Our Diabetes Team
Paediatric Endocrinologists:
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 Assistant Dean, Learner Equity & Wellness 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. 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 Medical studies 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. Cheril Clarson is a Paediatric Endocrinologist at the Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the Schulich School of Medicine (Western University) and an Associate Scientist at the Lawson Health Research Institute. She trained in Pediatrics in both the UK and Canada and has been a member of the Department of Paediatrics in London, Ontario since 1985.
Dr. Andrea Ens is an Assistant 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. 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 research and health literacy.
Diabetes Nurse Educators:
Monica Dawe is a Nurse Clinician and Certified Diabetes Educator with the Paediatric diabetes team. She has worked in many areas of Paediatrics including Paediatric Emergency and Cystic Fibrosis. Monica graduated from University of Western Ontario in 2001 with a BScN. Her nursing career has given her the opportunity to work in Tanzania Africa, San Diego CA and Seattle WA. She has worked at Children’s Hospital for 15 years, 8 with the diabetes program. When not attending sporting events for her children, Monica enjoys soccer, volleyball and golf.
Alex Hammond, RN, BScN, works as a Registered Nurse for the Paediatric Diabetes Team, having previously worked in the Paediatric Emergency Department, Adult Medicine and Acute Care of the Elderly. Alex earned her nursing degree at the University of Western Ontario. When she is out of the hospital, Alex enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Shannon Hogeterp is a Registered Nurse with Children’s Hospital/LHSC. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Western Ontario. She joined the diabetes team in 2018. She spent 12 years working as a nurse in the Paediatric Critical Care Unit and the Children’s Emergency Department. Shannon has spent many years working as a part time professor at Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario teaching courses such as Health and Pharmacology. She enjoys her time playing volleyball and running after her children.
Registered Dieticians:
Jenna MacIsaac is a Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario. She completed her undergraduate degree and integrated dietetic internship at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She has been working in diabetes education since 2007 and has been with the paediatric diabetes team since 2009. Jenna enjoys spending time her family, cooking for family and friends and loves planning the next adventure.
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 has enjoyed working in adult and paediatric diabetes in Toronto and Mississauga and now calls London her home. Tasha strives to achieve 10,000 steps every day.
Johanna Kaipainen is a Registered Dietitian, and Certified Diabetes Educator with the 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 and make things from scratch and is in a band called The Early Morning.
Social Work:
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!
Ruth Aitchison is a social worker with over 25 years experience at LHSC. She completed her Masters of Social Work at the University of Toronto. She has been working with the Paediatric Diabetes Team since 2006 and continues to learn from the children and families she works with. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, and reading. She is a self-declared FitBit addict.
Child Psychology:
Dr. Erica Gold treats children and adolescents referred by the Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes service as well as from many other medical services at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Gold is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at Western University. She supervises residents from the London Clinical Psychology Residency Consortium and psychology practicum students from Western University. Originally from Montreal, where she completed her undergraduate training, Dr. Gold received her Master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario and her doctorate from the University of Manitoba. She did her predoctoral internship training at the former Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital (now Grand River Hospital). She has worked at Children’s Hospital for over 20 years. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and being outdoors walking or biking.
Administration:
Darlene Kristiansen, Clerk Ambulatory Care - joined the Children’s Hospital London Health Sciences Centre in June 2006. Darlene graduated from Fanshawe College in 2004 where she obtained her Health Care Office Assistant Certificate. Darlene is an avid golfer and curler. She also enjoys reading and gardening in her spare time.
Cathy Belegris is the Administrative Medical Secretary with our Endocrine/Diabetes Team since January 2006. She is originally from Montreal where she attended McGill University and worked several years at The Montreal Children’s Hospital. She now calls London and The Children’s Hospital her home.
