Since 1875, SickKids has been committed to shaping the future of children’s health. The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is Canada’s leading pediatric medical research institution and the largest center dedicated to improving children’s health nationwide. To meet the growing demands for exceptional pediatric care, SickKids launched the Horizon Project, aimed at expanding and transforming its current campus. By 2035, SickKids plans to complete the construction of a new 22-story patient support center and two hospital towers: the Peter Gilgan Family Care Tower and the Ambulatory Care Tower. Learn more at itoronto.info.
Establishment of a Much-Needed Hospital
In 1875, the hospital welcomed its first patients. Mrs. Elizabeth McMaster, recognizing the dire need for specialized care, took action. At the time, nearly half of the recorded deaths in Toronto involved children under 10 years old. With compassion and determination, Mrs. McMaster, along with a group of like-minded women, opened a hospital in a rented house to treat all sick children, regardless of their financial status. Their resilience and six iron beds laid the foundation for what is now The Hospital for Sick Children.
By 1892, the hospital had expanded significantly, with 320 beds. The bustling and rapidly growing city of Toronto required a more suitable pediatric facility. Under the leadership of John Ross Robertson, publisher of the Evening Telegram and chair of the hospital’s Board of Trustees, a new state-of-the-art, four-story facility on College Street was built, equipped to serve Toronto’s needs.
Landmark Medical Breakthroughs
- 1908: Canada’s First Milk Pasteurization Facility
Recognizing the risk of typhoid fever from contaminated milk, the hospital installed Canada’s first milk pasteurization system. This initiative aimed to prevent disease outbreaks, reflecting the forward-thinking practices of SickKids. Notably, mandatory pasteurization laws were only enacted 30 years later.
- 1920: Pioneering Blood Transfusions for Children
Building on discoveries by Dr. Karl Landsteiner, who identified blood types in 1900, SickKids became a pioneer in pediatric blood transfusions. Inspired by the grim lessons of wartime medicine, Toronto physicians adapted life-saving battlefield techniques for children.
- 1957: Revolutionary Hip Dysplasia Surgery
Dr. Robert Salter introduced an innovative surgical technique for correcting congenital hip dislocations, enabling children to walk and live normal lives. His work in orthopedic surgery revolutionized joint injury treatments worldwide.
- 1963: Cardiac Surgery for “Blue Baby Syndrome”
Dr. William Mustard developed a groundbreaking surgical procedure to correct transposition of the great arteries, a life-threatening congenital heart defect. Known globally as the “Mustard Procedure,” this innovation cemented SickKids’ reputation as a leader in pediatric cardiology.
- 1968: Opening of One of North America’s First Pediatric ICUs
SickKids established a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), solidifying its position as a global leader in pediatric critical care.
- 1976: Canada’s First Bone Marrow Transplant Program
This pioneering program gave children undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy a renewed chance at life, offering hope and healing to countless young patients.
Founding of the SickKids Foundation
In 1972, SickKids launched the SickKids Foundation to fundraise for the hospital. As challenges in pediatric healthcare evolved, the foundation became a vital source of support, enabling breakthroughs in research and care. Today, with over 232,000 donors, it remains Canada’s largest charitable foundation dedicated to children’s health research.
SickKids Today
In 2015, SickKids celebrated 140 years of championing children’s health. The hospital’s influence extends beyond Toronto, impacting global pediatric care. Initiatives such as training nurses in Ghana, improving cancer treatment in the Caribbean, and arranging critical procedures for international patients through the Herbie Fund exemplify its vision: “Healthier Children. A Better World.”
In June 2019, SickKids received a transformative $100 million gift from the Peter Gilgan Foundation, the largest donation in its history. This monumental contribution supported the construction of a cutting-edge patient care facility, encompassing intensive care and inpatient units.
On September 28, 2023, SickKids unveiled a new 22-story Learning and Support Center. The facility houses over 3,000 staff members, virtual care hubs, the SickKids Learning Institute, the Simulation Centre, and the Global Child Health Centre, setting a new benchmark for pediatric healthcare and innovation.