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Rheumatology

We diagnose and treat children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases.
About

We offer clinical care, research and education. 

Our comprehensive and coordinated multidisciplinary team provides diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases. 

These diseases include:

  • chronic arthritis (juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
  • systemic lupus erythematosus
  • dermatomyositis
  • scleroderma
  • vasculitis
  • musculoskeletal pain syndromes
  • and other less-common inflammatory diseases. 
The Pediatric Rheumatology Program includes pediatric outreach clinics and a transition program for older adolescents and young adults with rheumatic diseases. 

What we do

The Pediatric Rheumatology Program provides coordinated care for children and youth with rheumatic diseases including: 

  • Diagnostic consultation services
  • Rheumatology follow-up clinics for children and youth diagnosed with rheumatic diseases, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, scleroderma and other rare autoimmune or inflammatory disorders
  • Consultation and treatment by specialized pediatric rheumatology physiotherapists and occupational therapists
  • A specialized transition program for youth aged 18-23 yrs, called The Young Adults with Rheumatic Diseases (YARD) Clinic. This unique program provides support for youth to become independent in the management of their health care as they move to adult rheumatology services. This clinic is held at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre, with the help of an adult rheumatologist.
  • Weekly procedures clinic for joint injections, done under conscious sedation
  • Supervision of IV therapies in the Medical Day Unit
  • Telephone consultations to pediatricians and family doctors across the province

The Pediatric Rheumatology Program is a province-wide resource for patients, families and physicians. Outreach pediatric rheumatology traveling clinics are held in Prince George and Terrace, twice a year. 

Our research

Rheumatology has a strong research program that includes both clinical and basic research into inflammatory rheumatic diseases of childhood. The members of this program are at the leading edge of new research initiatives in pediatric rheumatology through active collaborations with many organizations. 

These include:
  • Canadian organizations such as the Canadian Pediatric Rheumatology Association (CPRA) and the Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes in SLE (CaNIOS)
  • North American organizations such as the Children’s Arthritis and Rheumatic diseases Research Association (CARRA) and the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group (PRCSG)
  • International organizations such as the Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization (PRINTO) 
    Ongoing research into pediatric rheumatic diseases is integrated routinely into the clinical program to ensure the best care and quality improvement.

Teaching is an important part of the pediatric rheumatology team’s mission. The pediatric rheumatologists, together with their team members, teach medical students, residents, and other health professionals from Canada and around the world. The division has one of only three Royal College approved training programs for pediatric rheumatology in Canada.

Our team

A multidisciplinary care and research team provides clinical care for children and youth with rheumatic diseases. This team includes pediatric rheumatologists, research associates, nurses, pediatric rheumatology physiotherapists and occupational therapists, and a social worker. In addition to the pediatric rheumatology team, we may also work closely with other pediatric sub specialists, such as pediatric orthopedic surgeons, pediatric dermatologist, pediatric ophthalmologists, pediatric radiologists and other pediatric specialists. This coordinated team approach is a holistic model of health care that best addresses the broad impact of these chronic diseases. 

Physicians
David Cabral, MBBS, FRCPC
Kristin Houghton, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FAAP, Dip Sports Med
Ross Petty, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Professor Emeritus
Lori Tucker, MD, FAAP
Stuart Turvey, MBBS, DPhil
Jaime Guzman, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Kimberly Morishita, MD, MHSc, FRCPC
Andrea Human, MD
Mercedes Chan, MBBS, MHPE, FRCPC

Scientist
Kelly Brown, PhD

Rheumatology Nurses
Jenny Tekano
Jayne Green
Glenda Avery
Laura Musyj
Dorothy Chow
 
Rheumatology Fellows
Tristan Kerr
Jonathan Park
Stephanie Wong
Amanda Marsden

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists
Iris Davidson
Jennifer Brown
 
Social Worker
Meghan Kennedy
 
Research staff
Angelyne Rivera
Kevin Chang
Martha Sieres
Stephanie Hughes
Rafid Haq
Sebastian Kondratowski

Clerical staff
Jessie Shen
Janis Bui

Research Trainees
Kristen Gibson
Iwona Niemetz



Prepare

Visiting the clinic

The first visit to the Rheumatology Clinic is generally a longer visit that allows enough time to review your child’s history, discuss any information sent by referring physicians, examine your child, and discuss the findings with you.

You and your child will usually meet with a pediatric rheumatology Fellow or pediatric resident initially. The pediatric rheumatologist will review all the information, do a further physical exam as necessary, and discuss their conclusions with you. 

You and your child may see a number of pediatric rheumatology team members during your clinic visits. These may include the nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, social worker or research associate. 

Our secretary will help you coordinate other appointments (for example ophthalmology, cardiology, nephrology) or tests so you can have them all on the same day if it is possible. 

Your child’s rheumatic disease & treatment

When you come to the clinic, the pediatric rheumatology team members will discuss your child’s specific diagnosis and recommended treatment. You will be offered information about rheumatic diseases and their treatments. The pediatric rheumatology nurses and therapists assist families to access accurate written and internet-based information that is pertinent to your child’s condition.

Newsletter 

Our division publishes a Rheumatology Research Newsletter for parents to help you understand why your child’s ongoing participation in research will ensure the best current and future quality of care for your child and other children with similar conditions. 

Resources

Resources

This page offers families further information on rheumatic diseases, medications and other topics for disease management. 

Rheumatic disease  

 Medication          

Coping & support

Affiliations & partners

The division has a strong research program that includes both clinical and basic research into inflammatory rheumatic diseases of childhood. The members of the division are at the leading edge of new research initiatives in pediatric rheumatology through active collaborations with many organizations. These include:

  • Canadian organizations such as the Canadian Pediatric Rheumatology Association (CPRA) and the Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes in SLE (CaNIOS)
  • North American organizations such as the Children’s Arthritis and Rheumatic diseases Research Association (CARRA) and the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group (PRCSG)
  • International organizations such as the Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization (PRINTO) 

    Ongoing research into pediatric rheumatic diseases is integrated routinely into the clinical program to ensure the best care and quality improvement.

  • BC Arthritis Society
  • Mary Pack Arthritis Centre

Other affiliations


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SOURCE: Rheumatology ( )
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