Advancing Pediatric Care
Building To Be The Best:
Emergency Department Redevelopment
A rendering of the IWK’s new
Emergency Department.
Over the past few years, we’ve been honoured to watch the IWK’s new Emergency Department (ED) become a reality.
What we can’t see from the outside is the transformation happening inside. When the IWK opens the doors to the new ED, we’ll see advanced equipment and purpose-built spaces. We’ll see Canadian firsts like an isolation trauma resuscitation room in the ED, funded through the generosity of donors like J.D. Irving, Limited, where we’ll leverage exciting new technology. Thoughtful attention to every innovative and welcoming detail will make this one of the leading pediatric EDs in North America.
Donors like you have helped make this amazing new ED possible because, like us, you believe Maritime children and families deserve the very best.
The IWK Foundation is proud to work alongside our donors, IWK Health,
and the Government of Nova Scotia to build this world-class ED.
Building the future of emergency care.
The IWK’s new Emergency Department will open to patients in 2027. Take a look at the progress underway on the redevelopment.
Learning That Saves Lives
Ashley Thebault shows “Hal”, the pediatric simulator, and “Sim Baby”
the new ED Classroom (Photo by Ryan Wilson, IWK)
When every second counts, emergency teams need to be ready.
With a critical investment from the Kenneth and Dorothy Rowe Foundation and support from donors, an Emergency Simulation and Learning Program will help ensure ED staff are prepared for every emergency.
The new ED will feature its own dedicated classroom, where ED staff can learn, teach, and advance patient care together. Simulation training will be a key activity.
Simulation allows teams to practise a skill or procedure in a simulated, guided setting where they can get immediate feedback and make adjustments before working with real patients. New state-of-the-art patient simulators—a pediatric mannequin and a newborn mannequin—will allow teams to practise complex healthcare scenarios with an incredible level of realism.
“When a trauma patient comes into the ED, that should never be the first time the care team has worked through that scenario together,” says Ashley Thebault, RN and IWK Simulation Consultant. “Simulation gives teams the opportunity to rehearse, refine, and strengthen their response before real lives depend on it.
“This training is truly lifesaving.”
Breaking Down Barriers
“My wheelchair definitely doesn’t stop me from doing anything,” says Ellis, the 2026 Children’s Miracle Network® Champion for the IWK. “It’s one of the best parts of me,” she proudly adds. Ellis, who lives with RYR-1 myopathy, a rare inherited muscle disease, is a spunky 11-year-old and passionate accessibility advocate.
She loves creating videos about the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, and why one can’t exist without the other. For example, without widened doorways, automatic doors, elevators, and step-free entrances, people in wheelchairs, like Ellis, can’t participate.
While Ellis may require a wheelchair to get around, she leads a full and active life—from acting in school musicals to spending time with her friends to making fun Coverstar videos, to competing in curling and Challenger baseball.
For her parents, Lori and Trent, the IWK has played an important role in Ellis’ life. “We have the best care team at the IWK,” says Lori. “Those who support the IWK through their generosity have enabled our child to grow and thrive.”
“No matter what she sets her mind to, I know she’s going to be a rock star,” adds Trent.
Knowing they have the support of the donor community behind them gives IWK patients like Ellis the confidence to dream big!
Ellis, 2026 Champion for the IWK
Ellis’s inspiring story aired during the 42nd IWK Telethon for Children in May 2026.
This year’s IWK Telethon was truly special, as it marked 30 years of Maritime support with CTV Atlantic as our media partner and raised a record-breaking $9,110,219.34 thanks to the generosity of Maritimers.
IWK and TREKK:
Advancing Pediatric Meningitis Care
IWK Health has teamed up with TREKK (Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids) to create resources that increase awareness and improve outcomes for children with meningitis, thanks to funding from the Thistledown Foundation.
A key milestone was the creation of two videos. One helps caregivers understand what to expect when their child is in an Emergency Department with suspected meningitis, and the second instructs non-pediatric emergency medical personnel on performing pediatric lumbar punctures.
“We are hopeful that sharing information and resources on meningitis and encouraging early recognition will help improve outcomes for those impacted by this serious disease,” says Eleanor Fitzpatrick, TREKK IWK Project Manager.
The partnership with IWK Health and IWK Foundation on projects like this exemplifies TREKK’s vision: that every child receives the highest standard of emergency care, no matter where they live. Together, they are closing knowledge gaps, building stronger connections between research and practice, and ultimately helping to save lives.
The meningitis resources are available on TREKK.ca, making these evidence-based tools accessible to families and healthcare providers around the world.
Kai with his parents, Norrie and Kari,
and his sister, Vea
This work was inspired in part by Kai Matthews, who died at age 19 from meningitis B (MenB). Kai’s family established the IWK BforKAi Trust, which funds MenB education, training, research, and awareness.