The Division of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Dermatology, at the Montreal Children's Hospital, is the largest pediatric division in Canada. We care for patients with dermatological diseases, immunodeficiencies and provide cutting edge treatment for children with food, venom and medication allergies as well as chronic hives.
Our physicians have expertise in pediatric allergy, asthma, rhinitis-sinusitis, skin diseases, and food allergies. We also specialize in the evaluation and treatment of immune deficiency (when the body’s immune system is reduced or absent). Our physicians have worked and trained in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Our experienced allergy nursing team is specifically trained to work with children with allergies and immune deficiencies, providing excellent care.
History and Milestones
The Division began offering services at the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) in the 1950s under the guidance of Dr. Harry Bacall. Since that time, the Division has offered cutting edge treatments for asthma, food, seasonal, venom and drug allergies. We are a leading center for the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiencies in Canada. The MCH is the site of the first pediatric allergy/immunology training program in Quebec, and currently has the largest pediatric allergy and immunology service team in Canada.
- First home therapy for primary immunodeficiency in children in Canada (2005)
- First transition clinic for immunodeficiency (2005)
- First oral food immunotherapy study program for children in Quebec (2013)
- First threshold challenge program for infants and young children with food allergies (2015)
- First Transdisciplinary Center for Biotherapuetics in Canada established (2018)
Highlights
The Division has established the Transdisciplinary Center for Biotherapeutics to identify and follow all children using immune modulatory treatments. This program is designed to help patients in real time with information and appointment access, protocol evaluation and designing and evaluation patient center treatment strategies. Ongoing patient registries for chronic spontaneous urticaria, food and drug allergies permit assessment of current management practices and introduce and evaluate cutting edge therapies for these patients. Cross-disciplinary geodermatosis clinic.
Research Achievements
- Dr. Bruce Mazer, Director of MCH Research Institute, Interim Director for MUHC Research Institute
- Dr. Christine McCusker, Top 10 Quebec Science Discovery 2015
- Dr. Moshe Ben-Shoshan, Top 10 publication for pediatric research 2016-Seminal study for children with medication allergy.
Division Members
Dr. Reza Alizadehfar, Residency Program Director
Dr. Moshe Ben-Shoshan
Dr. Christine Lejtenyi
Dr. Christine McCusker, Division Director
Dr. Bruce Mazer
Dr. Elaine Medoff
Dr. Francisco Noya
Dr. Karen Sigman
Associate Members
Dr. Marylin Desjardins, Associate Member
Dr. Hannah Elfassy, Adjunct Member
Dr. Allison Kukhta, Faculty Lecturer
Dermatology
Dr. Barbara Miedzybrodzki
Division Director
Dr. Christine McCusker
Postgraduate Medical Education
Residency Program Director
Dr. Karen Sigman
Administrative Staff
Residency Program Coordinator
programadmin.pedsallergy [at] mcgill.ca
MUHC Medical Secretary
virginia.allen [at] muhc.mcgill.ca (Virginia Allen)
514-412-4470
MUHC Administrative Assistant
Melissa.Puliga [at] muhc.mcgill.ca (Melissa Puliga)
514-412-4400 x 22370