RNCH Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium: Inspiring, Educating, and Engaging

 

On April 16, 2025, more than 100 pediatric palliative care specialists, grief support professionals, generalists, and partners gathered for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice’s Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium in Ottawa. The symposium was an in-person event that created an inspiring and engaging day that fostered learning, education, and connection among current practitioners, the next generation of pediatric palliative care specialists, multidisciplinary generalists, and those caring for, or working with, children with serious illness in rural, urban, and remote communities. 

Keynote speaker Micki Burns of Judi’s House/JAG Institute

The day kicked off with a powerful keynote address by Micki Burns, Chief Executive Officer at Judi’s House/JAG Institute (JH/JAG) which is a leading, comprehensive family bereavement centre in Metro Denver. Micki spoke passionately during her presentation, Caring for Grieving Kids: Grief Reactions, Developmental Differences, Coping and Caregiving. She shared insights on helping bereaved children, adolescents, and families navigate grief and trauma.  

Diverse Voices and Expertise in Pediatric Palliative Care

Breakout sessions followed on the topics of navigating decision-making with parents of seriously ill children; respiratory technology in end-of-life care in hospital, hospice, and home; a family’s perspective on partnering in perinatal palliative care; and pediatric palliative care at home and in the community. These sessions presented the opportunity to hear from RNCH physicians, staff, and parent’s perspectives, each sharing their respective expertise on how we can better serve children and their families. We were also thrilled to hear from our colleagues at CHEO Home Community Care and Bayshore Home Care Solutions, who work collaboratively with RNCH to deliver pediatric palliative care in the community – meeting kids and families where they need it most. 

Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance: Core Care Pathway

In the afternoon, Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance gave a workshop on Core Care Pathway, where we heard more about this new initiative that brings together healthcare professionals, organizations, and families with lived experience from across Canada. The session also provided the opportunity for the attendees to contribute to a national vision for inclusive, family-centered pediatric palliative care by sharing their insights, experiences, and aspirations.  

The symposium then closed with a resonant session by Jeff Vidt, from Spiritual Services at CHEO, who spoke about meaning and purpose in palliative care. Jeff highlighted the importance of knowing our why and provided reflections on the relationship we have with our experiences, and to build agency to respond, rather than react. 

Learning and Engaging to Advance Pediatric Palliative Care and Grief Support

After a full day of learning and being inspired by those in the field of pediatric palliative care and grief, the symposium encouraged participants to turn the knowledge they gained into action and integrate it into their roles. It also reminded the community that Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice is here to support clinical advancement and learning.

The symposium was just one of the many ways that Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice fosters education and collaboration to advance pediatric hospice palliative care and grief support for children and families across Canada. Thank you to all the speakers and participants who shared their time, expertise, and insights so more children and families can access high-quality care.