Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 INSPIRE Award: two implementation projects that will improve the lives of children, youth and their families. Funded through the Innovation for System Partnerships, Implementation, and Evaluation (INSPIRE) program, these projects will receive $25,000 each to scale innovative solutions that address clinical and operational gaps within the hospital.

The INSPIRE Award, supported by the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, empowers hospital staff to bring transformative ideas to life. This year’s winning projects -

"Establishing an in-house fabrication solution for personalized prosthetic covers" and “Implementing TeachABI at Holland Bloorview: Advancing Back to School Transitions for Young People with Brain Injury" - reflect Holland Bloorview’s commitment to personalized, inclusive and socially accountable care.

"These projects showcase the incredible creativity and dedication of our teams," said Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, vice president of research and director of the Bloorview Research Institute (BRI). By investing in implementing innovation into healthcare and education systems, we’re empowering children, youth clients, and families to thrive, shaping a brighter future for all, and making possible a personalized version of a good life.

Establishing an in-house fabrication solution for personalized prosthetic covers

Led by Dr. Jan Andrysek, senior scientist at the BRI, and Tanya Wishloff-Hunt, clinical operations manager, the personalized prosthetic covers project aims to create an in-house solution for crafting custom prosthetic covers. These covers not only protect prosthetic limbs but also allow clients to express their individuality through personalized designs and colours.

Currently, Holland Bloorview outsources prosthetic covers, resulting in high costs and long wait times. By using advanced 3D scanning and printing technologies, this initiative will drastically reduce production times while making the process more accessible and cost-effective for families.

"Our clients deserve prosthetics that are both functional and reflective of their personalities," said Dr. Andrysek. "This funding allows us to bring the design process in-house, providing clients with a faster, more tailored experience that celebrates their individuality."

The project’s co-design approach engages clients in creating their prosthetic covers, ensuring the final product meets their needs and preferences. By cutting production times in half and lowering costs, this innovation will have a lasting impact on the quality of care and satisfaction for families.

Tanya Wishloff-Hunt emphasized the significance of this shift: "This initiative ensures that clients can feel confident in their prosthetic devices and streamlines the care process for our clinicians and technicians. It’s a game-changer for our orthotics and prosthetics department."

Implementing TeachABI at Holland Bloorview: advancing back-to-school transitions for young people with brain injury

Led by Dr. Shannon Scratch PhD, senior clinician scientist at the BRI and holder of the Holland Family Professorship in Acquired Brain Injury, and Andrea Hickling, research manager, TeachABI addresses a significant knowledge gap in the education system, where educators often report a lack of formal training and understanding of pediatric acquired brain injuries (ABI). This gap can leave teachers unprepared to support students returning to school after an ABI. TeachABI, an online professional development program, bridges this gap by equipping educators with the tools and strategies needed to create inclusive classroom environments.

Co-designed with educators, clinicians and families, TeachABI includes case studies, lived-experience videos and practical resources tailored to various educational settings. It ensures that educators feel confident and prepared to support students transitioning from hospital care to school life.

"Returning to school after a brain injury is a pivotal moment for students and their families," said Dr. Scratch. "TeachABI bridges the gap between hospital and school, empowering educators to provide the accommodations and understanding that students need to succeed."

The INSPIRE funding will allow the team to integrate TeachABI into Holland Bloorview’s brain injury rehabilitation team (BIRT) workflows, beginning with a pilot program for 50 clients. This initiative aligns with Canada’s National Strategy for Brain Injury Act, which emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration in supporting individuals with ABI.

"By equipping educators with this knowledge, we’re not just supporting students academically—we’re fostering their overall well-being and inclusion," added Hickling.

Advancing innovation through INSPIRE

The INSPIRE program continues to drive meaningful change by enabling staff to implement innovative solutions. This year’s winners exemplify Holland Bloorview’s mission to lead in care, research and education while breaking down barriers for children, youth and families.

"These projects embody the essence of INSPIRE: turning creative ideas into impactful solutions," said Dr. Anagnostou. "We’re thrilled to see how they will improve the lives of our clients and their communities."

A special thank-you goes to the INSPIRE evaluation committee for their thoughtful insights and support in reviewing project applications. This year’s committee members included Shoshana Hahn Goldberg, Shrikant Kelkar, Lorraine Thomas, Melanie Penner and Sarah Holman.

Congratulations to the 2025 INSPIRE Award recipients for their vision and dedication to advancing care and fostering inclusivity.

We would like to thank the Holland Bloorview Foundation and the generosity of our donors who made this possible.