EKO Announces 2026 Tribute Award Recipients Honouring Developmental Healthcare Changemakers
October 01, 2026
Celebrating seven innovative, mission-driven individuals and organizations making sure kids with disabilities and developmental needs live their best lives
Empowered Kids Ontario-Enfants Avenir Ontario (EKO), the association representing public-sector providers of developmental healthcare, today announced the recipients of the 2026 EKO Tribute Awards, recognizing seven individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to children’s health and well-being. This year's honourees represent the absolute best of developmental healthcare in Canada—changemakers championing family-centred care, accessibility and inclusion, youth engagement, research innovation, equity, and care delivery in remote communities.
"We're proud to announce this year's Tribute Awards recipients," says Kevin J. Collins, EKO Chair. "The 2026 Tribute Award honourees reflect the incredible breadth of mission-driven work happening in Ontario that extend across Canada and globally. Selected from a competitive applicant pool, we are honoured to spotlight exemplary leaders, distinctive partnerships, and those who champion transformative initiatives.”
This year's recipients represent four award categories:
- Excellence
- Dr. Robin Williams, Niagara
- Dr. Garth Smith, Kingston
- Leadership
- Professor Patty Douglas, Kingston
- Dr. Peter Rumney, Toronto
- CBC Kids and CBC Content Accessibility
- Partnership
- Ms. Nadia Hamilton, founder of Magnusmode, St. Catharine’s
- Advocacy
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Youth Advisory Council, Toronto
“The 2026 EKO Tribute Award recipients carry on what has become a uniquely Ontario tradition,” says EKO President & CEO Jennifer Churchill. “The Tribute Awards are EKO’s oldest and most prestigious means of thanking those who transform developmental healthcare, who set unprecedented new standards, and who are dedicated to an environment where all can feel valued and respected, treated fairly and given a seat at the table.”
EKO welcomed Tribute Award recipients during an invitation-only ceremony in Toronto on October 1, 2026, welcoming the 2026 Tribute Award recipients to the EKO community, together with previous award winners for an evening of celebration. Each award was presented by Gemini-nominated journalist, former Senator Jim Munson and Mrs. Ginette Munson, both 2023 Tribute Award recipients. During his 18-year tenure as senator, Jim and Ginette Munson helped lay the foundation for Canada’s National Autism Strategy. Jim Munson sponsored a private members’ bill that became law with royal assent in 2012: the World Autism Awareness Day Act. Thanks to his leadership Canada joined 192 countries in recognizing World Autism Awareness Day at the start of every April. He also sponsored the Accessible Canada Act through the Senate into law in 2019. This Act, aiming to build a barrier-free Canada by 2040, named and formalized the Nothing Without Us key principle, involving persons with disabilities in developing laws, policies, and programs that impact them.
“Some of the most powerful change in the world starts with people who choose to show up for others every day, without recognition or fanfare,” says Jim Munson. “The EKO Tribute Awards shine a light on these seven incredible organizations and individuals. Ginette and I are honoured to help share their stories and celebrate the passion, purpose and impact of their work.”
Meet the 2026 EKO Tribute Award recipients.