The Hospital Educator & Academic Liaison Assn
The Hospital Educator and Academic Liaison Association (HEAL) is a joint organization of two previous groups, the Association for the Education of Children with Medical Needs (AECMN) and the Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Education Specialists (APHOES). HEAL supports and connects multidisciplinary professionals who work to improve the educational outcomes for students with medical and mental health needs. Our membership primarily includes hospital based educators/coordinators and homebound teachers but extends to all educators, psychologists, SWs, and child life specialists.
We mainly work within pediatric hospital settings and aim to provide resources for the advocacy of students with complex needs. Our membership base includes professionals from abroad reaching countries in Europe and Central/South America and beyond. Yearly we hold national conference hosted by a partnering pediatric hospital and gather to network, collaborate, and share best practices and advance the awarenes of the educational needs of students wth chronic illness and mental health needs.