https://corewellhealth.org/care-and-specialties/childrens/southeast-michigan

Corewell Health Children’s in Southeast Michigan, 3601 W 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI (2026)

04/15/2026

Music is the tool. The magic is what it unlocks.

When most people see Brandon Banas, child life music therapy fellow, working with a child, it might look like they're just singing a song together. But there's a whole lot more happening beneath the surface.

"I'm actually helping that child relax, regulate their breathing, and engage in a healthy form of coping," Brandon says.

That's the thing about music therapy. The goal is never the music itself. Music is the tool to help kids process emotions, build resilience, and cope while hospitalized.

And the best part? Watching a child light up when they get to play a drum or ukulele for the first time.

"Children have helped me learn about unfiltered joy, resilience, and the beauty of imperfection," Brandon says. He often reminds kids that music doesn't have to be perfect. It's allowed to be however they want it to be.

Emotional support is just as important as medical care. And sometimes healing starts with a song.

04/13/2026

Big things happen when big hearts come together.

We recently held a special opening event for a playroom at Corewell Health Children's in Royal Oak in partnership with Panda Restaurant Group (Panda Express).

Panda Cares Center of Hope is a dedicated space designed to provide a safe and comforting environment where kids can be kids.

The event included remarks, a sign unveiling, fleece-blanket tying with patients and families, tours of the floor, and special gifts.

Thank you, Panda Restaurant Group, for nearly 20 years of dedication to our patients and families. 💙

03/31/2026

These littles may be the cutest doctors we've ever seen. The NICU at Corewell Health Children's in Royal Oak dressed up their patients for Doctors' Day yesterday.

Thank you to all of our doctors who dedicate their time, skill and heart to our communities.💙

03/30/2026

To celebrate Doctors' Day, we're spotlighting Dr. Matthew Denenberg, Vice President and Department Chief of the Medical Group at Corewell Health Children's in Royal Oak.

Dr. Denenberg has dedicated his career to making sure kids receive safe, compassionate care when they need it most. From direct bedside care to leading teams, his motivation has always stayed the same. "When you help a child, you're influencing an entire lifetime," he said.

That passion shows up in moments big and small. Early in his career as an ER doctor in Alaska, Dr. Denenberg helped save a toddler who had been brought in unresponsive choking on a grape. Months later, he ran into the family at a grocery store. He watched that same little boy come running up the aisle, laughing and full of life. Dr. Denenberg shares, "It's a quiet reminder of why this work matters."

When he's not caring for patients and leading teams, you can find him spending time with his family, hiking with their dogs, or catching a sporting event.

Thank you, Dr. Denenberg, and to all of our doctors who make a difference every day. 💙

03/24/2026

Healing doesn't always need words.

When art therapist Erin Shahly, MEd, ATR, sits down with a patient, it's never just about making something pretty. It's about giving kids a way to express what words sometimes can't.

"Art therapy focuses on the process of creating," Erin says. Whether it's paint, clay, colored pencils, or tons of glue, every session is an opportunity for self-expression, reflection, and positive coping.

Some projects wrap up in a single session. Others grow over time, like a collage or vision board that a patient builds across multiple admissions. Each one becomes a piece of their story.

Erin never stops being amazed by what kids create. "I could do a project 100 times and there's always someone who does it in a way I've never seen," she says.

At the end of the day, kids in the hospital are processing a lot. And sometimes the best way to work through big feelings is through art.

03/19/2026

Music is the tool. The magic is what it unlocks.

When most people see Brandon Banas, child life music therapy fellow, working with a child, it might look like they're just singing a song together. But there's a whole lot more happening beneath the surface.

"I'm actually helping that child relax, regulate their breathing, and engage in a healthy form of coping," Brandon says.

That's the thing about music therapy. The goal is never the music itself. Music is the tool to help kids process emotions, build resilience, and cope while hospitalized.

And the best part? Watching a child light up when they get to play a drum or ukulele for the first time.

"Children have helped me learn about unfiltered joy, resilience, and the beauty of imperfection," Brandon says. He often reminds kids that music doesn't have to be perfect. It's allowed to be however they want it to be.

Emotional support is just as important as medical care. And sometimes healing starts with a song.

03/18/2026

Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen is tomorrow, March 19!🍦 Dip your cone for $1 at participating Southeast Michigan Dairy Queen locations and the proceeds will be donated to help fund cutting-edge health care equipment and other program needs for our patients at Corewell Health Children’s, a Children's Miracle Network member hospital.

03/12/2026

It's-a me, Mario! 🎮

Our Child Life team celebrated MAR10 Day in style, bringing the magic of the character right to our patients at Corewell Health Children’s in Royal Oak! They got to color their own karts, play BINGO for prizes, make shrinky d***s, get temporary tattoos, and of course, race each other in Mario Kart.

"The highlight of the day for me had to be two girls, Ali and Alli," Karolina Jones, CCLS, said. "They formed a friendship in an unexpected setting after discovering they had similar names and racing in Mario Kart together."

Moments like these are what it's all about. Being in the hospital can feel isolating, and our Child Life team works hard to create opportunities for kids to just be kids.

We appreciate everyone who helped make this day so special.💙

03/11/2026

Big bravery often starts with small steps.

Port access/deaccess and blood draws used to feel overwhelming for Carson. He would tense up, become emotional, and struggle with the loss of control that comes with something he has to do but doesn't get to choose.

Enter child life.

Child life specialists like Rose Freigeh, CCLS, show up with a game plan, including sensory items, music, comfort objects - all tailored specifically to Carson. Little by little, what once felt impossible started to feel manageable.

"Child life hasn't just helped Carson cope in the moment," says his mom, Casey. "They've helped him build lasting confidence."

For Rose, that's the magic of the work. Watching a child face something that once felt overwhelming and eventually handle it on their own? There's nothing quite like it.

"Being part of that journey is a reminder of why this work matters so much," Rose said.

03/05/2026

We turned the pages and turned up the fun for at Corewell Health Children’s in Royal Oak.

Our patients and families had a wonderful time exploring new books, getting creative with art activities, and visiting with therapy dogs. It was a day full of joy and a whole lot of stories.

A special thank you to our Chief of Pediatrics, Dr. Matthew Denenberg, and to Cranbrook Educational Community for supporting such a meaningful day. We appreciate everyone who showed up and made it so special.

03/03/2026

What changes when a child feels safe, heard and understood?

Everything.

That belief is what led Lauren Troccoli, CCLS, to pursue a career in child life and continues to guide her work every day at Corewell Health Children’s in Troy.

In her role, Lauren helps children prepare for medical procedures, uses play to reduce anxiety, and provides coping skills and emotional support, which make the hospital feel less overwhelming and more manageable.

“It’s incredible to see the shift that happens when a child goes from feeling afraid to coping well,” Lauren shared.

And while Lauren teaches children how to navigate difficult moments, she says they teach her something just as important.

“Even after incredibly difficult procedures, children show such resilience,” she said. “They’re often able to bounce back and engage in play.”

“Working with kids in a medical setting inspires me every day.”

02/24/2026

This is what looks like.❤️

Our cardiology teams wore red to celebrate the care, commitment, and compassion that define their work.

Corewell Health Children’s in Southeast Michigan

04/15/2026

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02/24/2026

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