Awards
A year of empowering imagination and building an accessible future
At Holland Bloorview we believe in creating a world where all youth and children belong. We are the only children’s rehabilitation hospital in Canada focused on combining world-class care, transformational research and academic leadership in the field of pediatric disability. We help thousands of kids and youth with disabilities and complex medical needs access care that focuses on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being and we power their infinite potential and possibility.
Together we dream big. Together we champion a world of possibility.
2022-2023 awards
Canada’s Top Employers for Young People 2023
Holland Bloorview was named one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People. Holland Bloorview’s commitment to early career development was recognized for the 11th year in a row.
Greater Toronto’s Top Employers 2023
Holland Bloorview was named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for the 13th consecutive year. This recognition underscores Holland Bloorview’s committment to meaningful and healthy futures of their staff, clients, familities, and broader community.
Canada’s Best Diversity Employer 2023
Holland Bloorview was named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the second time. This award recognizes employers that demonstrate strategic focus on inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility within the workplace.
Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospital 2022
Holland Bloorview was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals for the 11th year in a row. Holland Bloorview is ranked at #34 this year overall and ranked among the top 3 research hospitals (small tier) for research and hospital intensity in Canada.
Canadian Coalition for Green Healthcare – 2021 Green Hospital Scorecard
Holland Bloorview won Green Hospital of the Year for its exceptional environmental management systems. Holland Bloorview is also recognized for their efforts in reducing the Canadian health care sector’s ecological impact through sustainability, waste, and pollution prevention initiatives.
Individual awards
Fieldwork Educator Recognition Award
This year 11 of Holland Bloorview’s occupational therapists were recognize for their outstanding teaching and mentorship during MScOT candidates fieldwork.
Fraser Stephenson, an inpatient physiotherapist on the brain injury rehabilitation team (BIRT), at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital has been honoured with Jake’s Award for his outstanding ability to go above and beyond while dealing with challenging situations.
2022 Children’s Healthcare Canada (CHC) Patient and Family Leadership Award
Gunjan Seth won the 2022 Children’s Healthcare Canada Patient and Family Leadership Award. Gunjan was recognized for her courage, commitment, and resilience in promoting systemic change at local, regional and/or national levels.
Minister’s Award of Excellence
This year Holland Bloorview celebrated 3 Minister’s Awards of Excellence. Dr. Elaine Biddiss was received the award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Drs. Kathryn Parker and Amanda Binns received the award for Future Proofing Ontario’s Students.
HITMC Healthcare IT Trailblazer of the Year
CEO Julia Hanigsberg was awarded HITMC Healthcare IT Trailblazer of the Year for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of children with disabilities.
2022 Pursuit Awards for outstanding contribution
Each year Holland Bloorview’s Bloorview Research Institute recognizes outstanding PhD students and recent alumni each year for their exemplary contributions and achievements to the field of childhood disability research.
First place: Dr. Caitlyn Gallant, York University
Second place: Dr. Katie Mah, Western University
Third place: Dr. Ruth Braden, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honours and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. Throughout the year, a Holland Bloorview nurse — nominated by their colleagues, students, volunteers and/or by clients and families—is selected to receive the DAISY award.
Celebrated recipients from the 2023 include:
Emilie Canham, Registered nurse
Karen Silva, Registered nurse
Jorge Santos, Registered nurse
Louise Frydrych, Nurse practitioner
Accomplishments
Launch of new strategic planning activities
As our No Boundaries strategic plan came to an end in March 2023, we’ve begun on the process of setting new priorities and defined the new plan: Holland Bloorview 2030.
This year, Holland Bloorview partnered with NIA Technologies to co-develop new prosthetic design process for clinicians, improving the way prosthetics are made for clients with limb differences.
Launch of Employer Resource Hub
In building the confidence of employers to engage young adults with disabilities in their workplace, Holland Bloorview’s launced the new Employer Resource Hub, which offers a one-stop-shop for employers interested in learning more about hiring youth with disabilities.
Holland Bloorview in partnership with Yorktown Family Services, launced the What’s Up clinic, which proves mental health support for ambulatory clients and their caregivers.