Rheumatology

Keeping kids moving

The Department of Pediatrics’ Division of Rheumatology provides services to Maritime children with a suspected or diagnosed childhood rheumatic disease. We emphasize research, as well as undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education.

Clinical activities

We work closely with the IWK Health Centre’s rheumatology team to support Maritime pediatric patients with a suspected or diagnosed childhood rheumatic disease. These diseases include chronic childhood arthritis, one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting children, as well as serious diseases like:

• systemic lupus erythematosus
• juvenile dermatomyositis
• other connective tissue diseases
• various forms of systemic vasculitis  

Frequently, we assess children with more mysterious ailments, including:

• musculoskeletal symptoms of unknown etiology
• inflammatory symptoms of unknown etiology
• musculoskeletal symptoms associated with another underlying disease



Our clinical activities are comprehensive. They include:

• rheumatology outpatient clinics
• coverage of the rheumatology inpatient service
• coverage of the medical day unit rheumatology service
• travelling clinics
• specialty clinics including the comprehensive bleeding disorder clinics and transition clinics
• on-call coverage 


Teaching activities

Our teaching activities span the full range of education, beginning with teaching classes in undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education programs and ending with public education and advocacy.

Our undergraduate teaching includes participation in Med 2 Case-Based Learning, Med 2 Patient Doctor unit, and the Med 2 MSK/DERM unit.

Electives are offered to Med 3 and 4 students, as well as:

• pediatric residents
• residents in psychiatry and ophthalmology
• adult rheumatology subspecialty residents
• occasional fellows in other subspecialties, like nephrology and neurology

We also participate in resident academic half-day teaching, as well as regular division academic rounds and a periodic journal club with the Division of Adult Rheumatology.

Research interests

Research is one of our main priorities. This work is critically intertwined with our clinical care—finding new information on causes and optimal treatment for our patients is necessary. Research strengths include:

• juvenile dermatomyositis
• juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA)
• steroid-induced osteoporosis
• Kawasaki disease
• transition of care from the pediatric to the adult service

Our people

• Dr. Adam Huber, MD, FRCPC 
(Division Head)
  
• Dr. Bianca Lang, MD, FRCPC
• Dr. Chelsea DeCoste, MD, FRCPC
  
• Dr. Suzanne Ramsey, MD, FRCPC (Post-Retired)
  
• Dr. Elizabeth Stringer, MD, FRCPC

Contact info

Email: adam.huber@iwk.nshealth.ca
Phone: 902-470-8827
Fax: 902-470-7217

Address:
IWK Health Centre
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
5850/5980 University Avenue
Halifax, NS  B3K 6R8