Quick Hits

Advancing pediatric innovation

Holland Bloorview joined KidSights, a data consortium created to address and close the innovation gap in pediatric health. As its first Canadian member, we are accelerating the development of personalized therapies and interventions to improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and developmental differences. Learn more.

Embracing the power of AI

Holland Bloorview is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to reduce administrative burden and create efficiencies across the hospital. In 2024, we used AI-based technologies including AI Physician Scribe for documentation and Microsoft Co-Pilot to enhance productivity and streamline tasks. In addition, teams are exploring how AI can be used for predictive and population-based analytics to better understand the needs of the clients we serve and our inpatient occupancy census, admission and discharge patterns.

Commitment to sustainability

Holland Bloorview received top marks for its efforts in organizational capacity, procurement and preparation for climate shocks in the Toronto Academic Health Science Network’s first Climate and Sustainability Report. This is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to sustainability to reduce our carbon footprint. Learn more.

Expanding access to inclusive health resources

Families from marginalized communities have long struggled to gain access to culturally appropriate and accessible health information that is evidence-based. Recognizing this gap in the disability community, Holland Bloorview is partnering with Our Kids’ Health, a wide-ranging community dedicated to providing trusted, culturally relevant health resources to families in Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin among other languages. Learn more.

Creating inclusive workplaces

Holland Bloorview joined forces with other organizations to offer a free online resource to help support health-care employers’ disability-inclusive hiring practices. The toolkit, co-designed by experts, community members and individuals with visible and non-visible disabilities, opens up opportunities for people with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive work force. Learn more.

Investing in youth

Holland Bloorview partnered with the Ontario Disability Employment Network to release a joint report reinforcing the case for investing in early employment programs for youth with disabilities. The report found that workplaces that include employees with disabilities are more profitable, more productive and retain top talent. Learn more.

No Piece of Cake

Turning 18 should be a celebration, but for youth with disabilities, it signals “aging out” of pediatric health care. Holland Bloorview launched a report this year highlighting the experience of youth with disabilities as they transition to the adult health-care system in Ontario. Their finding: youth with disabilities are left behind. Learn more.

Shaping the future of teaching and learning

Nearly 100 staff, family leaders and students took part in a day of meaningful education insights, connections and learning at the Teaching and Learning Institute’s 14th annual Teaching and Learning Day. The event featured keynote speakers, interactive workshops and awards to recognize and celebrate teaching excellence by staff and researchers alike.