Annual Report 2024
Department of Pediatrics
Thriving Together
Our theme this year
The image above was created by a patient during a group art-making session. He is someone who doesn’t often participate in these activities, which made this moment particularly special. Inspired by the session’s theme, he shared how he feels his best when he’s outdoors, especially in the sunshine. His painting reflects this sense of thriving in nature and led to a discussion about how he could bring that feeling into his life, even when he can’t physically be in such spaces.
Artwork created by Children and Teens from the hospital
We have asked the children and teenagers from the Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH) to draw and create art of what the word "Thriving" and what being healthy and happy means to them.
To be mentally, physically, and emotionally well.
Anonymous
Child/teen from the ACH
Being able to do what I enjoy.
Anonymous
Child/teen from the ACH
Message from our Department Head
Dr. Antonia Stang
In the fall of 2024, we released the Department of Pediatrics new Strategic Plan. Our Vision, Thriving Together, is the theme of this year’s annual report. To ensure that the voices of children and youth were represented in the strategic plan we asked them to tell us, in words or pictures, what being healthy means to them. Their responses shaped our Vision and Mission and their artwork can be seen throughout the strategic plan and this annual report. Within the annual report we highlight examples of community, collaboration and connection that exemplify what Thriving Together means.
Examples of inclusive care and community connections include the Vaccine Toolkit that was created by ACH team members to assist healthcare providers in facilitating vaccination discussions with patients, the new PLC Medical Psychiatric unit that opened in the fall of 2024, the ACH METTA Clinic which provides comprehensive care for transgender youth, and the transformative research occurring in the Precision Neurodevelopment Lab.
The annual report also highlights educational innovations that Department members have been involved in, including a novel Pediatric Indigenous Health Simulation program, the Pediatric Clinical Care Guideline website which provides an easily accessible database of publicly available pediatric clinical care guidelines, and contributions to the new RIME initiative in the Cumming School of Medicine.
Our 2024 Innovation Award winners represent the depth, breadth and creativity of research, QI and educational scholarship that are occurring throughout the Department. Initiatives such as the Professionals Engaging with Purpose Program (PEPP) highlight the commitment of Department members to faculty development and professional fulfillment.
Reviewing this annual report is a reminder of the exceptional work occurring in the Department of Pediatrics. Thank you to all of you for your unwavering dedication to supporting our patients, each other and our community.
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Listen to Dr. Stang talk about the Strategic Plan in our new podcast!
New Strategic Plan 2024-2029
Our new 5-year plan
ZPEC Strategic Planning Session
The Department hosted a strategic planning retreat on May 10, 2024 (45 members participated) to deepen the dialogue. The objectives of the session were to:
- Build consensus on the vision, mission, values, and goals for the department for the next five years
- Identify potential objectives and activities for achieving the goals and mission
- Determine mitigation strategies for the impact of external factors beyond the control of the Department
Development of the New Strategic Plan
Vision, Mission and Values
Our Vision
Thriving Together
Our Mission
To optimize child and youth well-being through inclusive care, discovery, and collaboration; foster strong family and community connections; and support a positive and fulfilling work environment for our teams.
Our Values
- Integrity – honest, transparent and ethical approaches
- Compassion – a virtuous response that seeks to address the needs of a person through relational understanding and action
- Curiosity – a strong desire to know or learn something
- Humanity – seeing the potential value and goodness of humans, emphasize common needs, and seek rational ways of solving problems
- Gratitude – being thankful; readiness to show appreciation and return kindness
New Strategic Plan
The purpose of the strategic plan is to inform the trajectory of the Department of Pediatrics for the next five years (2024-2029).
Our Priorities for 2025
In November 2024, we requested input from our Department members on what our priorities should be for the coming year.
Consult
Consult with key frontline staff as part of the decision-making process.
Support
Support team-based care that includes allied health professionals in both the acute and community settings.
Assess
Assess current strengths and opportunities regarding collaboration between sections.
Professional Affairs Priorities
Provide
Provide resources and support for fulfilling and sustainable work at all career stages (early, mid-career, late-career and retirement).
Examine
Examine barriers to care and co-design solutions with members of the target population(s).
Education Priorities
Increase
Increase recognition and awareness of educational service and scholarship occurring across the Department.
Facilitate
Facilitate faculty development opportunities that enhance self-efficacy, wellness and fulfilment.
Research Priorities
Identify
Identify opportunities for shared core research infrastructure, including research assistants, support for grant writing, mentors, and funding.
Identify
Identify and advocate for access to data required for quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
