For up-to-date information about COVID-19 and IBD please visit Crohn's and Colitis Canada and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
For questions about CHEO's COVID-19 response and any impact on your upcoming appointments, visit our COVID-19 page
Making kids better, like Sebastien!
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Centre at CHEO provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach to treatment of children diagnosed with these disorders, the two most common sub-types being Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The Centre is within the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
The Centre is committed to delivering quality care through:
- improving patient outcomes
- commitment to research and knowledge sharing
- adopting a multidisciplinary approach
- translating evidence-based care into practice
- maintaining professional relationships with organizations and industry
Meet the IBD Centre team
Making a difference and obtaining the overall wellness for each child and youth is what we strive for. We have many experts working together to do this including:
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Physicians |
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Nurse case managers |
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Research team |
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Social worker |
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Dietitians |
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Pharmacy technician |
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Administrative 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. 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 is 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. 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.
Kathryn joined the CHEO IBD Centre team in 2022. She is excited to be a part of the team!
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.
After 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.
Adrienne joined the CHEO IBD Centre research team after having spent 5 years as the Physician Assistant for the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. During that time Adrienne cared for many of the children and youth who were admitted to hospital for management of their inflammatory bowel disease. She now brings her expertise and enthusiasm to the research studies involving Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Pauline graduated from the University of Ottawa’s Health Sciences Program in 2010 and completed her Master’s degree in Epidemiology. She is elated to be a part of the IBD research team where the health of children affected by gastroenterological issues are of top priority. As a research coordinator, she is excited to be involved with a variety of projects. Pauline's main focus is the Canadian Children Inflammatory Bowel Disease Network (CIDsCaNN).
Nathan graduated from Carleton University with an Honours Bachelor of Science. With his main focus on the Human Microbiome study and Resistant Starch in IBD research trials, he works closely with the entire research team, including the CHEO pharmacy research staff. Nathan is a valuable member of the team who is integral in the process of keeping this multifaceted research moving forward.
Tyrus has been with the CHEO Research Institute since 2012. During this time, he has worked as a Research Assistant, Research Coordinator, and as the REDCap Administrator for the Research Institute and CHEO. From these roles, Tyrus has gained experience in both the coordination of clinical trials and also data management for these studies using REDCap. Tyrus is excited to be working as part of the IBD Centre Research Team as the REDCap Data Manager on a wide variety of projects.
Mihaela graduated from the University of Montreal with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology. Following her passion for immunology and interest in research, she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the University of Ottawa and works as a trainee at the CHEO Research Institute. Her experience in research and drive for excellence have led Mihaela to focus on and contribute to specific research study areas here at the CHEO IBD Centre. Mihaela strives to move the studies forward and to be an integral part of their success. Her primary focus is on the Resistant Starch Trials.
Amanda started volunteering in the Division of Gastroenterology in 2006 and continues on as Research Coordinator. Amanda is a strong asset to many of the research and clinical projects underway at the CHEO IBD Centre. Her current focus concentrates on development and implementation of REDCap databases for the CHEO IBD Centre. She is a valuable member of the team volunteering to take on multiple projects outside of her work to support the CHEO IBD Centre and CHEO.
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.
Isabelle received a Bachelor of Science specializing in Nutrition from the University of Ottawa in 2016. She is a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario. Since joining CHEO in 2017, Isabelle has worked in multiple inpatient and outpatient clinics. She is excited to join the CHEO IBD team, where she will work with patients diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Isabelle supports the division of Gastroenterology and those with eosinophilic esophagitis, short bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and other GI conditions.
With over 20 years’ experience in retail pharmacy, Julie joined the CHEO IBD Centre in 2020. After graduating in 2003 with a degree in biochemistry, Julie bridged into courses in the pharmacy technician program that enabled her to become registered in Ontario in 2010. From them on, she has proudly worked at CHEO as a Registered Pharmacy Technician. You will now meet Julie at your Wednesday IBD appointments where she records patient measurements, vital signs, and reviews allergies and medications. Julie is an integral part of the IBD 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.
Riley joined Clinic C3 as the Clinic Service Clerk where everyone who comes to the clinic is greeted by her including patients of the CHEO IBD Centre. Riley is an amazing member of the team!Need more information? Visit our online resource section to access CHEO recommended websites, books, apps, videos and more!
Events
IBD Youth Gut Together 2023 - A voyage of discovery |
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Interesting facts we shared at the eventGalactic Genomes A critical part of IBD research is finding associations between the microbes in a person’s gut and their disease. Based on the presence of good and bad microbes in a microbiome, we are learning how to treat each patient better. While DNA reading technologies enable us to profile ALMOST all the microbes in the gut, some microbes are missing and are waiting to be discovered. "Galactic Genomes" demonstrated how DNA is decoded by sequencing technologies and how newly discovered microbes get added to databases. DNA is out of this world! At the DNA extraction station, participants could isolate the DNA from a “space banana” (Bananakin skywalkerus) or “space strawberry” (Strawbacca wookeii). After extracting it from the fruit, the DNA could be seen and touched! DNA is an important part of our IBD research because we use it to identify which microbes are present in different people. The DNA also helps us figure out what the microbes are doing in our bodies. Using DNA-based technology, we are learning more and more about the importance of gut microbes in IBD. Starch Wars The microbes in your gut have their own preference for certain types of resistant starch, which can impact their growth and activity. Some types of resistant starch can be more helpful than others depending on the microbes that are present. This station demonstrated how different microbes prefer one resistant starch over the other. Astoolnauts on the go In order to grow the microbes in a stool sample for IBD research, we first must process the stool to remove food debris and fibers. This processing must be done in a specific environment (the anaerobic chamber) to keep the microbes in the stool sample alive and happy in the low oxygen environment they prefer. Once the microbes have been isolated, we can see how they grow in the lab and predict how they would grow inside your own gut. Revealing our inner aliens Gut microbes differ in their ability to grow using different nutrients (sugar/protein/sugar-alcohols) and they may use these nutrients in unexpected ways. By growing microbes in the lab using different growth conditions, we can see which microbes are present and how they grow in the presence of different nutrients. This will help us determine the key nutrients that are needed by the good microbes in your gut. VideosPhotos
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IBD Youth Gut Together 2020, 2021 and 2022 |
| Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. |
IBD Youth Gut Together 2019 |
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Expedition IBD was quite a journey! Expedition IBD was a huge success! Attendees at the IBD Youth Gut Together 2019 were guided on an expedition by IBD doctors and researchers to discover the work being done to uncover the newest IBD discoveries. The microbes literally flew (thank you Dr. Figeys!) as we heard from world renowned IBD experts. We put our skills to the test and performed actual experiments using techniques the researchers use to learn more about IBD. As our Expedition Tour Guides took us through the depths of the laboratories, exclusively opened up to the YGT participants, we learned more and saw firsthand where the IBD research is done. The Olympus station had our doctors watching US do the endoscopes! An amazing morning of interactive learning and fun for kids and families affected by IBD. |
May 13 had perfect weather for Youth Gut Together (YGT) space travel. Exploring space reminds us in many ways of the science of the human gut. Both are dark, mysterious and prone to potential hazards. However, as we learn new ways to investigate and make new discoveries, there are wondrous possibilities we are just beginning to imagine. So whether you explored the IBD labs on the Enterprise Tour or visited Galactic Genomes, we hope you learned more about our guts and what the CHEO IBD Centre team and our IBD scientist colleagues at uOttawa are doing to try to preserve human health and think about what could be next.Scholarship opportunities
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Crohn’s and Colitis Canada IBD scholarship |
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Applications are due on May 15, 2023 at 11:59 pm (local time) Are you a student living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and are seeking a diploma, associate, undergraduate, or graduate degree from a Canadian university, college or trade school in fall 2023? If yes, please apply for one of 15 one-time scholarships of up to $5,000 for students living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s AbbVie IBD Scholarship Program supports students in achieving their academic goals while they make a lasting and meaningful difference in their communities. As of 2022, they award $5,000 scholarships to 15 inspiring students attending a Canadian post-secondary institution for the upcoming fall semester. The program, made possible by an educational grant from AbbVie Canada, helps alleviate financial barriers, enabling students to spend more time on their studies, pursue their passions, and get involved with causes close to their hearts. You can learn more about eligibility and the application requirements below. The AbbVie IBD Scholarship is a competitive bursary. All applications must be submitted online at IBD Scholarship. |
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Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship |
| The Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship honours the memory and impact of Clinton Shard, a 2012 AbbVie IBD Scholarship recipient who made significant contributions to the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community. As of 2022, one AbbVie IBD Scholarship recipient will be selected by Clinton’s family as the Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship recipient in addition to receiving the $5,000 scholarship payment. Read more about Clinton Shard and his legacy. |
Camps
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Camp Got2Go |
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Camp Got2Go is an overnight summer camp that takes place in Atlantic (Nova Scotia), Eastern (Ontario), and Western (Alberta) Canada for children and teens living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. To find out about the camp and application requirements, visit Camp Got2Go's website. The Eastern camp will take place in Ontario, August 19-26 at Camp Wahanowin, located in Simcoe County on St. John Lake near Orillia. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2023 (11:59 pm, local time) |
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Camp Guts & Glory |
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August 13 – 18, 2023 Camp Guts & Glory is an overnight summer camp for children and youth aged 7-18 living with Crohn’s, colitis, an ostomy, an ileostomy, or a cecostomy. Campers will participate in a wide range of camp activities, make meaningful connections with others, and build valuable skills that will help them succeed outside of the camp environment. All of this takes place during a week full of exceptional fun! Food sensitivities or special diet? Tube feed or ostomy? Brigadoon Village aims to include all campers with dietary restrictions and health concerns. The menus for each camp are carefully planned by the camp's Executive Chef and a pediatric dietitian from the IWK Health Centre. Visit the Camp Guts & Glory webpage to learn more. |
Featured stories
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Researchers tackle Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in children |
 Genome Canada recently awarded Dr. David Mack, Dr. Alain Stintzi along with a team of researchers at the University of Ottawa and CHEO $9.1 million to help crack the mystery of the intestinal microbiome in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Disease - IBD) and find better treatments. With these funds, the team expects to make a significant difference in the lives of children like Sebastien. Read Sebastien's story. |
Meet our benefactors
Be inspired by the outstanding commitment, leadership and support exemplified by our donors. Learn more about the significant ways in which these incredibly generous donors and friends have contributed to the CHEO IBD Centre, and how they continue to help us build a community of healthy children both here and around the world.
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IBD Foundation Supports IBD Research with the “Wheels of Research” |
 The “Wheels of Research” is an interactive tool that engages families in Research Projects. Made possible by the generous funding and resources of the IBD Foundation, the “Wheels” are spinning with new ideas, research overviews and the opportunity for discussion. Placed in the CHEO IBD Centre beside a wall of published articles already produced from research that our families have participated in, families are encouraged to ask about research and have opportunity to be involved. |
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IBD Foundation Donates “Your Child With Inflammatory Bowel Disease” books for every family newly diagnosed at the CHEO IBD Centre |
 The book "Your Child with Inflammatory Bowel Disease" is an educational resource for parents of children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. It was written by expert specialists in pediatric IBD who are members of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN). Dr. Mack, Director of the CHEO IBD Centre, is a contributing author to this book. It is designed to help families understand what is happening or might happen to their child when he or she has been diagnosed with this chronic intestinal condition. The family of every child diagnosed with IBD at the CHEO IBD Centre is given a copy of this book to take home thanks to a generous donation and the continued support by the IBD Foundation. |
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Kick Off For Kids Tailgate Party |
 RedBlacks President Jeff Hunt and the IBD Foundation hosted the “Kick Off For Kids” Tailgate Party to raise awareness and funds for the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Centre at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Event ambassador Angus Albinati, 11 yrs old, donated funds he raised and stored in his piggy bank to total the dollars raised at the event to over $17,000.00! Pictured are IBD Champions who were given the VIP treatment at the home opener and were illuminated on the Big Screen while feeling what is like to stand on the field at half time! |
Research
As well as providing patient care and family support based on the most current approaches to diagnosis, treatment and long-term management, the Centre conducts basic laboratory research and patient studies in pediatric IBD. The research is conducted both through the CHEO Research Institute and collaboratively with other related institutes and centres.
We value and strive to uphold the attributes of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accountability in our group's research culture.
Learn more about Inflammatory Bowel Disease research at the CHEO Research Institute
Education and training
The IBD Centre is committed to sharing knowledge of the oftentimes complex and specialized care that may be required for children with IBD and their families.
The IBD Centre also provides training and education opportunities for learners, health professionals and researchers in our region and beyond.
With an environment of learning and knowledge transfer between patients, care personnel and scientists we hope optimizing patient outcomes will be the result.
Donate now
You can help fund important research by donating to our IBD fund through the CHEO Foundation. When making your donation, please select 'other' and specify either gastroenterology fund or IBD fund.
We value and strive to uphold the attributes of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accountability in our group's research culture.