Nephrology

View looking up from the atrium with colourful glass walls framing the way to the roof

The Division of Nephrology at SickKids is dedicated to improving the health of children with kidney disease. Our mission is to provide the best in family-centered, compassionate care, to lead in scientific, clinical and educational advancement, and to prepare the next generation of leaders in Paediatric Nephrology.

Comprehensive care

The division provides state-of-the-art comprehensive care for patients with acute, chronic and end-stage renal disease. Renal replacement therapy is offered by way of Home Peritoneal Dialysis, Hemodialysis, Nocturnal Home Hemodialysis and Renal Transplantation. Outpatient Nephrology provides consultation and continuation of care for children with kidney diseases such as nephrotic syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, vesicoureteric reflux, lupus nephritis, proteinuria, hematuria, kidney stones, malformations of the urinary tract, hypertension and for infants with renal disease diagnosed in the antenatal or neonatal period.

Clinically informed research

The division's clinical and research arms are connected through the recent development of antenatal and neonatal renal clinics, and a balanced mix of staff members has created a dynamic working environment in which clinical and research interests enhance each other. Basic research in the division has expanded in recent years, with a current focus on understanding the triggers of renal development in the fetus. Also noteworthy is a collaborative study of the natural history of antenatally recognized kidney disease.

International reputation

Another focus of the division was the development of peritoneal dialysis techniques for children, leading to an international reputation in this area and an increasing shift toward outpatient treatment.  As well, the division's hemodialysis and nocturnal home hemodialysis program has become a major referral centre for children in southern Ontario. 

Visit the Nephrology Learning Hub on AboutKidsHealth

What we do

Ambulatory and Inpatient Care

The general nephrology program provides specialized services to infants, children and adolescents with a wide range of kidney disease such as malformations of the urinary tract, hematuria, proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, renal stones, hereditary renal disease, fluid and electrolyte disorders and acute and chronic kidney diseases. We also see expectant mothers with fetal renal disorders. Using a multidisciplinary approach, our team provides comprehensive, family-centered care and service for inpatients and outpatients.

Transplant

The Kidney Transplant Program evaluates children who are potential candidates for transplantation, and manages the care of children who have received transplanted kidneys.

Approximately 20-25 deceased and living donor renal transplants are performed each year. The nephrology team provides pre- and postoperative care for these patients, in collaboration with the Urology Service. Referrals for transplantation are received from all of Ontario, and other provinces and countries.

Dialysis

The Division of Nephrology provides home-based peritoneal dialysis, nocturnal hemodialysis, in-hospital haemodialysis, and more. In 2002 we initiated the Nocturnal Home Haemodialysis Program, the first of its kind for children in North America. For children with acute renal failure, the division supports all forms of continuous renal replacement therapy, such as acute haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and continuous renal replacement therapy.

Programs and clinics

Expand each section below for important details.

The GD Clinic cares for patients with a variety of different conditions that affect the filtering units of the kidney, the glomeruli. Our clinic has as an interdisciplinary team, including doctors, nurses, dietitians and social workers. We have multiple physicians, who are world specialists in this field; they work as a group to provide you with the best possible care. We are committed to delivering leading-edge specialized care and work alongside researchers to constantly improve our treatments. The clinic runs Monday and Thursday mornings only. New patients must be referred by a physician.  

Detailed information about the GD clinic, including contact information and directions, can be found in the SickKids Directory.

The Kidney Stones Clinic is a specialized clinic for the care of children with a history of kidney stones or nephrocalcinosis and children at risk for kidney stones. We are a multidisciplinary team that includes paediatric nephrologists, registered nurses, renal dietitian and social worker. We are committed to delivering leading-edge specialized care and work alongside researchers to improve our treatments.

Detailed information about the Kidney Stones Clinic, including contact information and directions, can be found in the SickKids Directory.

The Genetic and Electrolyte Clinic is a specialized clinic for the care of patients with a variety of different genetic disorders that affect their kidneys. It also cares for children who have electrolyte and acid base balance abnormalities caused by their kidneys. We are committed to delivering leading-edge specialized care and work alongside researchers to improve our treatments.

Detailed information about the Genetic and Electrolytes Clinic, including contact information and directions, can be found in the SickKids Directory.

The Hypertension Clinic cares for patients with high blood pressure. The multidisciplinary team includes paediatric nephrologists, registered nurses, a renal dietitian and a social worker. The team is committed to delivering leading-edge specialized care and work alongside researchers to improve treatments.

Detailed information about the Hypertension Clinic, including contact information and directions, can be found in the SickKids Directory.

The Urinary Tract Malformation Clinic cares for patients with abnormalities of their kidneys and a history of urinary tract infections. The multidisciplinary team includes paediatric nephrologists, registered nurses, a renal dietitian and a social worker. The team is committed to delivering leading-edge specialized care and work alongside researchers to improve treatments. 

Contact us

Detailed information about the Urinary Tract Malformation Clinic, including contact information and directions, can be found in the SickKids Directory.

The Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Clinic cares for children with chronic kidney disease resulting from many different causes. The multidisciplinary team includes paediatric nephrologists, a nurse practitioner, registered nurses, a renal dietitian and a social worker. The team is committed to delivering leading-edge specialized care and work alongside researchers to improve treatments. 

Contact us

Detailed information about the CKD clinic, including contact information and directions, can be found in the SickKids Directory.

The Renal Transplant Clinic cares for children who have received a kidney transplant. The multidisciplinary team includes paediatric nephrologists, a nurse practitioner, transplant pharmacist, registered nurses, a renal dietitian and a social worker. The team is committed to delivering leading-edge specialized care and work alongside researchers to improve treatments. 

Contact us

Detailed information about the Renal Transplant Clinic, including contact information and directions, can be found in the SickKids Directory.

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Key staff

The SickKids Division of Nephrology was established in 1966, pioneering the development of the subspecialty of paediatric renal medicine in Canada. The division is home to leading experts in the various fields of nephrology.

13 Division of Nephrology staff in front of the Hospital smiling for a team photo

See below for a list of key staff at the Division of Nephrology, including team members from administration, research and training, clinics, and more.

Dana Debernyj

Administrative Assistant

Division of Nephrology

Bernard Singh, BA, CHRM

Division Administrative Lead

Division of Nephrology

Carla Santos

Administrative Assistant

Division of Nephrology

Nalma Uy

Administrative Assistant

Developmental & Stem Cell Biology

Andrea Verdugo

Administrative Assistant

Child Health Evaluative Sciences

Massih Bidhendi

Education Program Coordinator

Division of Nephrology

Linda Wright
Clinical Research Project Coordinator

Sharon Samaan, MSc(OT), OT Reg. (Ont.)

Clinic Manager

Samanta Attley

Patient Care Information Coordinator

Miranda Mavroukas

Patient Information Clerk

Nephrology Clinic Nurses

Alexandra Scott, RN

Anna Bondoc, RN

Carina Morgado, RN

Josefina Brooke, RN

Keisha Rasool, RN

Vaneet Dhillon, NP

Research activities

The Nephrology Division at SickKids conducts internationally recognized cutting-edge scientific and patient-oriented research. The overall goal of our research is the acquisition of new knowledge that will advance our understanding of kidney biology and the pathogenesis and treatment of renal disease.

The scientific faculty in our Division conducts research in the areas of clinical epidemiology, renal physiology, cell biology, epithelial transport, renal growth and development, immunology and inflammation, acute renal failure, molecular genetics, and polycystic kidney disease.

Research is supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Kidney Foundation of Canada, American Society of Nephrology and private contributions.

Nephrology labs

Visit The Parekh Lab Investigating the clinical, genetic, and environmental risk factors leading to chronic kidney disease.
Visit Dr. Lisa Robinson's Lab Research highlights, mission statement, team information and more.
Visit the Rosenblum Lab A focus on formation of the normal and malformed mammalian kidney.

Empty lecture hall of 15 rows and a speaking podium

Education and training opportunities

The Division of Nephrology at SickKids is one of the largest Paediatric Nephrology Divisions in North America. This University of Toronto training program aims to develop academic paediatric nephrologists who will establish independent investigative careers in areas relevant to the understanding of childhood kidney diseases and provide excellence in clinical practice of all aspects of kidney disease.

The training program provides broad training in all the major areas of Nephrology with opportunities to develop both clinical and research skills. Our program offers 2 years of training based in core clinical aspects of Nephrology including consultative nephrology, inpatient ward, and ambulatory care in general Nephrology, transplantation and dialysis.

Competency By Design

Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) officially launched as of July 2018 with our program. Over the course of the two years, trainees will move through the stages of CBD from: Transition to Discipline (TTD), Foundations of Discipline (FOD), Core of Discipline (COD), and Transition to Practice (TTP). Trainees will be assessed using Work Based Assessments (Entrustable Professional Activities). Promotion between stages is reviewed at the Competence Committee and is based on successful completion of EPAs.

The program boasts a large faculty of clinicians, clinician teachers, clinician scientists, and clinician investigators with a strong commitment to excellence in patient care, research and education. There are well established liaisons with Urology, Interventional Radiology and Pathology with regular multidisciplinary patient care and educational rounds. Trainees have protected teaching time, both at SickKids and through the joint Adult and Pediatric Nephrology academic half-day.

Trainees gain exposure to leaders in the field of Nephrology from around the world through the lecture series, through City Wide Nephrology Rounds, during Adult Nephrology and Pathology electives and through the University of Toronto Transplant Institute. In addition to fulfilling the Royal College criteria for clinical training, opportunities are available to pursue training in Basic Science, Clinical Epidemiology, Qualitative Research, Clinical Research, Educational Research and/or Quality Improvement.

We can accommodate elective and training opportunities in Pediatric Nephrology for Medical Students (Undergraduate), Residents and Fellows (Postgraduate) in active clinical training programs – more details are below.

Are you an international applicant?

All International applicants who are interested in applying for a Paediatric Nephrology Fellowship should email nephrology.trainingprogram@sickkids.ca with their request.

The Paediatric Nephrology Postgraduate Training Program, whose primary site of activity is at The Hospital for Sick Children, is a Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada accredited program.

Click below to learn more about training and education programs associated with the Division of Nephrology at SickKids.

Please visit the Department of Paediatrics for Undergraduate Medical Education for information on their curriculum.

Additional information on electives with the University of Toronto can be found on their Electives portal.

Applications for University of Toronto student electives can be found on MedSIS.

As a postgraduate medical trainee, you may apply for an elective rotation at the University of Toronto in order to satisfy a specified part of the requirements of the ongoing residency training program in which you are enrolled at your home institution.

Detailed information can be found on the University of Toronto Post MD Education page.

The International Education portfolio at the SickKids Learning Institute offers Paediatric specialty education and training services that are customized to international learners’ specific needs and can take place at SickKids or in their home country. For more information please visit the Learning Institute’s International Education section.

For any other questions related to the Paediatric Nephrology Training Program please contact us at:

Division of Nephrology, SickKids

Education Program Coordinator

555 University Avenue

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

M5G 1X8

Phone: 416-813-7654 ext 203533

Email: nephrology.trainingprogram@sickkids.ca

Contact Nephrology

You can reach the Division in several ways

General: 416-813-6289
New patients, or those that have just left the hospital: 416-813-7333
Current patients: 416-813-7971
Clinic nurses: 416-813-7411 ext. 3 or 4

Nephrology Training Program

Phone: 416-813-7654 ext. 203533

Clinical Research Project Coordinator

Phone: 416-813-7654 ext. 202357

Fax: 416-813-6271

Nephrology Clinic Staff

General clinic phone: 416-813-7333

General clinic fax: 416-813-7970

Address

Division of Nephrology, SickKids

555 University Avenue

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

M5G 1X8