Dermatology

Alopecia, the medical term for partial or complete hair loss, can have a significant impact on a child's emotional wellbeing.

The goal of this clinic is to provide compassionate, comprehensive, individualized medical care to children experiencing significant hair loss and their families.

Our team is comprised of a staff physician, Dr. Cathryn Sibbald; a nurse, Kirsti Johnson and a social worker, Nimrita Sangha.

The aim of the clinic is to facilitate timely assessments of children with CALMs and prompt identification of patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) or other rare diagnoses. An increase in patients has led to this clinic expanding to 2-3 times per month. This clinic runs in conjunction with a Geneticist/Genetic Counsellor.

Learn more about CALMs on AboutKidsHealth. 

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is an uncommon lymphoproliferative skin disease increasingly diagnosed in the paediatric population. This condition poses several challenges due to the variable clinical spectrum and difficulties of making an early diagnosis as well as the lack of consensus regarding the ideal treatment.  

The clinic focuses on providing a diagnosis and necessary work-up, controlling the signs and symptoms and slowing the spread of the disease in children and adolescents. This clinic occurs once a month. Access to Oncology service is available for children who require additional input.

EB contains a group of genetically inherited disorders where the skin is prone to blistering. There is no specific treatment for EB and most therapeutic guidelines target prevention of trauma as the desired approach. In everyday life, complete avoidance of friction or trauma is impossible, so most patients experience different degrees of blistering and development of chronic wounds.

As in other skin diseases, this condition can have a profound impact on the daily activities of affected patients. The limitations patients may have due to pain, itch, odour and time-consuming dressing changes are problems that affect their quality of life. The EB clinic at SickKids offers an interdisciplinary approach to management of this condition. 

Tips for Managing a Patient with EB:

• Find a supportive medical team that both your child and your family can use as a support system. 
• Seek counseling for effective footwear (to prevent blistering of the feet as much as possible) 
• Buy soft and non-irritating clothing. Avoid clothing seams having contact with the skin whenever possible. 
• Avoid warm/hot temperatures, they tend to induce blistering. 
• Talk to your child’s physician about a plan for bandaging the blister sites, many bandages can cause more damage to the skin, it is very important to devise a plan that works with your child’s condition. 
• Receive genetic counseling. EB is a genetically inherited disease, it is very important that both you and your child get advice on the genetics of this condition and what to expect in the future. 
• Treat your child as normally as possible, allow them to become comfortable with setting their own boundaries. Encourage independence and growth. 

Performing General Nursing Care for the Infant with EB

Epidermolysis Bullosa – A handbook for EB patients and families (PDF).

Genodermatoses or genetic skin disorders can present as disturbances in the structure or function of the skin and are often associated with multi-organ involvement. Given their rarity and unusual presentations, genodermatoses frequently pose diagnostic and management challenges.  

This interdisciplinary clinic occurs once per month and aims to provide improved care by assessing clinical findings, coordinating genetic testing, providing genetic counselling and managing complex disease all during one clinic encounter. We conduct pre- and post-clinic meetings to facilitate a unified approach to diagnosis and management of these conditions.

Morphea (localized scleroderma) is a rare condition with potential for significant functional and cosmetic limitations. To date, there is very little information on the best way to evaluate the disease activity and response to treatment as well as the best treatment modality for each disease subtype.  

The clinic is staffed by a pediatric dermatologist, a pediatric rheumatologist, and a physiotherapy practitioner to create a specialized morphea clinic that is the only one of its kind in Canada, following over 450 patients with this rare condition. It is currently offered 2 times per month.
 
Learn more about Morphea on AboutKidsHealth.

This clinic runs out of the Hematology/Oncology clinic at SickKids. It was founded in 2018 due to increased skin side effects of new targeted therapies used for the treatment of tumors and other oncology diagnoses. The aims of the clinic are prevention, early diagnosis and management of these skin toxicities.   

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that causes painful cysts and abscesses to form in the skin folds. The exact cause of HS is not yet known, but it is understood to be the result of a combination of various genetic, immunologic and environmental factors. HS often starts during the teen years, but can also present earlier in life, and affects approximately 28 out of every 100,000 children. HS can affect both physical and mental wellbeing and can significantly impact quality of life. 

The HS Clinic at SickKids aims to provide timely access to comprehensive care, delivered by a multidisciplinary team which includes physicians specialized in pediatric dermatology, nurses with wound care expertise and a social worker. We also have close collaborations with gastroenterology, plastic surgery, and rheumatology to facilitate screening and treatment of potential comorbidities.

Dr. Irene Lara-Corrales: Staff Physician, SickKids, Professor of Paediatrics, University of Toronto; Runs: General Paediatric Dermatology clinics and specialized clinics in Epidermolysis Bullosa, Genodermatoses, Vascular tumors, Dermato-Oncology and CALMs screening. 

Dr. Miriam Weinstein: Staff Physician, SickKids, Associate Professor of Paediatrics, University of Toronto; Runs: General Paediatric Dermatology Clinics and specialized clinics in Atopic Dermatitis and laser treatments. 

Dr. Rebecca Levy: Staff Physician, SickKids, Paediatric Dermatology Fellowship Director; Assistant Professor of Paediatrics, University of Toronto; Runs: General Paediatric Dermatology clinics and specialized clinics in Dermato-Oncology and laser treatments. 

Dr. Alexandra Pennal: Staff Physician, SickKids, Assistant Professor of Paediatrics, University of Toronto; Runs: General Paediatric Dermatology clinics and specialized clinics in Atopic Dermatitis. 

Dr. Cathryn Sibbald: Staff Physician, SickKids, Assistant Professor of Paediatrics, University of Toronto; Runs: General Paediatric Dermatology clinics and specialized clinics in Morphea, Alopecia and laser treatments.

• Michelle Lee, RN: RN Coordinator for EB, Morphea and CTCL Clinics 
• Jackie Su, RN: RN Coordinator for VAST Clinic, CALMs, Genodermatoses and Psoriasis Clinics
• Kirsti Johnson, RN: RN Coordinator for Atopic Dermatitis School Program, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, and Alopecia Clinics
• Rose Young, RN: RN Coordinator for Laser, Morphea and Vitiligo Clinics

• Nimrita Sangha, Social Worker

Visit SickKids Social Work

Electives are first come, first serve, therefore we encourage applicants to make their enquires as early as possible. When spots are available, elective students are accepted for one 4-week block. During the elective, the trainee will attend:  

• General Dermatology Clinics 
• Teaching Rounds, currently virtual, once per week 
• Subspecialty clinics: Morphea, CTCL, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Genodermatosis, CALMs, Vascular Tumors, if applicable 
• Pathology Rounds, once a month 
• Quarterly Interesting Cases Rounds, if applicable 

Please email our Education Coordinator at dermatology.education@sickkids.ca for availability. Include your name, postgraduate year, current school and program, along with preferred dates.

Please note: this program is not accredited, but offers a comprehensive learning experience in partnership with the University of Toronto.

The fellowship is offered to both Canadian and international trainees as well as dermatologists and paediatricians. The fellowship offers a comprehensive clinical experience by involving trainees in weekly general paediatric dermatology clinics, and subspecialty clinics such as but not limited to: Vascular Tumours, Morphea, Epidermolysis Bullosa, CALMs, Genodermatoses, Hidradenitis Suppurativa as well as weekly rounds. 

Fellows are also expected to be on in-hospital call, and frequency is dependent on number of fellows. In addition, fellows (whether dermatologists or paediatricians) are expected to undertake scholarly work as part of their training. 
 
To learn more about the fellowships offered to paediatricians by the Division of Paediatric Medicine at SickKids, as well as funding requirements, please see the Fellowships section at SickKids Paediatric Medicine.

2027–2028 Fellowships 

Applications for the 2027–2028 Fellowship are now being accepted.
Application deadline: December 31, 2025

Successful candidates will include the following:

• A cover letter in which you highlight your reasoning for selecting the SickKids paediatric dermatology fellowship, how your experiences have shaped your decision to pursue a career in paediatric dermatology, and your future career goals, in addition to any other information you feel might be important to support your application.
  
  
• A current CV demonstrating past education and employment experience where applicable; relevant paediatric dermatology experience; scholarly activities, including research, presentations, publications and teaching/educational scholarship; extra-curricular and/or advocacy activities; and awards received.
  
  
• Three (3) referees who are able to effectively comment on your potential fit for the paediatric dermatology fellowship, who will be sent standard reference forms to be completed and sent directly to the Dermatology Education Coordinator.

Please note that ALL documents (including reference forms) must be received by the stated deadline above in order to be considered.

Postgraduate Training Agreements are currently in place between the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine and sponsoring agencies from the following countries:

• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

Applications for fellowship training from citizens of these countries must reach the PGME Office directly from the sponsoring agency. Contact pgme.sponsorship@utoronto.ca for more information or visit the Fellowship Training | Postgraduate Medical Education website. 

For all other applicants, please review the application form below for all required documentation. For any inquiries regarding the program, email paedsdermatology.fellowship@sickkids.ca.

Download the Paediatric Dermatology Fellowship Application Form (PDF)

The Section of Pediatric Dermatology is currently not accepting Observers due to high volumes of Residents that rotate through our clinic.   

Note: International candidates must first contact SickKids International if interested in completing an Observership at the Hospital for Sick Children.