New Associate Chairs in the Department of Pediatrics

The Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce the new Executive Committee. These individuals have distinguished themselves in many ways throughout their careers, and have now agreed to take on larger leadership roles in the Department.

Associate-Executive Chair: Dr. Laurel Chauvin-Kimoff
Dr. Kimoff brings decades of experience working as a general pediatrician on the wards, in the Pediatric Day Hospital, and in the Emergency Department. She has also led the Child Protection service for many years. Dr. Kimoff’s quiet and thoughtful approach to problem-solving and innovation will be invaluable to the team.

Associate Chair of Education: Dr. David Zielinski
Dr. Zielinski, a respirologist, is not only an outstanding clinician who served as Program Director for Pediatric Respirology for a decade, but is the provincial lead for the Home Ventilation Program. He also holds leadership positions in major national and international pulmonology societies. Dr. Zielinski is a clear thinker whose commitment to education will enhance the strength of our education mission.

Associate Chair of Clinical Mission: Dr. Tanya Di Genova
Dr. Di Genova is a pediatric intensivist with an MBA and expertise in Patient Safety and Quality Improvement. She is also the Medical Director of Patient Flow at the MCH. Dr. Di Genova has become an indispensable part of the MCH, and has made numerous important contributions to care delivery at the MUHC in the short time that she has been on faculty. If you haven’t heard of Dr. Di Genova since the start of the pandemic, then you really must have been self-isolating!

Associate Chair of Finance: Dr. Adrian Dancea
Dr. Dancea is the Director of the Division of Cardiology and Director of the Pediatric Heart Catheterization Lab. He also holds and MBA and is a founding co-director of the McGill Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management. Dr. Dancea has previously served in this role, so knows what he is getting into. His considered approach to financial management will serve us all well.

Associate Chair of Research: Dr. Meranda Nakhla
Dr. Nakhla is a pediatric endocrinologist and an epidemiologist who has been funded by the FRQS and the CIHR. Her research focuses on improving the transition to adult care for young people with diabetes. She is currently the Co-Director of the RI-MUHC Child Health and Human Development Program. Dr. Nakhla brings extensive experience in research and a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed in this competitive arena.

Thank you Drs. Emmett Francoeur (Associate Executive Chair), Laurie Plotnick (Education), Mylène Dandavino (Clinical Operations), Mitch Shiller (Finance), and Patricia Fontela (Research) for their hard work and their efforts at a smooth transition.