Gastroenterology, Transplant, Hepatology and Nutrition

Location:

Zone E, Level 4

Paediatric Medical Day Unit
Children’s Hospital
800 Commissioners Rd. East
London, ON.

Driving and Parking:

Driving Directions to Children's Hospital

Park in Parking Lot 7 located on the north side of the hospital.  This lot is accessible at the Wellington and Baseline Road entrance.

Contact:

Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Telephone: 519-685-8048
Fax: 519-685-8156

Liver and Bowel Transplant
Telephone: 519-685-8354
Fax: 519-685-8105

Contact for Referrals:

GI and Nutrition
Dr. Kevin Bax
Telephone: 519-685-8354
Fax: 519-685-8156

Dr. John Howard
Telephone: 519-685-8048
Fax: 519-685-8062

Liver and Bowel Transplant
Telephone: 519-685-8354
Fax: 519-685-8105

Contents

• Our Program
• Our Team
• What to Expect
• Links & Resources

Our Program

Children’s Hospital was the first program in Canada to perform living donor transplants as well as bowel and multi-organ transplants. Our liver transplant program has a 93% success rate.

We are committed to:

• Keep the patient's best interest in mind in everything we do
• Generously educate our young patients and their families about their illnesses and coping mechanisms
• Remain at the forefront of all the recent scientific developments and healthcare delivery methods in the field
• Remain connected to the community we serve

Our Team

Dr. Paul Atkison	Physician, Hepatology/Transplant
Dr. John Howard	Physician, GI/Hepatology/Nutrition
Dr. Kevin Bax	Physician, GI/Hepatology/Nutrition
Dr. Erica Gold	Psychologist, GI
Barbara St.Cyr	Nurse Case Manager, GI/Nutrition
Sandy Williams	RN, MScN., NP, Transplant
Suzanne Ratko	Registered Dietitian
Andrea Carpenter	Registered Dietitian
Darlene Kristiansen	Unit Clerk

What to Expect

During your time with us, you will meet several people. To get to know us better, here is a description of each team member's role.

Paediatric Transplant Physicians & Surgeons

• The transplant physicians are doctors with specialized training in caring for children with serious liver or bowel diseases that can only be treated with a transplant
• These physicians manage the care of children with liver/bowel failure and provide follow-up care for children who have had a transplant
• The surgeons perform the transplant operation and participate in all aspects of your child's care

Please note: If your child is referred to us for the evaluation of possible liver transplant, you will be seeing the Professor & Deputy Chief of the Transplant program, the Transplant Coordinator, as well as a gastrointestinal physician for comprehensive care.

Paediatric Gastroenterologist

• If your child has any gastrointestinal, liver or nutrition problems, your child will be seeing a Paediatric Gastroenterologist.
• The Paediatric Gastroenterologist will evaluate your child and, if needed, schedule upper and or lower endoscopies which they perform as outpatient procedures

Depending on the diagnosis, the gastroenterologists perform various procedures. Some of the common ones are:

1. EGD or Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is upper endoscopy for diseases of the Esophagus, stomach and upper small bowel
2. Colonoscopy or lower GI endoscopy for colon diseases
3. PEG or Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, which is a feeding tube, inserted through the abdomen to feed directly through the stomach
4. Polypectomy or removal of polyps
5. Biopsies-Liver and Intestinal
6. Banding and cauterization for bleeding guts

Please note: If your child has any gastrointestinal, liver or nutrition problems, you will be advised as to the time and place where you need to bring your child and the preparation that is needed for them.

Paediatric Dietician

• Each Paediatric Dietician is registered dietitian (RD) with a university degree in clinical nutrition and a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario and the Dietitians of Canada
• The RD provides nutrition support for acute and chronic illness, and the ongoing nutrition education to caregivers and patients for normal growth and development
• The dietitian can assess, treat and prevent disease/physical conditions using food, vitamin/mineral supplements, and/or nutrition support
• The RD provides dietary advice and information to patients and families with conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Celiac's disease and constipation, and also address the nutrition issues of our transplant recipients.

Paediatric Nurses/Registered Nurse

• The Paediatric Nurse is a Registered Nurse RN) who serves as a clinic facilitator for the team
• The nurse does the blood work, serves as a coach and teacher for children and families and also works as an endoscopy support nurse in the Paediatric Medical Day Unit

Nurse Practitioner/Transplant Coordinator

• The nurse practitioner/transplant coordinator is involved in your child's care before and after the transplant
• The nurse has experience working with children and adults who need liver, bowel or multi-organ transplants
• The nurse practitioner works with the transplant team to assess and treat your child's condition and provides your family with the information you will need throughout the transplant process

Social Worker

• The social worker is available to provide emotional support and counselling to transplant patients and their families
• You may find it helpful to discuss personal, financial and family concerns that arise. The social worker can give you information about community resources to help with living expenses and the cost of medications

Links & Resources

Kid’s Tummies, Dr. John Howard's Paediatric Gastroenterology website designed to help children and their parents understand some of the common problems that affect their gut.