Bringing new L.I.F.E. to Cardinal Kids pediatric care

Carolina Caring’s Cardinal Kids has become the first hospice program in North Carolina to receive the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) Pediatric Care at Home certification — a national recognition that affirms the program’s commitment to delivering expert, compassionate, and family-centered care to children with serious illnesses.

Since 2019, Cardinal Kids has served more than 400 children and their families across Western North Carolina, providing pediatric palliative and hospice care that prioritizes quality of life, emotional connection, and expert support. This certification is a significant milestone, reflecting the program’s alignment with the highest national standards in pediatric care.

“Pediatric care isn’t just clinical; it’s deeply personal, too,” said Emily Scholler, director of Cardinal Kids. “The CHAP benchmarks mirrored what we were already doing every day. We simply invited CHAP to come see the difference our model makes.”

As part of the rigorous certification process, CHAP surveyors observed Cardinal Kids’ care model in action, including a home visit with one patient, Harper, and her family. Diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, Harper began receiving care from the Cardinal Kids team around the age of 1. Her team includes pediatric nurses, a social worker, chaplain, nurse practitioner, and pediatrician.

The care team follows the L.I.F.E. Model, which emphasizes: Listening to what is most important; Integrating into the child’s team; Family-focused care; and Embracing milestones.

During the visit, CHAP surveyors witnessed the team’s deep rapport with Harper and her entire family — an experience that left a lasting impression of what person-centered pediatric hospice care truly looks like.

For Harper’s mother, Kristen, who is also a nurse, the support has made a world of difference. “It’s clear that Cardinal Kids doesn’t just impact Harper,” she said. “They’ve left a lasting impression on our entire family.”

The CHAP certification is not just an achievement — it is a testament to Cardinal Kids’ unwavering dedication to helping children and families live fully, even in the face of serious illness. As Dr. Brooke Hata, FAAP, Cardinal Kids pediatrician, explained, “The L.I.F.E. Model is a great reminder for all of us about what we do and why we do it. We want to honor lives, serve families, and create memories — all while caring for the patient’s physical needs.”

For more information about Cardinal Kids or Carolina Caring’s pediatric services, visit carolinacaring.org or call 828-466-0466.

ABOUT CAROLINA CARING

Carolina Caring specializes in programs that offer relief from chronic conditions, serious illnesses, and the challenges they bring, including palliative medicine and hospice care for all ages, primary care, and grief counseling. Carolina Caring serves 12 counties across Western North Carolina and the Charlotte region.