The service was established in 1980 and there are currently three part-time and one full-time faculty. In September 2014, a full-time faculty position in Dermatology (within the Division of Rheumatology) was established.

Our clinical programs include roughly 2,800 patient visits per year and we diagnose and treat:

• Neonatal skin and skin disorders, including diaper dermatitis
• Birthmarks
• Genodermatoses
• Dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Acne
• Infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Vascular anomalies
• Drug reactions
• Nail, hair and mucous membrane disorders
• Tumors
• Skin lesions not yet diagnosed 

Our team’s mission is to provide comprehensive, evidence-based, family-centred care for children and youth with skin disorders. We also focus on educating and empowering patients, parents and the community to be active participants in the achievement of optimal health outcomes.

Resources

• Canadian Dermatology Association 
• American Academy of Dermatology
• Society for Pediatric Dermatology

The training program in dermatology includes both inpatient and outpatient exposure.

Inpatient care

Dermatology consults on approximately 60 in-patients per year, the majority of which are patients with co-morbid skin disease admitted for another problem. Drug reactions, severe eczema exacerbations and complicated infantile hemangiomas are other dermatologic problems for which our patients can be hospitalized.

There are no dedicated dermatology beds, although there is the possibility to admit dermatology patients to dermatology on the clinical teaching units.

Outpatient care: Approximately 2,800 visits per year

Approximately 1,300 new patients and 1,500 returning patients are seen in general pediatric Dermatology outpatient clinics per year. We also participate in a multi-disciplinary vascular anomalies clinic with plastic surgery, ENT, radiology and surgery.

Clinical problems and diseases evaluated and followed

• Acne
• Alopecia/hair loss
• Autoimmune disorders
• Birthmarks
• Cancers
• Drug reactions
• Eczema
• Fungal infections
• Genodermatoses
• Hair disorders
• Hemangiomas
• Infections
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Mucous membrane disorders
• Melanoma
• Neonatal skin and skin disorders
• Non-melanoma skin cancer
• Pigmentation disorders
• Scars
• Tumors – benign and malignant
• Vascular malformations
• Viral exanthems
• Warts

Areas of research include:

• Atopic dermatitis/eczema
• Vascular malformations

• Liy Wong, Carmen MD

• Ramien, Michele L. MD, FRCPC, DAB

• Spring, Shanna MD, FRCPC, FAAD

Undergraduate training opportunities

Dermatology is an important area of education for medical students. Whether they go on to become pediatricians or general practitioners, skin complaints are common in all patient populations. The ability to describe skin lesions accurately, develop broad categories of diagnosis, as well as management of common pediatric skin conditions are emphasized.

Medical students on selective and elective rotations attend outpatient dermatology clinics and are encouraged to attend Dermatology academic rounds on Thursday afternoons. Elective students are accepted through the Division of Dermatology at The Ottawa Hospital as we do not currently offer a dedicated pediatric dermatology elective.

Postgraduate training program

Pediatric Dermatology is part of the five-year Royal College-accredited University of Ottawa Dermatology Residency Training Program. Residents have longitudinal exposure to pediatric dermatology clinics as part of several of their rotations, allowing them to develop both diagnostic and therapeutic management skills over time. They participate in inpatient and emergency room consultations on a rotating basis, developing a broad base of comfort with diagnoses of varying acuity and complexity.

Additional postgraduate training

Opportunities for postgraduate electives in pediatric dermatology are available to residents in pediatrics, family medicine, emergency medicine, plastic surgery and others.