Video games support young patients’ social, emotional health

OHSU Doernbecher’s therapeutic gaming program provides distraction, fun and a sense of normalcy

By Lisa McMahan November 23, 2022 Portland, Oregon

Downloads

OHSU patient Lucas Alcantara says he enjoys playing video games while staying in the hospital. His favorite game is Minecraft Dungeons on the new XBOX that was recently donated to OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital by Games for Love. He loves it when Samuel Giles Le Blanc comes by to play alongside. Samuel Giles Le Blanc is a Patient Technology Specialist at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Games for Love donation

OHSU patient Chance Wischnofske gets in some quality gaming time on the new XBOX that was recently donated to OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital by Games for Love. Chance's favorite game to play is Minecraft and Minecraft Dungeons. He loves it when Samuel Giles Le Blanc comes by to play alongside. Samuel Giles Le Blanc is a Patient Technology Specialist at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

New video games at DCH

Quality game time

Sam Giles Le Blanc - video game expert at Doernbecher

Sam Giles Le Blanc, Doernbecher’s patient technology specialist (“the video game guy”). He manages the therapeutic gaming program, a new addition to Doernbecher’s Child Life Therapy Program. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Kids at Doernbecher Children's Hospital play newly donated Xbox systems and games

Lucas Alcantara, 7, says he enjoys playing video games while staying in the hospital. His favorite game is Minecraft Dungeons. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

New XBOX that was recently donated to OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital