Learning Objectives

• Describe the patient and family journey from the decision to initiate tube feeding, through to the insertion procedure, post insertion care and transition to home.
• Explore the emotional, psychosocial and practical challenges patients and caregivers face at each stage, informed by caregiver reflections and their lived experience.
• Identify key supports, education, and resources that build caregiver confidence and ensure safety across all stages of the journey.

Speakers

Connected Care, G-Tube Feeding Program and Interventional Radiology teams at SickKids 

Silvana Oppedisano is an NP in the G-tube Feeding Program. She has received numerous awards for excellence in nursing practice and education. Silvana founded and chairs the annual Canadian Feeding Tube Awareness Week. 

Samantha Cicciarella is a Pediatric NP in the G-Tube Feeding Program. Samantha assesses safety and readiness for G tube insertion and supports families through consultations. She also works in the Tube Weaning Clinic at SickKids. 

Arianne Dela Torre is a Nurse Practitioner in the G-Tube Feeding Program, where she supports families through the decision-making process of primary feeding tube placement.   

Dalia Bozic became the first NP to serve in a paediatric interventional radiology department at SickKids in 2016, where she established a model for NPs in this specialized field. Dalia works with various health professionals to achieve optimal health outcomes for children following interventional radiology procedures. 

Jessica Ho is an NP with 11 years of experience at SickKids. She has worked in Interventional Radiology for the past three years and has a specialty in Interventional Neuroradiology.  

Reenu Chhokar is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Connected Care program where she leads initiatives supporting transitions for children with medical complexity and technology dependence from hospital to home and community care.