Dr. Sharon Smile, a developmental paediatrician at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, has received the 2019-2020 Division of Developmental Paediatrics Faculty Teaching Award in recognition of her excellence in educating the next generation of paediatricians. Residents and fellows nominate paediatricians for the honour, and every year students select two winners across the University of Toronto’s division of developmental paediatrics. This includes Holland Bloorview, University Health Network and community physicians affiliated with the division.

“The ability to inspire and challenge current dogma is exciting. With our residents and fellows, their quest for knowledge is infectious and creates an energy that illuminates the mind. It’s a case of bidirectional learning,” said Smile, also a clinical study investigator at the Bloorview Research Institute and an assistant professor in the department of paediatrics at the U of T. “We are in the business of sculpting the next generation of paediatricians and developmental paediatricians, who will take care of young Canadians and beyond.“

Smile notes a Benjamin Franklin quote when discussing her support of students: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

The developmental paediatric fellows at Holland Bloorview sang Smile’s praises. Please see below for some of their remarks.

“Dr. Smile is one of the best teachers we have the pleasure of working with throughout our fellowship training at Holland Bloorview. She is a role model in her ability to connect with her patients and their families. She is innovative in her assessment style, often finding a fun way to engage the child during the appointment.”

“In addition, she is an amazing mentor to all trainees! It is clear she has a passion for teaching, and the manner in which she gently encourages us to think outside the box really helps us hone our skills and grow as learners. She is a passionate clinician, an EDI [equity, diversity and inclusion] leader who leads by example, as well as an active advocate for her patients and we greatly benefit from working with her!”

The awards were announced by Dr. Darcy Fehlings, head of U of T’s division of developmental paediatrics, during the division’s monthly business meeting on December 3.