IWK Health

IWK Health Passionately pursuing a healthy future for women, children, youth and families.

The IWK Health page is not monitored 24/7 and should not be used in any emergency situation. If you require emergency help please call 911 or go to the emergency department closest to you. If you are experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis: Call 902.429.8167 or 1.888.429.8167 (toll-free) for the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team. We welcome your comments on Facebook but before you post on our page, please ensure you do not include personal information or photos of others without their consent.

02/25/2026

Have you worked with a research team as a youth or family research partner?

We’re inviting you to participate in a 45–60 minute virtual interview to share your experiences with engagement in research. Your input will help shape future practices. Interested? Contact Vjura at vsenthilnathan@hollandbloorview.ca.

02/23/2026

Being prepared for a winter emergency can help keep you and your family safe and sound all season long. Here are some helpful winter emergency preparedness tips.

•Be ready for power outages from winter storms. Have enough food for 3 days, working flashlights, charged batteries, and gas in your car.

•Prepare your car for winter driving. Along with winter tires, a full gas tank and a charged phone, keep these things in your car: a first aid kit, flashlight, blanket, small shovel, sand/kitty litter, booster cables, extra windshield fluid, scraper/brush, and warm clothes.

•Use generators safely. Only use generators with proper safety labels, and have a qualified electrician set yours up properly outside. Unsafe generators can cause fires, electric shocks, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

•Every home needs at least one carbon monoxide detector. Check the batteries twice a year, at the same time you check your smoke detector.

•If you have a disability or medical needs, keep mobility aid batteries charged and have at least 3 days of medication on hand. Make sure medicines can be stored safely if the power goes out.

•Download the NS Alert App. This app gives important warnings about storms, floods, wildfires, and other emergencies. It also shares community notices, like water advisories.

Helpful links:

Planning for power outages: https://www.halifax.ca/safety-security/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness/power-outage

Carbon monoxide poisoning: https://novascotia.ca/nse/environmental-health/preventing-injuries.asp

Generators: https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/be-ready-emergency-preparedness-and-recovery/generator-safety

Preparing as a person with a disability or medical condition: https://novascotia.ca/nse/environmental-health/people-with-disabilities-medical-condition.asp

Winter driving: https://www.redcross.ca/training-and-certification/first-aid-tips-and-resources/first-aid-tips/winter-safety-and-clothing/safe-winter-driving

NS Alert App https://novascotia.ca/nova-scotia-emergency-alert-app/

Find more great winter health and safety tips from Public Health: www.nshealth.ca/winter-health-and-safety.

February is therapeutic recreation month.Recreation therapy is a person-centred, strengths-based, and evidence-informed ...
02/23/2026

February is therapeutic recreation month.

Recreation therapy is a person-centred, strengths-based, and evidence-informed healthcare profession that uses leisure, recreation and interventions to support individuals, families and their caregiving systems and communities to bring about changes in the overall health, well-being and quality of life.

At IWK Health, Recreation Therapy professionals include Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists(CTRS) and Recreation Therapy Associates (RTA).

To all our recreation therapy colleagues, thank you for promoting the meaning, value and experience of recreation and leisure in the lives of those we care for!

If you are a parent of a child with complex medical needs, you are invited to join us on Thursday March 5th, 2026 7:00 -...
02/22/2026

If you are a parent of a child with complex medical needs, you are invited to join us on

Thursday March 5th, 2026 7:00 -8:30 pm

Our Parent Group is an informal meeting where parents can share tips and tricks of caring for their child with complex special needs!

Interested in attending?
Please email Jackie Pidduck at jacklynn.pidduck@iwk.nshealth.ca

Please note to receive the Zoom link, we will ask you to review the virtual group guidelines that will be emailed to you, to provide the address of where you will be during the meeting and a contact number in case of emergency.

Was your pregnancy complicated by high blood pressure or preeclampsia?We invite you to participate in a study that aims ...
02/21/2026

Was your pregnancy complicated by high blood pressure or preeclampsia?

We invite you to participate in a study that aims to improve the health of Nova Scotia mothers who have high risk of future heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease kills more women than all other causes combined. Most people with high blood pressure in pregnancy do not realize that they can have these problems years after the pregnancy. Most of the time, the opportunity to do something about this “early warning” is missed and women at risk never use health resources in Nova Scotia.

We want to learn about the experiences of women like you and the barriers you may face in improving your future health.

Participants will receive:
• $15 gift card.
• Information about the risks and preventative measures available in Nova Scotia

What you will be asked to do?
• Participate in a 1h focus group to take place online

Are you eligible?
• Have you had high blood pressure, preeclampsia, eclampsia in pregnancy?
• Did you give birth between 6 and 36 months ago?
• Are you a resident of Nova Scotia?

If you are interested in participating or if you would like more information about the study, call or email a member of the study team:

Anesthesiaresearch@iwk.nshealth.ca

902-470-7473

This study is funded by The IWK Foundation Translation into Clinical Care Level 1 grant.
This study was approved by the IWK Research Ethics (study # 1025596)

Focus groups are taking place in February and March.

02/20/2026

The Community Health Teams’ spring and summer 2026 programs are here!

Discover FREE health and wellness programs designed to support your mind and body this season.

Program topics include:
• Mental Wellness
• Parenting
• Healthy Eating
• Physical Activity
• Reducing Health Risks

✔️ Open to adults 18+ in the Greater Halifax area with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card.

📅 Registration is now open! Check out our digital flyer and save your spot today:https://www.nshealth.ca/sites/default/files/documents/CHT%20Electronic%20Spring_Summer%20Flyer%202026_02_18.pdf
Community Health Teams | Nova Scotia Health

Expecting your first baby in 2026? Just welcomed a newborn? We’re inviting first-time parents in Nova Scotia to take par...
02/20/2026

Expecting your first baby in 2026? Just welcomed a newborn?

We’re inviting first-time parents in Nova Scotia to take part in a research study with IWK Health. Participants may receive supportive postpartum text messages during the first 6 weeks after birth — right when things can feel overwhelming.

This study is open to first-time parents who are:
• 28+ weeks pregnant
• OR have delivered within the past week

If that’s you, we’d love to connect
Text “pregnant” (if 28+ weeks) or “birth” (if baby arrived in the last week) to 902-702-6278 to learn more.

If you're not 28 weeks yet but still interested, you can still text us “pregnant” and we can send you a reminder about the study at 28 weeks.

Please feel free to share with someone who might be interested! All parents welcomed.

Episode two of the Your IWK Podcast is now available!The Your IWK Podcast connects you with the people driving change ac...
02/20/2026

Episode two of the Your IWK Podcast is now available!

The Your IWK Podcast connects you with the people driving change across IWK Health. From researchers and physicians to project leads and team members in every corner of the organization, the Your IWK Podcast shares real conversations about the work, ideas, and innovations that make IWK what it is. Tune in to stay connected, inspired, and in the loop on all things Your IWK.

Episode two: IWK in the community: African Nova Scotian Service, Community Health Teams and Child Safety Link baby gate program

In this episode of Your IWK Podcast, we sit down with Cynthia Jordan, Xavier Hartley, Mitch Dysart and Sarah Mavrak to talk about the African Nova Scotian Service, Community Health Teams, and Child Safety Link's baby gate program.

Listen now on:

Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/youriwk-podcast/id1818147398

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2FzJeq4a091KmSaCgFMfEW?si=8a6d6ff1d09f4a3e less

Researchers from IWK Health are looking for 1-2 youth and 1-2 caregiver partners to join their research team for a cross...
02/19/2026

Researchers from IWK Health are looking for 1-2 youth and 1-2 caregiver partners to join their research team for a cross-Canada study.

Many innovations exist to improve the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. This research study called “Implementing and Sustaining Transition in Care Innovations for Youth Using Knowledge Translation Interventions” is examining how to get transition in care innovations to STiCK in clinical practice. A panel of people with lived and professional experience will work together as equal partners to co-produce each phase of this research project.

For more information, please contact Grace MacIntyre (Research Coordinator) Grace.MacIntyre@iwk.nshealth.ca

02/18/2026

Have you received diabetes and pregnancy care in Nova Scotia through Nova Scotia Health or the IWK?

We’re inviting you to share your experience through a short survey. Your feedback will help inform improvements to diabetes and pregnancy care for others across the province.

Scan the QR code or visit https://www.engage4health.ca/diabetes-in-pregnancy-patient-feedback-survey to take part. The survey is confidential and takes just a few minutes.



[IWK Health]

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5850/5980 University Avenue
Halifax, NS
B3H1V7

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Our Story

The IWK Health Centre provides quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritimes and beyond.

In addition to providing highly specialized (tertiary) care, the IWK also provides primary care services.

The IWK is engaged in leading-edge research; works to promote healthy lifestyles for families; and supports education opportunities for health professionals and other learners.

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