Neurology

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is an interdisciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurophysiologists, nurses and nurse practitioners, neuropsychologists, dieticians, social workers and neuroradiologists with the single-minded goal to offer each child the best care possible. This team provides precision care for complex, drug-resistant epilepsy, including medical, surgical and dietary therapies to children from across Ontario and around the world. This program also supports continuous EEG monitoring embedded in the Intensive Care Units. Clinical research is a critical part of this program, with clinical trials and observational studies integrated into the care provided. 

Find information about epilepsy, including seizure and syndrome descriptions, diagnostic procedures, treatment options, and coping at home and at school on the AboutKidsHealth Epilepsy Learning Hub.

The Epilepsy Classroom is an innovative, multidisciplinary, brain-based program designed to understand how Epilepsy manifests for the individual student, as well as to provide empirically-based intervention to enhance their academic performance as well as their social-emotional well-being.  It is an initiative of the Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain and Mental Health and functions in partnership with Toronto District School Board (TDSB). 

The Neuroinflammatory Disease Program has expanded from a focus on multiple sclerosis to a broader range of neuroinflammatory conditions including autoimmune encephalitis (e.g. anti NMDA receptor encephalitis).  With access to new avenues for modulating the immune system, the neuroinflammatory diseases program is now a primary focus of our inpatient unit. Research advances at SickKids are opening the door to more accurate clinical diagnostics (e.g. advanced MRI) and therapeutic strategies (e.g. exercise).

Our Pediatric Stroke program remains a world leader in multidisciplinary innovative and collaborative care for children with stroke.  Collaborations with neurosurgery, neurocritical care, thrombosis, genetics and neuroradiology remain strong and foundational for novel therapies such as intra-arterial thrombolysis and refined diagnostics such as arterial wall imaging and cerebrovascular reactivity MRI. 

The Neonatal Neurology program has evolved rapidly to establish an internationally recognized neonatal neurocritical care program in close collaboration with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The Cardiac Neurodevelopment program established in collaboration with the Heart Centre, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Follow-up Clinic has already implemented a strategy to support the neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants undergoing cardiac surgery in the first weeks of life. More recently, this program has expanded to Fetal Neurology in close collaboration with the Mount Sinai Maternal Fetal Medicine Program, Genetics and Neuroradiology.  

The Neuro-Metabolic program provides comprehensive care of children with complex inherited metabolic conditions in collaboration with multidisciplinary services including genetics, nephrology, haematology, endocrinology, neuro-ophthalmology, gastroenterology, cardiology and anaesthesia.

A primary focus of the program has been the investigation of mechanisms of disease pathophysiology at a biochemical and molecular level for the development and implementation of novel treatment strategies to bypass or correct the specific metabolic block, which have been successfully used internationally. 

Our Headache program brings together paediatric and adult neurologists with trained nurses and social workers to provide comprehensive care for children and youth with complex headaches. There is a focus on assessment and management of chronic headache disorders and we have particularly advanced expertise in treatment techniques for headache care including neuromodulation as well as Botox injection protocols and nerve blocks.  

The headache team provides comprehensive evaluation and nonpharmacological treatment approaches including emphasis on cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness training as well as ongoing collaborations with the pain management program at the Hospital for Sick Children. 

Managing Headache Pain Workshop

The Division of Neurology and the Department of Social Work offer three-hour education sessions for children and adolescents who have chronic headache disorders. They can attend with their families to get a better understanding of the medical conditions that cause headache, and to learn about opportunities for treatment with a focus on nonpharmacological (non-drug-related) therapies. 

The sessions are held three times a year at the hospital, during the evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. so children can attend after school. The education session is also offered by videolink to children who live outside of the GTA via the Ontario Treatment Network. 

For more information please contact Wendy Bennett via email:  wendy.bennett@sickkids.ca or phone: 416-813-5668. 

• Vann Chau, MD 
• Noma Dlamini, MD 
• Elizabeth Donner, MD 
• James Dowling, MD 
• Hernan Gonorazky, MD 
• Carolina Gorodetsky, MD
• Puneet Jain, MD 
• Jeff Kobayashi, MD 
• Giulia Longoni, MD 
• Liza Pulcine, MD 
• Lauren Sham, MD
• Emily Tam, MD 
• Ingrid Tein, MD 
• Shelly Weiss, MD 
• Ann Yeh, MD 

• Dr. Danielle Andrade, MD 
• David Berbrayer, MD* 
• Gabrielle deVeber, MD 
• Jonathan Gladstone, MD 
• Hans Katzberg, MD 
• Wayne Langburt, MD 
• Daune MacGregor, MD 
• Gilbert Miller, MD * 
• Peter Rumney, MD*  
• Teesta Soman, MD 
• Jiri Vajsar, MD 

• Evdokia Anagnostou, MD* 
• Douglas Cheyne PhD 
• Miguel Cortez, MD 
• Maureen Lovett, PhD 
• Ayako Ochi, PhD 
• Hiroshi Otsubo, MD 
• Elizabeth Pang, PhD 
• Mary Lou Smith, PhD 
• Margot Taylor, PhD 
• Robyn Westmacott, PhD, C. Psych 
• Tricia Williams, Ph.D., C. Psych 

• Ishvinder Bhathal – RN(EC), MN, NP-Paediatrics 
• Jennifer Boyd, RN, MHSc, CNN(C), MSCN 
• Joley Johnstone, RN, BSN, MN, NP 
• Diane Wilson, BScN, MN, NP-Paediatrics 
• Ivanna Yau, MN, NP-Pediatrics, CNN(C) 
• Maria Zak, MN, NP-Paediatrics 

• Pioneering the use of zebra fish models for the identifying new treatment avenues for congenital myopathies.
• The International Pediatric Stroke Study is advancing research in ischemic stroke diagnosis, acute treatment practices and long-term outcomes relating to neurobehavioural and cognitive recovery of paediatric stroke. 
• The novel discovery of hyperglycemia as a critical issue in the care of neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
• In real time, the Paediatric Cardiac Neurodevelopment Program examines clinical practices that contribute to, or prevent, brain injury newborns with congenital heart disease.
• Identifying the “importance of the everyday to the brain health of babies born preterm”, which is leading to practice change in how pain and nutrition is managed in the neonatal intensive care unit.
• The Canadian Pediatric Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) Registry partnering with the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service to identify genes that put people with epilepsy at risk of premature death.
• A longitudinal prospective study of dietary therapies for epilepsy, aimed to optimize the treatment for drug-resistant seizures in children and make those therapies easier for children and their families. The DETECT study is opening our eyes to the previously unrecognized burden of seizures in comatose children.
• Identifying how the GABAB receptor coupled with the GIRK2 channel open new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of infantile spasms in down syndrome.   
• A definitive randomized trial demonstrating the efficacy of Spinraza for the care of children with spinal muscular atrophy.   
• New e-health interventions for the care of children with behavioural insomnia.
• Identifying a novel link between physical activity and outcomes in children and youth with multiple sclerosis, highlighting the potential of physical activity to improve outcomes of this condition.   

We anticipate expediential growth in neurological research programs, with advances in new technologies for brain imaging including neurophysiology, genomics and fetal interventions. 

The Paediatric Epilepsy Fellowship Program at SickKids provides excellent research and clinical training, as well as career mentorship. This two-year fellowship includes experiences in clinical epilepsy, epilepsy surgery and electroencephalography. There is a single funded position each year. In addition, self-funded trainees are considered for enrollment in the training program.  

More details

The fellowship focuses on developing experience with evaluating and managing children with epilepsy in both ambulatory and inpatient settings. Our objective is to ensure expertise in all aspects of epilepsy evaluation and management. 

The clinical duties of the epilepsy fellow are divided between inpatient and ambulatory care. We have a 6-bed epilepsy monitoring unit, with prolonged video EEG monitoring five days a week, complex epilepsy surgery with invasive EEG monitoring and resection cases. While managing inpatient care, fellows also have the opportunity to be involved in consultative capacity with epilepsy staff to offer expert advice regarding complex epilepsy cases when requested by neurology service teams. 

Ambulatory care is delivered each day in our complex epilepsy clinics, and fellows will be exposed to VNS device and ketogenic diet clinics, epilepsy surgery clinics, and a number of specific clinics including Infantile Spasms Clinic, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Clinic, Genetic Brain Malformation clinic, and a Genetic Epilepsies clinic. 

Fellows are also involved in the interpretation of continuous EEG monitoring in the intensive care units (neonatal and paediatric ICU). The division offers state-of-the-art clinical neurophysiology facilities, ambulatory clinics in paediatric epilepsy, an epilepsy surgery program with invasive monitoring (subdural grids, stereotactic EEG and minimally invasive epilepsy surgery with laser therapy), neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG, MSI), an epilepsy classroom and an epilepsy research program. 

We have a strong tradition of excellence in neurophysiology, and facilitate participation of interested fellows in the CSCN EEG board examinations. Fellows attend academic meetings and engage in scholarly activities including Pediatric Neurology Grand Rounds presentation, journal club and the specific epilepsy and neurophysiology teaching curriculum during their fellowship. 

Research

Research activities for the fellowship will include independent epilepsy or neurophysiology research studies and/or involvement with ongoing epilepsy program research studies. Fellows are encouraged to publish completed studies in manuscript form. 

Eligibility requirements

Qualified applicants are encouraged to obtain funding to secure a spot in the fellowship program. 

Candidates must: 

• Be fully certified as a paediatric neurologist in country of training 
• Have a strong interest in an academic career in paediatric epilepsy, and 
• Be fluent in spoken and written English 

If English is not the candidate’s first language, candidates must provide scores for one of the tests below: 

• International English Language Testing System (IELTSTM)  
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) TOEFL iBT ® 

How to apply

If applicant is funded, a copy of the sponsorship letter is required. 

The applicant must complete a fellowship application via our application website, and submit the below requirements: 

• Current CV 
• Letter of Intent 
• Medical Degree (a notarized translation of medical degree, if needed) 
• Transcript Marks 
• Paediatric or Neurology Sub-Specialty Certificate (a notarized translation of specialty certificate, if needed) 
• English Proficiency Test (if needed) 
• Passport 
• 3 Reference Letters 

Complete our Neurology fellowship application online

The Paediatric Stroke Fellowship Program at the Hospital for Sick Children, established in 1995, provides excellent research and clinical training, as well as career mentorship. The program is led by four stroke neurologists with a strong academic record including one Associate Scientist. Fellowships are available for one to two years (first year is always clinical). There is one funded position per year; however, applicants with their own funding are also encouraged to apply.  

From 1999 to 2020, we have graduated 19 paediatric stroke neurologists from our program with multiple fellows pursuing master’s degrees during the two-year training. All have gone on to successful academic careers in Canada and across the world in places like Australia, Argentina, Philippines, Germany, the United Kingdom and United States. 

Research

In April 2014, our program opened a dedicated Stroke Imaging Lab for Children (SILC). The vision of the SILC lab is to apply advanced neuroimaging techniques to unravel the neurobiological processes underlying plasticity and recovery from paediatric stroke. This knowledge is intended to be translated into developing new interventions designed to reduce disability and improve outcomes. 

Research activities for the fellowship will include independent stroke research studies and/or involvement with ongoing stroke program research studies. A master’s degree with the University of Toronto during the two years of training is also possible.  

Fellows will be expected to publish completed studies in manuscript form. The laboratory’s research productivity has been highly successful with publication of more than 500 papers over 18 years by previous fellows.  

Eligibility requirements

Qualified applicants are encouraged to obtain funding to secure a spot in the fellowship program. 

Candidates must: 

• Be fully certified paediatric neurologists in their country of origin 
• Have a strong interest in an academic career in paediatric stroke, and 
• Be fluent in spoken and written English 

If English is not the candidate’s first language, candidates must provide scores for one of the tests below: 

• International English Language Testing System (IELTSTM)  
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) TOEFL iBT ® 

How to apply

If applicant is funded, a copy of the sponsorship letter is required. 

The applicant must complete a fellowship application via our application website below, and submit the below requirements: 

• Current CV 
• Letter of Intent 
• Medical Degree (a notarized translation of medical degree, if needed) 
• Transcript Marks 
• Paediatric or Neurology Sub-Specialty Certificate (a notarized translation of specialty certificate, if needed) 
• English Proficiency Test (if needed) 
• Passport 
• 3 Reference Letters 

Complete our Neurology fellowship application online

The Paediatric MS and Neuroinflammation Program at The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, has a Fellowship Program that provides excellent research and clinical training, as well as career mentorship. Fellowships are available for one to two years, with possible extension for a third year. There is one funded position per year; however, applicants with their own funding are also encouraged to apply.   

Research in our program is specifically oriented towards the establishment of validated methodologies and interventions to ameliorate cognitive, motor, and psychological disability in this population, with a focus on lifestyle influences (diet and exercise) on MS outcomes. We also have a focus on structural imaging, particularly structural and functional visual outcomes.  

More details

This fellowship is directed towards neurologists and child neurologists interested in obtaining research training and experience in research in pediatric MS and neuroinflammatory disorders. Exceptional candidates who have obtained PhDs in kinesiology, clinical neuropsychology, or areas relevant to physical activity or outcomes research will also be strongly considered.   

The intention of the fellowship is to provide the candidate with a strong background in research methods and the academic process with the ultimate goal for the fellow to solidify the tools needed to become an independent clinician and researcher. 

Selection criteria is below. 

Eligibility requirements

Qualified applicants are encouraged to obtain funding to secure a spot in the fellowship program. 

Candidates must: 

• Be fully certified paediatric neurologists in their country of origin 
• Have a strong interest in an academic career in paediatric stroke, and 
• Be fluent in spoken and written English 

If English is not the candidate’s primary language, candidates must provide scores for one of the tests below: 

• International English Language Testing System (IELTSTM)  
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) TOEFL iBT ®

How to apply

If applicant is funded, a copy of the sponsorship letter is required. 

The applicant must complete a fellowship application via our application website linked below, and submit the below requirements: 

• Current CV 
• Letter of Intent 
• Medical Degree (a notarized translation of medical degree, if needed) 
• Transcript Marks 
• Paediatric or Neurology Sub-Specialty Certificate (a notarized translation of specialty certificate, if needed) 
• English Proficiency Test (if needed) 
• Passport 
• 3 Reference Letters 

Complete our Neurology fellowship application online

The Paediatric Neuromuscular Fellowship Program at SickKids is a one-year fellowship, with the possibility of extension to a second year. The program is designed to provide excellence in diagnosis and management of paediatric neuromuscular disorders. At the conclusion of the fellowship, trainees will have acquired profound knowledge in genetics/molecular biology, EMG/NCVs, Neuromuscular imaging (MRI, CT), pathology, and rehabilitation in neuromuscular disorders. The fellowship will also provide an opportunity to be part of different clinical trials, with a focus in gene therapy.   

More details

We have a variety of different specialized multidisciplinary clinics such as the Spinal Muscular Atrophy clinic and a joint genetics-neuromuscular clinic. Trainees will be also be exposed to adult neuromuscular clinics since we consider it especially important to have exposure to the whole spectrum of this group of disorders.  Upon completion, the trainee will be eligible to take the CSCN EMG board examination.   

During each week, fellows will be participating in three neuromuscular clinics. After mastering the basic principles of EMG, each fellow will be expected to run their own supervised EMG clinic (once a week). Trainees will be participating in weekly EMG rounds, neuromuscular pathology rounds monthly, plus journal clubs and teaching sessions.

Our neuromuscular program has a strong educational commitment as well as a strong clinical and translational research collaboration with different departments across the hospital.  Although this is mainly a clinical fellowship, we will encourage the trainee to be involved in clinical or translational research as well.    

There are two positions per year with different start dates (July to June and January to December).   

Eligibility requirements 

The successful candidate must demonstrate:  

1. Completion of residency in neurology/child neurology or PhD in relevant field.  
2. Fluency in both spoken and written English  
3. Completion of a successful interview with the neuromuscular team (face to face or online)  

How to apply

The applicant must complete a fellowship application via our application website below, and submit the below requirements: 

• Current CV
• Letter of Intent
• Medical Degree (a notarized translation of medical degree, if needed)
• Transcript Marks
• Paediatric or Neurology Sub-Specialty Certificate (a notarized translation of specialty certificate, if needed) 
• English Proficiency Test (if needed)
• Passport
• 3 Reference Letters

If applicant is funded, a copy of the sponsorship letter is required. 

Complete our Neurology fellowship application online

A one-year Paediatric Movement Fellowship Program at The Hospital for Sick Children is open with a possible extension to two years. This is an integrated program that will allow the trainee to acquire basic and advanced knowledge in movement disorders. At the conclusion of the fellowship, the trainee will have acquired knowledge in genetics, imaging, diagnosis and management on movement disorders, Botox injections, and deep brain stimulation.  

More details

Trainees will have four half-day clinics, including pediatric and adult exposure and once a month a multidisciplinary Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) clinic. It’s expected that the trainee will be able to recognize candidates suitable for DBS, as well as manage patients' brain stimulators postoperatively.  During remaining time, fellows are encouraged to participate in research activities, especially on the DBS field. 

Trainees will be also allowed to arrange more specific rotations (metabolic, spasticity clinic, etc). We will support fellows to attend academic meetings, clinical conferences, seminars, small discussion groups and/or journal clubs. 

Eligibility requirements

Candidate must demonstrate 

1. Completion of residency in neurology/child neurology or PhD in relevant field. 
2. Be fluent spoken and written in English. 
3. Completion of a successful interview with the movement disorder team (face to face or online) 

How to apply

The applicant must complete fellowship application via our application website, and submit the below requirements: 

• Current CV
• Letter of Intent
• Medical Degree (a notarized translation of medical degree, if needed)
• Transcript Marks
• Paediatric or Neurology Sub-Specialty Certificate (a notarized translation of specialty certificate, if needed) 
• English Proficiency Test (if needed)
• Passport
• 3 Reference Letters

If applicant is funded, a copy of the sponsorship letter is required. 

Complete a Neurology fellowship application online

The Headache Fellowship Program in the Division of Neurology at the Hospital for Sick Children and the Centre for Headache at Women’s College Hospital, provides excellent research and clinical training, as well as career mentorship. The program is led by three headache neurologists.   

More details

Fellowships are available for one to two years (first year is always clinical). Funding can be obtained for qualified applicants however, applicants with their own funding are also encouraged to apply.   

Graduates from the program are currently holding academic positions at the University of Toronto, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.   

The clinical fellowship training is in both pediatric and adult headache medicine with opportunity for fellows to learn up-to-date headache management techniques including Botox injections and nerve blocks.  

Each fellow is to become involved in a research project supervised by one of the senior headache staff neurologists. The fellows are encouraged to join the Canadian Headache Society and the American Headache Society. Funding can be obtained for attendance at appropriate academic meetings.   

The director of the program is Dr. Daune MacGregor and interested candidates should be in contact with Dr. MacGregor for further information (daune.macgregor@sickkids.ca).  

Eligibility requirements

Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain funding to secure a spot in the fellowship program.  

Candidates must:  

• Be fully certified paediatric neurologists   
• Have a strong interest in an academic career in paediatric Headache management, and  
• Be fluent in spoken and written English  
• If English is not the candidate’s native language, candidates must provide scores for one of the tests below:  
• International English Language Testing System (IELTSTM)   
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) TOEFL iBT ®  

How to apply

If applicant is funded, a copy of the sponsorship letter is required.  

The applicant must complete fellowship application via our application website linked below, and submit the below requirements:

• Current CV  
• Letter of Intent  
• Medical Degree (a notarized translation of medical degree, if needed)  
• Transcript Marks  
• Paediatric or Neurology Sub-Specialty Certificate (a notarized translation of specialty certificate, if needed)  
• English Proficiency Test (if needed)  
• Passport  
• 3 Reference Letters  

Complete a Neurology fellowship application online

The Hospital for Sick Children Divisions of Neonatology and Neurology are pleased to announce the availability of a one- or two-year Neonatal Neurology Fellowship. The position offers comprehensive training in Neonatal Neurology with emphasis on clinical evaluation, bedside monitoring tools (e.g. amplitude-integrated EEG and continuous EEG), and advanced MRI techniques. Clinical and research experience during fellowship can be tailored to the career needs of the applicant and will determine the duration of the training. 

More details

Applications are accepted for fellowship starting from July annually. Individuals completing their specialty training in neonatology or paediatric neurology prior to fellowship start date are eligible to apply for this position. All applicants must be eligible for an educational training license in Ontario before the start of fellowship. 

How to apply

If applicant is funded, a copy of the sponsorship letter is required. The applicant must complete fellowship application via our application website, and submit the below requirements: 

• Current CV  
• Letter of Intent  
• Medical Degree (a notarized translation of medical degree, if needed)  
• Transcript Marks  
• Paediatric or Neurology Sub-Specialty Certificate (a notarized translation of specialty certificate, if needed)  
• English Proficiency Test (if needed)  
• Passport  

Complete a Neurology fellowship application online