Photo: At the Oct. 1 ceremony, Dr. Peter Rumney (second from left, top row) and Zoe Garzouzi, chair of Holland Bloorview’s Youth Advisory Council (third from left, top row), pose with the 2026 Empowered Kids Ontario Tribute Award winners. Also pictured are EKO leadership and the evening’s host, the Honourable Jim Munson.

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is celebrating two recipients of the 2026 Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO) Tribute Awards, recognizing outstanding leadership, advocacy and impact in the developmental health sector.

Dr. Peter Rumney has received the 2026 EKO Tribute Award for Leadership, while Holland Blooview’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) has been recognized for its longstanding contributions to youth engagement and partnership. Together, these awards highlight Holland Bloorview’s commitment to advancing care, amplifying youth voices and creating meaningful change for children and youth with disabilities and developmental differences and their families. 

Honouring a pioneer in pediatric brain injury rehabilitation 

Over nearly four decades at Holland Bloorview, Dr. Peter Rumney helped shape pediatric brain injury rehabilitation in Canada and internationally through his clinical leadership and unwavering compassion for children and families. He played a key role in developing one of Canada’s leading pediatric brain injury rehabilitation programs and contributed to advancements in concussion care, pediatric stroke rehabilitation and community-based supports for children with acquired brain injuries.

“On behalf of Holland Bloorview, I’m delighted to congratulate Dr. Peter Rumney on receiving this award,” says Dr. Golda Milo-Manson, vice president, medicine and academic affairs. “Throughout his remarkable career, Peter combined exceptional clinical expertise with deep compassion, helping to transform pediatric brain injury rehabilitation and improve the lives of countless children and families. His leadership has shaped care not only at Holland Bloorview, but across Ontario, Canada and internationally.”

Reflecting on the honour, Dr. Rumney emphasized the importance of relationships in creating lasting impact.

“Connections are key to making an impact,” says Dr. Rumney. “AI taught me that relationships are the single most critical factor for health, happiness and community inclusion – for the kids and parents we treat, and for ourselves, too. It’s about being recognized, valued, and connected to the people inside our community. Receiving the EKO Tribute Award is exceptional, because this is recognition by my community.”

Three decades of youth partnership and leadership 

Holland Bloorview is also celebrating the recognition of its Youth Advisory Council, which has spent three decades ensuring youth voices are at the centre of decision-making. Founded in 1996, YAC was the first hospital-based youth advisory council in Canada and continues to provide current and former clients with opportunities to partner with staff, researchers and leaders across the organization. 

“The youth that are so closely tied with the hospital, they’re the only ones that have the experience that we are looking for to improve services, programs, research and decision-making,” says Dolly Menna-Dack, senior bioethicist, manager bioethics & spiritual care, and youth engagement strategy.

For YAC chair Zoe Garzouzi, the award reflects the contributions of generations of youth leaders.

“I stand on the shoulders of giants. Those that have come before me have paved the way for me to be able to do this work and for me to be able to be an effective advocate, and learn how to be a good leader,” says Garzouzi. “I will forever be grateful for opportunities like this one, where I get to share the work that we do.”

Building a more inclusive future

These awards recognize the lasting impact of individuals and programs that are helping to build a more inclusive future, while reinforcing Holland Bloorview’s vision of the most meaningful and healthy futures for all children, youth and families. 

By Ashley Cruz
Photos by Sean Jackson