Our guiding principles
Mission
The Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is dedicated to fostering on environment which will promote excellence and innovation in patient care, research and education, and strive to become a premier department nationally and internationally in paediatric laboratory medicine. Its mission is:
- To partner with clinical programs to promote high quality patient care through effective and efficient use of laboratory resources in the diagnosis, monitoring, control and management of childhood illness
- To strive through a strong presence in applied and basic research to better understand the nature and mechanisms of childhood disease to facilitate continuing innovation and improvements in child health
- To develop, expand and coordinate educational programs in paediatric laboratory medicine for undergraduate and graduate students, residents, fellows and technologists
Vision
The vision of the Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine (DPLM) is to be a recognized world leader in paediatric laboratory medicine with a strong foundation in basic research. Laboratory medicine is a central component of diagnosis and is fundamental to understanding the mechanism of disease and disease prevention in paediatric medicine thus ensuring that the potential of each child is realized by providing the highest level of diagnostic sophistication. Being a knowledge-based department it will strive to integrate research with the clinical activities to optimize the care of children. Innovative and applied research will lead to delivery of the best diagnostic tests and consultations.
Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine has focused on creating and disseminating knowledge by promoting educational programs that will develop paediatric laboratory medicine for scientists, physicians, and technologists sustaining a leading reputation world-wide in paediatric laboratory medicine. With an international vision clearly in mind, the department must also be able to grow and change in response to internal and external influences. Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine is in an ideal situation to take advantage of the advances in basic science and to translate them into diagnostic tests, which will benefit children at The Hospital for Sick Children, and beyond.
Values and guiding principles
The values and guiding principles under which Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine chooses to operate are:
Quality and Excellence: We recognize our success is determined by how well we provide our services as evaluated by our patients, clinicians, parents, financiers and our health care colleagues. We continually strive for best practices in every aspect of delivery and results of our clinical care, research and education. We pursue and recognize exceptional achievements.
Dedication and Commitment: We are driven by what we do and how well we do it. We demonstrate compassion and fairness. We provide opportunities for people to contribute and grow professionally and enhance the outcomes of our patients.
Integrity and Collegiality: We properly communicate the facts honestly and openly to keep our staff, colleagues and clients aware and informed. We inform people in ways which ensure that they can make appropriate decisions.
Professionalism: We invest our resources wisely and make appropriate decisions considering our clients, our profession, our stakeholders and the environment. We treat each of our colleagues and co-workers with respect and dignity, recognizing their contribution, regardless of their education and experience. We understand the value of working as a team, each member contributing in a positive way to common goals. We maintain our sense of humor, sensitivity, and patience as we pursue excellence in everything we do.
Leadership: We recognize the opportunity of working at The Hospital for Sick Children and providing leadership in diagnostic test development, education and research. We are responsible for identifying opportunities and recognizing creativity to enhance diagnostic laboratory testing for children Advocating support for paediatric laboratory medicine contributes to this leadership.
Collaboration, Team work: We strive to work together with partners as well as our staff and colleagues for the betterment of Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine and the provision of networked laboratory services.’)