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HomeClinics, Services & ProgramsDirectoryGastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition

Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition

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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.

Front page of a resource handoutNeed 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

 Physicians
 
 Dr. Carolina Jimenez, MD, FRCPCR

Headshot of Dr. Carolina Jimenez

Dr. Jimenez's Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship and Pediatric Liver disease and Liver transplantation was completed at the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto. Dr. Jimenez was a Hepatologist at the National Children’s Hospital in Costa Rica 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 has been the Director of Liver Services. She was recently promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa and is currently the Chief of the Division since 2018. Her clinical and research interests are related to liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Jimenez has served as member of the Hepatology Committee of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. She is currently the Chair of the Canadian Pediatric Hepatology Research Group.

  • Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
  • Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
  • Director, Liver Services
 Dr. David Mack, MD, FRCPC

Headshot of Dr. David MackDr. 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.

  • Distinguished Clinical Research Chair
  • Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
  • Director, CHEO Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Centre
  • Past Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Dr. Janice Barkey, BScH, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Headshot of Dr. Janice BarkeyDr. 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.

  • Assistant Professor, Department of of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
  • Director, Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Dr. Joanna Stanisz, MD, FRCPC

Headshot of Dr. Joanna StaniszDr. 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.

  • Lecturer, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
  • Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Nurse case managers
 
Nathalie Fournier, RN, BScN, NSWOC
Headshot of Nathalie FournierNathalie has been part of the CHEO family since graduating nursing from uOttawa in 1986. She joined the newly created Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition service in 1998, the same year she won an award for Excellence in Professional Practice. In addition, she is a nurse specializing in wound and ostomy care and has published through CAET’s magazine for youth with ostomies, entitled Body Talk. Nathalie was also a collaborator in the “IBD Doesn’t Define Me” booklet – personal stories from people living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. She enjoyed being a facilitator for IBD support groups. She developed many of the GI/IBD educational pamphlets and keeps them up to date.
Donna Haas, RN, BScN
Headshot of Donna HaasDonna 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.
Danielle Loft, RN, BScN
Headshot of Danielle MainvilleDanielle’s ease and love of working with children and their families was cemented over her 7 years at CHEO working on the inpatient medical ward after completing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Ottawa in 2010. She joined the Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition team in 2017 focusing her clinical expertise on upper digestive disorders and pH/MII studies.
Louise Lenz, IA, B.Sc.Inf
Headshot of Louise LenzLouise has over 40 years of healthcare experience in hospitals in Saskatchewan, Germany, Quebec and Ontario, having held a variety of positions such as staff nurse, clinical educator, assistant head nurse, head nurse, clinical manager and director. Louise has stepped into the Nurse Case Manager(NCM) role and maintains her primary goal of helping kids and families. Louise supports the CHEO IBD Centre Research projects.
Registered practical nurse
 
Shelley Plasse
Headshot of Shelley PlasseShelley graduated from Algonquin College in 2006 and has been working at CHEO since. She has worked on the inpatient medical wards for 9 years following nursing school and then joined The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition in 2015. Shelley works in the outpatient clinic setting and performs breath hydrogen testing.
 Social worker
 
Krystel Marleau-Rancourt, BSW, RSW
Krystel MarleauKrystel 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.
 Dietitians
 
Sydney Harris-Janz, BSc, RD
Headshot of Sydney Harris-JanzSydney 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.
Trish Perry, BSc, HNU, RD
headshot of Trish PerryTrish completed her B. Sc. in Human Nutrition (Advanced Major) at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS in 2010. In 2011, she completed a year-long Graduate Dietetic Internship at the Moncton Hospital in Moncton, NB. She went on to work in both pediatric and adult care as a Certified Diabetes Educator at the North Bay Regional Health Centre in North Bay, ON for six years before joining the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at CHEO in June 2017. 
 Research team
 
 Ruth Singleton, RN, CCRP, Clinical Research Lead
Headshot of Ruth SingletonAfter graduating from nursing, Ruth has enjoyed diverse nursing experiences in Canada and the U.S. It was during her time in Toronto that evidence-based nursing and research became a passion. Following that, her appreciation and respect of children was apparent when she worked tirelessly during her 11 years in the U.S where she was granted the Nebraska PTA State Life Award for outstanding service to children and youth. The CHEO Research Institute recognized her for her work as Clinical Research Coordinator for Gastroenterology Research. This continued work ethic and enthusiasm is now focused on IBD Research.
Clerks
  • Andrew Meahan
 Administrative assistant
 
Susan Lemieux
Headshot of Susan LemieuxSusan 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

RECORD – Reporting of studies conducted using observational routinely-collected data (Dr. Eric Benchimol)
This international group is working toward improving the transparency of research using biomedical and health “Big Data”, as well as to improve the methods used to conduct such research. This international committee of stakeholders who use or conduct research using routinely collected data (including researchers, policy-makers, journal editors and industry representatives) will create reporting guidelines for studies which use routine health data, with the goal of improving the transparency of research and allow journal editors, peer reviewers and users of the research to better understand its strengths and limitations. Visit Record Reporting Guidelines for more information.
Biliary atresia registry (Dr. Carolina Jimenez)
This is a nationwide project (CIHR funded) aimed to characterize patients with biliary atresia, diagnostic tools, treatment and outcomes. Patient information is captured in every center caring for children with BA in Canada; the data will serve for analyses and these are targeted to improve patient care and outcomes.
Canadian Gastro-Intestinal Epidemiology Consortium - CanGIEC (Dr. Eric Benchimol)
This network of researchers conducts studies using population-based health administrative data from 6 Canadian provinces. They are investigating the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease, and the way in which the health care system treats patients with chronic gastro-intestinal illnesses. CanGIEC studies are funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Innovation.
Grants and awards
Visit the CHEO Research Institute's website for Grants and Awards at the CHEO Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Centre. 

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.

Make a donation

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

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