Meet Christopher: SMILE Honouree
As a Certified Orthotist at SickKids, Christopher Nudds develops custom designed orthopaedic appliances that help stabilize, support, and correct muscles and bones. Although this process can seem scary to his paediatric patients, Christopher tries to ease their fears by turning it into a fun arts and crafts project that the patients themselves can contribute to.
Christopher began working as a clinician at The Children's Orthotics Clinic at SickKids in 2013 after transitioning from the field of prosthetics to orthotics. Working closely with his colleagues, Christopher helped design the first myoelectric transcarpal silicone prosthesis and the first exoskeletal swimming leg with silicone thigh lacer. By designing individual orthopaedic appliances, Christopher helps patients grow, develop, and recover after operations. The end goal is to assist children in achieving their optimal level of function and independence. “I get to see the firsts,” says Christopher. “The first steps, the first milestones, the first everythings.”
“The fact that someone took their own time to go the extra mile to acknowledge my work is really nice.”
Christopher is also proud of another development that he was able to bring to SickKids – custom imaging for orthopaedic bracing. “In 2002, I created a technology where children could pick images and have them placed on their brace. When I started here at SickKids in 2013, I shared this technology and taught the technique to the orthotics staff, and it is now a normal standard for our patients.”
Christopher’s friendly demeanor contributes to the welcoming atmosphere at SickKids. He greets his patients with a big smile and lets them know, right from the start, that they are going to have fun. “The fact that, everyday, I get to see children leave the clinic smiling, instead of leaving scared. That’s the reward,” he says.
As someone who always makes an effort to walk in to SickKids each day with a smile, it is fitting that Christopher has been recognized through the SMILE program. “It’s fantastic to receive this type of recognition,” says Christopher. “The fact that someone took their own time to go the extra mile to acknowledge my work is really nice.”
Has a staff member at SickKids, like Christopher, brought positivity, comfort or brightness to your day? Consider saying thanks by honouring them with a SMILE. A donation through the SMILE program supports the most critical needs of the hospital as well as the Staff Continuing Professional Development Fund, which provides staff at SickKids with the opportunity to advance their skills and increase their knowledge and expertise. SMILEs make a difference. Please consider giving one today.
