New Pediatric Clinic Opens at Lakeside Academy
by Marilyn Santucci
The Rossy Foundation Heart and Hands Pediatric Clinic opened its doors on October 31, 2024, at Lakeside Academy.
The Heart & Hands Pediatric Clinic is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare to underserved children through a school-based health center. Established in 2019, the program sets up clinics within schools to offer both immediate and preventive care to children and their families, with doctors and allied health professionals available on-site.
In partnership with the Lester B. Pearson School Board and Montreal Children’s Hospital, the clinic creates a trusted, child-centered environment. By utilizing a team-based approach, Heart & Hands collaborates with school staff, healthcare professionals, and families to understand each child’s unique situation and deliver comprehensive care solutions.
“The Heart and Hands Pediatric Clinic offers a unique healthcare model. We are taking a significant step forward in our collective mission to support the health and well-being of our children and their families,” explains David Meloche, cofounder of the Heart and Hands clinic. “The school staff are dedicated to their school community and the collaboration between LBPSB, McGill University, Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation and The Rossy Foundation is complimentary to their efforts. Our network of care extends from the classroom to the clinic and beyond. It is a matter of access and equity for our families. Together, we are building a stronger and healthier Lachine community.”
“The clinic itself and all the equipment, is thanks to a very generous donor, the Rossy Foundation. This is the second clinic that is run by the Heart & Hands Organization. There is also one in Verdun,” says David Estok, Heart & Hands Pediatric Clinic Manager.
Bridging the Gap Between Their Formal Medical Training and Real-World Practice
The new facility will provide much-needed support to underserved families in Lachine who have struggled to find a pediatrician for their children. Initially, it will accept students and their siblings from Lakeside Academy and Maple Grove Elementary as patients. Soon, any child under 18 residing in Lachine will have access to its services. Patients will receive care from first-year pediatric residents from McGill University, under the supervision of experienced physicians. Heart & Hands connects first-year resident physicians with the community, bridging the gap between their formal medical training and real-world practice. Under the guidance of pediatricians from the Montreal Children’s Hospital, these physicians in training gain practical experience in a setting that exposes them to both medical and social challenges. They manage and monitor a wide range of complex health and psychosocial conditions, while also developing the skills to engage with the social aspects of community-based care, particularly with vulnerable children.
“Our system is difficult to access. Add a situation of family disadvantage on top of that, it’s almost unfair to expect them to figure out a very complex system. The school model, we think, has very important advantages to make it easier to access care for families who may have received no care or who don’t know how to access care, because they all take their kids to school. The most common story we hear when we see a child for the first time is they haven’t had access to a medical resource in perhaps years,” says Dr. Geoffrey Dougherty, Pediatrician.
This structure not only ensures quality care but also serves as a valuable teaching environment for the residency program. Services offered include physicians, nurse clinician, and a dietician. The clinic hopes to offer more services in the coming months, such as occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. All services are free.
How it Works
The clinic is open on Thursdays during the school year and by appointment only and is not a walk-in clinic or emergency service. To obtain an appointment, the school parent or guardian can call the school front desk and ask them to fill in the referral form.
Located inside of Lakeside Academy, patients and their families are greeted by a newly renovated space. While waiting to be seen, patients can play and read books in a quiet nook, while parents and guardians can relax in the waiting area. A mural was commissioned for the new space and was created by former Lakeside Academy student Samanta Tovar.
About the Mural
“Two children, dressed as doctors represent an innocent and imaginative game: They walk together along a path that leads to a lighthouse, symbolizing guidance and safety and hope as they grow. A large tree in the background stands for the strength and vitality they will need in life. The swallows represent youth and freedom as do the peonies associated with a future of new beginnings.”
This is the second clinic to open its door within the Lester B. Pearson School Board. In 2019, the first school-based clinic opened its doors in Verdun, serving families in the area who require medical care.
“This is an exciting moment for Lakeside Academy and the entire educational community served by Lakeside and Maple Grove Elementary. We look forward to supporting our community by providing quality healthcare to our students and families for years to come. The Heart and Hands clinic, located at Lakeside Academy, will benefit all students in terms of health, education and accomplishments at school as well as in their everyday lives. We are honored and privileged to be a part of this incredible partnership. Along with our teachers and professionals, we welcome the collaboration with the Heart and Hands team to support our students and community. The Heart & Hands clinic would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of so many,” says Maggie Wilkinson, Principal at Lakeside Academy.
For more information, visit: heartandhandsclinic.ca
