A Look Inside the Newly Transformed Smilezone Spaces at the Stollery Children's Hospital

Thanks to a meaningful collaboration between the Smilezone Foundation and the NHL Players’ Association Goals & Dreams, the Pediatric Diabetes Education Centre (PDEC) at the Stollery Children’s Hospital has been transformed into a brighter, more comforting space for patients and families. To learn more about the impact of these newly opened spaces, we spoke with Dr. Manpreet Doulla, a dedicated Department of Pediatrics member and the Medical Lead for PDEC, about her experience with this exciting initiative.

Serving children and youth from the Edmonton Zone, North Zone, and Northwest Territories, PDEC offers comprehensive outpatient education, ambulatory care, and support for families navigating a new diagnosis of diabetes. These visits can be emotionally and mentally demanding—often involving multi-day sessions filled with crucial learning. Recognizing the importance of emotional well-being alongside medical care, the PDEC team had the opportunity to create a space offering more than just clinical support.

“We had the privilege of collaborating with Smilezone and NHL Players’ Association Goals & Dreams to create a welcoming, engaging, and comforting environment for children, youth, and their families,” says Dr. Doulla. "With input from our PDEC allied health staff and physicians, Smilezone’s team custom-designed this space to ensure it meets the unique needs of the children visiting our center."

The newly renovated Smilezone areas feature vibrant colours, interactive games, and cozy, child-friendly zones where kids and their siblings can play, explore, and unwind. For families, these changes offer more than aesthetic improvements—they bring emotional relief during a difficult journey.

“A thoughtfully designed environment that includes spaces for children and siblings to play and engage in activities allows parents to focus on learning about diabetes management.,” Dr. Doulla explains. “By alleviating stress and fostering a sense of ease, these comforting spaces contribute to a more positive emotional and medical experience during hospital visits.”

For Dr. Doulla, the most rewarding part of the project is witnessing the joy and excitement of children, youth and families as they enter the transformed clinic. “Seeing children’s faces light up as they interact with engaging and interactive games, as well as observing families take a moment to rest amidst a stressful time, highlights the profound impact of these spaces."

The generosity of Smilezone and the NHL Players’ Association Goals & Dreams goes beyond physical renovations, the transformation has significantly enhanced the overall experience for children, families and staff, making the clinic not just a place for medical care, but also a supportive and welcoming environment filled with warmth, positivity, and a sense of comfort.