Dr. Linda Christmann, Associate Executive Director of The Montreal Children's Hospital of the MUHC
The slogan of The Montreal Children's Hospital is "Where Kids Come First." This is not just a fancy saying on our letterhead, it is our pledge to the children of Quebec.
One of the hospital's important values is to protect and promote the health and well-being of infants, children and adolescents. We work with the government, numerous health associations and community groups to ensure such things as: timely access to specialized pediatric care, sufficient resources to meet pediatric health care needs, promotion of ways to prevent injury and illness, and continuous innovation so children benefit from new technologies and research.
The Children's has been advocating on behalf of children since its founding more than 100 years ago, when we became the very first children's hospital in Quebec. Over the years, we have consistently acted on behalf of children. In 1922, MCH physician Dr. Alton Goldbloom cofounded the Canadian Pediatric Society. In 1926, the MCH opened Canada's first Pediatric Social Services Department. In 1932, the MCH developed the world's first respirator. The first operation in Canada to repair a congenital heart defect was performed at The Children's in 1938. The MCH was also the first pediatric hospital in Canada to open a genetics department, and a hematology and oncology department. The MCH's Dr. Charles Scriver, along with grocery chain owner Arnold Steinberg, spearheaded the addition of vitamin D to milk, which virtually eliminated rickets in children by 1970. We were the first hospital in Canada to open departments of child psychiatry and adolescent medicine.
Our proud past is a mirror image of what is going on at The Children's today as we continue to both protect children, and enhance the care we give to them.
Today, our Trauma Care and Injury Prevention Program plays a vital role in injury prevention. The team closely monitors activity in the ER and when there is a worrisome trend in the types of injuries being treated, they will sound the alarm by issuing a public warning. The trauma team has brought a number of issues to the attention of parents and caregivers including an alarming rise in the number of children being injured while playing hockey, while bouncing on backyard trampolines and while climbing high diving boards at local pools. The Children's also went public after a child died tragically of carbon monoxide poisoning while sitting in the family car as the motor was running.
It is estimated that 90 per cent of all injuries are preventable and The Children's devotes itself to educating the public on how to prevent a tragedy.
In addition, childhood obesity is on the rise and it's a very worrisome trend for healthcare professionals since overweight children often become overweight adults with the inherent health risks such as heart disease, joint disease, and an increased risk of diabetes. To respond to this, The Montreal Children's Hospital partnered with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Association of Quebec to launch the Mentors in Motion Program. Overweight children are paired with adults who encourage them to be more physically active and to make smarter food choices. Research is being done to see if this is an effective way of preventing and treating obesity.
From our Audiology service to our Ear Nose and Throat, Dentistry and Multiculturalism Departments, the healthcare professionals at The Children's go beyond their clinical roles to act in the best interest of children and their healthcare needs.
We take our role as child advocates seriously, and will continue to speak up for children and will ensure our voices continue to be heard to protect the greatest asset of our community - our children.