Three different cities. Two countries separated by thousands of kilometres. Drs. Lilian Agufana, Courtney Laursen and Jillian McCarthy travelled from different parts of Canada and as far away as Africa to come to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, home to Canada’s largest developmental pediatrics training program.

“There’s a critical shortage of trained professionals in disability care across Canada and worldwide,” says Dr. Angela Orsino, program director and developmental pediatrician. “We’re proud to be training the next generation of developmental pediatricians including Courtney, Jillian and Lilian to provide this vital specialized care to kids with disabilities and developmental differences.”

For the next two years, the residents and fellows learned alongside developmental pediatricians and other clinical teams at Holland Bloorview and other hospitals across the city. Together, they developed the skills, knowledge and experience required to practice the highly specialized field of developmental pediatrics. 

On June 18, the graduates gathered with their colleagues, friends and families in the hospital's Spiral Garden on a warm summer evening to celebrate the completion of their training. “I’m so proud of our graduates,” says Dr. Anne Kawamura, division head of developmental pediatrics at the University of Toronto. “With the training they’ve received, they’re ready to support more children and families in their own communities here and around the world.”

Fresh from their graduation, the graduates share what they’ve learned during their time at Holland Bloorview, how their mentors supported their growth, and what their hopes are for the future as they began their careers as developmental pediatricians – advancing accessible, inclusive care for children and their families.