McMaster Children's Hospital

05/26/2026

What happens when a baby is born too small or sick to breastfeed or bottle feed, and needs nutrition delivered in other ways, like through a syringe or feeding tube?

Even the tiniest, frailest babies in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can benefit from human milk through a partnership between their birth parents, who pump, and the hospital’s high-tech Mothers Own Milk program. Donor human milk is an option for babies who medically qualify in cases where supply from birth parent is limited.

Read more: https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/share/mch-mom-program/

05/25/2026

Coordinating care for a child with complex behavioural or health needs can feel overwhelming for families. That’s why the Extensive Needs Service here at McMaster Children’s Hospital works closely with families, schools, service providers and community partners to provide coordinated, wraparound support tailored to each child’s needs.

For Michelle and her daughter Nylah, ENS helped create a more connected care experience while also building skills and confidence for both of them.

Read the full story to learn how ENS is helping families feel supported, connected and empowered: www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/share/ens-wraparound-care/

05/22/2026

Yesterday, leaders, clinicians, researchers, and partners from across Ontario came together for the second Extensive Needs Service (ENS) symposium, hosted here at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

Discussions focused on research, care models and local innovations to improve access and support for children and families with complex needs. The event also highlighted new Ministry funding, supporting the growth of more connected, family-centred care.

Together, we’re strengthening ENS to improve outcomes for families across the province.

Read more: https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/share/second-ens-symposium/

CHEO | Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

05/12/2026

Happy Nursing Week to all our amazing nurses! 🩺

05/06/2026

We're going national with children's mental health.

Hamilton Health Sciences McMaster Children's Hospital is taking on a leadership role in child and youth mental health by training other health-care providers to deliver Family Check-Up — an evidence-based program that helps children and their families thrive.

Teams at MCH are not only delivering care, but also teaching, mentoring, and supporting other Canadian organizations to bring this model to their own communities.

By building capacity across the system, more families can access the support they need closer to home.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4fbgQZQ

📅 May 4–10 is Children’s Mental Health Week

05/05/2026

Lyla is our 2026 MacKids Walk & Wheel Patient Ambassador 💜
This year, Lyla is leading the first lap and inspiring others to be part of something bigger.

After being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2025, Lyla has spent so much of her time in and out of hospital. MacKids Walk & Wheel gives her and her family a chance to step into something hopeful, surrounded by others who understand the journey.

For Lyla and her family, Walk & Wheel is about more than fundraising. It’s about giving back to the place that continues to support her through treatment and celebrating moments of joy along the way.

“The best part [about Walk & Wheel] was seeing other families there, having so much fun,” says her mom, Danielle. “I couldn’t believe how much there was for the kids to do, it was so well organized and such a great time, memories we’ll have forever.”

This year, their team has already surpassed their $10,000 goal and is now at $11,700 raised and counting 🎉

Join Lyla and be part of the moment!

🔗 Learn more on how you can get involved and donate: https://bit.ly/3N0r7MY

05/01/2026

On top of providing exceptional care to our patients, our doctors are advancing research, training the next generation, championing health equity and collaborating on process improvements to better meet the needs of our patients and communities. Here’s some of the interesting equipment our doctors need to do their job on a daily basis. Happy Doctors’ Day! 🩺

04/30/2026

When Lily Maracle was offered the chance to try walking on her own using robotic legs, the four-year-old Hamilton girl stepped right up to the challenge. Lily was born with cerebral palsy and relies on a walker to get around. To help build strength, endurance and coordination, Lily visits our Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre for physical therapy wearing robotic legs, developed by Mississauga-based Trexo Robotics Inc.

Learn more at www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/share/robotic-legs-for-rehab/

Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation

04/24/2026

04/23/2026

Another National Volunteer Week profile - the GPS!

Priya is one of our Guiding People Services (GPS) volunteers and is here to help you found your way. Priya volunteers at our McMaster Children's Hospital/McMaster University Medical Centre to help patients and families navigate the hospital, personally guiding them to where they need to be, all with a friendly smile on his face 🙂.

To learn more about volunteering with us or to apply to be a volunteer visit, www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/volunteer

04/20/2026

At Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre, we provide personalized, custom-made learning materials to help children with developmental delays and neurodevelopmental challenges build the skills they need to succeed.

At the heart of this work is longtime volunteer Maureen Hewins, who plays a key role behind the scenes, carefully laminating, binding and assembling learning materials for children to practice with at school, daycare and at home. We’re featuring Hewins’ significant contributions - an astonishing 22,000+ volunteer hours over 25 years - in celebration of National Volunteer Week.

Read more at https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/share/national-volunteer-week-2026/