Noni MacDonald Award

Current recipient(s): Hana Alazem MD, MSc PT, FRCP(C)

The Noni MacDonald Award recognizes an article in Paediatrics & Child Health that has positively affected paediatric medicine. This year’s award goes to the lead author of an article published in the July 2025 issue, titled Impacting the physical activity confidence of children with medical conditions or disabilities: A randomized controlled trial. Authors from this publication comprised of a multi-disciplinary team from six different medical specialty clinics at CHEO, explored how building confidence and physical activity motivation impacted children with various medical conditions. Key findings from this work found a 15% increase in physical activity confidence in kids who attended the activity sessions in person. However, very little change in exercise activity or confidence was discovered in kids who attended the sessions virtually or in a delayed intervention group. An in-person kinesiology support program, that includes peer support, education and encouragement alongside other children with similar conditions, was found to effectively boost confidence and help kids get active.
Dr Hana Alazem began her journey to pediatric rehabilitation, completing a Bachelor’s degree in Science majoring in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, followed by receiving her Master of Science in Physical Therapy at Queen’s University. She went on to complete her medical degree and pediatric residency at the University of Ottawa. Dr Hana Alazem also had the privilege of completing a clinical fellowship in Pediatric Rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa. She is one of two pediatric rehabilitation physicians at CHEO and services young adults in a transition to adult care clinic at The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre. As a Tier-2 Clinical Research Chair in Pediatric Rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa, Dr Alazem's primary research interests are in tone management, as well as developing and expanding access to technology for children with physical disabilities to promote activity, function and participation.