ADVERTISEMENT MARCH 2026 | HEALTHINSIGHT.CA
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A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Children’s Health & Wellness
Playhouse MD Reimagines Kids’ Healthcare Through Play Founders of Playhouse MD share how play-based tools and devices, doctor-led education, and storytelling reduce fear, build trust, and empower families in everyday pediatric care. Playhouse MD was created to make children’s healthcare feel less intimidating. What gaps did you see in the system that inspired this approach? As a family physician and mom of two, I saw firsthand how intimidating traditional healthcare can feel for children. At the same time, Sydney Wiseman, an award-winning toy creator and my sister, understood how powerful play is in shaping a child’s world and together, we built Playhouse MD to bridge that gap. Childhood is powered by imagination. We have the Tooth Fairy for lost teeth, stories for big feelings, and characters to help children process everyday milestones. Play is everywhere, until the moment a child is sick or needs every day care, and that’s when they need it most. Most essential pediatric tools and devices are clinically effective, but emotionally cold. They’re designed for adult functionality, not for a child’s comfort. Yet, we know a child’s emotional response directly affects how smoothly a healthcare moment goes. Anxiety turns into resistance and resistance turns into stress for everyone. We believed there was a better way. Playhouse MD was created to reimagine kids’ healthcare through
play, without compromising product efficacy. Our products are doctor-designed and thoughtfully shaped around storytelling, warmth, and engaging children. Everything from the product names, like Jax the Giraffe, to our Playful Prompt Guides that help parents storytell, to the gentle and expressive eyes, each element was designed with kids at the center. We aren’t here to make healthcare silly, we’re here to use play with purpose. When care feels safe, empowering, and age-appropriate, children feel included instead of intimidated. And that changes everything.
From your experience, what are the most common health concerns or misconceptions parents bring to you? How can families better navigate trustworthy medical information online? Today’s parents are deeply engaged, which is great but they are also overwhelmed. The volume of information online can blur the line between education and anxiety. Common concerns we see include: • Fevers • Congestion management in infants • Medication dosing and safety • When to monitor at home versus
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when to seek care Trauma/physical injuries
We aren’t here to make healthcare silly, we’re here to use play with purpose.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that more information equals more clarity. In reality, what families need is quality information from trusted medical sources.
We always encourage parents to: • Seek information from pediatric associations or licensed medical professionals • Be cautious of content Playhouse MD products designed for shock value are currently only rather than clarity available for sale in the • Remember that chilUnited States. Visit playhousemd.com dren’s health deserves to learn more and stay calm, respectful lanup to date on product availability. guage Confidence grows when education is grounded in expertise and delivered with empathy.
Read the entire interview with the founders at healthinsight.ca.
Canada’s Most Essential House Enables Access to Paediatric Care With rising demand and economic pressures mounting, Canadian families count on Ronald McDonald House as a lifeline when it matters most.
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anada’s health care system is under strain, and with only 16 paediatric hospitals serving the entire country, the combined burden of distance, time away from work and community, and out-of-pocket costs places immense pressure on families during an already unimaginable time. As families navigate their child’s medical journey, Ronald McDonald House is their lifeline. By keeping families close to their child’s care, the essential system partner helps reduce barriers and increase access To learn more about how Ronald McDonald House is a lifeline for families caring for the country’s most medically vulnerable, visit ronaldmcdonaldhouse.ca/essential.
to essential support that enables families to remain actively involved in their child’s care. Insights from 2025 show this holistic support continues to improve the lives of families as care journeys grow longer and more complex across the country. As demand increases, prioritizing equity and access remains critical, because a child’s health outcomes should never depend on where they live or the resources available to their family. WRITTEN BY Katherine Cappellacci
This article was sponsored by Ronald McDonald House Canada.
Publishers: Sasha Zeldin, Maya Mezerhane Country Manager: Samantha Taylor Content & Client Success Manager: Nicole Kansakar Creative Director: Kylie Armishaw Digital Traffic Manager: Vansh Chandwaney All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.