National Nursing Week (May 11-17) and International Nurses Day (May 12) recognize the vital contributions nurses make to health and wellbeing across Canada. The 2026 National Nursing Week theme, The Power of Nurses to Transform Health, highlights the impact nurses have not only in clinical settings but also in community‑based and child‑centred systems of care.
At the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), nurses play a critical role in ensuring children and youth in care remain connected to consistent and responsive health services. One of those nurses is Patti‑Jo Singleton, a pediatric nurse with our Health Services team.
A career rooted in pediatric care
Patti‑Jo brings more than 40 years of pediatric nursing experience to CAST with a career spanning hospitals, clinics, schools, camps and community settings. Prior to joining CAST three years ago, she worked in high‑acuity pediatric cardiology at a children’s hospital in Boston and supported children with complex medical needs.
Joining CAST allowed her to apply that experience in a new way by supporting children and youth involved with child welfare. As Patti‑Jo explains, “While we always work to support consistency, children and youth who come into care may experience changes in their caregivers or the communities where they live. My role is to support them and their Workers by helping keep their health care needs, documentation and care connected.”
Building continuity and connection
Today, Patti‑Jo helps connect the work of our Health Services team with Workers, caregivers, public health units and community health providers. Her role is grounded in clinical judgement, experience and strong relationships that support continuity of care for children and youth in our care.
An important part of this work is ensuring children and youth can access health care in the community. Patti Jo manages OHIP health cards for children and youth in care, including renewals, new applications, and updates within both our electronic medical record and CPIN. She works closely with Service Ontario to support children and youth who may be applying for refugee status, arrive at CAST without identification or come from other provinces or countries. In addition, she supports immunization records, documentation sourcing, follow‑up and specialty care, and helps ensure health information moves with children and youth as their circumstances change.
Supporting Workers and shared decision‑making
Patti‑Jo also supports our staff directly by helping them navigate medical questions and decisions. “Sometimes it’s about reassurance, sometimes it’s about planning, but it’s always about supporting the child,” she explains.
Whether a question is routine or complex, Health Services is a resource Workers can rely on. Access to nursing expertise through Patti‑Jo helps ensure decisions are made with confidence and clarity, with children and youth’s well-being at the centre.
Making a meaningful impact
For Patti‑Jo the work is deeply fulfilling. “I’ve always loved pediatric nursing,” she says. “Working with children has always been where I’ve found joy. Even small things can make a big difference in a young person’s journey.” She notes that children and youth she once supported sometimes remember her years later and remind her of the lasting impact consistent and compassionate health care can have.
Patti‑Jo also hopes National Nursing Week and International Nurses Day help broaden how people understand nursing. “People often think nursing is just bedside care or routine check‑ups,” she says. “But it’s about building relationships, supporting families and professionals, and being a soft, reliable and resourceful place for people and patients to land in times of need.”
As we mark National Nursing Week 2026 and International Nurses Day, we recognize the dedication, expertise and compassion of nurses like Patti‑Jo and the entire Health Services team.
