The Paediatric Endocrinology/Diabetes Team includes:
Paediatric endocrinologists
Dr. Cheril Clarson is a Paediatric Endocrinologist at the Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and a Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the Schulich School of medicine (Western University). Dr. Clarson has held peer review funding from CDA, JDRF and CIHR. She was Co-Chair of the Transition to Adult Care Working Group established by the Ontario Pediatric Diabetes Network, Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health and coauthored the “Transition to Adult Care Working Group Recommendations Report”, published in 2016.
Between 2006 and 2010 Dr Clarson served as a Councillor, Clinical & Scientific Section, Executive Committee, Canadian Diabetes Association and as a member of the Canadian Diabetes Association National Advocacy Council. From 2007 to 2009 Dr Clarson was president of the Canadian Pediatric Endocrine Group (CPEG) and chaired the Organizing and Scientific Committee for the 2007 Scientific Meeting held in London. Since 2022 Dr. Clarson has reduced her clinical activities to general paediatric endocrine clinics.
Dr. Robert Stein is Division Head of Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes at Children’s Hospital and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the Schulich School of Medicine (Western University). He trained in Pediatrics at McGill University and completed subspecialty training at the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto. He has been a member of the Department of Pediatrics in London, Ontario since 2003.
Dr. Stein also serves as the Associate Dean, Learner Experience at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Stein is a huge fan of the Montreal Canadiens, and he also has an unusually large Smurf collection.
Dr. Funmbi Babalola is a Pediatric Endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The University of Western Ontario. She is an Associate Scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute.
Dr. Babalola joined Children’s Hospital, August 2022. She completed her Doctor of Medicine in 2016 at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. She completed her 3-year general pediatric training at The University of Western Ontario in 2019, and, 3-year pediatric endocrinology fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto in 2022. She completed a Master of Science through the Institute of Medical Science and Clinical Investigator Program at the University of Toronto in 2022. Dr Babalola’s research areas of interest are diabetes and disorders of calcium and bone.
Dr. Patricia Gallego is a Paediatric Endocrinologist at the Children's Hospital at London, Ontario. She is an Associate Professor at Western University and an Associate Scientist at Children's Health Research Institute (CHRI). She completed her Medicalstudies in Brazil in 1992 where she became a Specialist in Paediatric Endocrinology in 1996. Dr. Gallego's major clinical and research interests are in the field of type 1 diabetes (T1D), particularly in transition of care between paediatric to adult services and prevention of microvascular and macrovascular complications in youth with type 1 diabetes. She has a Master of Science in Paediatric Endocrinology (2002) and she has extended her Specialist training in Australia from 2003 to 2010 when she completed her PhD by assessing the prevalence, clinical and genetic characteristics for incipient diabetes nephropathy in T1D children and adolescents. She became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 2010.
Dr. Gallego is an enthusiast member of the paediatric endocrinology unit at LHSC being actively involved with clinical, education and research activities in Diabetes and Paediatric Endocrinology.
Dr. Andrea Ens is an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the Schulich School of Medicine at Western University and Paediatric Endocrinologist at the Children’s Hospital. She completed her general paediatric residency program at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, followed by a three-year paediatric endocrinology fellowship program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. During her fellowship program, she completed her Masters in Education through the University of Toronto. From 2015 until 2018 Dr. Ens worked at as Paediatric Endocrinologist at Markham Stouffville Hospital. She joined the Children’s Hospital in 2018. Her academic interests are in medical education and metabolic health.
Dr. Kristina Pabedinskas is a Pediatric Endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Schulich School of Medicine at Western University – where she completed her Doctor of Medicine in 2017. She completed her general pediatrics training at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa, which was followed by a 3-year pediatric endocrinology fellowship program at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. She is currently completing a Master of Medical Education through the University of Dundee.
After completing her fellowship, Dr. Pabedinskas worked in community pediatric endocrinology practices on Vancouver Island and in North Vancouver. She joined the Children’s Hospital in October 2024. Her academic interests include medical education and the transition of patients from pediatric to adult care.
Dr. Marina Ybarra is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University and a Paediatric Endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre. She is also an Associate Scientist with the Children’s Health Research Institute and the London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute.
Dr. Ybarra completed her medical training, pediatric residency, and fellowship in Paediatric Endocrinology in São Paulo, Brazil, where she also earned a Master of Science studying polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents with obesity. She later pursued research training in pediatric endocrinology and epidemiology in Montreal at CHU Sainte-Justine and the Université de Montréal.
Dr. Ybarra joined Western University and Children’s Hospital in 2022 and currently serves as Deputy Section Head of the Division of Paediatric Endocrinology. She leads the Paediatric HEAL Program (Healthy Eating, Activity & Lifestyle), a multidisciplinary pediatric weight management program at Children’s Hospital that is part of the Ontario Paediatric Bariatric Network. Her clinical and research work focuses on improving prevention and treatment strategies for childhood obesity and related metabolic conditions.
View Dr. Ybarra's research on PubMed
Paediatric Endocrinology Nurses
Kristen Langdon, BScN, BHSc, is a Registered Nurse supporting the pediatric endocrinology team at the Children’s Hospital, coordinating care for all endocrine conditions except diabetes. She works with patients and families as early as the prenatal period through transition to adult care. Her clinical focus includes growth disorders, disorders of puberty, thyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency, hypoglycemia, and obesity. She is also part of Newborn Screening Ontario, receiving positive results for congenital hypothyroidism and congenital adrenal hyperplasia in newborns across Southwestern Ontario. Kristen currently supports clinics for pediatric oncology-related endocrine dysfunction and the combined pediatric gynecology/endocrinology clinic. Since joining the Children’s Hospital in 2010, she has gained experience across a range of pediatric settings, including the pediatric inpatient unit, the pediatric medical day unit, and as a nurse case manager in pediatric hematology/oncology. Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Health Sciences with a minor in psychology from Western University.
Jana Haylor is a Registered Nurse on the Pediatric Endocrinology team at Children’s Hospital, LHSC. Jana joined the Children’s Hospital team in 2007 beginning in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), transitioning to pediatric care in 2016. Jana supports the pediatric endocrinology team providing care in general endocrinology clinics (excluding diabetes), and the multi-disciplinary Rare Bone Disease Clinic affiliated with Shriners Hospital for Children, Canada. Clinical focus includes growth disorders, disorders of puberty, thyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency, hypoglycemia, obesity, and rare bone disease. Jana is also involved in the Newborn Screening Ontario program, where she participates in the follow-up and coordination of care for infants with positive screening results for congenital hypothyroidism and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Jana completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Windsor in 2003 and later earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western University in 2007.
Diabetes Nurse Educators
Jon Hogeterp is a Registered Nurse with the Diabetes Team at Children’s Hospital. He graduated from the University of Windsor in 1998 with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He has worked in a multitude of areas prior to this current position. Some of these areas include Brain Injury Rehabiliation, Adult Emergency, Paediatric ICU, Educator for PACU/Day Surgery/Surgical Preparation, and the Paediatric/Neonatal Transport Team. While on the Transport Team, he flew all over Ontario picking up sick children and transporting them to the Children’s Hospitals. While in Emergency, he worked as the Triage and Charge Nurse positions.
Denise Powe is a Registered Nurse with the Paediatric Diabetes Team at Children’s Hospital. She graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Denise has always worked with the paediatric population, and her main area of work was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Denise has worked at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Amplatz Children’s Hospital in Minnesota.
Julie Munn is a Registered Nurse with the Paediatric Diabetes Team at Children’s Hospital. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Since then, she has worked as a registered nurse in various areas within the Children’s Hospital including Paediatric Emergency, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the Paediatric Medical Day Unit. In her free time Julie enjoys travelling with her family, taking her dog for nice walks, and cuddling with her cat.
HEAL Team
Julie Sadler is a registered nurse (RN) with a long-standing career in paediatrics. She is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to children of all ages and with various medical conditions.
Educated at Western University, Julie has built a strong foundation in paediatric health care. She combines clinical expertise with a family-centered approach. Her extensive experience spans diverse medical settings, where she collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to support the well-being and recovery of young patients. Dedicated to continuous learning and excellence in nursing, Julie strives to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and their families.
Amelia McHugh is a registered dietitian. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and dietetics at Brescia University College, followed by a professional master's diploma in dietetics at the Toronto Metropolitan University (previously Ryerson University). She completed her clinical dietetic internship at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
Amelia specializes in paediatric nutrition care, also supporting patients in the Complex Care for Kids Ontario team at Children's Hospital. Passionate about the overall health and well-being of her patients, Amelia enjoys helping patients and families enhance their knowledge of healthy habits. She aims to develop skills and confidence that empower patients to make lasting changes throughout their lives.
Anu James, MSW, is a registered social worker. She holds a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, a master's in clinical psychology from Christ University in India, and a graduate certificate in autism and behavioural science.
Within the HEAL Program, Anu focuses on the mental health aspects of paediatric care, helping families navigate emotional well‑being, coping and the impacts of chronic health conditions. Her work supports engagement in care, reduces stigma‑related distress and strengthens emotional functioning through a trauma‑informed, strengths‑based lens.
In addition to counselling, Anu provides psychosocial assessment, care coordination and advocacy. She works with families to access referrals, funding and community resources, aiming to reduce barriers and support continuity of care within a complex health‑care system.
Diabetes Team
Tasha Hamilton is a Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at Children's Hospital. She finished her undergrad at University of Guelph and completed her dietetic internship at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. She enjoys working in paediatric diabetes and loves learning about new technology that will make living with diabetes easier. She hopes to one day master pickle ball!
Johanna Kaipainen is a Registered Dietitian with the Diabetes Team at Children’s Hospital LHSC. She completed her honours degree in Food and Nutrition at Brescia University and completed her dietetic internship with Aramark Canada. She has been working with the Children’s Hospital diabetes team since 2004. Johanna loves to play Ultimate Frisbee, cook from scratch, workout and listen to live music.
Marnie Van Esbroeck is a Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with The Children's Hospital. She completed her undergraduate degree with Brescia University College, and holds a Master’s of Applied Nutrition degree from The University of Guelph. Marnie joined the paediatric diabetes team in 2021. She loves cilantro and her favourite podcast is History of the 90’s.
Brian Seeley works as a Paediatric Social Worker with Children’s Hospital / LHSC. He has been a member of the Paediatric Diabetes Team since 2003. He completed studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. Brian continually learns from the families he meets with about life with diabetes. He enjoys time with his family, exploring the outdoors and playing squash!
Lori Sheidow works as a paediatric Social Worker at Children’s Hospital, LHSC. She completed her Bachelor of Education at the University of Toronto, a Master of Political Science at Western University, and a Master of Social Work from King’s University College Western. Lori has been working with the diabetes team since 2020. She continues to learn from the children and families she works with. She enjoys travelling, walking with friends, and spending time with her family.
Other Allied Health Professionals
David Mansour is a Pediatric Pharmacist at London Health Sciences Centre. He received a Master of Pharmacy from the University of Sunderland and has been practicing as a Pharmacist since 2015. He joined the Paediatric Endocrinology team in 2024 where he endeavors to educate patients on their medications allowing them to feel empowered and engaged in their treatment. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children and watching football.
Administrative Assistants
Lindsay Capra is an Ambulatory Clerk who joined the Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences centre in September 2022. She graduated from Fanshawe College in 2011 and worked for several years with a Family Health Team. Lindsay loves the outdoors and spending time with her family and friends.
Marg Oliveira is a Medical Secretary with the Paediatric Endocrine/Diabetes Team. Marg brings with her several years of administrative experience with LHSC and joined the Paediatric team in 2021. Marg enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors and exploring new adventures.
Fivi Taruna is a Medical Secretary with the Paediatric Endocrinology who joined the Department of Paediatric Team in 2023. Fivi enjoys being outdoors, reading, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.
For more than 20 years, Machelle Salisbury has built her career around one core value: compassionate, patient-centered care. With extensive experience in administrative roles within healthcare, she understands that behind every chart, referral, and appointment is a family navigating uncertainty. Her work is grounded in empathy, efficiency, and a deep commitment to supporting both patients and the clinical teams who care for them. In her spare time, she enjoys travel and dining in her community with friends and family.
Mylene Trojman is an Administrative Assistant with a medical office administration diploma. Since graduating in 2020, she has built her career at LHSC, supporting several pediatricians and connecting with incredible people along the way.
Mylene is passionate about helping others and enjoys getting to know them. She feels grateful to be part of an exceptional team, working alongside those who are deeply committed to the well-being of their patients.
In her free time, Mylene enjoys nature walks, painting, karaoke and admiring (but not eating!) octopuses.
Learners and Trainees from Western University
Our team works collaboratively with families and other paediatric subspecialties to provide coordinated, compassionate care.
