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SickKids

About the Learning Institute

Education and learning are our passion. 

The SickKids Learning Institute (LI) is keen to make a difference in the lives of children and their families through our work with learners, using innovative learning approaches and technologies facilitated by expert faculty. We strive to be exceptional collaborators, empowering individuals and teams to be the very best they can be through supportive educational programming and continuous learning.

The LI is a champion of advancing inclusive environments where everyone belongs. We are committed to creating learning environments where everyone feels safe, represented, included, respected and valued. 

Whoever you are as a learner we are excited to work with you! Whether you are a new staff member building a career in paediatrics or a seasoned professional expanding your knowledge and deepening your expertise, we are here to support your learning. Perhaps you are a community provider or an international learner wanting to know more about leading practices in children’s health care; or an engaged patient or family member seeking reliable health information – we are here for you too.

Education is fundamental to SickKids’ vision: Healthier Children. A Better World. Every day we work to advance a learning culture at SickKids that is creative and dynamic, we aspire to have our organization known worldwide as a place where we learn from and with each other at all times.

Who we are

Healthier children through teaching and learning.

Improve child health outcomes and systems of care worldwide through education.

Realizing our vision will require close collaboration with our clinical and research partners, academic institutions, health care organizations, government, corporate partners, SickKids Foundation, and a vibrant community of children, youth, families, and faculty.

As a world-renowned academic health sciences centre, SickKids embraces and promotes the value and importance of education as one of three pillars within our organization: care, learning and research. The Learning Institute was founded in 2007 to support and enhance education and teaching activities across the organization and beyond. Our mandate is broad as we support all types of learning, including the education of academic students and trainees, development of specialty knowledge and skills, continuing professional development of staff, education of children and their families, and knowledge exchange with local, national and international communities. We provide exceptional learning experiences to deepen knowledge and expertise in the delivery of high quality paediatric care.

The Learning Institute embraces interprofessional approaches and brings together educators from all disciplines. We are a community of educators and learners; multiple networks of passionate and engaged people with diverse knowledge and skills who teach, coach and mentor individuals and groups to grow and thrive professionally. We offer programs and services that support our hospital community to create, deliver and evaluate education and training. Our unique services are also offered to external partners who wish to participate in our exceptional educational offerings or to those looking for customized learning experiences.

The Learning Institute connects people, spaces and learning products in multiple ways. Through virtual communities and physical spaces, we promote excellence in education and learning. We are creative and strive for excellence in everything that we do. We seek new partnerships and promote networks that enhance learning, advance education scholarship, improve knowledge translation and offer creative education solutions and services to ultimately improve outcomes for children and their families.

Strategic Plan

The Learning Institute 2021–2025 Strategic Plan will enable SickKids to be a strategic systems partner in children's health locally, nationally and internationally.

Annual Report

The Learning Institute 2023–2024 Annual Report highlights accomplishments and updates.

Our Education Leadership and Faculty

Lennox Huang

Chief Medical Officer, Vice-President of Medical and Academic Affairs

Headshot of Kelly McMillen

Kelly McMillen

Kelly McMillen is the Executive Director of the Learning Institute.

Bonnie Fleming- Caroll

Bonnie Fleming-Carroll

Bonnie Fleming-Carroll is the Associate Chief, Nursing & Interprofessional Education of the Learning Institute.

Lara Pietrolungo

Lara Pietrolungo

Lara is the Director, International Education at the Learning Institute and Managing Director, Boomerang Health

Sean Schurr

Sean Schurr is the Director, AboutKidsHealth & Digital Learning Solutions at the Learning Institute.

Emily Louca

Emily is the Director at the Learning Institute for the Simulation and Resuscitation Education Programs.

Kelly Warmington

Kelly Warmington is a Manager at the Learning Institute

John-Paul Rosendall

John-Paul Rosendall is the Business and Operations Manager, AboutKidsHealth & Digital Learning Solutions at the Learning Institute.

Susan Ball

Susan Ball is the Managing Editor, AboutKidsHealth at the Learning Institute.

Chaya Kulkarni

Chaya is the Director of Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion (IEMHP)

Daniela D’Annunzio

Daniela is the Senior Manager, Interprofessional Education at the Learning Institute

Annie Jiwan

Annie is the Program Manager of the Project ECHO: Epilepsy ECHO Across the Lifespan program

Become a Member of the Learning Institute

At the Learning Institute, our vision is healthier children through teaching and learning.

To continue to build our capacity for advanced thought leadership, knowledge dissemination, scholarship and innovation in education, we have implemented a membership to bring together our education community and facilitate our learning culture. Membership includes:

  • ​Be​ing pa​rt of the Learning Institute network
  • Access to regular upd​at​es
  • Invitations to Learning Institute educational events​
  • Opportunities to​ ​engage with interprofessional colleagues in educational activities and scholarships
  • Ability to provide your expertise and feedback
  • Profiling your work and/or the work of your team
  • Participation in mentorship activities
  • Use of the Learning Institute logo for internal and external education related posters and presentations (internal members only)

Register to become a Member

Our Programs

Nursing & Interprofessional Education

Our clinical staff are highly trained health-care professionals who are supported through continued learning.

Simulation Program

This collaborative program is using simulation to transform the future of health care.

Knowledge Translation Program

Learn about professional development, support and tools for KT across the hospital and in the community.

Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion (IEMHP)

IEMHP translates and promotes the science of early mental health into practice with families.

Paediatric Project ECHO

Paediatric Project ECHO offers community-based health-care providers with access to specialty knowledge, an interprofessional network, and a community of practice.

Project ECHO - Epilepsy Across the Lifespan

The Project ECHO: Epilepsy Across the Lifespan interdisciplinary teams are based in 10 programs across Ontario.

International Education

International Education offers paediatric specialty education and training services that are customized to international learners’ specific needs and can take place at SickKids or in their home country.

A man wearing a headset sits at a desk with a laptop and book open in front of him

SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute

Evidence-informed learning opportunities to advance best practices in mental health care.

Contact us

If you would like to learn more information about any of our programs or services, please contact us.

Phone: 416-813-8910 ext 228122
Email: learning.institute@sickkids.ca

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