On the evening of April 16, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital was honoured to receive two 2025 EKO Tribute Awards at the Empowered Kids Ontario Spring Symposium. A total of 15 Tribute Awards were given this year, honouring individuals, teams and organizations that are changing the lives of Ontario kids with disabilities and developmental needs.

Dr. Jessica Brian, psychologist and senior clinician scientist, was the recipient of the Award of Excellence for her transformative research and clinical implementation work around improving early diagnostic assessment, intervention and health services for children with autism and other developmental conditions. Holland Bloorview was the recipient of the Advocacy Award for its No Piece of Cake anti-stigma campaign, bringing attention to the largely unknown yet challenging phenomenon that youth with disabilities and their families face when they transition to the adult health-care system.

“I’ve always been motivated to conduct research that has a meaningful impact for children with developmental conditions and their families,” says Dr. Brian. “I feel so honoured to be recognized for work that bridges science with the day-to-day lives of children and families. This award reflects the contributions of so many amazing collaborators, community partners, coaches and families.”

Dr. Brian’s research continues to shape how autism is understood and supported in early childhood. A globally cited researcher and psychologist, she has co-developed tools and interventions – most notably the Social ABCs, a caregiver-mediated program – now implemented across Ontario and internationally. Her work has informed national clinical guidelines and contributed to policy and systems change. Through deep partnerships with families and service providers, her work reflects key values that resonate with the Bloorview Research Institute’s vision – ensuring research is impactful, inclusive and grounded in lived experience. 

“I am honoured and privileged to work with Dr. Brian and thrilled to see her work recognized in this way,” says Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, vice president of research and director of the Bloorview Research Institute. “Her leadership in advancing early autism detection and early intervention continues to share not only research, but also how families are supported across systems, in Canada and globally.”

Left to right: Dr. Brian, psychologist and senior clinician scientist; Ashleigh Saith, vice president, strategy and public engagement, Holland Bloorview Foundation; Nadia Tanel, senior director, communications and strategy; Stewart Wong, vice president, communications, strategy and sustainability; Catherine Ho, manager, integrated marketing, Holland Bloorview Foundation.

“In partnership with the clients and families that we serve, Holland Bloorview continues to be a voice for system change, demanding a world that values children and youth with disabilities and developmental differences,” says Stewart Wong, vice president, communications, strategy and sustainability. 

For years, Holland Bloorview has seized the opportunity to educate, challenge and move the needle on issues surrounding disability stigma through large-scale public awareness campaigns including Dear Everybody, Imagine Everybody, Inclusion Resolution and Ready to Work.

“The opportunity was clear: we needed to tell these stories in a way that would demand action, move hearts and inspire action. It is not enough to talk about the challenges of medical transitions internally, and with our health-care colleagues. We have a responsibility to get loud and bring the discussion into public discourse,” says Nadia Tanel, senior director, communications and strategy. “And that is exactly what we did through the No Piece of Cake campaign. By combining research, real voices and a targeted communications strategy, Holland Bloorview turned a quiet crisis into a call for change.”

Hosted every two years, the EKO Spring Symposium brings together – from Ontario and across Canada – several hundred clinicians, leaders, scientists, students and trainees, families, youth and stakeholders to share knowledge and drive the developmental health agenda. In 2023, Louise Kinross, special projects manager and BLOOM editor at Holland Bloorview was the recipient of the Advocacy Award for her compelling storytelling around challenging people to rethink their perceptions of disability and ability.