KidsAbility’s Rocket Discovery Centre was honoured to win the “Innovation Award” at the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Gala on Thursday, March 20, 2025. This prestigious recognition underscores the groundbreaking work being accomplished by KidsAbility’s research and innovation team, in partnership and collaboration with the clinicians at KidsAbility, in advancing pediatric rehabilitation.
Brendan Wylie-Toal, KidsAbility’s Director of Innovation and Research, highlighted the importance of Rocket’s work, “Innovation in pediatric rehabilitation has historically lagged behind other healthcare sectors. Rocket was created to bridge that gap by accelerating knowledge translation into practice, prioritizing partnerships with academia, and integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI and optimization. This award further validates the work we are doing, and we are honoured to be recognized. Our heartfelt thanks go to the exceptional teams at the Rocket Discovery Centre and KidsAbility’s Client Services team members, as well as to our Foundation and the incredible community that continuously supports our mission.”
Jennifer Foster, CEO of KidsAbility, expressed her appreciation for this recognition, “The Rocket Team exemplifies what it means to dream big and turn those dreams into tangible results. Their commitment to the children and youth we serve is inspiring, and this award represents the possibilities for every child and family we have the privilege of engaging with.”
The Rocket Discovery Centre is a hub of innovation and collaboration and is a catalyst for transforming pediatric rehabilitation. Through strategic collaborations with partners including the Canada Research Chair in Health Care Analytics, there have been strides in improving clinician capacity. For example, by modeling and implementing shorter booking windows in KidsAbility’s early year programs, short- notice cancellations were reduced by 50%. Such a significant drop in cancellations is equivalent to adding thousands of visits to clinical capacity without additional cost.
These efforts highlight Rocket’s role in asking bold questions and delivering real-world solutions that benefit our region. Rocket is committed to KidsAbility’s values, such as using evidence-based practices, dedication to continuous improvement, and unwavering commitment to quality.
Rocket’s innovative spirit is not only fueled by the dedication of our team but also made possible through the generosity of our donors and community. Lisa Talbot, Executive Director for KidsAbility Foundation, emphasized the importance of this support, “This recognition demonstrates the belief our community has in Rocket’s vision. Donors play a crucial role in enabling us to push boundaries and achieve milestones like this. We are so grateful for both the interest and investment we are beginning to see from our community with this innovative work.”
The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Gala was covered by CityNews last week: Best of the Best Honoured at KW Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
