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Urology
- Location:
- 555 University Avenue, 6th Floor, Atrium, Ward 6D
- Phone:
- 416-813-6661
- Email:
- Urology.booking@sickkids.ca
In this section:
The Division of Pediatric Urology specializes in surgical and medical issues related to the kidneys, bladder and genitalia. Our team does a full range of surgical services spanning the spectrum of acquired and congenital urogenital conditions, including renal transplantation and comprehensive paediatric urological cancer care.
An interdisciplinary approach
Paediatric urological problems may require investigation beyond a clinical visit, as complexities of diagnosis may range from the most simple to the rarest and challenging. As a result, there is a strong relationship between Paediatric Urology and other medical disciplines (eg. nephrology, oncology, endocrinology, genetics), surgical colleagues (eg. gynaecology, paediatric surgery), and in particular with radiology (diagnostic imaging and image guided therapy). We will work together to provide the best care for your child!
Sensitive care
We strive to provide state of the art management for all urogenital conditions, taking into account the behavioural and psychosocial aspects of each child and each problem. This approach acknowledges the often sensitive and personal aspects of each patient and his/her problem, allowing for an individualized approach using patient and family based care.
Working together with you, our patients and families, we in Paediatric Urology at SickKids strive to give your child the normal, happy and healthy life they deserve.
What we do
SickKids is a world leader in Paediatric Urology care. We manage medical and surgical care of the entire urological and genital systems for both boys and girls from infancy to adolescence. Paediatric Urologists specialize in surgical problems of the kidneys, the bladder and the genitalia.
The Urology Clinic is the main site for delivery of all facets of clinical urology care to children and their families. The Paediatric Urology Clinic is staffed with doctors, experienced specialty urology nurses, nurse practitioners and clinical surgical associates with expertise in children's urology. Patients may be seen by a Nurse Practitioner, a staff physician or a Fellow.
Integrated support from other key areas such as Diagnostic Imaging and Social Work form a vital part of the paediatric urology clinic experience. The Multidisciplinary Urogenital Clinics also take place in our clinic area on the fifth floor of the Atrium.
Programs and services
We specialize in the following conditions, tests and procedures:
- Bladder problems - ureteral reimplants, urinary tract infections, etc.
- Bladder control, bladder procedures - bed-wetting, bladder augmentation, etc.
- Catheters - tube insertion, cleaning, etc.
- Genital conditions and procedures - circumcision, hypospadias, etc.
- Groin, scrotum and testicles - hernia, orchidopexy, etc.
- Kidney procedures - pyeloplasty, nephrectomy, etc.
- Tests - flow rate, voiding, urodynamics, cystoscopy, etc.
Expand the next section for a list of our associated clincs.
Programs and services offered through the Urology Division include:
- General Urology Clinic
- Urodynamic testing
- Circumcision Clinic
- Neonatal Circumcision Clinic
- Urology Virtual Clinic Visits at Home
- Multidisciplinary Urogenital Clinic (for management of conditions of sexual differentiation & development, with Paediatric Endocrinology, Gynaecology, and Genetics)
Read more about what is offered at SickKids, through the AboutKidsHealth Urology Learning Hub.
Clinic visits at home
Did you know that it is possible to visit the Urology clinic from the comfort and convenience of your own home? All you need is a laptop, tablet or your personal computer!
This is accomplished through the Ontario Telemedicine Network. Visit the OTN's Patient Link to see how it works.
Here are some helpful links and resources to help get you started:
Who we are
Our staff surgeons specialize in an array of clinical areas and are involved in a number of research activities:
- Treatment of hypospadias and complex anomalies of the genitalia
- Vesicoureteral Reflux
- Hydronephrosis including ureteropelvic junction obstruction, ureterocele, ectopic ureter, multicystic dysplastic kidney
- Surgery for undescended testicles and abnormalities of the groin and scrotum (hernia, hydrocele, undescended testes, masses)
- Exstrophy-epispadias complex
- Minimal invasive surgery (MIS) and MIS and laparo-endoscopic surgery used in urologic procedures
- Surgical correction of complex neurogenic, traumatic and structural incontinence conditions
- Surgical management of end-stage renal disease/renal transplantation
- Fertility preservation potential in children
- Paediatric oncology including Wilms Tumour, testes tumour, and rhabdomyosarcoma of the genital urinary tract
- population health clinical pediatric urological research
- development of artificial intelligence approaches assist pediatric urologic management
- cell & molecular biology, and epigenetics of benign urologic disease
- large and diverse advanced clinical fellowship in pediatric urology, with integrated live and web-based teaching curriculum
Key staff
Division Head:
Head, Division of Urology
Department of Surgery
More SickKids Urology staff are detailed in the sections below.
Pediatric Urology Fellowship Program Director, Division of Urology
Department of Surgery
Staff, Division of Urology
Department of Surgery
Medical Urologist, Division of Urology
Department of Paediatrics
Dr. Frank Papanikolaou
Staff, Division of Urology
Department of Surgery
Dr. Pippi Salle
Staff, Division of Urology
Department of Surgery
Dr. Rodrigo Romao
Staff, Division of Urology
Department of Surgery
Fellows are fully licensed Urologists. They are selected to obtain specialized experience in the treatment of paediatric urology disorders.
- Natasha Brownrigg, MN, NP-Peds, Unit 6D – Urology Ambulatory Care Clinic
- Mandy Rickard, MN, NP-Peds, Unit 6D – Urology Ambulatory Care Clinic
- Abby Varghese, RN, NP-Peds, Unit 6D – Urology Ambulatory Care Clinic
- Barbara Pannozzo Unit 6D – Urology Ambulatory Care Clinic
- Katie Baker, Unit 6D – Urology Ambulatory Care Clinic
- Noreen Goraya, MSW, RSW, Department of Social Work, Division of Urology
6D Clinical Booking Staff
Esme Pombo
Darcy Aranza
Shantelle Frater
Surgical Booking Staff
Tanya Carpentier
Davika Ram
Alia Ali
Academic Administrative Staff
Christine Hays
Education Coordinator Fellowship Program, Residency Program, Medical Students and Observers
Stephen Pennycooke
Departmental Administrative Assistant to Drs. Bagli, Chua, Dos Santos and Lorenzo
Lisa Abreu
Supervisor, Administrative Services
Fellows
Fellows are clinicians who have completed their specialist training in either General Urology or General Paediatric Surgery, and are now adding to their training by spending dedicated time in Paediatric Urology. Although they are all experienced clinicians, in order to enhance their knowledge and expertise specific to Pediatric Urology they are supervised and supported by the staff Urologists of the Division in certain decision making and patient management. Your child/family is likely to encounter fellows at all stages of your care: in the Emergency Department, at your clinic appointment, at your OR appointment, and in the ward during your admission.
Residents
Residents are licensed medical doctors training to be urologists. During their intensive training, residents work at different hospitals associated with the University of Toronto.
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with additional education at the Masters level, advanced clinical experience and certified by exam through the College of Nurses of Ontario. NPs can independently diagnose medical conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medication and other treatments.
The NPs in our pediatric urology clinic work independently to provide safe and thorough medical care to all pediatric urology patients. They are especially valuable when managing those patients with chronic complex conditions to provide a consistent family-centered approach to achieving patient satisfaction.
Flow Coordinator
A Flow Coordinator supports the medical team in providing care for patients, partnering with the patient and their family to coordinate all aspects of care and guides the flow through clinic from check-in to check-out.
Our Flow Coordinator will check you in upon arrival to clinic. Will take the patient's vital signs, perform non-invasive diagnostics (flowrates and bladder scans) if needed, assist with procedures, provide families with test information, offer surgical pre-op teaching, and book follow-up appointments.
Child Life Specialist
A Child Life Specialist provides therapeutic play programs designed to reduce stress and help patients cope with hospitalization. They help prepare children for medical and surgical procedures and much more.
Social Worker
A Social Worker can provide you with guidance on community resources with respect to accommodations, interpreter services, government agencies and forms and much more.
Several of our surgeons lead innovative and leading research programs in the areas of:
- Cellandmolecular biology and epigenetics of benign urologic disease, genital development, and tissue repair. This research is focused on bladder muscle biology, cell matrix biology, stem cells, and tissue injury and repair. The work is inspired by "translational research," taking basic research from the lab to the clinical arena.
- Epidemiologyand population health science in children’s urologic conditions.
These efforts have received peer-reviewed funding by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Kidney Foundation of Canada (KFoC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as by the Hospital, and by generous support from our patient and family communities.
From paper to practice, our renowned physicians and research scientists provide the foundation for excellence in the field of Paediatric Urology.
Current research at the SickKids Division of Urology
Expand the sections below to learn more about our basic and clinical research initiatives.
Basic research
- Molecular biology of bladder smooth muscle function, differentiation, de-differentiation and overgrowth
- Epigenetic mechanisms regulating bladder smooth muscle cell phenotype and function
- The epigenetic basis of host urothelial responses to urinary tract infection, particularly as a potential marker for recurrent UTI
- The epigenetic / environmental basis of genital maldevelopment
- Cell matrix biology
Clinical research
- Outcomes analysis and clinical epidemiology
- Management of Wilms Tumour
- Vesicoureteral reflux, Posterior Valves, and Hypospadias
- Use of botulinum toxin in bladder dysfunction
- Quality and Patient Safety
In addition the Division is exploring pioneering efforts to develop Artificial Intelligence tools to address large datasets in hydronephrosis, hypospadias, and testicular pathology.
For further information, please contact our Director of Research, Dr. Darius Bagli, MDCM.
Research Registry: How you can help!
At SickKids Urology, we have a very good understanding of how to treat many problems in the urologic system of children. However, the reason that most of these problems occur to begin with is almost entirely unknown.
We are constantly searching for even better ways to improve urology diagnosis and treatment. In order to do that, we must study and review the medical information of thousands of children just like your child in order to reach this goal, and answer the basic question ‘Why do urology conditions happen’?
You can help our researchers make advancements in their field by participating in the Paediatric Urology Research Registry (PURR) - PDF.
Expand the sections below to read about educational offerings through SickKids Urology!
We are affiliated with the University of Toronto and are actively engaged in the training of postgraduate medical learners, including fellows, residents, medical students as well as graduate students.
All Education and Training inquiries for the Division of Urology can be sent to the Education Administrative Coordinator, at christine.hays@sickkids.ca
You can read more categorized education information, including application processes and requirements below.
Our fellowship program is the only North American program outside of the United States (US) where "fully trained" RCPSC Board Certified Canadian and ABU Board Eligible or Certified urologists are accepted to train for two further years, in order to be eligible for the American Board of Urology (ABU) Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Paediatric Urology.
This is a highly competitive position where a graduate urologist from a Canadian or US accredited residency program is selected for a further two years of training to gain additional expertise in paediatric urology. Our program also offers training in paediatric uro-oncology and renal transplantation.
Our 2-year clinical fellowship is now also officially accredited by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada as an Area of Focused Competency (AFC) Program. Our unique and specialized training program provides Fellows with an opportunity to acquire an internationally recognized credential — the Diploma of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (DRCPSC). The first year of the program is primarily clinical, with the second year being a hybrid year of clinical and research catered around the long term goals and career planning of each fellow
A match process is conducted by the American Urological Association (AUA) and allows applicants and potential programs to be paired with one another. For more information on the MATCH process please visit the AUA website.
Research Fellowship
The Division of Urology offers a post-residency research fellowship to candidates who intend to pursue a career in academic urology. This program provides an opportunity for fellows to conduct clinical and/or basic science research in areas related to pediatric urology while working under the guidance of a research mentor. Please refer to our list of staff physicians for details on our team’s individual research interests. It is expected that the fellow will participate in the design, planning, and conduct of the research. While past research experience is not a requirement, it is desirable. Applicants are encouraged to secure funding to improve their opportunity of obtaining a research fellowship. Research fellowships can range from six months to two years. Must be fully funded.
Clinical Fellowship
Our clinical fellowship is two years in length and is officially accredited by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada as an Area of Focused Competency (AFC) Program. Our unique and specialized training program provides Fellows with an opportunity to acquire an internationally recognized credential — the Diploma of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (DRCPSC). This role is primarily clinical.
Clinical Research Fellowship
Research/clinical fellowships generally start for the first three to six months as solely research (see research fellowship description above), but with the opportunity to take on a clinical portion once the fellow has fully integrated into the division and has demonstrated some key clinical strengths needed. Fellows will then have up to 20% of their time devoted to patient care activities to help maintain their clinical skills. Must be fully funded.
Medical Urology Fellowship
The Division of Urology is pleased to announce the launch of the world's inaugural Medical Pediatric Urology Fellowship. This specialized program, tailored for pediatricians, offers comprehensive training in the clinical management of urological conditions. These conditions may be potentially surgical but require thorough clinical oversight in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The scope includes managing complex neurogenic bladder, congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract, bladder and bowel dysfunction, renal stones, hematuria, pre- and post-transplant urological care, uro-oncology, and office-based procedures such as neonatal circumcision and meatotomy. The 1-year program is primarily clinical, with an expectation that participants will undertake a research project and submit it for publication by the end of their training.
Application Deadlines & Requirements
Our Fellowship Application can now be completed online. Please follow the link below to apply for one of our fellowship programs:
Applications are due at least eight months prior to the anticipated start date. You must first complete our Online Application Form. Please ensure that you have the following documents included with your application submission:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Intent
- Three letters of reference (can be mailed in after application is submitted)
Once your application is submitted, received and reviewed, short listed applicants will be contacted for more information and to set up an interview.
For further information please contact our department:
Fellowship Program Director
Dr. Darius Bagli, MDCM, FRCSC, FAAP, FACS
Dr. Michael Chua, MD, MASr(GH), DPBU, FPUA, FPSPU, FPhilGURS, DRCPSC
Fellowship Program Coordinator
Christine Hays
christine.hays@sickkids.ca
Thank you for considering the Division of Urology at SickKids for your fellowship opportunity. We look forward to reviewing your application!
2025
- Catalina Sanchez
- Maria Camila Moreno Bencardino
- Omar Aljarallah
2024
- Kay Rivera
2023
- Dheidan Alshammari
- Margarita Chancy
2022
- Marisol Lolas
- Thomas De los Reyes
- Priyank Yadav
2021
- Daniel Keefe
- Abdulrahman Alsabban
- Tomer Erlich
2020
- Karen Milford
- Keara De Cotiis
2019
- Fadi Zubi
- Anne-Sophie Blais
2018
- Nicholas Fernandez
- Jessica Hannick
2017
- Michael Chua
- Jessica Ming
2016
- Frank J. Penna
- Linda Lee
2015
- Paul Bowlin
- Fahad Alyami
2014
- Joseph Gleason
- Annette Schroder
2013
- Niki Kanaroglou
- Elias Wehbi
2012
- Rodrigo Romao
- Victor Figueroa
2011
- Bryce Weber
2010
- Kristin Kozakowski
- Angus Alexander
2009
- Katherine Moore
- Bruno Leslie
2008
- Kurt Eeg
- Majid Al-Mandil
2007
- Luis Braga
- Sumit Dave
2006
- Chad Wallis
- Armando Lorenzo
2005
- Lisa Cartwright
- Anthony Cook
2004
- Kourosh Afshar
- Frank Papanikolaou
2003
- John Hodapp
- Sarel Halachmi
2002
- Stephane Bolduc
- Jyoti Upadhyay
2001
- Daniel Herz
- Ashraf Hafez
1999
- Pramod Reddy
- Diego Barreieras
1998
- Jeff Pugach
- JP Capolicchio
1997
- Byron Joyner
1996
- John Van Savage
1995
- Richard Abramson
1994
- Venkata Jayanthi
1993
- Robert Steckler
Contact Urology
The Urology Clinic is located on the 6th floor, Atrium, Ward 6D. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can use the Atrium elevators (near the Terrace Cafe cafeteria) and exit at the fifth floor toward the windows with the walrus and the turtle.
Phone: 416-813-6661
Email: Urology.booking@sickkids.ca
If you are calling to inquire about your child’s referral from your family doctor or preliminary consultation clinic appointment, please dial: 416-813-6661.
Press #1 - Referral Information or email urology.booking@sickkids.ca
Press #2 – Booking Office (no voicemail) or email urology.booking@sickkids.ca
Press #3 – Nursing or email urology.nurses@sickkids.ca
If you are calling to inquire about your child’s surgery please contact the Urology Surgical Booking Department: urology.surgery@sickkids.ca
Address
Urology Clinic, 6th Floor- Ward 6D
555 University Ave
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1X8