of learners and
those with ESOL/ESE identifications
• Assisted in editing of the school yearbook
Univ. of Central Florida, College of Education Student Intern at Lawton Chiles Middle August 2010-December 2010
School (Oviedo, FL)
• Designed interactive lessons to teach geography to sixth-grade students while assisting supervising teacher in
classroom management
• Facilitated students’ learning during collaborative group work
Intermediate Girls Unit Head, Senior Counselor at Camp Highlander (Mills River, NC) May 2007-August 2010
• Provided guidance, entertainment, and ensured the safety of three groups of ten intermediate-aged girls each
summer
• Planned and executed large-scale events for intermediate-aged residential camp females
Resident Assistant at Department of Housing and Residence Life, Univ. of Central August 2008-May 2009
Florida (Orlando, FL)
• Promoted community development as well as overall academic and personal growth of forty-six residents
• Planned community and building-wide programs developing residents’ knowledge and social skills
• Mediated roommate disagreements
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Junior League of St. Petersburg
• Provisional Class Advisor (May 2020-Present)
o Train and educate the provisional class on the policies and procedures of the organization
o Lead the Provisional Class project
o Provide monthly opportunities for members to create meaningful relationships
• Provisional Class Community Chair (May 2017-April 2018)
• Member (May 2017-Present)
o Attend monthly training sessions
o Participate in a minimum of 3 volunteering opportunities annually
St. Petersburg Young Professionals (May 2017-Present)
Largo Citizen’s Academy Participant (August 2017-December 2017)
Treasurer of Forestbrook III Homeowner’s Association (October 2017-September 2018)
Toastmasters at ACH (May 2016-Spetmeber 2017)
Cabin Counselor at Camp Boggy Creek (July 2012)
• Facilitated the safety and entertainment of campers with epilepsy while promoting play, normal development, self-
esteem, and coping
Volunteer at Passages Hospice (February 2012-April 2012)
• Provided support and friendship to Hospice patients and their families
• Promoted fine motor skills and cognitive processing through engaging patients in crafting activities, games, and
conversation
Volunteer at With Youth “Can Too” Program at Lighthouse Central Florida (Fall 2010)
• Tutored legally-blind, elementary-aged students in math and reading
• Assisted in the teaching of independent living skills including typing, cooking, cleaning, and community service
Assistant Cheerleading Coach at Lawton Chiles Middle School Athletics Department (Fall 2010)
• Held weekly practice to instruct twelve females about the various techniques of cheerleading as well as chants and
cheers

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Association of Child Life Professionals September 2011-2019
• Certifying Committee—Item Writer (2017-2019)
• Professional Mentor/Coach (2018)
• Member (2011-2019)
Florida Association of Child Life Professionals, Inc.; April 2012-Jan 2017
• Conference Planning Committee (2015)
Child Life Club at Illinois State University September 2011-December 2012
• Treasurer (Spring 2012)
• President (Fall 2012)

AWARDS
Competent Communicator Award; Toastmasters at ACH September 2017
Integrity Award; J.W. Mitchell High School May 2007

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
• Hopkins, A., Dudas, R., et al. A Multi-Modal Approach to Teaching the Value in Patient Education. 2019 ACGME
Annual Educational Conference, Engaging Each Other: Rediscovering Meaning in Medicine. March 2019, Orlando,
FL
 • Grabowski, K. What is Child Life? University of South Florida’s Introduction to Health Professions Course. March
2016, Tampa, FL
• Vaughn, B. and Grabowski, K. Applied Behavior Analysis and Child Life Unite to Change the Hospital for Children
with Behavior and Sensory Challenges. Florida Association of Child Life Professionals 23rd Annual Conference.
September 2015, Jacksonville, FL.
• Grabowski, K. Fold, Flip, and Flop Your Way to Student Success. H.A.P.P.Y. Hour Student Showcase. January
2011, Orlando, FL

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
• “Our Words Matter” at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
o A presentation geared to resident physicians about working with pediatric patients and the power of child
life services
• One Voice at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
o A presentation aimed at improving procedural support for pediatric patients
• “Child Life and the Patient Experience” at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
• What is Child Life?” at University of South Florida, St. Petersburg College of Nursing, and St. Petersburg Catholic
High School

CONFERENCES ATTENDED
• 2019 Association of Child Life Professionals Annual Conference, Chicago, IL
• 2015 Association of Child Life Professionals Annual Conference, Orlando, FL
• 2012 Midwest Child Life Conference, Kansas City, MO