Among those who have helped build that legacy is Dr. Chris Vadeboncoeur. She began her career as a General Practitioner working in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at St. Joseph’s Health Care in London, Ontario. But it was during her pediatric residency and fellowship in Ottawa that she developed a strong connection to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and its vital role within the greater community.
With plans to pursue pediatrics, CHEO proved to be a natural fit. She later transitioned into the role of Hospital Pediatrician in the oncology ward, where she spent a decade caring for children and families. Here, she deepened her approach to care — bridging treatment, comfort, and quality of life.
“I naturally gravitated toward this form of care, even before I knew what pediatric hospice palliative care was,” she says.
When Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice — formerly Roger’s House and Roger Neilson House — began construction in 2005 on the grounds of CHEO, the new development caught her eye. That same curiosity led her to approach Dr. Bill Splinter, RNCH’s first Medical Director, and one of the physicians who helped establish the pediatric palliative care program ahead of its opening in 2006.
Unbeknownst to her at the time, this conversation would become the catalyst for an impactful career in pediatric hospice palliative care.
As the program grew, Dr. Vadeboncoeur became increasingly involved, contributing her clinical expertise and deep commitment to family-centred care. In its early years, an important part of the work involved dismantling common misconceptions, particularly the belief that palliative care is solely for end-of-life.
“We were the second pediatric hospice to open in Canada,” she says, “It was a challenge at the beginning to get people to understand what palliative care was — especially the full scope of pediatric palliative care.”
A cornerstone of RNCH’s work, our respite services give families time to rest and recharge, while their child receives individualized and tailored care, making every stay truly one of a kind.
“Every program is unique,” says Dr. Vadeboncoeur. But what sets RNCH apart from most children’s hospices is its proximity to CHEO — not only in location — but in the strength of its interdisciplinary and collaborative team.
For the past seven years, Dr. Vadeboncoeur has served as Medical Director of the Palliative Care Program for RNCH and CHEO. She shares: “I’m always humbled by the way families allow us into their lives at the most difficult times. Even when I cannot cure a child, I can provide comfort, support, and symptom relief.”
Her commitment to making a difference in pediatric hospice palliative care — through research, advocacy, and education — is shaping and inspiring the next generation of physicians.
Joining the Department of Medicine at the University of Ottawa as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in 2019, with a subsequent promotion to Full Professor in 2024, no two days are the same for Dr. Vadeboncoeur.
Her advocacy and expertise extend beyond the university, serving on various committees including the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the International Children’s Palliative Care Network, and as former Vice-Chair of the Canadian Network of Palliative Care for Children.
She collaborates on multi-centre clinical research in Canada and population data research in Ontario as a Fellow of interRAI, an international not-for-profit organization developing assessment tools for vulnerable populations.
Her invaluable contributions to pediatric hospice palliative care was recognized in 2025 when she was named alongside 25 Canadian recipients for the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal.
“The kids are special, and we get to do amazing things,” she says. “How many jobs let you play with mini ponies or help make a child’s birthday wish come true?”
Dr. Vadeboncoeur finds ways to remain active and involved in her community. When she is not busy leading a team of palliative care physicians, she sings with the Ottawa Chapter of Voices Rock Medicine, a choir formed by healthcare professionals in 2022 that has since grown to more than 80 members.
As she approaches retirement, we thank her for her tireless work in shaping Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Over the course of her distinguished career, she has made a profound impact. Through her compassion, leadership, and guidance, Dr. Vadeboncoeur has created a space where care is thoughtful, legacies are made and every life — no matter how short — is cherished.