SickKids honours outstanding staff and volunteers with 2024 President’s Award!

The President’s Award recognizes exceptional individuals and teams whose dedication and achievements embody SickKids’ core values and contribute to its mission. Each year, award recipients are recognized in connection to at least one of SickKids’ strategic priorities, with a special category, “Commitment to Compassion,” honouring those who exemplify outstanding care and kindness. Nominated by their peers and selected by a committee appointed by the president, these recipients reflect the excellence and inspiration that drive our hospital forward. 

Congratulations to the 2024 award recipients!

Bianca’s leadership, expertise and unwavering compassion have set a new standard for patient care at SickKids. As one of the most senior members of the Connected Care Resource Nurse team, she has driven growth, equity and innovation, ensuring seamless transitions for children with medical complexity and their families. 

Families describe her as incredibly knowledgeable and empathetic, offering support that resolves worries and empowers caregivers. Beyond clinical care, Bianca has nurtured her team, advocated for equitable policies and advanced family-centred innovations like virtual post-discharge visits and SickKids’ first self-scheduling module on MyChart for patients and families. She embodies SickKids’ goal of improving health outcomes for children and their families in a compassionate and innovative manner. 

For 20 years, Philip has dedicated his time and talents to SickKids as part of the Volunteer Resources team, amassing over 2,900 hours of selfless service. Phil began his journey in 2004 as a volunteer for special events, including bringing holiday cheer by playing Santa Claus or his cheerful elf. He later transitioned into an administrative role within the Cardiac Critical Care Unit, where he has made significant contributions, from supporting educational initiatives to transcribing research data for groundbreaking studies. 

Phil's compassion and adaptability are evident in every interaction—whether holding a frightened child until their parent arrives or creatively engaging young patients with drawing activities. His humility, respect for equity, and unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive environment have left a lasting impact on children, families and colleagues alike. 

Tanya’s visionary leadership in precision medicine has placed SickKids at the forefront of innovation. She led the clinical launch of PRIMaCY—the first validated tool to predict sudden death risk in paediatric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—and oversaw its integration into Epic, our electronic health information system. This integration ensures that critical risk assessments are seamlessly available to clinicians during patient care, enabling faster, more informed decisions that can save lives. 

With over 20 years at SickKids, Tanya’s leadership since 2008 has expanded the Heart Centre Biobank, establishing it as one of the largest paediatric congenital heart disease biobanks globally. This invaluable resource drives groundbreaking research that transforms care and improves outcomes for children. Her work has enabled the return of more than 100 genomic findings to families, providing clarity and life-changing insights. 

The Unit 7A Child and Youth Counsellors have redefined what it means to individualize care for Black and biracial patients. Through their innovative Hair Equity Initiative, they’ve addressed systemic inequities by championing culturally appropriate hair care, an often-overlooked aspect of mental health and well-being. Their work not only provides essential resources but also nurtures dignity, identity and culture.  

On Unit 7A, which focuses on mental health and eating disorders, emotional resilience and self-esteem are fundamental to recovery. The impact of the Hair Equity Initiative resonates deeply, with one patient reflecting, “I feel good,” encapsulating the profound emotional and psychological benefits the initiative fosters. 

The Blinatumomab Backpack Team has redefined paediatric cancer care through their innovative approach and dedication to improving the lives of children undergoing 28-day continuous immunotherapy. Recognizing the significant challenges posed by traditional adult-sized infusion bags, the team worked collaboratively with patients, caregivers, and an industrial designer to create the Blinatumomab Backpack, a child-friendly solution tailored to the unique needs of younger patients. 

Through their commitment to collaboration, the team integrated patient and caregiver feedback throughout the design process, ensuring the backpack was not only functional but also a source of comfort and joy. The team is proactively seeking sustainable funding to secure support to ensure equitable access to this transformative tool for kids and families across Canada, regardless of financial circumstances. 
 
A heartfelt video shared in February 2024 captured the profound impact of their innovation, showcasing how the Blinatumomab Backpack is changing lives, one child at a time.