GINA DRAGOMANOVICH, MA, CCLS SFUSD/UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital

Gina Dragomanovich, MA CCLS, Child Life Special Education Teacher III, is dually trained as a Child Life Specialist and a Special Education Teacher. She completed her Masters in Education with an emphasis in Child Life as well as a Special Education Credential at Mills College. Gina has been a special education teacher in the Marie Wattis School inside UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco for the past 14 years. This is a perfect blend of her training and skills as a child life specialist and special education teacher. Since beginning her work at UCSF BCH she continues to be challenged and rewarded in her daily work. One of the many aspects of her job that she particularly enjoys is the constant change and diversity of the children and families she works with. This adaptability has served her well during the COVID-19 pandemic. The privileged to have a job that relieves some of the stress of hospitalized students and families is what drives her to be a highly committed hospital educator.

ERIN HENDERSON Education Specialist, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco

I have been in special education for 21 years, the past 6 in the hospital school setting. I am passionate about bringing normalcy, school, and fun to our patients and their families. I love the variety and additional opportunities to collaborate in the hospital setting. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to remain on site throughout the pandemic. The challenges this past year have been unprecedented, but I am extremely grateful for all of the learning and growth that has come as a result of these times.