Who We Are

Our Neonatologists

The TCNH neonatologists, have combined their expertise to create a virtual network of specialists to provide education and outreach to help improve neonatal care for infants and their families everywhere.

Browse their profiles below to learn more.

The Hospital for Sick Children

Estelle Gauda, MD
Director, TCNH and Division Head

Estelle Gauda, MD

Director, TCNH and Division Head

Dr. Gauda obtained her MD from the University of Iowa in 1982 and completed a residency in paediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 1985 followed by a fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western University. She is board-certified in paediatrics and perinatal-neonatal medicine. Gauda has clinical expertise in Perinatal-Neonatal care of the high risk newborn and a solid research portfolio investigating 1) mechanisms that control breathing with a focus maturation of the carotid body and its effects on breathing during development in health and disease in premature infants, and 2) alternative treatment paradigms for neonatal abstinence syndrome.   

Academic Background

Doctoral:
1976-80   Missouri 6-year medical school, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO
1980-82   M.D., University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA

Postdoctoral:10
1982-85   Resident (Pediatrics), Washington University, St Louis, MO
1985-88   Post-Doctoral Fellow (Perinatal-Neonatal Medicine), Case Western Reserve University,
Cleveland, OH

Research Interests

Control of Breathing, Carotid Body, Intermittent Hypoxia, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Apnea of Prematurity, Clonidine, Opiates, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Full bibliography:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/18wU2o9b5h9Qf/bibliography/48852051/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending.

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Division Head, Neonatology
Women’s Auxiliary Chair, Neonatology

Research Institute
Senior Associate Scientist
Translational Medicine

University of Toronto
Professor, Paediatrics

Toronto Centre for Neonatal Health
Director

Email: estelle.gauda@sickkids.ca

Mehmet Çizmeci, MD, PhD
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Mehmet Çizmeci, MD, PhD

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Mehmet Çizmeci is a staff neonatologist at SickKids and Associate Professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto. Dr. Çizmeci graduated from Istanbul University Medical School in 2004 and after completing his pediatric residency and neonatology fellowship training in 2013, he started a research fellowship in neonatal neurology and PhD in neuroscience at Utrecht University in 2017. He joined the neonatal neurology team at SickKids as a clinical fellow in 2019 and received the Royal College Subspecialty Fellow Excellence Award. He then completed a 2-year clinical/research fellowship as the Dr. Karen Pape Fellow in Neuroplasticity at SickKids and received his PhD degree in clinical and experimental neuroscience in 2022. Dr. Çizmeci has a strong commitment to research and teaching.

Academic Background

2017-2022: PhD, Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

1998 – 2004: MD, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

Residency & Fellowship Trainings:
2020 – 2022: Dr. Karen Pape Fellowship in Neuroplasticity, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

2019 – 2020: Neonatal Neurology Clinical Fellowship, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

2017: Neonatal Neurology Research Fellowship, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

2010 – 2013: Neonatology Fellowship, Turgut Özal University, Ankara, Turkey

2004 – 2010: Pediatric Residency, Istanbul Bakırköy Children’s Teaching Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

Research Interests

Dr. Çizmeci’s research interests are optimizing treatment in neonatal hemorrhagic brain injury as well as understanding trajectories of neuronal plasticity, neuromodulation, and accurately predicting childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes.

 

The Hospital for Sick Children

Staff Neonatologist, Division of Neonatology

University of Toronto

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics

 

Email: mehmet.cizmeci@sickkids.ca

Marko Culjat, MD, PhD, MSc, FAAP, FRCPC
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Marko Culjat, MD, PhD, MSc, FAAP, FRCPC

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Marko Culjat joined SickKids as a staff physician and Associate Medical Director for Neonatal Transport for Acute Care Transport Services (ACTS) in 2022.

Dr. Culjat was a transport fellow in ACTS, and Junior Staff in the NICU at SickKids. Prior to joining SickKids, he completed his neonatal-perinatal fellowship at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C., and his paediatric residency at Kapi’olani Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Dr. Culjat was a research and teaching assistant at the Croatian Institute for Brain Research. He graduated from School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia.

Dr. Culjat obtained his MSc degree in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety from Dalla Lana School of Public Health at University of Toronto. He obtained his PhD in Neuroscience from the Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb, with a focus on normal human fetal brain development.

Academic Background 

2020 – 2021 Master’s in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, Dalla Lana School of Public Heath, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2005 – 2012 Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.

1998 – 2004 Doctor of Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.

Research Interests

Dr. Culjat’s current interests lie in quality improvement science, with a focus on transport and NICU settings. His portfolios include implementation of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and telemedicine in transport and NICU settings. Dr. Culjat led the implementation of ultrasound-guided peripheral vascular access in the transport setting and NICU. He continues to expand the POCUS implementation in both settings. His previous research focused on human fetal brain development, and animal models of epilepsy. Dr. Culjat led the optimization of amplitude-integrated EEG implementation in the NICU, allowing him to build on his neuroscience interest in a clinical setting.

Full bibliography link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/marko.culjat.1/bibliography/public/ 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Division of Neonatology

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics

Email: marko.culjat@sickkids.ca

Julia DiLabio, MD, M.Sc., FRCPC
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Julia DiLabio, MD, M.Sc., FRCPC

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Julia DiLabio completed training in Paediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at the University of Toronto.  She pursued an additional subspecialty Fellowship year in Neonatal and Paediatric Transport Medicine with the Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS) at SickKids.  Dr. DiLabio is cross-appointed as a Staff Neonatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital. She is completing a Master of Education in Health Professions Education from the University of Ottawa.  Her academic interests include competency-based education and assessment in addition to physician wellness in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Academic Background

  • 2020–2021: Fellowship, Neonatal/Paediatric Transport Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • 2018–2020: Fellowship, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • 2015–2018: Residency, Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • 2011–2015: Doctor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • 2009–2011: Master of Science, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • 2005–2009: Bachelor of Science (Honours), Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada

The Hospital for Sick Children

Staff Neonatologist, Division of Neonatology

Mount Sinai Hospital

Staff Neonatologist, Division of Neonatology

University of Toronto

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Email: julia.dilabio@sickkids.ca

Amr El Shahed, MD, PhD, DHPE
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Amr El Shahed, MD, PhD, DHPE

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Amr El Shahed was trained at Mansoura University Children’s Hospital for his Master and PhD degrees in Paediatrics. He has had Canadian training in perinatal-neonatal medicine as well as neonatal
neurology at University of Toronto. His postdoctoral work is focused on brain health and long-term
developmental outcome.

Academic Background

2010-11 Diploma, Diploma of Health Professional Education, Medical Education, Suez Canal University
2002-07 Doctorate, Medical Doctorate, Pediatrics, Mansoura University
1999-02 Master’s Thesis, Master degree in Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Mansoura University
1990-96 Bachelor’s, Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery, Mansoura University Postgraduate Training:
1999-02 Pediatric Resident Mansoura University Children’s Hospital, Egypt
2002-05   Pediatric-Assistant Lecturer Mansoura University Children’s Hospital, Egypt
2005-07   Perinatal-Neonatal Fellow HSC, MSH, SBH, University of Toronto, Canada
2013-15   Neonatal Transport Fellow, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada
2015-17   Neonatal Neurology Fellow, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada
2017-2018  Junior Staff Neonatologist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada
2019-present  Staff Neonatologist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada 

Research Interests

Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Preterm and HIE Neonates, Cerebral Oxygenation in Relation to
Brain Injury

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/53495456/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Email: amr.elshahed@sickkids.ca

Rebecca Hoban MD, MPH
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Rebecca Hoban MD, MPH

Staff Neonatologist

In addition to clinical neonatology, Dr. Rebecca Hoban’s main research and quality improvement focus is in lactation and human milk feedings in high risk populations, both from a maternal and infant standpoint. Dr. Hoban is particularly interested in early predictors of lactation success, especially in mothers with inflammatory conditions like obesity and pre-term labour, and how pre and post-natal exposure to such conditions may affect human milk volumes and components as well as short and long term infant health. Dr. Hoban is currently also working on projects studying fresh human milk as stem cell therapy as well as outcomes with donor human milk.

Academic Background

Undergraduate Studies – B.S. Biology (honors) Indiana University, Bloomington, USA
Medical School – MD, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
Graduate School – MPH, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA
Residency – Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Cincinnati,  USA
Fellowship – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA

Research Interests

Human Milk, Lactation, Obesity, Inflammation

External Funding

Canadian Government Tri Agency New Frontiers in Research Fund


Full bibliography
:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/48244504/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Email: rebecca.hoban@sickkids.ca

Bonny Jasani, MD, DM
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Bonny Jasani, MD, DM

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Bonny Jasani was trained at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai for his DM degree in Neonatology. He has completed his subspecialty fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine as well as neonatal hemodynamics at University of Toronto. Dr. Bonny Jasani’s main research focus is in treatment of patent ductus arteriosus and evidence based synthesis.

Academic Background

2010-2013        Subspecialty training (DM), Department of Neonatology, KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.

2006-2009        Master’s Degree in Pediatrics (MD), Department of Pediatrics, K.J. Somaiya Medical College and Research Centre, Mumbai, India.

1999-2004        Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (M.B.B.S.), Rural Medical College, Loni, India.


Research Interests

Dr. Jasani’s current research is exploring the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of acetaminophen in treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants. Other areas of interest include non-invasive ventilation strategies in preterm infants.

 

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Email: bonny.jasani@sickkids.ca

Brian Kalish, MD
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Brian Kalish, MD

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Kalish is board-certified in Paediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. He has clinical expertise in the care of critically-ill newborns and neonatal neuro-intensive care.

Dr. Kalish is an Assistant Professor of Paediatrics and Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Medical School and he completed clinical training in paediatrics and neonatology at Boston Children’s Hospital. His clinical and research interests are in the fields of neonatal neuroprotection and developmental neurobiology. His laboratory investigates mechanisms by which an adverse intrauterine or early postnatal environment shape brain development. Dr. Kalish’s research leverages cutting edge genomics, molecular neuroscience, and mouse models to understand critical periods in neural circuit wiring.

 

Research Interests

Neurodevelopment, Preganancy Complications, Placenta-brain communication, Early life programming of disease

 

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics
Assistant Professor, Molecular Genetics

Email: brian.kalish@sickkids.ca

Kyong-Soon Lee MD, FRCPC, MSc
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Kyong-Soon Lee MD, FRCPC, MSc

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Kyong-Soon Lee’s major interests are neonatal transport and quality improvement.

Academic Background

1995      Master of Science (MSc), Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Community Health, University of Toronto
1992      Fellowship, Subspecialty Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: University of Toronto,
1993      Fellow (FAAP), American Academy of Pediatrics
1991      Fellow (FRCP), Specialty Paediatrics, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: University of Toronto
1986      Doctor of Medicine (MD), Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Research Interests

Transport, Quality Improvement

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/40228596/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology
Staff Physician, Acute Care Transport Services (ACTS) Team

Research Institute
Project Investigator

University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Paediatrics


Other Positions

Director, Canadian Neonatal Transport Network
Site Investigator, Canadian Neonatal Network
Site Sponsor, Children’s Hospital Neonatal Consortium

Email: kyong-soon.lee@sickkids.ca

Tamorah Lewis, MD, PhD
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Tamorah Lewis, MD, PhD

Staff Neonatologist

Dr Lewis is board-certified in Paediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. She is also dual trained in neonatology and pediatric clinical pharmacology. Dr Lewis was recruited to SickKids in Feb 2022 to lead the Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, but she continued to spend time as a clinician in the level IV NICU at SickKids.

Dr Lewis is an Associate Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. She is a Senior Associate Scientist at the SickKids Research Institute. Her research program in neonatal pharmacology aims to being modern-day pharmacology tools to the NICU. Dr Lewis’ research explores the intersection between development and pharmacogenetics as it pertains to drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in neonates. She is involved in multiple international groups to advance regulatory science and drug labelling in neonates.

Bibliography link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1l9oza7mzrjkO/bibliography/public 

 

The Hospital for Sick Children

Sellers Chair in Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics
Division Head, Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology

Staff Neonatologist, Division of Neonatology

University of Toronto

Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics

SickKids Research Institute

Senior Associate Scientist

 

Email: tamorah.lewis@sickkids.ca

Linh Ly MD, MEd, FRCP(C)
Clinical Director
The Hospital for Sick Children

Linh Ly MD, MEd, FRCP(C)

Clinical Director

Dr. Linh Ly is the NICU Clinical Director and Medical Director of the Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic. Her clinical and research focus is in neurodevelopmental outcomes of high risk neonates with acquired brain injury, congenital heart disease or preterm infants who are medically complex.

Academic Background

Medical School – University of Alberta
Paediatric Residency – University of Saskatchewan
Neonatal–Perinatal Fellowship – University of Toronto
Masters in Developmental Psychology – Ontario Institute for Education, University of Toronto

Research Interests

Brain Development, Neonatal Follow-up, Neonates, Neurodevelopmental Outcome, Outcomes Research, Paediatrics

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology
Clinical Director, NICU Neonatology
Medical Director, Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic

Research Institute
Project Investigator, Research Institute

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/12urYs7XbxmAh/bibliography/public/

Email: linh.ly@sickkids.ca

Martin Offringa MD, PhD
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Martin Offringa MD, PhD

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Offringa is a practicing neonatologist and clinical epidemiologist. His research interests in neonatology are in neonatal hypoglycemia and hyperbilirubinemia, lung protective ventilation and prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In 2015 he founded Toronto Outcomes Research in Child Health (TORCH), an initiative to develop and measure “core outcome sets” in randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. Visit https://lab.research.sickkids.ca/enrich/ for more information.

Academic Background

Medical School and Residency – Erasmus University, Rotterdam
Fellowship – University of Amsterdam

Research Interests

Clinical Trials, Systematic Reviews, Neonatal Medicine

Full bibliography: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=offringa+m%5Bau%5D

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

Research Institute
Senior Scientist, Child Health Evaluative Sciences

University of Toronto
Professor, Paediatrics/iHPME

Email: martin.offringa@sickkids.ca

Christopher Tomlinson BSc, MB ChB, PhD
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Christopher Tomlinson BSc, MB ChB, PhD

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Christopher Tomlinson trained in Neonatology in Scotland and Toronto, joining the SickKids Division of Neonatology in 2007. He completed his PhD in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto and has a cross appointment to this department. His research and academic interests are in growth and
nutrition with an interest in the medical management of surgical patients within the NICU.

Research Interests

Body Composition, Metabolism, Nutritional Sciences, Stable Isotopes

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/53494834/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

Research Institute
Project Investigator

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Email: christopher.tomlinson@sickkids.ca

Hilary Whyte MB, MSc, FRCPI, FRCPC
Medical Director, ACTS
The Hospital for Sick Children

Hilary Whyte MB, MSc, FRCPI, FRCPC

Medical Director, ACTS

Faculty member of the Division of Neonatology for 35 years, cross appointed to the Department of Critical Care Medicine and Paediatric Emergency Medicine at SickKids, with staff privileges at both Mount Sinai and Sunnybrook Hospitals.  

Dr. Whyte has been the Medical Director of the SickKids Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS) Team for the last 22 years.  ACTS is responsible for the retrieval of all sick newborns and children under 13 years of age in our region of the Province of Ontario. Dr. Whyte has spearheaded a standardized model for transport competencies, processes and equipment to enhance patient safety in inter-facility transport across Canada.  

Dr. Whyte is also Medical Director of SickKids International and also responsible for outreach programs. She has an interest in creative and innovative ways to educate and maintain the competencies of interdisciplinary health care professionals involved in neonatal and paediatric critical care medicine.

Her research focus is in the area of transport medicine and neuro-critical care. She has had a leadership role in developing the follow-up program for high risk infants and has pursued outcomes research on the most vulnerable populations.

 

Academic Background

Medical School – Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Paediatric Residency – Dublin, Ireland x 4 years; SickKids x 2 years
Fellowship in Neonatology – Vancouver, BC & SickKids x 2 years

Research Interests

Preterm brain development and outcomes.
Term brain injury and markers for prognostication.
Models and competencies of transport teams

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1jkI1fjug7kQf/bibliography/public/

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

Medical Director
Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS) Team, SickKids International

Research Institute
Project Director, Neurosciences & Mental Health

University of Toronto
Professor, Paediatrics

 

Chair Positions
Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health
Maternal Child Transport Advisory Committee

 

Other Positions

CritiCall
Associate Medical Director

Ornge
Transport Medicine Physician

Mount Sinai Hospital & Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Neonatology Consultant

Email: hilary.whyte@sickkids.ca

Mary Woodward, MD, MSc
Staff Neonatologist
The Hospital for Sick Children

Mary Woodward, MD, MSc

Staff Neonatologist

Dr Mary Woodward completed her Pediatric and Neonatal Perinatal medicine training at McMaster University. In addition to clinical neonatology with an interest in functional outcomes, Dr Woodward’s research focus is in medical education, specifically the use of educational theory in scholarship and assessments in competency based education. She completed her Master’s in Health Science Education from McMaster University with a dissertation titled, ‘Exploring residents and recent graduates’ perspectives on competency acquisition in neonatal resuscitation’.

 

Academic Background

2014 – 2019    MSc, Master of Science in Health Science Education, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
2009 – 2012   MD, Master’s degree in Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India.
2001– 2005    Bachelors, Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India.

 

Research Interests

Competency based medical education, Interprofessional education, Curriculum development and assessment

 

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

Email: mary.woodward@sickkids.ca

Physician Emeriti

Jaques Belik, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Belik completed general Paediatrics Residency and Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship training in the
United States and moved to Canada in 1983. Following appointments with the Universities of
Manitoba and Calgary, Dr. Belik moved to Toronto in 2001 to join The Hospital for Sick Children and
the University of Toronto as a Professor of Paediatrics and Physiology.

Academic Background

1976 M.D., Santa Casa of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
1981-83 Fellowship, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine,
Philadelphia, PA, USA
1980 Pediatrics Residency, PL-3, Columbus Children’s Hospital, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
1978-79 Pediatrics Residency, PL-1 and PL-2, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,
Memphis, TN, USA

Research Interests

My research interests are focused on two main areas:

  • The regulation of pulmonary vascular resistance during the transition from fetal to neonatal life Gastropyloric motor function and the feeding intolerance of the newborn
  • The regulation of pulmonary vascular resistance during the transition from fetal to neonatal life

My primary focus in this area has been the biophysical and biochemical changes in pulmonary
vascular smooth muscle contractile and relaxant properties and their impact on the control of
pulmonary vascular resistance. My laboratory utilizes several animal models of the persistent
pulmonary hypertension syndrome of the newborn to evaluate the signaling pathways responsible for the etiology and pathogenesis of this clinical condition. Studies addressing the pulmonary vascular
endothelium in the preferential generation of nitric oxide, as opposed to reactive oxygen species and
the role of tetrahydrobiopterin and arginases in this process are currently underway.

Gastropyloric motor function and the feeding intolerance of the newborn

Utilizing newborn rodents as maturationally representative of preterm infants’ developmental stage of gastrointestinal motor function, my laboratory recently reported on the maturational dependent factors regulating gastric emptying early in life. We have also evaluated the prokinetic effect of clinically used pharmacological agents to enhance feeding tolerance in neonates.

External Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/53502699/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute
Senior Scientist, Translational Medicine

University of Toronto
Professor, Paediatrics and Physiology

Email: jaques.belik@sickkids.ca

Andrew James BSc, MBChB, MBI, FRACP, FRCP

Dr. Andrew James is a Staff Neonatologist at The Hospital for Sick Children, and an Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.  He obtained his medical degree from the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.  Dr. James completed his paediatric residency at the Princess Mary Hospital for Children, Auckland, and trained in neonatology at National Women’s Hospital, Auckland and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.  He was a Staff Neonatologist at National Women’s Hospital for 7 years before commencing his current appointment in 1993.  Dr James has a graduate degree in biomedical informatics from the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and a Certificate in Continuing Studies in E-Learning from the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Toronto.

Dr. James’ primary focus is the application of the information and communication technologies for clinical care, and the education of caregivers, patient’s and the families.  He has been the lead physician in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at SickKids for clinical informatics since 1993.  His contributions have been those of a physician advisor and champion for the development, implementation and maintenance of the NICU’s electronic clinical management information systems.  Dr. James’ dominant research activity has been the real-time streaming of high-volume, high-fidelity physiological data from bedside monitors for clinical decision support.  He was co-lead for the Artemis Project (2009-15); a collaborative, multidisciplinary, international team that was developing advanced clinical decision support applications for the early identification of late onset neonatal sepsis, the recognition and classification of neonatal spells, the recognition of pain, the recognition of sleep/wake cycling in newborn infants and the quantification of retinal exposure to oxygen.  He was the inaugural Chief Medical Editor, AboutKidsHealth (2003-11).

His current informatics activities include knowledge representation [SNOMED CT and other clinical terminologies, biomedical ontologies], the electronic health record [information architecture, navigation and the visual display of information], predictive analytics and advanced clinical decision support.  Other projects have included the structured representation of the clinical care of the newborn infant by SNOMED CT; the development of SNOMED RefSets for disorders of the newborn infant; the ontological representation of the clinical care and disorders of the newborn infant; patient journey modeling; and the development of electronic problem-oriented clinical documentation.

Bibliography: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/14U9jefImzukb/bibliography/44987979/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology
Associate Clinical Director, NICU

University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

Mount Sinai Hospital
Associate Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

Email: andrew.james@sickkids.ca

Aideen Moore MD, FRCPC, MRCPI, MHSc

Dr. Aideen Moore obtained her MB, BCh, BAO from University College Dublin, Ireland and trained in Internal Medicine and Paediatrics. She undertook postgraduate training in Toronto and joined the Division of Neonatology at The Hospital for Sick Children in 1987. Dr Moore’s clinical and research interests are on the outcomes of high-risk infants admitted to the NICU and the prevalence and outcome of congenital anomalies.

Academic Background

2001 Master of Health Science MHSc in Bioethics, University of Toronto
1993 MD Thesis, Department of Medicine, University College Dublin
1984 FRCP(C), Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Physicians of Canada
1980 DCH, Paediatrics, University College Dublin
1980 MRCP(I), Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
1970-76 MB, BCh, BAO, Department of Medicine, University College Dublin

Research Interests

  1. Neonatal outcome studies, including outcome of the surgical neonate.
  2. Neonatal Necrotising Enterocolitis; etiology, management and outcome.
  3. Defining the prevalence and outcome of congenital anomalies and establishing a surveillance system in Canada to support this goal.

Bibliography link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/53538972/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

Research Institute
Project Investigator, Child Health Evaluative Sciences

University of Toronto
Professor, Paediatrics
Associate Member, School of Graduate Studies, Chair Positions

BORN Ontario
Congenital Anomalies Committee, Chair
Baby’s Breath Medical Advisory Committee, Chair

Email: aideen.moore@sickkids.ca

Mount Sinai Hospital

Prakeshkumar Shah MD, MRCP, MSc, FRCPC

Paediatrician-in-Chief

Dr. Prakesh Shah is adjunct faculty and Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Shah’s research is focused on measuring and improving the health and quality of care provided to vulnerable preterm and sick term neonates. He is the director of the Canadian Neonatal Network, Canadian Preterm Birth Network and International Network for Evaluation of Outcomes (iNeo) of Neonates.

Academic Background

Medical School – Smt NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India.
Residency – Sheth KM School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmedabad, India
Fellowship – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Research Interests

Patient and Disease Oriented Research in Neonatology, Evidence Synthesis, Knowledge Synthesis, Knowledge Transfer, Health Services Delivery, Children’s Health

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?cmd=PureSearch&term=shah%20ps


Mount Sinai Hospital
Paediatrician-in-Chief
Paediatrics, Staff Neonatologist
Associate Director, Mother-Infant Care Research Center
Director, Canadian Neonatal Network

University of Toronto
Professor, Paediatrics
Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation
Associate Member, School of Graduate Studies


Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: Prakeshkumar.shah@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Poorva Desphande MBBS, MD, MRCPCH(UK)
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Poorva Desphande MBBS, MD, MRCPCH(UK)

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Poorva Deshpande completed her paediatric residency training in the UK and moved to Canada in 2009 to join the University of Toronto tri-hospital Neonatal–Perinatal Fellowship Program. In 2015, she joined Mount Sinai Hospital as a Junior Staff Neonatologist.

Academic Background

Medical School – NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, India
Residency – West Midlands Deanery and University College London Hospital,
UK Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, UK

Fellowship – Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program, University of Toronto, Canada

Research Interests

Neonatal Cerebral Hemodynamics, Neonatal Hemodynamics and Echocardiography, Neonatal
Cerebral Monitoring

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/account/?back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fsites%2Fmyncbi%2Fcollections%2Fbibliography%2Fsave%3Fdb%3Dpubmed%26qk%3D13%26xt%3D1vIrzlgF9fPKD3YOBC1BTB4kX

 

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: poorva.deshpande@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Yenge Diambomba MD, FRCP
Clinical Director
Mount Sinai Hospital

Yenge Diambomba MD, FRCP

Clinical Director

 

Mount Sinai Hospital 
Staff Neonatologist, Clinical Director of Nurseries

Associate Member, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Bibliography:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=diambomba+y%5Bau%5D/

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff Neonatology

Email: yenge.diambomba@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Emer Finan MB, DCH, MEd, MRCPI
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Emer Finan MB, DCH, MEd, MRCPI

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Emer Finan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics. Her research and academic interests are in Health Professions Education, particularly in relation to neonatal resuscitation, practical skills training and regulation of learning within the clinical environment.  She is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Professions Education Research through IHPME and the Wilson Centre.  Dr. Finan is a Co-Chair of the Canadian Paediatric Society Neonatal Resuscitation Program (CPS NRP) Steering Committee and the past chair of the CPS NRP Education Subcommittee.  She is a past president of the Canadian Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Section.

Academic Background

Dr. Finan obtained her MB, BCh, BAO from the National University of Ireland, Galway.  She then undertook paediatric training in Ireland before completing neonatal-perinatal fellowship training at the University of Toronto.  She obtained a Master in Education (Health Professional Education) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Research Interests

Health Professions Education, Regulation of Learning, Procedural Skills Training, Neonatal Resuscitation, Simulation, Debriefing

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/53479778/?sort=date&direction=ascending


Mount Sinai Hospital

Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics
Clinician-Scientist, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

 

Email: emer.finan@sinaihealth.ca

Amish Jain MBBS, MRCPCH, PhD
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Amish Jain MBBS, MRCPCH, PhD

Staff Neonatologist

Founder and Director of Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography and Hemodynamic Program at MSH since 2011. Completed a PhD in neonatal cardiovascular physiology from University of Toronto, currently holds Canadian Institute of Health Research and SickKids Foundations New Investigator Research Grant for the study of chronic pulmonary hypertension in preterm neonates and Clinician Scientist (Phase 2) senior personnel award from Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. 

Academic Background

Medical School: 1996-01  Undergraduate Medical Training, N.K.P Salve Institute of  Medical Sciences, Nagpur University, Maharashtra, India

Residency: 2004-07  Paediatric Resident Training, UK

Fellowship Training:

  • 2007-08  Registrar training (Fellow) in Neonatology, St. Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
  • 2008-09  Clinical Fellow, Neonatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • 2009-11  Clinical Fellow, Neonatology, Integrated Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Post Fellowship Training:

  • 2011-14  Trainee, Clinician Scientist Development Program, Division of Neonatology, University of Toronto, Canada
  • 2013-14  Clinician Scientist Trainee, Clinician Scientist Training Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Research Interests

Cardiovascular Physiology, Newborn, Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Ventricular Function, Echocardiography, Critical Care

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/48442061/?sort=date&direction=ascending


Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology
Director, Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography (TnECHO)
Clinician Scientist, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology

Email: amish.jain@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Edmond Kelly MB, BCh, BAO, DCH, FRCPC, FAAP
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Edmond Kelly MB, BCh, BAO, DCH, FRCPC, FAAP

Staff Neonatologist

Always interested in caring for sick newborns and found the dream job that combined antenatal counselling, fetal therapy, neonatal care and neonatal outcomes as part of my daily life and work.

Academic Background

Medical Education: 1968-1974 University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Internships:
1974 Intern (General Surgery), Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas
1974 Intern (Pediatrics), Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas

1975 Intern (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas
1975 Intern (General Medicine), Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas

Post-Internship Training:
1975-76 Emergency Room Physician, Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas
1977 Jr. Resident (Pediatrics), Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas
1978 Sr. Resident (Pediatrics), Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas
1979-80 Registrar (Pediatrics), Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas
1980-81 General Practice, Cupar, Saskatchewan, Canada
1981-82 Resident I, (Pediatrics) Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1982-83 Resident II, (Pediatrics) Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1983-84 Resident III, (Pediatrics) Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Fellowships:
1984-85 Fellowship: Neonatology I, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
1985-86 Fellowship: Neonatology II, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
1986-87 Research Fellow, Respiratory Physiology, Research Institute,
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1974 M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. – U.C.D., Dublin
1978 Diploma in Child Health – U.C.D., Dublin
1986 L.M.C.C. – Medical Council, Canada
1986 F.R.C.P. – Royal College of Physicians Surgeons of Canada
1986 D.A.B.P. – American Board of Pediatrics
1987 D.A.B.N.P.M. – American Board of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Research Interests

Neonatal outcomes, reduction of morbidity, fetal therapy


Mount Sinai Hospital

Staff Neonatologist, Neonatology
Director, Neonatal Developmental Follow Up Clinic

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=kelly%20edmond%5BAuthor%5D


Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: edmond.kelly@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Ashraf Kharrat MD MSc(HQ) FRCPC
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Ashraf Kharrat MD MSc(HQ) FRCPC

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Kharrat is a Staff Neonatologist in the NICU. She has a clinical and academic interest in bridging cardiopulmonary physiology with quality improvement and is currently undertaking research in neonatal hemodynamics in sepsis and septic shock.

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1Z7OujouYBNckH/bibliography/public/

 

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Email: ashraf.kharrat@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Maksim Kirtsman MDCM, FRCPC, FAAP
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Maksim Kirtsman MDCM, FRCPC, FAAP

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Kirtsman is a Staff Neonatologist in the NICU and antenatal clinic. He has an interest in process improvement, quality improvement, and developing quality improvement curricula.

 

Bibliography Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=kirtsman

 

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: maksim.kirtsman@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Tom Leibson, MD
Pediatrician
Mount Sinai Hospital

Tom Leibson, MD

Pediatrician

Dr. Leibson is a Staff Pediatrician in the Mother-Baby Unit and Post-Natal Ambulatory Clinic and is an Associate Medical Director of the Roger Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank. He has an interest in neonatal clinical pharmacology and is providing consultations regarding potential outcomes of drug exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

 

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Pediatrician, Paediatrics

Roger Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank
Associate Medical Director

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: tom.leibson@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Adel Mohamed MD, MSc
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Adel Mohamed MD, MSc

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Mohamed is a Staff Neonatologist with interests in improving quality of care and implementing the use of new technologies. He created the national Lung Ultrasound Committee and designed and runs a lung ultrasound training program with the goal of implementing the use of lung ultrasound technology at all 31 NICUs in Canada.

Bibliography Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1p9Rt5fQbgA5f/bibliography/public/

 

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Email: adel.mohamed@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Karel O’Brien MD, FRCPC
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Karel O’Brien MD, FRCPC

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Karel O’Brien is a Staff Neonatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital and Associate Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. She is a clinical teacher at a busy perinatal center that specializes in fetal diagnosis. She has trained in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research. Her research has focused on improving the outcomes of preterm infants and infants born with complex needs such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia using different methodologies including cohort studies, randomized controlled studies and epidemiological research. She has also mentored several trainees in the critique, design and conduct of unbiased clinical studies. Her current research has focused on Family Integrated Care, a model that changes how we deliver care to families and their infants in the NICU, and she has recently completed an international trial of this model of care.

Learning Interests

Perinatology, clinical trials, research ethics, neonatal follow up, subspecialty education.

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics
Clinical Director, Neonatal Follow Up Program
Clinician-Teacher, Neonatology

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=o%27brien%20karel%5BAuthor%5D


Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: karel.obrien@sickkids.ca

Kamini Raghuram, MD MSc FRCPC
Staff Neonatologist, Medical Director of Neonatal Follow-up
Mount Sinai Hospital

Kamini Raghuram, MD MSc FRCPC

Staff Neonatologist, Medical Director of Neonatal Follow-up

Dr. Raghuram is the Medical Director of the Neonatal Follow-up Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital. She holds dual certification in Neonatology and Developmental Pediatrics through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Academic Background:

2012            MD, University of Toronto

2012-2016 FRCPC in Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto

2015-2018 FRCPC in Neonatology, University of Toronto

2018-2021 FRCPC in Developmental Pediatrics, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Toronto

Research Interests:

Neurodevelopmental outcomes, early identification and intervention for atypical development

 Full bibliography link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/kamini.raghuram.1/bibliography/public/

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Department of Paediatrics
Medical Director, Neonatal Follow Up Clinic

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Other Positions
The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: kamini.raghuram@sinaihealth.ca

Jyotsna Shah MD, DTMH, CCRP
Staff Pediatrician
Mount Sinai Hospital

Jyotsna Shah MD, DTMH, CCRP

Staff Pediatrician

Dr. Jyotsna Shah is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto. Dr. Shah’s main interest is in improving care of term neonates with complex prenatally diagnosed problems.

Academic Background

Medical School – Smt NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India
Residency – Sheth KM School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmedabad, India
Departmental Fellowship – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto

Research Interests

Neonates born to mothers receiving antidepressants
Neonatal infection
Prenatal steroid and impact

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=shah+jyotsna+and+toronto


Mount Sinai Hospital

Staff Pediatrician, Department of Neonatology

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: jyotsna.shah@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Vibhuti Shah MBBS, DCH, MD, MRCP (UK), RCPCH, FRCPC, MSc
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Vibhuti Shah MBBS, DCH, MD, MRCP (UK), RCPCH, FRCPC, MSc

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Vibhuti Shah is a Neonatologist and Clinician-Scientist with expertise in conducting clinical trials, systematic reviews, knowledge translation, development and implementation of practice guidelines. The focus of her research has been related to neonatal pain and vaccination pain management across the life span. As a member of the Fetus and Newborn Committee, Canadian Paediatric Society, she is involved in developing position statements relevant to clinical practice. As a member of the Canadian Neonatal Network, she has been involved in quality improvement projects with the goal to improve neonatal outcomes.

Academic Background

Dr. Shah completed her undergraduate and postgraduate medical training in Mumbai, India. Following the training, she went to the UK and completed her MRCP in Paediatrics. Shah completed her Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program, University of Toronto. In addition, she completed her Master’s in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research, University of Toronto.

Research Interests

Infant-Newborn, Neonatal Pain, Knowledge Translation

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/53584885/?sort=date&direction=ascending

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics
Clinician Scientist, Lunenfeld -Tanenbaum Research Institute

University of Toronto
Professor, Paediatrics
Associate Professor Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff Physician, Neonatology

Canadian Paediatric Society
Member of the Fetus and Newborn Committee

 

Email: Vibhuti.shah@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Sharon Unger BSc, MD, FRCP(C)
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Sharon Unger BSc, MD, FRCP(C)

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Sharon Unger graduated from the University of New Brunswick and Dalhousie University. She is a Neonatologist at Sinai Health System and the medical director for the Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank. She serves as a co-primary investigator for the  CIHR funded OptiMoM and MaxiMoM programs of research in human milk.

Academic Background

BSc – University of New Brunswick
MD – Dalhousie University
Residency – Dalhousie University
Fellowship – University of Toronto

Research Interests

Human Milk, Pasteurized Donor Milk, Neonatal Nutrition

Sinai Health system 
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics
Associate Scientist, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank
Medical Director

University of Toronto
Full Professor, Paediatrics

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=unger%20sharon%5BAuthor%5D

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology
Project Investigator, Research Institute

Email: Sharon.unger@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Jennifer Young B.Sc, MBBS, DM (Paeds)
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Jennifer Young B.Sc, MBBS, DM (Paeds)

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Jennifer Young is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, the Director of the Neonatal-Perinatal Training Program at the University of Toronto and a Staff Neonatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital. Her areas of interest include medical education and neonatal transitional and community follow-up care.

Academic Background

Dr. Jennifer Young obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Guelph.  She then completed her medical training at the University of the West Indies – Mona Campus Jamaica then underwent paediatric training there. She completed her Neonatal Perinatal fellowship training at the University of Toronto. She is currently pursuing a Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology at McMaster University.

Research Interests

NICU Transitional Care, Community Peer to Peer Support

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/53549593/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Director, Neonatal-Perinatal Training Program
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: jennifer.young@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Kin Fan Young Tai MBBS, MHSc, FRCPC
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Kin Fan Young Tai MBBS, MHSc, FRCPC

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Kin Fan Young Tai’s main interests are in education and neonatal resuscitation training. Medical Coordinator of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and co-leads the NICU Neonatal Resuscitation Committee at Mt Sinai Hospital. Provides outreach courses to other disciplines such as anesthesia, family medicine, and allied health: midwifery and anesthesia assistants.

Academic Background

1974-80   MB.BS., Faculty of Medicine, University of West Indies, Jamaica, West Indies
1981-82   Rotating Intern, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados, West Indies
1982-84   Paediatric Resident, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
1984-85   Associate Chief Resident, Paediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
1985-86   Clinical Fellow, Paediatric ICU/Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario,
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
1986-88   Clinical Fellow, Neonatology, Mt Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1988-89   Chief Fellow, Neonatology, Mt Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2000-02   Masters of Health Science in Bioethics, University of Toronto, Ontario

Research Interests

Quality review of neonatal resuscitation practices

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/53551470/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

Mount Sinai Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Paediatrics


Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

The Scarborough Hospital
Courtesy Staff Physician, Paediatrics

Email: KinFan.YoungTai@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Faith Zhu, MBChB, MRCPCH
Staff Neonatologist
Mount Sinai Hospital

Faith Zhu, MBChB, MRCPCH

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Zhu completed her medical degree at the University of Edinburgh followed by her paediatric residency training in London, UK. In July 2018, she joined the Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program at the University of Toronto followed by a third year research fellowship where she trained in Neonatal Hemodynamics. She has a clinical and academic interest in integrating cardiopulmonary physiology with gastrointestinal pathologies in preterm born infants.

 

Academic Background

Medical school: University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Residency: London Deanary, London School of Paediatrics, London, United Kingdom

Fellowship: Neonatal-Perinatal fellowship program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

 

Full Bibliography: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/faith.zhu.1/bibliography/public/ 

 

Mount Sinai Hospital

Staff Neonatologist

University of Toronto

Assistant Professor

Email: Faith.Zhu@sinaihealth.ca

Physician Emeritus

Shoo Lee MBBS, FRCPC, FAAP, PhD, DHC

Founder and Chairman of the Canadian Neonatal NetworkTM, developed the Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality, and have received many national and international awards for his work. He developed Family Integrated Care model and piloted the concept at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Academic Background

University of Singapore (MBBS), Medicine, 1980
Harvard University (MS), Health Policy & Management, 1992
Harvard University (PhD), Health Policy (Economics), 1996
Laval University, Honoris Causa in Medicine (DHC), 2017
Diplomate of American Board of Pediatrics (General Pediatrics), 1990
Diplomate of American Board of Pediatrics (Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine), 1991
Fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics, 1990
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, 1991

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=(((Lee%2C+Shoo%5BAuthor%5D)+OR+Lee%2C+Shoo+K%5BAuthor%5D)+OR+Lee%2C+Shoo+Kim%5BAuthor%5D)

Hospital Positions

Staff Neonatologist, Mount Sinai Hospital;
Director, Maternal-Infant Care Research Center, Mount Sinai Hospital;
Adjunct Professor, Fudan University;
Honorary President, Xiamen Children’s Hospital, Xiamen, PRC.

Research Positions

Scientific Director, Institute of Human Development, Child & Youth Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research;
Senior Clinician Scientist, Lunenfeld-Tannenbaum Research Institute;
Scientist, Institute of Clinical Evaluative Studies.

U of T Positions

Professor, Department of Paediatrics;
Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology;
Professor, Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health.

Administrative Positions

Council Member, CIHR Science Council, 2012-present
Committee Member, Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Working Group, 2012-present
Committee Member, CIHR Science Council Management, 2017-present
Chairman, Canadian Neonatal Network, 2012-present
Steering Committee, People’s Republic of China State Key Laboratory in Neonatal Research, 2005-present
Director, International Training Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 2004-present
Chairman, Chinese Neonatal Network, 2018-present
Honorary Member, EPIQ Latino, 2016-present
Advisory Board Member, Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, 2012-present
Steering Committee, International Network for Evaluation of Outcomes, 2012-present
Member, US-China Joint Commission on Child Health, 2019-present

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Asaph Rolnitsky BScMed, MScHQ, MD, PhD(c)
Chief, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics

Asaph Rolnitsky BScMed, MScHQ, MD, PhD(c)

Chief, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics

Dr. Asaph Rolnitsky is the Chief of the Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.  He completed fellowships in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and in Quality Improvement at the University of Toronto. His expertise is in quality improvement sciences and measurement, in which he received a MSc. Dr. Rolnitsky is now studying for a PhD in Medical Sciences, focusing on QI and health services research. He teaches Neonatology and QI methods at the University of Toronto and Queen’s University and teaches QI methods at international forums.

Academic Background

BscMed, MD – Hebrew University, Jerusalem
Paediatrics
Schneider Children’s Medical Centre of Israel, Tel – Aviv University
Neonatal Perinatal Medicine fellowship, University of Toronto
VAQS – Quality Improvement Fellowship – CQUIPS, University of Toronto
MScHQ – Queen’s University
PhD Candidate – IMS, University of Toronto

Research Interests

QI methods to reduce neonatal morbidities, mainly NEC, ROP, IVH
Cost of care for micropremature infants
Performance measurement

 

Bibliography Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1JI9da4Q3Jxkf/bibliography/public/

 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Chief, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

 

Email: asaph.rolnitsky@sunnybrook.ca

Elizabeth Asztalos MD, MSc, FRCPC
Staff Neonatologist
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Elizabeth Asztalos MD, MSc, FRCPC

Staff Neonatologist

Graduate of University of Toronto School of Medicine (1984), Paediatrics (1987) and Neonatology (1989). Staff Neonatologist (1989 to present). Key interests include neurodevelopmental outcomes of the high-risk preterm population, perinatal management, neonatal management, breast milk for the preterm infant.

Academic Background

2002   Masters of Science, Health Research Methodology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

1988   Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCPC)

1984   Doctor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto (MD)

1977   Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Faculty of Science and Mathematics School of  Nursing
University of Windsor (BScN)

1976   Bachelor of Arts, Faculty of Social Science, University of Windsor (BA)

Residency / Fellowship:

1984-87   Residency-Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children

1987-89   Neonatal Fellowship, Women’s College Hospital  

Research Interests

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes, Preterm Infant, Breast Milk Provision

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/collections/bibliography/53539831/

 

Sunnybrook Health Science Centre
Staff Neonatologist, Department of Newborn & Developmental Paediatrics
Associate Scientist, Research Institute
Director of Neonatal Research, Women and Babies Program

University of Toronto
Professor, Paediatrics
Associate Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation


Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Mount Sinai Hospital
Courtesy Staff

Email: Elizabeth.asztalos@sunnybrook.ca

Rudaina Banihani MD, MHPE
Staff Neonatologist
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Rudaina Banihani MD, MHPE

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Banihani holds a staff position in the Division of Neonatology, providing clinical care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre. She completed dual fellowship training in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Developmental Paediatrics. Her focus is on understanding, evaluating and optimizing developmental outcomes of premature infants as well as children with brain injuries, brain malformations and genetic syndromes that are identified in the neonatal period.

Academic Background

1994-00     MD, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan
2001-05     Paediatric Residency, King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan University of Science
and Technology (JUST), Jordan
2006-08     Neonatal Fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Integrated Fellowship Program
University of Toronto, Canada
2008-09     Neonatal Transport Fellowship, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto
2009           Master’s Degree in Health Professions Education, Maastricht University and
Suez Canal University, Egypt
2010-12     Neonatal Follow-up Fellowship, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre
University of Toronto, Canada
2012-14     Developmental Paediatrics Fellowship , Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada

Research Interests

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes, Developmental Trajectories, Neonatal Brain Injury, Premature Infants, Down Syndrome, Genetic Syndromes

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/55106565/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Staff Neonatologist, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics
Developmental Paediatrician, Neonatal Follow Up Clinic

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

 

Email: rudaina.banihani@sunnybrook.ca

Maya Dahan, MDCM, FRCPC, FAAP
Staff Neonatologist
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Maya Dahan, MDCM, FRCPC, FAAP

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Dahan is a neonatologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. Her research interests are focused on improving ethical communication within the NICU, both between families and clinicians, and between clinicians, using quality improvement methods and ethical frameworks.

Academic Background

Medical School – MDCM, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Residency – Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Fellowship – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Graduate School – currently completing MSc in Bioethics at Columbia University, New York City, USA

Research Interests

Ethics, Quality Improvement, Communication, Family-Centered Care, Debriefing

 

Bibliography link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=dahan+maya%5BAuthor%5D

 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center

Staff Neonatologist, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics

University of Toronto

Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

The Hospital for Sick Children

Associate Staff, Neonatology

 

Email: maya.dahan@sunnybrook.ca

Michael Dunn MD, FRCPC
Staff Neonatologist
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Michael Dunn MD, FRCPC

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Michael Dunn is a practicing neonatologist, former Chief of the Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Toronto, Canada and an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto.  He has extensive experience in Quality Improvement and the development and execution of randomized controlled trials involving preterm neonates.  He is committed to the provision of quality care to NICU patients and their families and believes that we as health care providers need to do everything in our power to give our newest citizens the best possible start in life.

Academic Background

Degree:
MD- University of Toronto (1978)

Paediatric Residency:
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto (1978-80)
Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia (1981)
B.C.’s Children’s Hospital, Vancouver (1983-84)

Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship:
Women’s College Hospital, Toronto (1982-86)

Research Interests

Quality improvement, Respiratory Support, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, NICU Design, Care of the Micropremature Infant, Family-Centered Care

 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Staff Neonatologist, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Dunn%20MS%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=28859765

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

 

Email: michael.dunn@sunnybrook.ca

Eugene Ng MD, FRCPC, FAAP
Staff Neonatologist
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Eugene Ng MD, FRCPC, FAAP

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Eugene Ng is a Neonatologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He has over 10 years of administrative experience at the tertiary and community care settings, and has provided leadership and guidance in development and revision of many policies and practice guidelines in the provincial and national levels, involving advocacy and regionalization of maternal and newborn care. His current research and academic foci include assessment of respiratory pattern using diaphragm electrical activity, systematic reviews, systems and models of care, and quality improvement.

Academic Background

1994   MD, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
1997   Paediatric Residency, Baystate Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Springfield, Massachusetts
2000   Neonatal Fellowship, Shared Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Toronto
2001   Neonatal Transport Fellowship, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

Research Interests

Diaphragm Electrical Activity, Systematic Reviews, Systems and Models of Care

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/53563329/?sort=date&direction=descending


Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Staff Neonatologist

Medical Director, NICU
Associate Scientist, Research Institute

University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

North York General Hospital
Active Staff Physician, Department of Paediatrics

Mount Sinai Hospital
Courtesy Staff Physician, Paediatrics

Email: eugene.ng@sunnybrook.ca

Maher Shahroor, MD, RCPSC (SEAP)
Staff Neonatologist
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Maher Shahroor, MD, RCPSC (SEAP)

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Maher Shahroor is a neonatologist and part of the targeted neonatal echocardiography (TNE) program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. Dr. Shahroor is currently completing MSc in Medical Sciences with a focus on respiratory physiology at University of Toronto.

Dr. Shahroor was trained in Al-Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem for his degree in Paediatrics. He has completed his neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship and neonatal transport medicine fellowship at University of Toronto, followed by a subspeciality fellowship in neonatal hemodynamics at University of Ottawa.

Academic Background

2004-2010: Medical School, Cairo University, Egypt

2012-2017: Pediatric Residency, Makassed Hospital, East Jerusalem

2017-2019: Neonatal Fellowship, Shared Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Toronto

2019-2020: Neonatal and Pediatrics Transport Medicine Fellowship, University of Toronto, Canada

2020-2021: Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography fellowship, University of Ottawa, Canada

2021-present: currently completing MSc in Medical Sciences with a focus on respiratory physiology, University of Toronto, Canada

Research Interests

Dr. Shahroor’s research interests focus on studying the different non-invasive ventilation modalities and interfaces in preterm infants using diaphragmatic electrical activity. In addition to necrotizing enterocolitis and hemodynamics in preterm infants.

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center

Staff Neonatologist, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics

University of Toronto

Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

The Hospital for Sick Children

Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: maher.shahroor@sunnybrook.ca

Dany Weisz BSc, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Staff Neonatologist
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Dany Weisz BSc, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Weisz is a neonatal intensivist and director of the targeted neonatal echocardiography program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. His research interests include the physiology and epidemiology of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants and non-invasive cardiac monitoring.

Academic Background

Bachelor of Science – University of Toronto
Doctor of Medicine – University of Western Ontario
Paediatrics – University of Ottawa
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine – University of Toronto
Masters of Science (Clinical Epidemiology) – Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto

Research Interests

Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Non-Invasive Cardiac Monitoring, Hemodynamics, Pulmonary Hypertension, Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography

Bibliography Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1bsWwVcCtuc9dj/bibliography/public/

 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Staff Neonatologist, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Mount Sinai Hospital
Associate Staff, Paediatrics

Email: Dany.weisz@sunnybrook.ca

Physician Emeritus

Paige Terrien Church, MD
Emeritus Staff Neonatologist

Paige Terrien Church, MD

Emeritus Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Church is the former Medical Director of the Neonatal Follow Up Clinic at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the physician lead for the Spina Bifida/Spinal Cord injury program at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. She holds dual certification through the American Board of Pediatrics in neonatal-perinatal Medicine as well as developmental behavioral pediatrics.

Academic Background

1999          MD, University of Vermont College of Medicine
1992-02    University of Chicago, Pediatrics 1999-2002
2002-06   Tufts University, Joint fellowship in Neonatal Perinatal Medicine and Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics

Research Interests

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes, Systems of Care

Full bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/43243394/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Emeritus Staff Neonatologist, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics
Affiliate Scientist, Research Institute

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Email: Paige.church@sunnybrook.ca

Brian Simmons BSc(Hons), BM, FRCPC, FAAP
Emeritus Staff Neonatologist

Brian Simmons BSc(Hons), BM, FRCPC, FAAP

Emeritus Staff Neonatologist

 

Sunnybrook Health Science Centre
Emeritus Staff Neonatologist, Department of Newborn & Developmental Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=(simmons+brian%5BAuthor%5D)+NOT+(simmons+bp%5BAuthor%5D)+NOT+(simmons+bs%5BAuthor%5D)+AND+toronto

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: brian.simmons@sunnybrook.ca

Martin Skidmore BSc, MB, BS, DObstRCOG, DCH, MRCP, FRCPC

Emeritus Staff Neonatologist

Dr Skidmore joined the Dept of Paeds as a Clinical Fellow in 1978. He became a Staff Neonatologist at Women’s College in 1981. Dr. Skidmore has been actively involved with The Integrated Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Training Program at the University of Toronto since its inception in 1989 and, for 14 years, was the Program Director. He was awarded ‘Founder Designation’ in NPM by the RCPSC in 2011 and ‘The Distinguished Neonatologist Award’ by the CPS in 2015.

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Emeritus Staff Neonatologist, Department of Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=skidmore+mb%5BAuthor%5D+OR+skidmore+m%5Bauthor%5D+AND+toronto

Other Positions

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynaecology

 

Email: martin.skidmore@sunnybrook.ca

St. Michael’s Hospital

Doug Campbell MSc, MD, FRCPC
Director of NICU & Deputy Chief of Pediatrics

Doug Campbell MSc, MD, FRCPC

Director of NICU & Deputy Chief of Pediatrics

 

Dr. Douglas Campbell is currently the Director of NICU and the Deputy Chief of Pediatrics at St. Michael’s Hospital, a busy inner city level IIc NICU in downtown Toronto. He is also the Medical Director of the Allan Waters Family Simulation Center at St. Michael’s Hospital and an Associate Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute. He is cross-appointed at the Hospital for Sick Children, where he works as a Staff Neonatologist. Dr. Campbell’s academic rank at the University of Toronto is that of an Associate Professor within the Department of Pediatrics.

His two main areas of interest are clinical neonatology (nutrition and ventilation) and the use of simulation for neonatal resuscitation team-training. Dr. Campbell’s clinical neonatal experience and simulation background has formed a large part of his academic career as an educator, administrator and researcher. He has received simulation training at Stanford University at the Center for Advanced Perinatal Education (CAPE) and is the current simulation co-lead, at the University of Toronto’s Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.

Dr. Campbell is a past member of the Canadian Paediatric Society National Resuscitation Program (NRP) Executive Committee and past Chair of the NRP Research Committee. International recognition for my work in simulation has included election to the Board of Directors of the International Paediatric Simulation Society (IPSS).

Research Interests

Clinical neonatology (nutrition and ventilation) and the use of simulation for neonatal resuscitation
team-training.

 

St. Michael’s Hospital
Deputy Chief of Pediatrics
Director, NICU
Medical Director, Allan Waters Family Simulation Centre

University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Paediatrics

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=campbell%20dm%5BAuthor%5D

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: campbelld@unityhealth.to

Tony Barozzino MD, FRCPC
Staff Physician
St. Michael’s Hospital

Tony Barozzino MD, FRCPC

Staff Physician

Dr. Tony Barozzino is currently the Director of Community Outreach & Ambulatory Services in the Department of Pediatrics at St. Michael’s Hospital and formerly served as Chief of Pediatrics from 2001 to 2012. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.  

He has been Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Pediatric Society sponsored Caring for Kids New to Canada Web Resource, an online, bilingual free access site developed for health professionals and others who care for immigrant/refugee children, youth and families. He now is Chair of the Caring for Kids New to Canada Task Force, which hopes to lead the charge to improve healthcare and health outcomes in immigrant refugee children and youth in Canada by advancing research, education and clinical care provision to this at-risk population.

He has worked as a Consultant Pediatrician in downtown Toronto for over 20 years with particular expertise in neonatology, developmental/school issues and care of the medically complex child.  He has developed a specialized pediatric care model for South East Toronto, focusing on inner city children/youth and their particular issues as seen through the lens of the social determinants of health.  

His administrative leadership has resulted in St. Michael’s Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics being at the forefront of clinical care provision, education and research around socially disadvantaged children and their families.  The Pediatric Outreach initiatives, Developmental Services Team, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Diagnostic Clinic, School Based Health Clinic and the Infectious Diseases/Immigrant Health Clinics are but a few of the successful developments with regards to clinical care in this area.  

Academic Background

1985-89   Doctor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
1983-85   Faculty of Science, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, ON
1992-93   Associate Chief Pediatric Resident, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, ON
1989-92   Pediatric Medicine Residency Program, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

Research Interests

Neonatology, Developmental / School Issues, Care of the Medically Complex Child, Immigrant / Refugee Child Health

 

St. Michael’s Hospital
Staff Physician, Paediatrics
Director, Community Outreach and Ambulatory Services
Associate Scientist, Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute

University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Paediatrics

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Barozzino%2C%20Tony%5BAuthor%5D

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology
Associate Staff Physician, Paediatric MEdicine

Mount Sinai Hospital
Associate Staff, Paediatrics

Children and Youth New to Canada, Canadian Pediatric Society
Caring for Kids New to Canada Task Force, Chair

Email: barozzinot@unityhealth.to

Sohail Cheema, MD
Staff Neonatologist
St. Michael’s Hospital

Sohail Cheema, MD

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Cheema completed his medical training in the United Kingdom as a pediatrician with a special interest in neonatology. In 2001, Dr. Cheema came to Canada to work as a pediatric fellow in neonatal transport medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children and after two years became a staff pediatrician. He is a keen educator and is involved in numerous undergraduate teaching initiatives. He is a member of the Pediatric Undergraduate Medical Education Committee at the University of Toronto which oversees the pediatric section of undergraduate teaching, including curriculum and examination materials. Dr. Cheema is the lead physician at St. Michael’s Hospital in teaching and mentoring all undergraduate students of the University of Toronto.

 

St. Michael’s Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=(Cheema%2C+Sohail%5BAuthor%5D)

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: cheemas@@unityhealth.to

Michael Sgro MD, FRCPC
Chief of Pediatrics
St. Michael’s Hospital

Michael Sgro MD, FRCPC

Chief of Pediatrics

Dr. Michael Sgro is the Chief of Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics at St. Michael’s Hospital. Dr. Sgro held the position of Director Research for the last 15 years. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. He has a cross-appointment to the Department of Neonatology and the Department of General Pediatrics at SickKids. He is a General Consultant Pediatrician with an interest in children with chronic illnesses working with Toronto’s urban health populations. His clinical work focuses on neonatology, children with physical and developmental disabilities and as well, he acts as the medical consultant Pediatrician to the Cleft Lip and Palate Program at SickKids.

Dr. Sgro has a research keen interest in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and neonatal sepsis, particularly looking at severe hyperbilirubinemia and the incidence of acute bilirubin encephalopathy and chronic bilirubin encephalopathy. This research has resulted in a number of peer reviewed publications and as well he has developed a reputation both nationally and internationally as an expert in the fields of FASD, sepsis and neonatal jaundice. This is supported by the number of publications, presentations, successful grant applications and committee memberships.

Academic Background

1992-93   Associate Chief Resident, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto
1991-92   Third Year Pediatric Resident, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto
1990-91   Second Year Pediatric Resident, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto
1989-90   Comprehensive Pediatric Internship, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto
1985-89   Doctor of Medicine, University of Western, Ontario

Research Interests

Sepsis Neonatal, Hyperbilirubinemia, FASD, Jaundice, Rh Disease

 

St. Michael’s Hospital
Chief, Pediatrics
Associate Scientist, Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Associate Scientist, Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute

University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Paediatrics
Associate Staff Physician, Institute of Medical Science

Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=sgro+m%5BAuthor%5D+OR+sgro+md%5BAuthor%5D+NOT+sgro+mp%5BAuthor%5D+NOT+sgro+mj%5BAuthor%5D


Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology
Associate Staff Physician, Paediatric Medicine

Mount Sinai Hospital
Associate Staff Physician, Paediatrics

Email: sgrom@@unityhealth.to

Ethel Ying, MD
Staff Neonatologist
St. Michael’s Hospital

Ethel Ying, MD

Staff Neonatologist

Dr. Ying’s clinical interests include the follow-up care of the preterm population including developmental outcomes and nutrition. These interests led to the development of the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital in 2003 and in 2013, the implementation of a nutrition follow-up Clinic for extremely low birth weight neonates. She is also interested in the importance of the active participation of
families in the care of NICU population, leading to the implementation of family integrated care model within the St. Michael’s Hospital NICU in 2016. Her current research focus is parental and neonatal
outcomes with Family Integrated Care in an advanced Level 2 NICU setting and is participating
in a multi-site study to evaluate these outcomes.

 

St. Michael’s Hospital
Staff Neonatologist, Paediatrics

University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Paediatrics

 

Other Positions

The Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Staff, Neonatology

Email: ethel.ying@@unityhealth.to

Our NICUs

Visiting or thinking about training in one of our NICUs? Click the links below to take a tour.

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  • The Mount Sinai NICU admits approximately 1200 neonates per year of which over 70% are < 26 weeks.
  • The NICU is a tertiary, 57 bed unit and trainees have the opportunity to work with a team of paediatric residents, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, dieticians and pharmacists.
  • Mount Sinai has Canada’s largest fetal therapy program and trainees gain extensive experience in antenatal counselling and perinatal care of infants born with congenital anomalies or requiring in-utero fetal procedures.
  • The Neonatal Developmental Follow-Up Clinic enrols approximately 300 infants per year who have been admitted to the NICU, had in-utero fetal therapy or congenital diaphragmatic repair or are participating in research studies.
  • The Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (SHSC) NICU has over 700 admissions per year.
  • The NICU is a tertiary, 42 bed unit with a clinical focus is in the management of extremely low birth weight infants
  • Trainees have the opportunity to work with a highly skilled interprofessional team including nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, dieticians and pharmacists
  • The SHSC NICU provides care to over 70 infants < 26 weeks per year.
  • The SHSC Follow-Up Clinic enrols approximately 225 infants per year, and has a volume of over 2000 visits annually. The clinic follows children to six years of age with clinicians trained in both neonatal follow-up and developmental paediatrics
  • The SickKids NICU is a 36-bed, out-born unit providing tertiary and quaternary care for infants with severe hypoxaemic respiratory failure; hypoxaemic-ischaemic encephalopathy, seizures, stroke; sepsis; and a variety of surgical conditions, many of which require urgent surgery, and congenital malformations.
  • Approximately 800 infants are admitted to the NICU each year from hospitals across North America
  • Our NICU has a multidisciplinary team comprised of nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, respiratory, occupational and physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists, social workers, and chaplains
  • The Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS) team, provides transport of patients and an advice and consultation line to support community physicians in providing resuscitation, and stabilization
  • The Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic sees approximately 350 high risk patients from the NICU and the Cardiac Critical Care Unit. Children are followed to three years of age by an interdisciplinary team with expertise in neurodevelopmental assessment and therapy. There are combined clinics with Neurology to optimize coordination of care.
  • St. Michael’s NICU is a 20-24 bed advanced care critical unit closely partnered with a high-risk maternal fetal-medicine team (high risk obstetrics) and general obstetrical/family medicine/midwifery group.   
  • There are 3000 deliveries per year with a busy perinatal-neonatal service.
  • The 20-bed advanced level II NICU has the ability to manage short-term ventilation and CPAP.
  • There is a strong academic focus with opportunities for simulation-based training and supervision of junior trainees.