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Dr. Widger’s program of research aims to identify, examine, and enhance the structures, processes, and outcomes of palliative care provided to children living with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Dr. Kimberley Widger is an Associate Professor at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto and holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care. She is also a Nursing Research Associate with the Paediatric Advanced Care Team and Project Investigator in the Research Institute at the Hospital for Sick Children and an Adjunct Scientist in the Lifespan Program at ICES. Through her program of research she aims to ensure that every family of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening illness receives optimal pediatric palliative care throughout the illness regardless of where they receive care and the outcome of the illness. She also collaborates with and provides mentorship to both peers and the upcoming generation of researchers in the area of development and use of surveys with patients and families and knowledge translation.
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care
Dr. Kimberley Widger, Associate Professor at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto began a five-year Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care in July 2020.
Dr. Widger’s program of research focuses on examining and enhancing the structures, processes and outcomes of care provided to children living with a life-threatening condition and their families. Her research has had a national impact on enhancing the quality of care for children who are facing a life-threatening conditions and their families as well as supporting health professionals to provide this care. During her tenure as Chair, Widger will address key knowledge gaps in this area to advance the understanding and delivery of high-quality pediatric palliative care.
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2012 – Postdoctoral Fellowship, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto
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2012 – PhD, University of Toronto
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1996 – MN, University of Calgary
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1991 – BSN, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Widger’s PubMed link is available here.
Ridwanaah Ali
Thesis Title: Impact of specialized pediatric palliative care on mental health outcomes of mothers and siblings
Julia Al Ayass
Thesis Title: Pediatric palliative care delivery in refugee camps
Julia St. Louis
Thesis title: Examining opportunities for organ donation in neonates
Laura Buckley, RN, PhD
Thesis Title: health professional burnout and family-centered care in the pediatric intensive care unit
Current Position: Clinical Nurse Specialist – SickKids PICU, Adjunct Lecturer, University of Toronto
Christina Medeiros, RN, PhD
Thesis Title: parental decision-making for children with life-threatening conditions
Current Position: Senior Manager, Evaluation and Monitoring, RNAO
Joanne Tay, RN, MPH, PhD
Thesis Title: Examining adjustment and coping trajectories in healthy siblings of children with life-threatening conditions
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Windsor