Pioneering pediatrician Peter Rosenbaum celebrates 50 years of family-first leadership

When Peter Rosenbaum joined McMaster University in 1973, developmental pediatrics – the area of medicine focusing on difficulties with children’s language, mobility, and behaviour – was still in its infancy.

Over the next 50 years, Rosenbaum emerged as a pioneer and leader in developmental pediatrics. His work has inspired a global movement that shifted the focus from seeking cures to celebrating variations, always keeping families at the centre. His journey offers a unique perspective on academic success and why McMaster is a home for innovators like him.

From outlier to innovator

From the outset, Rosenbaum’s desire to understand the challenges faced by children and families outweighed the typical medical student’s focus on the biology of diseases.  As he began to look for a faculty position, Rosenbaum says other universities struggled to categorize him. They couldn’t decide if he was a neurologist, psychologist, or rehabilitation doctor, making it hard for them to find a place for his expertise. 

His journey took a significant turn while finishing a fellowship in London, UK when he met Alvin Zupirsky, the founding chair of pediatrics at McMaster University. Excited by Zupirksy and the openness at McMaster, Rosenbaum returned to Canada, and chose Hamilton, where he could chart his own course— a freedom he cherishes to this day.

“It was clear this was the place to be because McMaster had such an enviable reputation as a place that tolerated and in fact encouraged new thinking,” reflects Rosenbaum.

At McMaster, he developed a philosophy that recognizes every child comes with a family attached. It’s a simple, obvious, but still novel approach that has permeated his career. In addition to numerous awards and over 100 peer-reviewed grants, he held a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Childhood Disability Research for 14 years and co-founded CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, a world-leading research centre focused on childhood onset disability – celebrating its 35th anniversary this fall.

Rosenbaum notes that unlike many colleagues who are able to specialize in specific organs like the heart or lungs, the focus at CanChild is on children and families. This perspective allows scientists to apply their research across all chronic health conditions. The goal is to understand the impact of any condition on the overall development of the child and the family.

Global impact of F-Words

His innovative thinking led to the creation of internationally– recognized programs and tools. In 2012, he and fellow CanChild scientist Jan Willem Gorter published a groundbreaking paper, ‘The F-words for child development: I swear this is how we should think!’. The research uses plain language to paint a picture of a child focusing on functioning, fitness, fun, friends, family, and future. Its impact has been profound, with over 88,000 downloads, more than 700 citations, translations into 35 languages, and lecture invitations in over 30 countries.

Rosenbaum believes the paper’s tongue-in-cheek title and its clear communication of ideas are central to its success.

“I have a colleague in New York who is in the advertising business who said it was brilliant marketing,” says, Rosenbaum. “It wasn’t meant to be! It was just our effort to use plain language, and the impact has been beyond anything we ever could have hoped for or imagined.”

Rosenbaum emphasizes that conducting research is only the beginning. Findings must be shared widely and put into practice to be useful. His team at CanChild has partnered with provincial governments and First Nations leaders across Canada and Australia to close the gap between their research and real-word benefits for families.

“Policymakers are smart, caring, hardworking people. They don’t ordinarily come to our meetings, and we don’t go to their meetings. But if we sit with them, have coffee, and talk about ideas, it turns out the ways that we’re thinking resonate with the things they need. The tools that we’re developing are tools that they can use.”

“Think big, think long”

After 50 successful years at McMaster, Rosenbaum’s advice to aspiring academics is to “think big, think long.” He encourages them to imagine where they want to go and then determine the steps to get there. He emphasizes the importance of being part of a research group, learning from others, and not being afraid to try different things. He says McMaster is a great place to do just that.

“I often describe McMaster as a place where you never have to knock on the door because the door’s always open,” says Rosenbaum. “I’ve had opportunities to go lots of other places, and I’ve never wanted to move. McMaster was a clear decision, and I have never regretted for a minute.”

Rosenbaum’s top 7 tips for aspiring academics

1. Passion fuels discovery: Rosenbaum’s journey began with a deep curiosity about childhood disability and families. He emphasizes that passion drives meaningful research. Find a topic that ignites your curiosity, and let it guide your exploration.

2. Collaborate widely: Research is rarely a solitary endeavor. Collaborate across disciplines, institutions, and borders. Diverse perspectives enrich your work and lead to innovative breakthroughs.

3. Think holistically: Rosenbaum’s holistic approach considers not only the child but also their family, environment, and community. Remember that research impacts lives beyond the lab. Consider the broader context.

4. Embrace complexity: Just as childhood disability is multifaceted, don’t shy away from complexity. Dive into intricate questions, explore nuances, and seek comprehensive solutions. Simplicity often lies on the other side of complexity.

5. Learn from failure: Research involves setbacks.  Rosenbaum encourages resilience. Learn from failures, adapt, and persist. Each challenge brings you closer to meaningful discoveries.

6. Communicate effectively: Clear communication is essential. Translate complex findings into accessible language. Whether writing for journals or speaking at conferences, convey your research with impact and clarity.

7. Advocate for change: Rosenbaum’s work extends beyond research papers. Advocate for policy changes, challenge norms, and champion inclusivity. Researchers have a role in shaping a better world.