For more than two decades, developmental pediatric residents and fellows across Canada and worldwide have honed their research and scholarly skills through the Developmental Paediatrics Subspecialty Residency and Fellowship program.

“We are preparing the next generation of developmental pediatricians to enhance care for children and youth with disabilities,” says Dr. Angela Orsino, program director and developmental pediatrician. “Our program equips residents and fellows to become skilled, confident developmental pediatricians, while nurturing curiosity and a commitment to ongoing inquiry.”

With a national shortage of trained specialists, Holland Bloorview is meeting this gap by training the next generation of developmental pediatricians to provide specialized care to kids with disabilities. 

As part the two-year program funded by donors and the province, learners develop their scholarly inquiry by completing a research project, presenting their findings the 20^th annual Division of Developmental Paediatrics Roszel Research Day. 

The event gives learners valuable feedback from experienced researchers, strengthening their research skills and growth.

“Roszel Research Day gives residents and fellows space to explore how their research and can strengthen care for children and youth with disabilities, and to reflect on how new discoveries can spark meaningful change developmental pediatrics,” says Dr. Anne Kawamura, division head of developmental pediatrics at U of T.

This year, some 50 clinicians, researchers, students and former residents and fellows attended.

Dr. Melissa Carter, a clinical geneticist and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Ottawa, delivered the keynote about the evolution of genetic testing for neurodevelopmental and neuromotor disorders over the past twenty years and best practices in genetic testing for patients with autism and cerebral palsy.

Meet this year’s residents and fellows:

Dr. Jilian McCarthy, second-year developmental pediatric fellow, completed her medical school and general pediatric training in Newfoundland and Labrador. She presented her research project, exploring resident impressions following the use of a developmental pediatric board game in an academic half-day setting.

Dr. Courtney Larsen, a second-year developmental pediatric resident, completed her general pediatrics residency at the University of Alberta. She shared her presentation on Canadian general pediatric residents’ experiences in developmental pediatrics from a national perspective.

The resident shares that she values the holistic approach the hospital takes in understanding clients’ clinical diagnoses. She appreciates the opportunity to work with clients across a broad range of neuromotor and behavioural conditions and being a part of multidisciplinary teams. “I feel this training is preparing me well to assess and manage clients with these presentations in my own practice in the future.”

Dr. Lilian Kerubo Agufana, second-year developmental pediatric fellow, presented her body of work on family-centred care for children with cerebral palsy in Kenya. Prior to Holland Bloorview, she was a pediatrician working in a community hospital in Kenya, East Africa.

Dr. Rochelle Crawford, a first-year developmental pediatric fellow, shared her research findings on the prevalence and patterns of micronutrient deficiencies in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and restricted eating. She completed her medical training and pediatric residency in Jamaica.

“Having the opportunity to be involved in a research project has been great! I have been able to work with some brilliant minds who have taken me under their wing, mentored and guided me through the process,” reflects Dr. Crawford. “I am still in the early stage of my research, but I hope to take this experience and knowledge gained from my project to improve the management and care of children with neurodevelopmental conditions and restricted eating back home to Jamaica.”