George Mark Children’s House Joins National Leaders at Harvard to Champion Respite Care
George Mark Children’s House CEO Shekinah Eliassen and Medical Director Dr. Tom McNalley recently had the honor representing GMCH at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Held June 15 and 16, the the summit, Rethinking Respite for Mothers of Children with Medical Complexity, brought together researchers, caregivers, healthcare leaders, and advocates for powerful conversations about the importance of respite care.
The conversations were powerful, but one message stood out above all: caring for a child with complex medical needs means caring for the whole family.
Parents and caregivers are often the unsung heroes of their child’s care team. They are there through sleepless nights, medical appointments, emergencies, and the countless moments in between. They give so much of themselves because they love their children.
But even heroes need rest.
Respite care is focused on giving families the opportunity to breathe, reconnect, and find the strength to continue the incredible work they do every day. When caregivers are supported, children thrive, siblings get the attention they need and crave, and families are better able to create joyful moments together.
“The conversation left us inspired and even more committed to ensuring every family has access to the care and support they deserve.”
– Shekinah Eliassen, GMCH CEO and Bereaved Mom
“It was an incredible privilege to represent George Mark Children’s House and learn alongside so many people dedicated to improving the lives of caregiving families,” Shekinah said. “The conversations left us inspired and even more committed to ensuring every family has access to the care and support they deserve.”
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Amy Porter, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, and everyone who helped create such a thoughtful and inspiring gathering.
Together, we can continue building a future where no caregiving family has to carry the weight alone. Thank you to every family who trusts us, every donor who makes this work possible, and every advocate who believes that caring for caregivers is one of the greatest gifts we can give.
