Cathy Humphreys is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. She co-developed and guided the Master's of Science in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care Program through the univesity's new program approval process. Established in 2016, this program remains the first master's degree program within the Department of Pediatrics and is the first of its kind in Canada.
Cathy served as the programs inaugural Assistant Dean for 10 years. She continues to teach full-time in this program and currently serves as the Curriculum Co-ordinator. Prior to the inception of this MSc. program, Cathy held several different leadership positions within McMaster Univesrity's Child Life Studies post-baccalaureate diploma program from 2001-2016.
Cathy has practiced as a Certified Child Life Specialist at McMaster Children's hospital in a variety of clinical areas with the most years of service in inpatient general pediatrics, and outpatient pediatric hematology/oncology. She also has past experience serving as the Child Life Professional Practice Leader.
Cathy has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to advancing the child life profession and pediatric psychosocial services. For more than 25 years, she has chaired and served on numerous committees within child life organizations. She is also Past-President of the Canadian Association of Child Life Leaders, a former board member of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), a founding member of the Canadian Child Life Institute and member of the Founders Council of the Child Life Academic Society.
