Alkisty Long was awarded the 2020 Matthew Scriver PICU Nurses Scholarship for her innovative project, The Screening and Follow-Up for Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in Paediatric Patients (PICS-p). While the project’s start was delayed until 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her work has since significantly advanced understanding of the long-term challenges faced by children following admission to a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Alkisty’s project aimed to explore existing knowledge, identify at-risk patients, and establish the foundations for a paediatric-specific screening tool and family education resource. Her efforts have brought much-needed attention to Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in Paediatrics (PICS-p), a condition that can affect children physically, cognitively, and emotionally after critical illness.

“Before the follow-up program was established, children who had received Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a life-support treatment that oxygenates the blood outside the body, had no structured support after leaving PICU,” Alkisty explained.

“Families often faced anxiety and uncertainty, unsure what signs to watch for, how to support their child’s recovery, or where to turn if complications arose.”

Through the newly developed ECMO follow-up program, children were assessed for potential post-intensive care complications, and families received tailored guidance and resources. This included education on the physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that can occur after PICU admission, as well as connections to appropriate support services. The proactive approach allowed the clinical team to identify early signs of difficulties and intervene promptly, while families felt reassured and confident in their child’s recovery.

Reflecting on the program’s impact, Alkisty shared a particularly moving moment: “One of the most memorable moments in this project was during a follow-up assessment with a child who had recently been discharged from PICU after ECMO support. The family was clearly anxious, unsure what to expect during recovery, and overwhelmed by the many uncertainties following such a critical illness. As we went through the screening process and discussed the potential signs of PICS-p, I watched the tension gradually ease from their faces. Seeing the immediate difference that personalised support made for the family was incredibly moving. It reinforced the importance of this program and highlighted the real impact structured follow-up can have for families navigating life after PICU.”

Alkisty credited the scholarship’s grant funding for making this work possible.

“The support enabled the creation of a program that addresses a previously unmet need, demonstrating the tangible benefits of targeted funding for high-risk paediatric populations,” she said. “Families now receive the guidance and care they need, ensuring the long-term health and wellbeing of children recovering from the most critical illnesses.”

The Matthew Scriver PICU Nurses Scholarship was established in 2006 in memory of Matthew by his parents. Valued at up to $5,000, the scholarship supports projects undertaken by nurses working in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital PICU. This year, the scholarship has expanded to include allied health professionals, broadening its reach to support even more innovative initiatives. While all project types are eligible, the scholarship strongly encourages projects focused on holistic and psychosocial care for children and their families, particularly those experiencing extended stays in the PICU.

Established in 2006 by Matthew Scriver’s parents in memory of their beloved son, the Matthew Scriver Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Nurses Scholarship has become a beacon of hope and support within the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) and the broader Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN). Built on compassion and a sense of community, this scholarship empowers nurses to develop and deliver projects that place holistic and psychosocial care at the heart of the PICU experience, especially for long-stay patients and their families.

This year, we are proud to announce that the scholarship has been awarded to Alyssia Baker, a committed nurse whose family shares a legacy of giving, with her grandparents being proud supporters of the WCH Foundation. Alyssia’s project, titled “Retrospective Review of Neuroprotective Management in Paediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Admitted to PICU,” aims to improve the care and outcomes for children facing severe brain injury.

“I am very passionate about this topic, particularly as our bedside management is absolutely critical to preventing further brain injury from the inflammation and damage that occurs in the days following the accident,” shares Alyssia.

Her project aligns closely with new guidelines being introduced by WCH consultants and neurosurgery teams, and will provide valuable insights into current practices, gaps, and areas for improvement in neuroprotective care. “Protecting the brain is an extremely complex balancing act and it is so important we get it right,” she says. “Ultimately this project will help support our goal of helping these children achieve their best possible neurological outcome.”

Through ongoing investment in nurses’ professional development and innovative care, Matthew’s legacy continues helping drive better futures for children and families in PICU and beyond.