Dr. Lindsay Jibb’s work is grounded in real-world challenges witnessed firsthand at the bedside. Currently, she leads research in several key areas: improving pain outcomes for children with cancer, supporting parents managing their child’s care at home, and addressing the psychosocial needs of children with cancer and their families. At the core of it all is a strong commitment to patient- and family-centred research.

Every study includes patients, survivors, or family members as research partners — not just as participants.

“It’s not even an option anymore to exclude those voices,” says Dr. Jibb. “They are integral to generating meaningful questions, ensuring the research is practical, and helping us share results in ways that matter.” This dedication to patient-and-family-centred research is now being integrated into my own doctoral work, which looks at parent perspectives of decision-making about enrollment in clinical trials.

For Dr. Jibb, research has always been a central passion — one that has evolved into a dynamic and impactful career at SickKids and the University of Toronto, where she’s leading transformative work in pediatric oncology nursing.

Dr. Jibb’s path to research began as she completed her undergraduate degree in biology, which gave her early exposure to research through a thesis project. That experience sparked a love for scientific inquiry, leading to the pursuit of her master’s degree in biochemistry though her heart always remained in healthcare. When she later entered nursing school, she knew she wanted to blend her clinical training with her research background.

“I always knew I would involve research somehow,” she explains. “It was a chance to take all the learning we do as nurses — clinical, theoretical, and practical — and use it to directly improve care for patients and families.”

When Dr. Jibb was offered the opportunity to pursue her doctoral degree with Dr. Jennifer Stinson, she jumped, and has been leading innovative pediatric oncology nursing research since.

Unlike her earlier experiences in lab-based science, Dr. Jibb found nursing research to be deeply collaborative and community-oriented.

“As a PhD student, I felt so supported by the nurses, managers, and colleagues on the unit. It felt like we were all working together, and that sense of shared purpose really stuck with me.” As an educator and mentor, Dr. Jibb is passionate about building a pipeline for future nurse researchers. She is an incredible role model, actively demonstrating how nurses can take their bedside experience and employ it in a scientist role to improve experience and outcomes for patients.

“I always say, ‘my door is open,’” she laughs. “If you’re a nurse interested in research, I’ll review your CV, talk about school, or help you find a way in.” Looking ahead, Dr. Jibb is excited about the growing recognition of nursing research in Canada. “It’s an exciting time. Organizations like POGO are investing in this work, and the next generation of nurse researchers is full of energy and fresh ideas.”

For Dr. Jibb, the reward from her research is clear. “When a patient or parent comes back and says, ‘thank you,’ to know that the work we’re doing matters to those people that we’re doing it for makes it all worth it.”

This story was written for the fall 2025 issue of The RePORTer, POGO’s Nursing Newsletter by: Rachel Hamilton, RN, MN, PhD(s), PhD Student and RN – 8A Inpatient Haematology/Oncology at SickKids

Nominated by Rachel, Dr. Jibb is the winner of the 2025 POGO Nursing Leadership Award. Rachel considers it a privilege to work under Dr. Jibb’s mentorship. From their first meeting, Dr. Jibb’s passion for research and dedication to improving patient care stood out. Her warmth, intelligence, and commitment to nurturing emerging nurse researchers create an exceptional training environment. Bridging clinical practice and scientific inquiry, Dr. Jibb serves as a role model for students like Rachel. This spotlight draws from Rachel’s interview with Dr. Jibb, highlighting her inspiring journey, impactful research, and contributions to pediatric oncology nursing. Her story is both motivating and enlightening, offering a glimpse into the dedication and passion required to transform patient care through nursing research.