Shelly Abriss and Monisol Montilla

Assistant Director

Certified Child Life Specialist since 2015, Rachel works closely with the director fostering new connections and programming opportunities around the world to expand the development and reach of Child Life United. Rachel became the Director of Child Life United Together (CLU's education and development platform) in 2020 and then Assistant Director of Child Life United in 2022. 

Rachel Werner,
​MS, CCLS

Assistant Director

Certified Child Life Specialist since 2015, Rachel works closely with the director fostering new connections and programming opportunities around the world to expand the development and reach of Child Life United. Rachel became the Director of Child Life United Together (CLU's education and development platform) in 2020 and then Assistant Director of Child Life United in 2022. 

Sarah-Rose Galucki, CCLS

Virtual Practicum Manager

Sarah-Rose Galucki is a Certified Child Life Specialist currently based out of Maryland. Sarah-Rose was introduced to working with Child Life United as a student Administrative Intern in Fall 2020. In her role with CLU, she assisted in building out Child Life United's Virtual Practicum for its debut in Spring 2021. After completing her internship at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Boston, MA and achieving certification, Sarah-Rose returned to Child Life United this past summer to assist in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the Virtual Practicum. Sarah-Rose is currently the Medical Intake Manager for the Mid-Atlantic chapter of Make-A-Wish America. She is so excited to continue working with Child Life United in creating unique and exciting non-traditional opportunities for students in the field.

In her free time, Sarah-Rose enjoys reading, watching Bluey, and getting outside as much as she can.

Courtney Choate MS, CCLS

Virtual Practicum Manager

Courtney Choate MS, CCLS received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Endicott College in Beverly MA and Masters in Child Life from Bank Street College of Education in NY, NY. Courtney has been working as a certified child life specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for 18 years. Her role began as a child life assistant while in her master’s program. Upon receiving her master’s degree and child life certification, she became a full time CCLS on the general pediatric inpatient unit. After 6 years on the general inpatient unit, she transitioned into the new child life position in the Hematology/Oncology program where she established the child life program for H/O. During that time she was also the child life internship coordinator. Currently Courtney is the Child Life Program Manager at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Brooklyn Methodist. Courtney has been a part of Child Life United for 4 years as a clinical supervisor and part of the VP management team.

In her free time, she loves to travel and take ballet!

Macy Connors, MS, CCLS

Virtual PRacticum Manager

Macy Connors, MS, CCLS, has been a certified child life specialist since 2017. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child Studies, emphasis child development/child life from Northern Illinois University in 2015. Macy earned her Master of Science degree in Applied Family and Child Studies from Northern Illinois University in 2017. While completing her Bachelor’s degree, she completed a child life practicum at Almost Home Kids in Naperville, IL. She completed a child life internship at St. Vincent Children's in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as well. Macy began her professional child life career at St. Vincent Children's and then relocated to Milwaukee, WI where she accepted a position at Children's Wisconsin working as a weekend Emergency Department, Child Advocacy, and House Support child life specialist. She, then, transitioned to support patients on the Inpatient Neurosciences unit and is currently in outpatient clinics. Macy, along with a few other co-workers, had the opportunity to create and implement a sensory program (LCT program) in July 2019 and is now implemented throughout the full hospital and outpatient arenas. Macy has been a clinical supervisor for virtual practicum through Child Life United prior and loves being able to share her passion and love for the child life profession. "This is such a great opportunity and such an amazing program - I am so excited to be part of this with incoming cohorts!" During downtime, my dog (Steve) keeps me busy!

Nicole Boik, CCLS

Communications Manager

Nicole Boik has been a Child Life Specialist for about 8 years. She's worked in northern Virginia and Miami, Florida, and has been in El Paso, Texas for about 4 years now. All of her career has been spent working with pediatric oncology patients, including an inpatient floor, an outpatient clinic, and a radiation oncology setting. This is her favorite population to work with in any setting as she enjoys the complexities of their diagnoses, as well as getting to build long-term therapeutic relationships! As her team in El Paso grows, she is gradually stepping into more of a leadership role, which has brought new challenges and plenty of learning opportunities. She's looking forward to continuing to grow in this role while also helping and encouraging those around me tin their growth! She also enjoys networking and being involved in other Child Life organizations/projects- She's been a part of FACLP, spent majority of my career serving on or leading an ACLP committee, published a research study with some Child Life friends, and worked as part of a Medical Advisory Board for a nonprofit coming out of covid, in addition to the past few years working with Child Life United in various roles!

Courtney Moreland,
​MPH, CIMI, CCLS

FoundeR

Certified Child Life Specialist since 2006, Courtney leads the Child Life United team, developing, organizing and implementing new collaborative international partnerships, allowing for growth and education within the field and the advancement of psychosocial care worldwide. 

Courtney Moreland,
​MPH, CIMI, CCLS

FoundeR

Certified Child Life Specialist since 2006, Courtney leads the Child Life United team, developing, organizing and implementing new collaborative international partnerships, allowing for growth and education within the field and the advancement of psychosocial care worldwide.