Expert answers on wellness, nutrition & self-advocacy

The expert panel members are answering questions about IBD and nutrition, mental health and self-advocacy. Learn what diet works better during a flare up, what are the tips for stress relief, when to seek therapy, how to talk to teachers and employers about your disease, and how to find university accommodation services.

 

Panel Members:

Dr. Sara Ahola Kohut, PhD, CPsych, is a clinical health psychologist with the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Centre at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. She is also an Associate Scientist with the SickKids Research Institute as well as holds appointments at both the Department of Psychiatry and Institutes for Medical Science at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Katherine Prowse, MD, completed her core Pediatric residency training at Northeast Ohio Medical University / Akron Children’s Hospital and Pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship at McMaster University. She concomitantly completed the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s Clinician Investigator Program at McMaster University while pursuing a Masters of Medical Science.

Martha LaFontaine is a Third Year University student from Queen’s University studying Global Development and Sociology. Being diagnosed in grade 10 Crohn’s disease has shaped Martha’s life in ways she could have never imagined. It has taught her how to advocate for herself and others, challenge herself and take her health into her own hands. After being diagnosed she spent time getting engaged with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada which has changed her life.

Krista Uusoue has been working as a nurse in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at the Hospital for Sick Children for the past 30 years. She has been supporting kids and teens from the time they learn that they have IBD to transitioning to adult care. Krista has receiving Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s 2020 Nurse of the Year Award for her commitment to fostering an encouraging community and ensuring her patients thrive throughout their journey with IBD.

Moderator:

Claudia Tersigni was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at the age of 10. While in high school, she began volunteering in clinical IBD research and has been involved with IBD research ever since. In an effort to form deeper connections to the IBD community beyond the realms of research, Claudia began volunteering with her local Crohn’s and Colitis Canada chapter over 5 years ago.

  • Canada has among the highest incidence rates of Crohn's and colitis in the world.
  • 1 in 140 Canadians lives with Crohn’s or colitis.
  • Families new to Canada are developing these diseases for the first time.
  • Incidence of Crohn’s in Canadian kids under 10 has doubled since 1995.
  • People are most commonly diagnosed before age 30.

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