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.
Annie Ngu
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
Annie Ngu
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.
2024 CARE & Other Departmental Awards Winners
We are pleased to announce the 2024 CARE & Other Departmental Awards Winners! Each of these department members was nominated by their peers and was celebrated at the Department of Pediatrics Annual Celebration.
This year we created a new award the "Thriving Together Team Award" to reflect the department's new strategic plan.
Congratulations again to everyone!
Kukulcan Productions Canada
CARE Award - Clinician
Dr. Lori Walker
The recipient of this award demonstrated excellent achievements in direct clinical care, going over and above in their contributions to patient care provision.
"She advocates for her patients, spending a significant amount of time ensuring they are able to access newer, innovative therapies, many of which are challenging to obtain coverage for. She will case conference with other expert centers including SickKids, CHOP and if a patient requires it." - from nomination.
CARE Award - Advocate
Dr. Jessica Dunn
The recipient of this award has demonstrated outstanding achievements in clinical and/or non-clinical service. The individual has displayed advocacy in an individual practice or team, or in a unit, section or department-wide activity.
"She has played a pivotal role (Medical Lead) in the development of Newborn Screening Ontario's CMV screening program, the first of its kind globally, addressing CMV as a risk factor for hearing loss. Dr. Dunn’s work has been instrumental in allowing other jurisdictions to implement plans for congenital CMV screening including Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta." - from nomination.
CARE Award - Researcher
Dr. Graham Thompson
The recipient of this award has demonstrated excellent achievements in the realm of individual and/or collaborative investigation.
"He has developed multiple projects with significant funding, and successfully draws in stakeholders and collaborators in his work. His research in the areas of sepsis, fluids and appendicitis (among many other projects) continue to inspire further inquiry and innovations in pediatric medicine." - from nomination.
CARE Award - Education
Dr. Gary Galante
The recipient of this award demonstrated exceptional achievements in the realm of education in one or more of UME, PGME, CME, undergraduate and graduate science education.
"Dr. Galante has made immeasurable contributions to the education of students, residents and faculty. He has a broad span of impact in education which includes clinical and academic teaching at UGME/PGME and faculty development levels. He is an education innovator and has contributed to curriculum design in various capacities. His contributions are recognized annually by our Pediatrics residents; he has been nominated almost every year as Clinical Teacher of the Year and has received this award three times in the last 8 years." - from nomination.
Distinguished Career Award
Dr. Julian Midgley
This award was created to recognize and honour members who have provided 25+ years (since initial university faculty appointment, regardless of institution or location) of exemplary service.
"Dr. Midgley is the glue that holds the nephrology clinical service together. He started pediatric nephrology at ACH and he continues to maintain this service." - from nomination.
Leadership Award
Dr. Jennifer MacPherson
This award recognizes a member of the Department of Pediatrics who is an inspiring leader and role model, and who has demonstrated a significant positive influence on the lives of others and the world around them.
Dr. MacPherson has held a number of leadership roles within the Department of Pediatrics and the Calgary Zone including as the ACH Facility Medical Director, the Chair of the Zone Medical Affairs Committee, the Department of Pediatrics Deputy Head Professional Affairs and the Physician Lead for the Child Abuse Service.
"Dr. MacPherson has been an inspiring role model for me for many years, in every one of her roles: general pediatrician, child abuse expert, Deputy Head of Professional Affairs, and most recently Facility Medical Director. My respect for the leadership skills she has built over the years is immense. Her ability to self-regulate in the face of challenging people and environments is something we should all aspire to. She has courageously pursued leadership goals while never losing sight of the motivation driving her nor the balance needed in her life to share her authentic self." - from nomination.
Rising Star Award
Dr. Chris Novak
This award celebrates the exceptional contributions and potential of an early career member (10 years or less since faculty appointment) in the Department of Pediatrics, with outstanding contributions in any of the four CARE pillars.
"Since joining the ACH as a staff physician in 2021, he has authored 10 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 5 clinical practice guidelines, and participated in a number of educational podcasts. At this early stage in his career Dr. Novak has already made significant contributions to child health, education and the broader pediatric community." - from nomination.
Community Pediatrician Award
Dr. Tracy Taylor
This award recognizes a member from the largest section of the department for their exceptional contributions and efforts to the community.
"She exemplifies exceptional dedication, leadership, and impact within the Department of Pediatrics through her tireless efforts to bridge gaps between community pediatricians and hospital teams." - from nomination.
Thriving Together Team Award
Hemoglobinopathy Clinic
This new award celebrates innovative contributions by multidisciplinary teams, with at least one member affiliated with the Department.
"The Hemoglobinopathy Clinic is admirable. It received an AHS President's Award in 2017 according to the Hematology group. It is a multidisciplinary clinic that started as a QI project as patients were not coming for PFTs but in combining testing and clinical assessment with the Hematology visit, they dramatically increased uptake in this population." - from nomination.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Kim Myers for her outstanding work on the “Highlighting the Best of Your Section” project. Her insightful reports played a key role in identifying and celebrating deserving individuals and teams like the Hemoglobinopathy Clinic, whose contributions might have otherwise gone unrecognized.
