The Hospital for Sick Children

Danielson always thought he was a cat person – until he met Benji, a volunteer therapy dog at SickKids.   During Danielson's stay in hospital, he visited with Benji, an eight-and-a-half-year-old Havanese, and his handler Arron three times. He loved getting to know the pair (pictured in the photos), who've been volunteering with SickKids' pet therapy program through St. John Ambulance Canada | Ambulance Saint-Jean for more than six years.   Danielson learned that Arron and Benji went through several evaluations to become child-friendly certified pet therapy volunteers – they passed every test with flying colours! The pair love volunteering at SickKids and spending time with patients like Danielson. As you can see, Benji especially loves climbing into the bed with his young friends for cuddles and pets!   Thank you to Arron, Benji and all pet therapy volunteers for bringing joy to patients like Danielson!

The newest building on SickKids' campus, the Patient Support Centre, is full of creative, imaginative design and art.   Take a colourful tour of this award-winning building ⬇ B+H Architects

Today, the Toronto Maple Leafs scored big at SickKids, bringing joy to patients and families.   Their visit, complete with mini stick decorating, was a true power play of kindness and community spirit. Thanks to our Buds for making a difference – and making our day! 🏒🌟

The first topological map of inter-chromosomal interactions has been published by #SKResearch in Nature Communications by Nature Portfolio. Led by Dr. Philipp Maass, the research team mapped over 40,000 interactions across 53 cell types, uncovering the relationship between inter-chromosomal space and gene activity. “By discovering the intricate details of #genome topology, we as scientists are better equipped to tackle complex genetic questions, bringing us closer to advanced genetic therapies that can provide patients with truly individualized care,” says Maass. Read ➡️ https://bit.ly/3CCtrUW

Did you know SickKids has a team of Child Life Specialists who organize daily activities and games for patients? It's a well-deserved distraction and bit of joy for children and youth while at the hospital.   Of course, some of this week's activities involved Taylor Swift-themed fun! From friendship bracelets (take a peek below), to trivia and karaoke, Tayronto was in full effect here!   Thank you to this incredible team for always creating special experiences for patients!

Congratulations Drs. Zulfiqar Bhutta and Mike Tyers on being recognized on Clarivate’s list of Highly Cited Researchers for 2024!🎉   These two scientists are named among 6,636 other researchers from 59 countries and regions who have demonstrated significant influence in their chosen field.   Dr. Bhutta (who is also Co-Director and Director of Research at SickKids Centre for Global Child Health) was recognized for his #SKResearch on global maternal, newborn and child health, while Dr. Tyers was named for his investigation the complex networks of interacting genes and proteins in human biology as a Senior Scientist and Associate Chief of Innovation and Infrastructure at SickKids Research Institute.   Learn more about #HighlyCited2024 ⬇

Stress may be all around us, but new #SKResearch has uncovered that some stress is fundamentally changing our memories, informing an intervention which could help restore appropriate memory specificity in people with #PTSD. Stress-induced aversive memory generalization occurs when a specific, stressful memory is triggered by seemingly unrelated fearful memories – a common feature of both PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. In a new study in Cell by Cell Press, Drs. Sheena Josselyn and Paul Frankland, along with Dr. Matthew Hill at the University of Calgary Hotchkiss Brain Institute, have identified why this happens and the role of endocannabinoids in restoring memory specificity. Read➡️ https://bit.ly/4ewQ0aI

SickKids has been named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for the 10th year in row!   The editorial competition recognizes employers with exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies. SickKids was given several A ratings, including for its work environment and health and family-friendly benefits.   SickKids' was also recognized for its very own in-hospital food court, The Terrace Café, and its healthy food options made in-house daily, with locally sourced ingredients, as well as its new Wellness Centre, which includes an on-site gym and fitness centre, with free memberships for all employees!   Read more about the organization's top ranking here ➡https://bit.ly/3CtgFYV

Jennifer Young and Dr. Carol McNair have both been Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs) for more than 20 years each. In the SickKids Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with some of the hospital’s most vulnerable patients, NNPs are fully integrated as frontline care providers. NNPs help bridge the gap between Registered Nurses (RNs) and physicians with their ability to order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medication and make referrals. “Being a neonatal nurse practitioner provides you an opportunity to not only advance your knowledge, your skills and your practice, it provides you an opportunity to provide leadership to future generations of neonatology practitioners of all kinds,” Carol says. “There’s no place like SickKids to be a neonatal nurse practitioner – the patients we see, the families we support and our multidisciplinary team make it the best job I have ever had,” Jennifer says. For #NPWeek2024 please join us in celebrating the range of #NursePractitioner teams who facilitate care across the organization. To learn about nursing opportunities at SickKids, browse current openings here ➡ https://bit.ly/3ZlzYMW   #OurKindOfNursing 

Meet Olivia Moran and Marci Schwartz, Genetic Counsellors at SickKids researching the genetic causes of heart conditions that can lead to heart failure. They support the Cardiac Genome Clinic Study as part of a team analyzing the genes of hundreds of research participants – one person has approximately 20,000 genes to analyze! – in search of a possible genetic cause for their symptoms.   As Genetic Counsellors, they not only support the research team, but also guide families through the research process, like coordinating sample collection and even disclosing results - whether a diagnosis is found or not. Through compassionate counselling, they help families understand and process the information.   Olivia and Marci's work using genomic technologies is an example of Precision Child Health and how it helps diagnose faster, treat smarter and predict better health outcomes.   Please join us in celebrating Olivia, Marci and their colleagues this Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day – and every day!