PokePals is a pediatric care training & education initiative
Reduce pediatric procedure distress in 90 seconds — without slowing care.
A comfort-first, evidence-informed approach to pediatric blood collection that combines clinical accuracy with nervous-system–aware preparation — supporting children, families, and care teams.
Poke Pals supports caregivers, clinical teams, and industry partners in improving pediatric blood collection experiences through preparation, education, and adoption-ready practices.
Practical, nervous-system–aware support for pediatric blood collection — grounded in pediatric phlebotomy and behavioral science.
Blood draws are often the most fear-provoking part of pediatric care, particularly for anxious and neurodivergent children. When distress escalates during collection, procedures fail, schedules are disrupted, staff feel pressured, and children leave with lasting medical anxiety.
Most clinical teams are trained in technical skill — not in supporting nervous-system readiness during pediatric blood collection — and families are often left to bridge the gap alone.
Poke Pals addresses the gap between clinical skill and patient readiness.
We provide a practical, comfort-first approach that helps care teams explain procedures clearly, support regulation, and actively involve children in the process — reducing escalation and repeat attempts without sacrificing efficiency.
There is a better way — one that improves cooperation, protects dignity, and supports first-attempt success without slowing care.
I’m Franchesca Kelly, a clinical trainer and ASCP-certified pediatric phlebotomist with a background in behavioral health.
My work sits at the intersection of medical accuracy and nervous-system support, helping children successfully complete blood collection through evidence-informed, comfort-first strategies.
I support caregivers, clinical teams, and industry partners in improving cooperation, first-attempt success, and long-term trust in medical care.
Grounded in published work and real clinical practice.
Published Work & Thought Leadership
Selected articles on pediatric phlebotomy, medical anxiety, and trauma-informed outpatient care.
FOR FAMILIES
Is your child anxious about blood draws or medical visits?
I offer virtual parent coaching to help children approach procedures help children approach procedures with less fear and more predictability — using preparation, predictability, and regulation strategies that actually work.
• One-on-one support
• Customized preparation plans
• Evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming strategies
• Accessible anywhere via video
FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Do anxious pediatric patients escalate, refuse procedures, or disrupt clinic flow?
I train clinical teams to prevent escalation before it starts.
Poke Pals provides implementation-aligned education and consultation to reduce distress, improve first-attempt success, and protect patient dignity — without slowing care.
• Team workshops
• Case consultation
• Implementation support
• Virtual or in-person
This problem is costing you — and here’s a safer way forward.
Trainings are typically delivered as a single focused session or short pilot — not long-term consulting.
Making medical care trauma-informed and child-centered
