Happy Anniversary! 90 years of Child Life at the Montreal Children’s Hospital

Every year, Child Life Specialists are celebrated internationally in March for their incredible work: in advocating for children’s emotional safety and resilience through each step of their healthcare journey. This year at the MUHC, there is something extra for us to celebrate: we have reached 90 years of providing Child Life services here at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH).

“This anniversary represents generations of dedicated Child Life Specialists,” says Helen Magdalinos, Certified Child Life Specialist with 22 years of experience at the MUHC. “For myself, what I find most rewarding about my role is witnessing a child move from fear to confidence, from uncertainty to understanding. It is seeing families move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling supported.”

Having witnessed important progress in the field, Helen is happy to reflect on this year’s milestone: “How the profession has grown,” she notes. “From the pioneering efforts of the late Kathie Moffatt who championed the importance of play in healthcare, Child Life today is an essential and respected part of interdisciplinary interventions.” 

We asked Helen, what does ‘We are the MUHC’ mean to you?

“‘We are the MUHC’ means carrying our legacy forward with expertise, compassion, and heart. We must do so every day for every family we serve.”

Helen thanks the dedicated colleagues who have made her career all the more rewarding; nurses, physicians, social workers, other healthcare professionals, and fellow child life specialists, who all have a deep commitment to family-centered care.

Helen’s first mentors also stand out to her:

“My journey at the Montreal Children’s Hospital actually began as a research assistant,” she reminisces. “I was working with the late Dr. Barry Pless, an extraordinary mentor who profoundly shaped my professional path and my life. Dr. Pless was an injury prevention researcher and he connected me to Kathie Moffatt, for whom I ended up writing an article regarding children and trauma. This opened my eyes to the path of Child Life, and after Kathie’s passing, I embarked on my internship. Shortly thereafter, I began my rewarding career as a Certified Child Life Specialist.”

She concludes, “Young patients need preparation and play. Our interventions in Child Life ensure that each child feels understood, safe, and encouraged.”

Watch Helen and hear colleagues in this video: