Overview
The Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre is the largest mother-child centre in Canada and one of the four most important pediatric centres in North America. Its team of 5 000 support staff and 500 doctors, dentists and pharmacists carry out their work in an environment that is both highly innovative, where knowledge is generated and transferred on a daily basis; and respectful of individuals, where patients and families are placed at the heart of every practice. Affiliated with the Université de Montréal, the CHU Sainte-Justine is the largest pediatric teaching centre in Quebec and one of the top in Canada. It hosts more than 4 000 students and interns every year.
The CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre is composed of more than 200 researchers. It is recognized for its leadership, particularly in the areas of brain disease; musculoskeletal diseases and movement science; fetomaternal and neonatal disorders; metabolic health; viral diseases, immune disorders, and cancer; and for the advancement of health.
Areas of excellence
With state-of-the-art facilities, the CHU Sainte-Justine is able to carry out its mission of clinical care, education, research, and health promotion in its six areas of excellence.
These areas of excellence were chosen for their extensive expertise in delivering high quality specialized care, conducting world-class research, and providing high-level education.
Its pursuit for medical excellence has positioned the CHU Sainte-Justine as one of the top ten mother-child hospital centres in the world, in the following fields:
Perinatal care
The CHU Sainte-Justine is Quebec's premier destination for mothers experiencing high-risk pregnancies and possesses the largest neonatal care centre in North America with a capacity of 80 incubators for preterm babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
The CHUSJ is a member of the North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTN), a network composed of three Canadian centres and some ten American hospitals specialized in fetal therapy. Fetal therapy, fetal malformation surgery, and treatment for problems related to twin pregnancies are just a few of the many services provided.
Cardiac sciences
The CHU Sainte-Justine receives more than 10 000 visits in Pediatric Cardiology each year. Its team of experts makes 3 500 visits in itinerant clinics across Quebec and perform over 2 600 fetal heart ultrasound examinations annually.
About 400 patients undergo corrective surgery or catheterization for heart defects each year. The CHU Sainte-Justine is privileged to have on staff the only pediatric cardiologist in Canada who has subspecialty training in genetics.
Hematology-Immunology-Oncology
The CHU Sainte-Justine is a North American leader in this field, both in clinical care and research. It is recognized for the attention given to its little patients and their families. Its cancer centre houses the pediatric bone marrow and cord blood transplant programs for the entire province of Quebec.
It is one of the five most active pediatric centres in cord blood transplants in North America and was the first Canadian pediatric centre to obtain accreditation from the prestigious Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). Moreover, the CHU Sainte-Justine is the only institution in Quebec to conduct all forms of solid organ transplants.
Neurodevelopment
The CHUSJ receives more than 37 000 visits each year from children who require care for such conditions as Tourette syndrome, epilepsy, autism, developmental delays, language disorders, mood disorders, hyperactivity, etc. Its team of more than 35 internationally renowned researchers strives to uncover the causes of these complex disorders.
Musculoskeletal diseases and movement sciences
The CHU Sainte-Justine exercises world leadership in introducing innovative solutions that contribute to the well-being of children living with musculoskeletal diseases: invention of the flexible corset, new computer-assisted surgical techniques, and postural patterning and assessment to provide children in wheelchairs with increased independence. The team is recognized for its multidisciplinarity (medical imaging, molecular genetics, and biomechanical engineering).
Health Promotion
The CHU Sainte-Justine Health Promotion Centre develops, implements and assesses health promotion and disease prevention programs that are specifically aimed at improving the health of mothers, children, and teenagers of Quebec.
These intervention, research, education and knowledge-sharing initiatives primarily focus on reducing risk factors associated to numerous health problems, both at the individual and collective levels. Its programs are carried out in many different areas, such as the promotion of breastfeeding, prevention of heart disease and shaken baby syndrome, detection of hearing loss in newborns, and implementation of measures aimed at promoting healthier eating habits.
In association with its health care partners, the Centre also strives to be involved in the development of public policies that foster and support good health in a context of sustainable development. All of the Centre's strategies are aimed at both the general public and vulnerable population groups, such as cultural communities and marginalized families.
Accredited as a health-promoting establishment by the World Health Organization, the Health Promotion Centre is also responsible for developing the Employee Wellness Program of the CHU Sainte-Justine.
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