Our stories

Coming full circle – how Anabelle Parenteau was inspired to work at CHEO

Meet Anabelle Parenteau, Communications Specialist, Communications

One of CHEO’s newest members, Anabelle Parenteau, applied to come work for CHEO after seeing how well her young son was taken care of during a brief visit to CHEO’s Kids Come First Care clinic. Not new to the health care field, Anabelle wanted the opportunity to help staff and patients tell their stories.

In fact, Anabelle’s connection to CHEO dates back to 1974 – when CHEO first opened its doors. Her uncle, Stéphane Rochon, born...

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Dr. Malic joined CHEO in 2014 and never looked back

Meet Dr. Claudia Malic, Pediatric Surgeon

Dr. Claudia Malic knew from a young age that she wanted to help people. At 10 years old, she dreamed of being a doctor, and by 18, she was entering the Faculty of Medicine in Romania before later completing her plastic surgery training in the UK.

“I’ve always been a creative person. As a child, I loved playing piano and being in nature,” says Dr. Malic, “Plastic surgery offers a similar creativity. You’re equipped with a toolbox and can work in any part...

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CHEO physician leads eye-opening surgery camp in India

CHEO physician Dr. Claudia Malic travelled almost 12,000 kilometres in November 2023 to lead a one-week plastic surgery camp in Chitrakoot, a remote area in northern India. She was left in awe by the stories of families who trekked a few hundred kilometres to access surgeries, meals and accommodation they otherwise couldn’t afford. 

Dr. Malic, a plastic surgeon at CHEO for the past 10 years, led a team supported by U.K.-based charity Sewa UK to perform 25 surgical procedures, including cleft...

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Like mother, like daughter

Meet Mackenzie Foulkes, Registered Nurse in our Ambulatory Care clinics

Ever since she was a little girl, Mackenzie knew she would one day work at CHEO – just like her mom. It was less a matter of what she wanted to be when she grew up, and more of where she wanted to be. Mackenzie spent her childhood visiting her mom at the hospital and recalls fond memories of CHEO – parent-career days, her mom’s office, and the wonderful community of nurses that surrounded her mom.

In 2016, Mackenzie graduated...

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CHEO specialized car seat clinics give families and caregivers much-needed comfort

Four-year-old Félix Gagné has never been comfortable sitting in a car seat. He was born with a genetic condition called kyphosis, a curvature of the spine from front to back, which his father Marc says led to scoliosis, a curvature of the spine from left to right. 

Those conditions mean it is “always hard” trying to seat Félix properly when his family travels to and from Rockland, Ont., according to his mother, Line Lalande.  

The discomfort and improper fit led Félix and his family to participate...

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