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Back to SearchOTTAWA — Physicians now have the opportunity to specialize in pediatric palliative care through CHEO’s new Pediatric Palliative Care Residency program, the first of its kind in Canada.
This specialty training program for physicians is a partnership between CHEO, Roger Neilson House and uOttawa’s Faculty of Medicine. It marks a historic milestone in recognizing the importance of palliative care for children, youth and their families. Before this program, there were no specialty pediatric palliative care training programs in Canada.
Pediatric palliative care is specialized care for children with severe, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses. Palliative care in pediatrics differs from adult palliative care in that the complex nature of many of these child illnesses and conditions mean a prognosis can span several years or even decades.
Because of this, children, youth, and families experiencing these illnesses and conditions need compassionate and well-trained providers who understand what they’re going through and their unique needs. By offering this program, CHEO is training the next generation of physicians with the specialized knowledge required to support the complex care needed.
“In this field, every child has unique needs and a unique story,” says Dr. Kyle St. Louis, the program’s first physician in training. “This program has an incredible group of learners and educators who have your back and want to support you as a team. They’ve helped me learn how to care for these children, youth and their families using evidence-based practices, partnership and compassion to better understand their needs and stories.”
The two-year residency program delivers training to residents specializing in supporting children, youth, caregivers and families who are coping with a pediatric palliative diagnosis by using research, empathy and communication skills. Residents learn how to collaborate and lead within a multi-disciplinary team to support the full range of social, emotional, and physical care required. Importantly, this training provides learners with opportunities to provide care in various settings, including in hospital, at home, in the community and in the children’s hospice, Roger Neilson House.
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Media contact
media@cheo.on.ca
About CHEO
Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.