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 Profile
of a Distinguished
Canadian Child Life Leader: LeeAnn Derbyshire Fenn
M.Sc., CCLS
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we make, but we make a life by what we give.” LeeAnn Derbyshire Fenn has certainly made giving a part of her life’s work. In doing so, she has made a long lasting impact not only within the child life profession, but also in children’s psychosocial care around the globe.
The significant accomplishments LeeAnn has made throughout her career are indeed a reflection of her passion for child life, her personal drive for best practice standards and her sheer determination. She has touched our profession in every way as a child life clinician, educator, author, researcher, consultant, visionary and mentor.
Pages could be written about LeeAnn’s career and the reasons why she has been chosen for this CACLL special feature and likewise for being honoured as the Child Life Council’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award winner. I believe these highlights will clearly outline why she so deserves these great honours.
Throughout LeeAnn Derbyshire Fenn’s career she has been a:
- Child Life Specialist within Pediatrics at McMaster University Medical Centre
- Director, Co-Director, Online Distance Learning Coordinator and Associate Clinical Professor in the Child Life Studies Post-degree Programme at McMaster University
- Visionary leader as she oversaw the development of six child life professional development online courses at McMaster University. These were the first to ever be offered and have now been taken by professionals from over ten countries to date.
- Researcher in Child Life
- Chair and Co-Chair of committees within the Canadian Association of Child Life Leaders including the ‘Education Committee’ and ’Nominating Committee’
- Chair of Child Life Council committees including the ‘Mission, Vision, Values Committee’ and ‘Revision of the Official Documents Committee’ in addition to Co-Chair of the ‘Education Committee’
- Member-at-Large on the Child Life Council Executive Board
- Child Life Professional Certification Exam Writer
- Presenter and Co-Presenter at numerous Child Life conferences
- ‘Child Life Resources’ business owner and consultant
- Co-author for a chapter entitled Child Life: A Global Perspective within R. Thompson & P. Power’s book The Handbook of Child Life due for publication in 2008
Zig Ziglar pointed out that “Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission." The list above clearly demonstrates LeeAnn’s success in her mission to advance and promote child life practice and children’s psychosocial care around the world. She has made a tremendous impact on the child life profession through her collaborative efforts to develop our profession’s Mission, Vision and Values statements, lead in the development of the Child Life Council’s first strategic plan, and revise our profession’s Official Documents (i.e. operating principles, competencies and standards).
She has similarly made a tremendous impact on children’s psychosocial care around the world by empowering professionals with knowledge that has influenced how they engage and support children, youth and families in their practice. It is therefore difficult to ascertain how many children and families have directly benefited from LeeAnn’s wisdom and clinical skill as a result. It is simply impossible to calculate or comprehend.
LeeAnn Derbyshire Fenn will always be known as a great Canadian leader. Her kind spirit, wisdom and wonderful sense of humour have left a mark on everyone who has had the privilege of meeting her.
Thank you LeeAnn for your vision, passion and continued leadership. The CACLL applauds your contributions and this well-deserved recognition.
Submitted by Cathy Humphreys, Co-Director Child Life Studies, McMaster University
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