David Lysecki

Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Dr. Lysecki was born and raised in Hamilton, ON.  Following undergraduate studies in a self-designed program at St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto, he completed medical school at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University. He went on to complete Pediatrics residency at Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, including tenure as Chief Resident in his final year, followed by Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children, where he also served as Chief Fellow. In his final year of training, he completed a focused year in Pediatric Palliative Care. These years of training included experiences spanning all of Canada, from Vancouver to Halifax, and Nunavut to Southern Ontario, as well as experiences in London, UK, and Johannesburg, SA.

Dr. Lysecki is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and one of only a few in Canada certified in Palliative Medicine through Pediatrics.

Dr. Lysecki returned to Hamilton in 2015 to practice Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and to initiate a pilot specialist pediatric palliative care program at McMaster Children's Hospital. Under Dr. Lysecki's leadership, the program grew from a part-time pilot program to, in 2023, receving funding from the Ministry of Heatlh to expand to be a regional program providing interdisciplinary specialist pediatric palliative care for patients and families across the continuum of care, including physicians, nurse practitioners, clinical specialists, child life specialists, social work, and system navigation. The program includes perinatal palliative care and community outreach arms, and provides interdisciplinary educational experiences that attract international learners. 

Dr. Lysecki returned home with the goal of establishing an integrated pediatric hospice facility here in Hamilton, ON for children and their families in Southcentral Ontario. Through the heroic efforts of partners at the Kemp Care Network and Hamilton Health Sciences, many community leaders in healthcare and beyond; and with the generosity of donors, in 2024, the Ministry of Health announced the approval of Keaton's House - Paul Paletta Children's Hospice with anticipated opening in 2026.  Dr. Lysecki is its inaugural medical director providing support to site, operations, and integration planning. 

As an advocate and researcher, Dr Lysecki led - with the support of incredible colleagues -  the integration of child life specialist services into adult oncology psycho-social care. This service is designed support for families affected by cancer in an adult with minor children at home, including tailored support for children, patient-parents, and co-parents. This clinical service has been recognized as a Leading Practice by the Health Standards Organization and the research products have attracted international attention. 

For his work, Dr. Lysecki was recently recognized with the 2024 Emerging Leader Award by the Pediatric Chairs of Canada.