IWK Health

Save the date! RareKids-CAN is inviting you to join our virtual roundup session on March 24, 2025 from 8-11am MST. During this information session, you will gain an overview of RareKids-CAN, build connections within the community, and more! Register today: https://lnkd.in/gtZYQvNT

Today, March 21, is the International Day For The Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Racism has a direct effect on people’s health and wellness. Dealing with the stress, anxiety, and all the other emotions one has to face when being on the receiving end of racism can cause a variety of health issues. IWK Health is passionate about keeping our communities healthy and believes in providing equitable care to all, regardless of race or ethnicity. Every voice raised against racism is a step toward a world where we all belong, respected and valued.

We're hiring! Come join our amazing team at IWK Health. Make a big impact in a senior communications role. https://lnkd.in/eEp2GDS3

“Depression, anxiety, and complex trauma are common among women with chronic pelvic pain. The invisibility of pain leads women to perceive that others judge them harshly, particularly as they “look fine.” Linda MacEachern, social worker on the IWK Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain (E&CPP) team provides support to women whose quality of life is significantly impacted by chronic pelvic pain, counselling them, and at times, their partners. Having a social worker involved from the beginning of the patient’s assessment allows for a broader understanding of the complexity of the pain experience, and the treatments available. The patient feels emotionally supported and the multidisciplinary E&CPP team are aware of ongoing concerns or needs of patients. https://lnkd.in/ehugDXte

Kirsten Millar wrote this excellent little profile about me for the upcoming Affirming Care Conference for IWK and NSH employees/clinicians this week! I'll be doing a workshop about pronouns and how to treat trans and non-binary folks respectfully in the healthcare setting. Looking forward to it! https://lnkd.in/dhA3b8DG

“Music brings familiarity to an unfamiliar space, predictability to a place that can be an unpredictable,” says Lindsay Ward, a Certified Music Therapist on the IWK Child Life Services team. “As music therapists, we can support the establishment of familiarity and predictability which in turn supports patients coping with hospitalization.” Music therapy uses music as a therapeutic tool to address a variety of needs, including stress reduction, pain management, improved communication, and emotional expression, all while making the hospital experience more positive and normalized. Lindsay provides individual music therapy sessions to in-patients as well as a group session once a week called “Music Mondays”. “A moment that made me realize the impact of my work was when a family reached out after their child had passed. They had had regular music therapy sessions with me weekly until they were discharged home for palliative care. The patients’ family reached out and requested for me to sing and record a video singing one of the patient’s favourite songs with some of the words changed for the fathers first father’s day without their child. Our day-to-day interactions had a profound and lasting impact on this family in the years following their child’s death and they were beyond thankful for the positive, joy-filled, musical memories they made with their child.” March is Music Therapy Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the remarkable benefits of music therapy and the certified music therapists who use it to help people of all ages and abilities.

In honour of Social Work Month social workers Jenna (left) and Savannah (right) are in the Goldbloom Pavillion answering questions about Social Work services here at the IWK. 

Music therapy uses music as a therapeutic tool to address a variety of needs, including stress reduction, pain management, improved communication, and emotional expression, all while making the hospital experience more positive and normalized. “Patients and families can be far away from home, in an unfamiliar place with so much new information surrounding them all the time – which can lead to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, discouragement and isolation. Music Therapists support the mental health of ALL patients and families, regardless of their unit, by providing a safe and welcoming space to express themselves both musically and non-musically. They have choice in their participation and the level of their participation in the session. The predictability of music provides reassurance. Hearing lyrics that relate to their lived experience provides validation.” -Lindsay Ward, Certified Music Therapist “For youth and teens, music is often a pillar of their identity – something they use to connect with others and to better understand parts of themselves. Actively playing music or learning an instrument in an adapted way, supports independence, completion of a task/goal and self-expression.” - Sarah Bourque a Certified Music Therapist March is Music Therapy Awareness Month. photo: LtoR: Lindsay Ward, Sarah Bourque photo by Ryan Wilson IWK

Developmental pediatrician, Dr. Megan Thomas, chats with CTV Morning about better sleep for children and adolescents this World Sleep Day. https://lnkd.in/eqb5RpZC

Health system leaders from Nova Scotia Health, IWK Health and the Government of Nova Scotia who participated in the Health System Leadership Academy received program certificates at a special event marking the end of the first year of the program. Focused on creating a common language and approach to leadership development in Nova Scotia’s health system, this professional development program supported emerging, experienced and executive leaders to learn and apply new skills and build relationships through instruction, coaching and self-reflection. 📸 Photos of Health system leaders from Nova Scotia Health, IWK Health and the Government of Nova Scotia at the Health System Leadership Academy.