From our humble beginnings, we've grown into a leading institution, providing world-class pediatric care, training for the next generation and pioneering research that continues to make a positive impact on young lives.
CHEO's success is a testament to the unwavering support of our community. It's a celebration of the collaborative spirit that unites healthcare professionals, families, volunteers and donors in the common goal of ensuring every child receives the best life possible.
Everyone has had a part in building and growing CHEO.
As we reflect on the past 50 years, we also look ahead with optimism and excitement for the future.
CHEO remains committed to advancing pediatric healthcare, embracing new technologies and continuing to be a beacon of hope for children, youth and their families.
Our stories
Today begins our journey in commemorating five decades of CHEO and its commitment to the health and well-being of children.
For some of our staff, medical staff and learners, their health journey began at CHEO. Years later, they found their way back to help make a difference in the lives of children.
“There’s a willingness to help – that’s our common goal.” – Mary Lynn Taschereau |
Meet Mary Lynn Taschereau, Senior Business Systems Analyst, Information Services At the age of three, Mary Lynn underwent cardiac surgery for a congenital heart defect. Little did she know this would be the start of a long relationship with CHEO and the people who healed her. Reflecting on some of her earliest memories, Mary Lynn remembers how her nurse made her feel safe and comfortable when she woke up in hospital without her mom by her side. For those few moments apart, Mary Lynn sat at the nurses’ station, twirled in the office chair and ate a popsicle while she waited for her mom to come back from a much-needed break. |
CHEO became a comfort for Fei Fan as a new mother |
Meet Fei Fan Chen, a Housekeeper with CHEO’s Environmental Services team At six months pregnant, Fei Fan immigrated to Canada from China. At the time, little did she know the role CHEO would end up playing in her life or that it would become the place that would guide her in her early days as a mother to her newborn son Gabriel. Fei Fan’s pregnancy had been uncomplicated and without concern – that is, until her first ultrasound in Canada. During her seven-month ultrasound, everything changed. Her baby was measuring small and during her follow-up ultrasound, they couldn’t see his brain. |
“CHEO is the reason I moved to Ottawa.” – Jessica McAdam |
Meet Jessica McAdam, Registered Nurse First Assistant with Perioperative Services-Operating Room “CHEO is the community that gave me a permanent home,” says Jessica, a registered nurse (RN) with CHEO since 2009. Growing up in a military family, Jessica spent her childhood moving across North America. But today, she considers the CHEO community her home base and rather than move from city to city, she expands her nursing skills. Over her 15 years at CHEO, Jessica has been an RN in inpatient surgery, an RN in the operating room (OR) and a nurse educator. |
Maia’s childhood friend inspired her journey with CHEO |
Meet Maia Popovic, child and youth counsellor with CHEO’s Eating Disorders Day program When Maia was 17 years old, her best friend confided in her that she had an eating disorder. Confused and saddened that her friend, who portrayed such beauty and confidence, could be struggling so much, Maia turned to Google to try and find her friend some help. Her search led her to the CHEO website which provided resources on how to support your loved ones through eating disorders. Maia remembers thinking, “If CHEO can help me and my friend with online resources, I can only imagine how much they could help in person.” And that thought, coupled with her friend’s meaningful confession, inspired Maia’s career and her journey with CHEO. |
From young patient to preschool educator at CHEO |
Meet Kelsey LeJeune, Preschool Educator at CHEO’s Children’s Treatment Centre At just 14-years-old, Kelsey LeJeune was admitted to CHEO following a serious stroke. For Kelsey, this was the beginning of a long road to recovery – from a stay in the pediatric intensive care unit, to outpatient rehabilitation with Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and many other follow-ups with a variety of specialists. Subsequently, Kelsey underwent a heart repair and multiple surgeries on her foot and ankle. Her stroke had caused dystonia – involuntary muscle contractions – which made walking very difficult. |
“We weren’t just another number.” – Sarah Giroux, Nurse Educator |
Meet Sarah Giroux, RN, Nurse Educator for CHEO’s mental health programs Following in the footsteps of many of the women in her family, Sarah completed her consolidation at CHEO on 6East 21 years ago. While she left CHEO to start her nursing career, those few months in her final placement left a lasting impact on Sarah. She knew there was something different about CHEO. Eleven years ago, Sarah came back as Nurse Educator for CHEO’s mental health programs, working with many of the people who shaped her career. |
Stay tuned as we share more meaningful stories from our dedicated staff, medical staff, learners and volunteers.
Share your story
We’re looking for special CHEO stories and memories as we mark this significant milestone.
If someone at CHEO has changed your life or that of your child or teen over the past 50 years, share your story!
Celebrate with CHEO
![Decorative image of a paper airplane.](/en/about-us/resources/50/Paper-airplane.png)
Join the conversation on social media using our official hashtag — #CHEO50andBeyond.
Share your stories, memories and well-wishes as we mark this significant milestone in the history of CHEO.
Here's to 50 years of caring, growing and healing so that children and youth can live their best lives.