Committed to the Care of Children

Who’s Who and What They Do—Your Child’s Health Care Team

You’re a very important member of your child’s health care team and will be involved in all decisions about his or her health care plan.

Throughout your child’s stay, you’ll have an opportunity to work with a team of experienced and compassionate healthcare professionals. Each team member—from pediatric physicians and nurses to our social workers, nutritionists and child life specialists—is dedicated to the highest standards of care and to always putting the interests of the patient first.

The following are descriptions of some of your child’s team members.

Physicians

You may have a variety of physicians involved in your child’s care, depending on the reason for his or her admission. Our team approach enhances your child’s care by offering the skills and knowledge of many team members.

  • Attending Physician
    This physician is responsible for the coordination of your child’s care and may be your child’s personal pediatrician or a specialty physician (a surgeon or cardiologist, for example). The attending physician is the leader of the team and is responsible for involving other team members, including consulting physicians from other disciplines, to care for all your child’s needs. He/she supervises resident physicians and medical students.
  • Consulting Physicians
    A consulting physician is a subspecialist in a particular aspect of your child’s care.
  • House Staff – Hospitalists
    Hospitalists specialize in the direct daily care of patients while they are in the hospital. A hospitalist may be involved in your child’s care if requested by your attending physician or if your child was not under the care of a physician when he or she was admitted to the hospital.
  • House Staff – Fellows
    Fellows have completed their residency training and are now working closely with the subspecialty physicians in the area in which they have chosen to specialize.
  • House Staff – Residents
    Residents are fully qualified, licensed physicians who have graduated from medical school and have come to Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong for advanced training in pediatrics. Resident physicians write orders and make decisions related to your child’s care under the direct supervision of the attending physician.
  • Medical Students
    Medical students have completed an undergraduate program and two years of medical school to acquire knowledge and skills to become a doctor. Working under the close supervision of your child’s attending physician and resident, medical students will not make independent decisions about treatment but will still serve an important role in your child’s care. They are another pair of educated eyes and ears and excellent researchers as well.


Nursing Staff

The nurses at Golisano Children’s Hospital have completed special education in the care of infants, children and adolescents.

  • Nursing Manager
    The nurse manager is responsible for directing and coordinating nursing care on each unit.
  • Primary Nurse
    Your child will be assigned a primary nurse, the main nurse who will be responsible for planning your child’s nursing care. The nurse will oversee the care given by other nurses and coordinate your child’s care, including discharge planning.
  • Registered Nurses
    Your child’s nursing care is planned and provided by professional registered nurses (RNs) under the guidance of your physician. They coordinate the daily care of your child and provide information, education and emotional support.
  • Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists
    These health care providers are registered nurses (RNs) with advanced education in pediatric/family nursing. They are available on the units as resources.
  • Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) and Nursing Assistants (NAs)
    The patient care technicians and nursing assistants assist the nurses and doctors with daily care. They may check your child’s temperature, blood pressure and pulse, perform blood draws, help with your child’s bath and perform a variety of other services.
  • Discharge Coordinators
    Discharge coordinators are nurses who work closely with your health care team to address your child’s home care needs. They arrange for nursing visits in the home and order equipment and supplies when necessary.
  • Nursing Students
    Nursing students are studying to become RNs. They work under the direct supervision of our nursing staff and with nursing instructors who have advanced education in pediatric nursing.

Other valuable members on your child’s health care team include:

Scroll to Top