1. EMILY MARIE BACKES
2752 W. Arlington Blvd. • Apartment 201 • Greenville, NC 27834
backese14@students.ecu.edu • (229) 563-2167
EDUCATION
East Carolina University (Greenville, NC) August 2014-Current
Master of Science in Child Development and Family Relations, Concentration in Child Life
The University of Georgia (Athens, GA) August 2009- December 2013
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science
Honors: College of Family and Consumer Sciences Student Ambassador, Delta Epsilon Iota National Honor Society, UGA Costa
Rica Foundation Incentive Scholarship, Nevels-Hall Family Collegiate 4-H Scholarship, Lois Dowdle Cobb Scholarship, State 4-H
Staff Scholarship, Master 4-H Status, HOPE Scholarship, Dean’s List, Nash Love Scholarship
HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE
James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital (Greenville, NC) January 2016- Current
Child Life Internship
• Completing 600 clinical internship hours under multiple certified child life specialists
• Independently practicing with supervision in Pediatric Day Unit, Surgery, Inpatient PEDS, and Emergency Department
Mission Children’s Hospital (Asheville, NC) July 2015
Child Life Practicum
• Completed 125 clinical practicum hours under multiple certified child life specialists
• Assisted and observed in Hematology/Oncology, Reuter Outpatient Clinic, Emergency Care, PEDS, and PICU
James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital, Vidant Health (Greenville, NC) November 2014
Shadowing
• Observed multiple certified child life specialists for 12 hours
• Assisted and observed in KISU, NICU, PICU, Surgery, and Inpatient and Outpatient PEDS
Shands Children’s Hospital, University of Florida Health (Gainesville, FL) October 2011
Shadowing
• Observed a certified child life specialist for 8 hours
• Assisted with psychological preparation, medical play, and group and individual interventions in Inpatient PEDS
Children’s Hospital of Georgia, Georgia Regents Health System (Augusta, GA) October 2011
Shadowing
• Observed multiple certified child life specialists for 8 hours
• Assisted and observed in Inpatient and Outpatient PEDS and Emergency Care
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Published Journal Article
• Desai, P. P., Rivera, A. T., & Backes, E. M. (2015). Latino caregiver coping with children's chronic health conditions: An
integrative literature review. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. Online version available at doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2015.06.001
In-Progress
• Backes, E. M. Child life specialists’ experiences with medical missions: An exploratory study. (Masters Thesis Study)
• Rivera, A. T., Desai, P. P., & Backes, E. M. Case studies of Latino fathers’ coping with their child’s chronic health condition.
Graduate Research Assistant August 2014- July 2015
East Carolina University
• Assisted research professor in Child Development and Family Relations department with research reviews and studies
relating to pediatric healthcare, multicultural studies, child life in camp settings, and international child life programs
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, SeriousFun Children’s Network (Ashford, CT) May 2013- August 2013
Program Specialist and Lifeguard
• Created and implemented developmentally appropriate aquatic programs for children with chronic and life-threatening illness
• Assisted medical staff with illness education, emotional support, therapeutic play, and distraction to campers
Athens Academy (Athens, GA) April 2011- May 2013
Instructor, Stay and Play and Extended Day Programs
• Solely responsible for the care and safety of up to 15 preschool age children in a classroom setting
• Facilitated activities such as creative art, snacking, resting, and indoor and outdoor play
-Continued-

2. EMILY MARIE BACKES, 2
RELATED VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Victory Junction, SeriousFun Children’s Network (Randleman, NC) October 2014 and April 2015
Fall and Spring Family Weekends, Family Ambassador
• Served as a family ambassador during a four day Hemophilia with Inhibitors weekend
• Escorted family throughout their camp experience, attended self-infusion class with family, and provided guidance
• Served as a family ambassador for a family with a child who has cerebral palsy during a three day general session weekend
Camp WholeHeart (Arapahoe, NC) October 2014
Fall Camper Weekend, Cabin Counselor Volunteer
• Served as a cabin counselor during a three day camp weekend for children with congenital heart defects
• Co-led a seminar for adolescent campers about transitioning to adult healthcare and accompanied campers during weekend
Georgia 4-H Air Force Reserves/Air National Guard Teen Leadership Summit (Estes Park, CO) August 2014
Adult Leader, Volunteer
• Served as an adult leader for adolescents with parents in the U.S. AFR/ANG attending the six day leadership summit
• Assisted in leading leadership seminars, provided emotional support, and guided adolescents through team building activities
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, SeriousFun Children’s Network (Ashford, CT) July 2014
Summer Session #6, Cabin Counselor Volunteer
• Worked as a cabin counselor for a seven day Sickle Cell session
• Assisted campers with daily living needs, accompanied campers to activities, and provided companionship and guidance
The Cottage, Sexual Assault and Children’s Advocacy Center (Athens, GA) September 2009- May 2014
Crisis Counseling Hotline and Childcare
• Provided crisis-intervention to callers dealing with sexual assault or domestic violence issues
• Solely facilitated activities for children while their parents or guardians attended group therapy sessions
University of Georgia Wesley Foundation (Athens, GA) August 2009- May 2012
Mentor, Crosstrainers Mentoring Program
• Mentored an adolescent attending Clarke County Central High School raised in a low SES neighborhood
• Advised mentee in conflicts at home or school, in part-time job searching, and during the graduation process/college search
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS
Member of the Child Life Council, since June 2015
Beyond the Classroom Child Life Student Conference, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, February 2015
7th
Annual Early Intervention Professional Conference, Greenville, NC, October 2014
Child Psychosocial Development and Chronic Illness Training, Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Ashford, CT, May 2013
Lifeguard, First Aid/CPR, American Red Cross, Athens, GA, April 2013
Preschool Age Childcare Health and Safety Training, State of Georgia, 2011-2013
Crisis Counseling Training, The Cottage, Sexual Assault and Children’s Advocacy Center, Athens, GA, September 2009
Ages and Stages Childcare Training, Cooperative Extension, Eatonton, GA, 2009-2011
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Georgia Costa Rica Study Abroad March 2013
San Luis, Costa Rica
• Studied the Ecology and Culture of Costa Rica, Latin American Studies (LACS 4900)
• Studied the cultural similarities and differences of Latin American families by participating in a home stay experience,
attending cooking classes in the community, and visiting farms and homes of local residents of San Luis and Monteverde
Encountour Volunteer Abroad Collegiate Program March 2011
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
• Gained rich knowledge about Latin American culture and family trends by participating in a week-long home stay experience
• Worked closely with a diverse team of college students from around the country and locals in the community to rebuild a safe
farming trail for the community
Encountour Volunteer Abroad Collegiate Program March 2010
Nueva Alianza, Guatemala
• Supported nascent efforts in organic agriculture by assisting local farmers with macadamia nut and coffee farming
• Visited local schools in the community to increase my knowledge about child development within different cultures