Margaret Helps Kids Recover After Burns

Margaret Gill, BSN, RN, CPN, is often one of the first steady presences families meet during the most overwhelming chapter of their lives. This nurse care coordinator in our Division of Trauma and Burn Surgery at Children's National Hospital makes it her mission to comfort children and their families after accidents.

"Helping your child recover from an injury is hard work — physically, mentally and emotionally," Margaret says. "Parents often tell me they feel helpless. Their child is fresh off a traumatic experience, and they're also surrounded by unfamiliar people, equipment and routines in an unfamiliar place."

Margaret understands that what families face requires extraordinary flexibility, patience and courage — and she strives to meet them with the same.

Her patients inspire her daily. She developed a special bond with Braden, who led a physical therapy session on the hospital's television network during his own difficult recovery. Typically the one following instruction, Braden gained new confidence when given the chance to lead.

Championing her patients' healing extends beyond the hospital walls. Margaret volunteered as a counselor at the Arthur Luf Burn Camp in Connecticut, a weeklong program for children recovering from burn injuries. Braden was one of four Children's National patients who attended, and he agreed to go on one condition: Margaret had to come, too.

Circumstances allowed Margaret to become his one-on-one counselor for the week. She stepped in as his full-time caregiver and stayed by his side as he rediscovered joy in a new place.

Those are the moments Margaret treasures most: helping kids remain kids by nurturing healing and independence. She invites them to help with their own bandage changes, plays street hockey in the atrium to encourage mobility and turns a hospital room into a miniature golf course.

"My patients are the bravest and strongest kids I know," Margaret says. "They endure painful dressing changes, frequent trips to the operating room and endless physical and occupational therapy sessions. Their resilience and determination amaze me every single day."