Celebrating Education Event showcases learning and innovation at SickKids

By Alexandra Flack, Intern, Communications & Public Affairs

It would be nearly impossible to showcase the entirety of the innovation, learning and discovery happening at SickKids every day, but yesterday’s Celebrating Education Event gave a great snapshot.

The Garden Terrace in the hospital’s Atrium was bustling with curiosity as people learned about the many educational initiatives taking place across the organization. SickKids staff, students, patients and families were all invited to attend and check out the informative presentations, electronic posters, App café and interactive booths.

To kick off the morning, Dr. Lennox Huang, Chief Medical Officer and Vice-President of Medical and Academic Affairs, delivered opening remarks and discussed the shifting landscape of health-care education.

“The way we used to think about health care was narrow in scope. I’m happy to say that things have changed dramatically and continue to evolve. Much of the great work that you see showcased here today paves the way for additional change and innovation,” said Huang.

This was followed by a presentation from keynote speaker Dr. Ivan Silver, Vice-President of Education at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, who encouraged the audience to think about emerging trends and education styles, particularly the use of social media for learning.

After the speeches guests visited the interactive stations to learn about a multitude of topics, including 3D printing for surgical teaching, financial planning and child and patient care.  Some highlights of the hands-on activities included a health-care jeopardy game, group learning exercises and the opportunity to try on an Ebola PPE suit.

Guests could also explore the App café, which showcased health-care apps created by SickKids staff. For departments within SickKids that were unable to attend the event, there was a PIN board, where guests could read short, Pinterest style summaries of their education initiatives.

The event was put together by the Collaborative for Professional Practice and the SickKids Learning Institute. It is the second year the event has taken place and will continue annually, as it has garnered positive feedback so far.

“Learning is integrated into everything we do at SickKids and there is informal education going on all the time,” said Bonnie Fleming-Carroll, Associate Chief of Nursing and Interprofessional Education. “This event makes that much more visible to the organization. It’s a way of celebrating how people continue to develop and are engaged in helping others to develop as well.”  

The event intended not only to showcase the breadth of educational activities at SickKids, but to spark thought, facilitate discussion and provide networking opportunities.  

“This event is about celebrating education, raising awareness and bringing people together,” said Kelly McMillen, Director of the Learning Institute. “The hope is that people who attend will take something away that they can apply to their own environment or even pursue a training they may not have otherwise considered.”