“Our goal with the new Complex GI-Surgery Clinic is that paediatric patients needing GI surgery will be able to have all of their consults with GI, Surgery, and Nursing Dieticians at one time,” says Dr. Lara Hart, pictured with two young patients pre-pandemic.

In a new partnership with SickKids, Humber River Hospital has become the only community hospital in Ontario to offer a Complex Gastrointestinal (GI)-Surgery Clinic for its young patients. Dr. Sharifa Himidan, a SickKids surgeon and the Director of Community Paediatric Surgery, and Dr. Lara Hart, a Paediatric Gastroenterologist at Humber River Hospital, worked together to launch this multidisciplinary clinic as a one-stop shop for their patients.

“Surgery and GI work together for so many conditions, so when Dr. Himidan approached me with the idea, I thought it was great,” says Dr. Hart. “The reality for many of our patients was that I would see them for a GI appointment, and refer them for a surgery consultation on a different day. It’s a lot of appointments. Our goal with this new clinic is that paediatric patients needing GI surgery will be able to have all of their consults with GI, Surgery, and Nursing Dieticians at one time.”

“The community needs it,” says Dr. Himidan. “Humber River Hospital’s catchment area has a large population of children with conditions such as Crohn’s who may require surgery so they can start medical treatment safely, and now we can offer them this service close to home, and get them the treatments that they need more quickly.”

“I am proud to be launching this new clinic with Dr. Hart because it is a living testament to our shared belief that children should have the best care closest to their homes,” says Dr. Sharifa Himidan, pictured with a patient pre-pandemic.

The new Complex GI-Surgery Clinic will serve children with GI conditions that likely require surgery, including kids with complex Crohn’s, Perianal Crohn’s, anal rectal malformation, and complex constipation. Dr. Hart and Dr. Himidan ran their first trial day in December 2020, where four young patients were given the opportunity to have their multi-disciplinary consultations happen all in one day.

“It was a fantastic pilot,” says Dr. Himidan. “For three of the kids we were able to provide the interventions they needed during a short stay at the Hospital. One had surgery. The best part is that they did not have to wait in pain for months – we were able to start their treatment plans right away.”

While the clinic has been largely on hold during the third wave of COVID-19, the team is planning for their next clinic day once elective paediatric care can safely resume.

“Having this option for our patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases is amazing,” says Dr. Hart. “Their treatment requires collaboration, so this allows us to provide complete care including surgical and medical management, together.”

“I am proud to be launching this new clinic with Dr. Hart because it is a living testament to our shared belief that children should have the best care closest to their homes,” says Dr. Himidan. “Our partnership with Humber River Hospital has made this possible.”

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My name is Lara Hart. I’m a paediatric gastroenterologist with niche expertise in education and in managing patients with Crohn’s and colitis.

How would you explain your job to a friend?

I’m a kids tummy doctor. I talk to kids about anything from stomach aches to what their poops look like. I do gastroscopies and colonoscopies looking for conditions such as celiac disease, inflammation, polyps or allergic disease of the food pipe.

“My patients inspire me.” says Dr. Hart, pictured with two of her young patients.

What is the best part about your work?

I love that I can help treat a child’s condition and make them feel better. I can even objectively re-check their colon and see that their diseases are under good control and everything is healed.

What are the most interesting technologies at Humber?

While not exactly a technology, having a state-of-the-art endoscopy suite at Humber is amazing. It allows me to provide the best care for my patients who are undergoing gastroscopy and colonoscopy.

What inspires you?

My patients inspire me. In my role, I often have to give children the news that they have a lifelong condition and I am always amazed by how resilient they are and how well they are able to handle the situation.

What is one awesome thing you’ve done in the last year?

I would say that developing the Paediatric GI program at Humber River is the awesome thing that I’ve done (as it didn’t exist before). I am able to provide patients with excellent and thorough care, as I have access to the necessary tests, procedures and allied healthcare team members that allow me to manage their conditions.

The post Interview: Dr. Lara Hart, Paediatric Gastroenterologist appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

“Dr. Hart happened to be on call and was doing rounds,” remembers Matteo’s mother Vanessa.

“I’m not sure how you thank someone for saving your children from future illness,” says Vanessa. “Dr. Hart’s assessment changed the trajectory of both our sons’ health.”

They began discussing Matteo’s symptoms as well as his overall heath. While Matteo was generally healthy, Paediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Lara Hart found it noteworthy that he was having frequent bowel movements each day. She suggested doing some bloodwork to rule out Celiac Disease.

“I didn’t think much would come from the testing,” says Vanessa. “Matteo was largely asymptomatic.”

When they saw Dr. Hart a few weeks later for follow up, they were shocked to learn that Matteo had ten times the normal level for a marker of Celiac Disease.

After an endoscopy with Dr. Hart’s colleague Dr. Liquornik, Matteo was officially diagnosed with Celiac Disease in July 2018.

“I was afraid for what that meant for him, but I was relieved we got a diagnosis while he was still young,” says Vanessa. “The diagnosis also meant that our older son Giuliano would also need to be screened for the disease.”

Giuliano was ten and incredibly apprehensive about having an endoscopy done, but Dr. Hart was warm and honest about what was involved (she even gave Giuliano pictures from the procedure!). Like his brother, he was diagnosed with Celiac Disease after his endoscopy in the fall of 2019.

“I am always amazed by how resilient my young patients are, even when they get difficult news,” says Dr. Hart, pictured with Matteo and Giuliano

Both boys have grown since their diagnosis when they started avoiding gluten. Vanessa has noticed that their immune systems seem stronger and that they both have more energy – especially Matteo.

“Dr. Hart’s assessment changed the trajectory of both our sons’ health,” says Vanessa. “I’m not sure how you thank someone for saving your children from future illness and all the potential complications of undiagnosed Celiac Disease. I am so grateful.”

Dr. Hart will continue to monitor the boys’ progress for years to come as part of the Paediatric GI Program she developed at Humber River Hospital.

“I am always amazed by how resilient my young patients are, even when they get difficult news,” says Dr. Hart. “I love that I can help treat their condition and make them feel better.”

“There is no limit to what we would do for our children,” says Vanessa. “Dr. Hart has shown us the same commitment to our family and I will be forever grateful for her consideration, expertise, and attention to detail.”

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“Excellence and compassionate care are our primary concerns at Humber,” says Dr. Ptak, pictured above receiving a Gift of Gratitude pin and card for inspiring a donation to the Foundation.

My name is Dr. Theadore Ptak and I have worked at Humber River Hospital as a Gatsroenterologist since 1972… 47 years.

In one sentence, how would you explain what a Gastroenterologist does?

We deal with diseases of the intestinal tract and liver.

What makes you proud of how patients in your Program are cared for at Humber?

Excellence and compassionate care are our primary concerns at Humber.

I’m really proud that with the cooperation of our patients, donors, and administration, I was able to build the best Gastroenterology Department. We have leading-edge equipment, the best supplies, really excellent nursing staff, and offer top quality care. It is a wonderful department.

In your opinion, what are the most exciting uses of technology at Humber?

I have had the opportunity at Humber River Hospital to introduce new and exciting healthcare technologies to Ontario. The highlight of my career has been to introduce Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 1972, and Endoscopic Ultrasound in 1998.

We are the first community hospital in Ontario with a leading-edge robotics program. Robotic technologies like the are allowing us to provide better care for patients in need of and hernia repair. Our robotics program is turning scary, large operations into procedures with less pain and faster recovery.

What inspires you?

My former boss, mentor, and hero Dr. Joseph Kirsner at the University of Chicago. He retired when he was 95.

What is something awesome you’ve done in the last year?

Every day is awesome. Every day I get to help people.

Are you a grateful patient of Dr. Ptak’s? If you need a way to express exactly how thankful you are, consider showing your appreciation with a Gift of Gratitude. Dr. Ptak will be recognized with a special pin and personalized card from you, and your donation will help future patients at Humber River Hospital receive great care.

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