As the festive season approaches, thoughts of a new year and new you might be on your mind. That’s especially true for Julia Hanigsberg, president and CEO of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, as she retires after over a decade at the hospital.
Although looking forward to her next chapter, Julia greatly appreciates her time with the hospital’s patients and their families, staff, volunteers and supporters. In an interview with Leaside Life, she reflected on memorable initiatives.
“Being the largest and only Canadian academic research and teaching hospital that focuses on neurodevelopmental disabilities and disability healthcare, we’re advancing the current and future care of children and youth,” she said. “We teach doctors, nurses, physio, occupational and behavioural therapists, and have trained some of the first developmental pediatricians around the world. We have a big role beyond our walls. Leasiders, your donations are making a big impact!”
Growth is key
She added, “Amazingly, over the last decade, with government, sponsorships and donations, we’ve grown approximately a third, which means new programs, helping children with different kinds of disabilities, like eating disorders, which make it hard to stay nourished. Stabilizing them can prevent them from needing an acute care hospital bed.
“Growth means new staff with new ideas,” she said. “It means helping more children, youth and families. Plus, we look at the whole child, the whole family and provide innovative solutions. One example is the outdoor Spiral Garden summer camp where kids with disabilities can express their individuality and really shine in art, music, and play alongside their typically developing peers. The camp welcomes children of all abilities.”
Many memories
Asked for an enduring memory, Julia smiled and offered, “We are committed to each child at Holland-Bloorview being a self-advocate as being a child with a disability is not easy. There will be challenges to overcome and these young people will need tools while with us and when they move on.”
Julia continued, “There’s a little girl who’s now a teenager and on her high school prom committee. She’s grown so much since I first met her. She was five or six and approached me in her pink wheelchair. I was in the early days as CEO. She wheeled to my open office door and said she had to speak to the boss. Then she added, I know you’re new here and I don’t know what you’ve done so far but the pizza and chicken nuggets aren’t as good as they used to be. Behind this brave young girl her mom was turning red yet wisely didn’t interfere. I was thrilled! We’re a children’s hospital; if we can’t get chicken nuggets right, we’re in trouble.”
Julia beamed and added, “It was the cutest thing and made my day. This young girl honestly advocating for her needs. I thought, she’s on her way.”
Fundraising for the future
“Holland Bloorview’s new $100 million fundraising campaign, Together We Dare, is the largest campaign for childhood disability in Canada and will help improve access to care for kids and youth with disabilities, support greater inclusion of children with disabilities in all aspects of life, and help raise funds for ground-breaking technologies and research that change the game for children and youth with disabilities,” she said.
And what’s next for Holland Bloorview’s president and CEO? More time with family and a few consulting projects. We wish her – and Holland Bloorview – the best of luck for the future.
Note: Holland Bloorview recently announced Bruce Squires as the incoming president and CEO, effective Feb. 2, 2026. He was most recently president of McMaster Children’s Hospital and vice president, Women’s & Children’s Health at Hamilton Health Sciences.
HOLLAND BLOORVIEW: https://www.togetherwedare.ca
