The gastroenterology and hepatology clinic provides assessment and consultations for children and youth with conditions related organs in the digestive tract, including:
- esophagus,
- stomach,
- small intestine,
- colon,
- pancreas
- liver
Children and youth referred to this clinic typically have:
- swallowing problems,
- bleeding from the intestinal tract,
- abdominal pain,
- difficulties with gaining adequate weight or losing weight,
- vomiting,
- diarrhea,
- jaundice,
- enlarged liver, and
- inflammation of any of the above organs.
Need more information?
Visit our online resource section to learn about a variety of health topics for children and youth and access CHEO recommended websites, books, apps, videos and more!
Resources and support
How to make an appointment
All children and youth need to be referred to the gastroenterology and hepatology clinic by their pediatrician or family doctor.
Contact us
Mail or fax referral forms to:
Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, CHEO
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1
Fax: 613-738-4865
Meet the team
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Dr. Mack's Pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship training was completed at the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto. Following training, Dr. Mack was appointed to Faculty of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Centre prior to being recruited to Ottawa. In 2001, he was recruited to Ottawa with an appointment of Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa with a mandate and vision to develop a Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Aligning with excellence, staying focused on the goals, being consistent in optimism, patience, integrity, respectfulness, passion and communicating defined his tenure. Over the years the Division has recruited strong members to expand its clinical expertise, increase diagnostic capabilities for the children and youth served by CHEO and moved forward with a strong research program. While recently stepping down from Division Chief he will remain as Director of the CHEO IBD Centre, continue with translational intestinal microbiome research in IBD along with various national leadership roles. He recently received the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Distinguished Service Award. In 2020, Dr. Mack received the Distinguished Clinical Research Chair Award from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Barkey's Pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship training was completed at the University of Calgary. Dr. Barkey was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg Health Sciences Center in Pediatric Gastroenterology) prior to moving to Ottawa. In 2006, she was recruited to Ottawa to join the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at CHEO and with an appointment as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Barkey specializes in the assessment and treatment of digestive disorders with a focus on upper intestinal disorders. She has been a Pediatric Gastroenterology examiner at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and is involved in undergraduate and graduate medical education.
Dr. Stanisz's Pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship training was completed at the University of Calgary. Dr. Stanisz was a Locum Staff Gastroenterologist within the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Calgary for a year prior to moving to Ottawa. In 2018, she was recruited to Ottawa to join the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at CHEO and with an appointment as Lecturer of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Stanisz has clinical interests in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), nutrition, and pancreatic disorders and will be working with the CHEO IBD Centre and the cystic fibrosis clinic. Dr. Stanisz has interest in medical education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Dr. Kehar has joined the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition as staff physician on November 1st, 2020. Dr. Kehar was born in India where he completed his pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology training. He completed his Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition fellowship at Hospital for Sick Children and worked as locum staff. He moved to Queens University in 2018 as an Assistant Professor and was the clinical lead of the section of Pediatric Gastroenterology before moving to CHEO.
Donna has been with the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition since 2004. Her clinical and research focus is in pediatric liver disease and post-transplant issues, as well as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Donna was the recipient of the 2012 prestigious Betty Kannon Award of Excellence in Nursing. This award recognizes a nurse who exemplifies the values of family-centered care and who is an advocate for children and youth.
Rebecca comes to us with over 10 years of nursing experience and decided to join the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in May 2022 after being a part of the CHEO family for nearly 3 years. With her focus being primarily on Inflammatory Bowel Disease as well as supporting the CHEO IBD Centre Research projects, Rebecca works hard to provide the best, safest and most compassionate care to the CHEO families who depend on us.
Krystel has been working with children and families for more than 15 years. In 2010, she started her professional career at the Montreal Children’s Hospital with patients having acute needs and the patients with chronic needs. It was followed by a period in the education domain at the Conseil des Écoles Publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario and for a private institution abroad. The wellbeing of children and their families is her main focus and she is always glad to offer a listening ear. In 2020, she was pleased to join the CHEO IBD Centre. She facilitates adaptation to a new diagnosis and offers comforting support to youth and families.
Sydney completed her Bachelor of Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba (2009), and Dietetic Internship via the Ottawa Hospital Dietetic Internship Program (2010). She worked at the Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research Health and Medicine at the St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre and also the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Winnipeg. Sydney joins the Gastroenterology Team at CHEO in 2015 after working in several other clinical areas at CHEO including Hematology/Oncology, Immune Deficiency, and General Medicine.
Isabelle graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science specializing in Nutrition and is enrolled with the College of Dietitians of Ontario. Since joining CHEO in 2017, she has worked in multiple inpatient departments (NICU, PICU, and general medicine) and out-patient clinics (Neurology, Down syndrome, Neuromuscular, Autism, and Oncology). She is now excited to be part of the CHEO GI team where she will work with patients who have been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Short Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease, as well as other GI conditions.
Riley previously worked with the Screening team at CHEO in 2020, before starting her new role as Patient Service Clerk in the Gastroenterology Clinic in June 2022. Riley is excited to be a part of the CHEO GI team.
Susan is a graduate of the Secretarial Science program at Vanier College in Montreal, Quebec and received her certificate in French Studies from Concordia University. She previously worked at The Montreal Children’s Hospital in administration before joining CHEO in March 2011. Susan is the Administrative Assistant for the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.Research
Learn about inflammatory bowel disease research happening at the CHEO Research Institute
Donate now
You can help fund important research by donating to our gastroenterology and IBD funds through the CHEO Foundation. When making your donation, please select 'other' and specify either gastroenterology fund or IBD fund.
Need more information?
Visit the gastroenterology and hepatology resource section to learn about a variety of health topics for children and youth and access CHEO recommended websites, books, apps, videos and more!
Resources and support