Meet Andrew
Andrew is a social worker at the Stollery Children’s Hospital who works with families in crisis. He helps families navigate systems and supports them in accessing the resources that would best fit their needs.
For the past six years, Andrew has worked as a social worker with the Stollery’s pediatric Urgent and Outpatient Psychiatric Clinics as well as the Crisis and Stabilization Team (CAST).
In his role, he supports families facing intense behavioural challenges by offering parenting guidance in group settings, directly in the home and within the clinic.
Outside of work, Andrew’s a proud husband and father of two wonderful kids, with whom he shares his passion for geek culture. His family loves live theater, musicals, reading and all things science-fiction. Andrew also love comic books — he has around 10,000 of them! The pride of his collection is X-Men #14, first appearance of the sentinels from 1965. Andrew is also very active in his faith, and he loves teaching the kids at his church.
Let’s find out more about Andrew:
What do you like most about your job?
I love the complexity and resiliency I see in the families I work with. The flexibility of my role means I can truly embrace family-centered care and explore how we can wrap supports around the whole family to best support them in making the changes they’re most interested in.
Do you have a personal connection to the Stollery?
My first cousin once removed was born with a congenital heart defect and spent months in the Stollery NICU and PICU. Our whole family developed a deep gratitude for the care she received. When I joined the Stollery in a casual role 14 years ago, it was with a profound sense of respect and appreciation shaped by that experience.
Do you have a standout Stollery memory?
I had the opportunity to speak at MacEwan to a class of social work students. After the class, one student approached me and introduced herself as a former client. About two years before, her daughter had been seen at the Urgent Clinic after presenting to the Stollery Emergency Department with suicidal ideation. During the assessment, it became clear that this mom had recently left a domestic violence situation and was searching for safe housing. The psychiatrist consulted with me, and I was able to meet with her immediately.
Together, we secured a shelter placement; connected her with housing supports; and arranged supported referrals for both of her children to access mental health and recreation services. She shared that the appointment was the turning point — the first step toward a healthier, safer life for her family. Today, she is in the Social Work program at MacEwan. Her housing is stable. Both children are doing well — in her words: “Their mental health isn’t just stable, they’re thriving.” She passed along her heartfelt thanks for the care, compassion and hard work that supported her family during such a critical time.
Have donor funds directly impacted the area you work in?
My position is funded through the Foundation.
Do you have a favourite Stollery event?
Lemonade Stand Day! First, lemonade is awesome, who doesn’t love lemonade! But it’s such a beautiful way for children to give back to the Stollery in a meaningful way.
What is you favourite kids’ book?
As the father of a child with autism, In My World by Jillan Ma is a brilliant book I love and often recommend. But if I have to go with my all-time favorite, The Monster at the End of the Book with the loveable furry ol’ Grover — I don’t know if a more hilarious book exists.
Do you have a favourite Disney Princess or superhero?
Moon Knight. A Marvel superhero tackling bad guys and his own mental health. A defining feature of Moon Knight is his dissociative identity disorder, which gives rise to multiple alters — these identities often conflict but also help him navigate different parts of his vigilante life.
What is one thing you’d like to share about mental health care at the Stollery?
I hold a great deal of respect for the mental health work we do at the Stollery. Our team is compassionate, dedicated, and genuinely invested in supporting the children and families we serve.
If you could give one piece of advice to parents about mental health care when it comes to their kid(s), what would it be?
All behaviour is communication. With a supportive translator, families can find meaning in the behaviour and thrive.
Thanks to your support, Stollery social workers like Andrew are a making a life-changing difference for the kids and families who rely on the Stollery’s mental health care. You can continue to support this care by donating today.
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