Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted coverage for all vaccines, including routine childhood vaccines. While there are a myriad of contributing factors, evidence-based solutions exist to address poor management of needle pain and fears, both of which are challenges known to contribute to vaccine hesitancy in pediatric populations. In this webinar, hosted in partnership with Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP), attendees will hear from researchers and health professionals who will speak to factors contributing to low vaccine coverage, particularly in routine school-based immunization clinics, as well as a learn about low stimulus immunization clinics as a new, critically important model of care to support positive immunization experiences for children and their families.
Speakers:
Dr. Kathryn (Katie) Birnie is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Departments of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary where she leads the Partnering For Pain research program. She is the Associate Scientific Director of Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP), a national knowledge mobilization network working to improve evidence-based children’s pain management through coordination and collaboration. Dr. Birnie joined Alberta Children’s Hospital as a medical psychologist in 2018, where she continues to provide clinical care through the Vi Riddell Children’s Pain and Rehabilitation Program.
Dr. Shannon MacDonald, RN, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Nursing, and an adjunct in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta and the Department of pediatrics at the University of Calgary. Her clinical background is in pediatric nursing, with research training in nursing, public health, and epidemiology. Her research focuses on supporting immunization best practice and policies, and she has a particular interest in addressing system-level barriers and supports to achieving high immunization coverage in underserved populations. She leads an interdisciplinary research team that works with vaccine policy advisors, program administrators, and clinicians to address real-world questions to inform immunization best practice and policy.
Megan McDonald is an Operations Manager with Public Health in Edmonton, Alberta. She completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Fredericton (2021) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Distinction at the University of Alberta (2010). After working as a Registered Nurse in Labour and Delivery for six years, Megan transitioned into formal leadership roles working as a Unit Manager in Pediatrics for three years. She has been in her current role since 2019. Megan is passionate about removing barriers to access in health care and creating inclusive environments that meet the needs of all children, specifically those who are neurodiverse. She is a wife, a proud mom of three children, and a minor hockey coach. Megan’s son, Sam was diagnosed with Autism in 2018. His authenticity, humor, and courage make the world a better place and inspires her to do the same.
Pam Nagy is a Registered Nurse with Public Health in Edmonton, Alberta. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing through the University of Alberta in 2005. The first 10yrs of Pam’s Nursing career were spent at the Stollery Children’s Hospital working in Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Intensive Care. Pam has been in her current role as a Public Health Nurse for 13yrs. Through her work as a RN, and her own lived experience with a medically complex child, Pam developed a passion for helping children undergoing painful procedures. She is an advocate for creating positive experiences for those struggling with needle fear, phobia and anxiety related to medical procedures. She believes in using simple techniques to understand and empower families.
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