CHEO revalidates its EMRAM Stage 7 status

OTTAWA – CHEO has been recognized as a global leader in digital health for using advanced technology to improve care for children and youth, and for constantly transforming its electronic medical record system.

CHEO has been officially revalidated at Stage 7 of the HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) — the highest level possible, which means it’s among an elite group of about 20 pediatric hospitals worldwide recognized for using technology in truly advanced and meaningful ways.

This revalidation shows CHEO is leading edge in its use of technology – from patient safety to research to long-term planning – as it works tirelessly to make care better, faster, and more connected for children, youth, and families.

“We’ve demonstrated that CHEO is maximizing people, processes, and technology to do the best for our patients, families, and the quality and safety of the care that we can provide,” said Jennifer Gillert (pictured), CHEO’s director of digital health.

“It’s a reflection of the hard work happening behind the scenes and at the bedside every day.”

The rigourous review was conducted in June 2025 by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), a global organization that sets the gold standard for digital health by measuring clinical outcomes, patient engagement and clinician use of medical record technology.

The reviewers were most impressed by how digital systems are woven into everything CHEO does to improve care.

CHEO was recognized for several initiatives, including:

• Providing access to real-time data that leads to faster, safer decisions.
• Using artificial intelligence responsibly to support care.
• Providing nurses with the ability to see the impact of their work through tools and dashboards.
• Helping researchers find answers faster through programs like ThinkRare, which supports rare disease research.

The evaluators also praised the strong partnership between CHEO and SickKids, especially how they work together to make decisions about technology that benefits both hospitals. This includes the shared electronic medical record (EMR) that helps improve patient care and achieve meaningful outcomes.

This recognition shows that CHEO is delivering on its promise: to use every tool available—digital or otherwise—to give children and youth the best possible care.

About CHEO
Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best healthcare employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.