Adolescent Medicine

Adolescent Medicine

Based at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the Section of Adolescent Medicine provides specialized care to adolescents aged 12-23.

Our dedicated and growing section includes three subspecialists, who focus on the comprehensive assessment and treatment of complex adolescent health issues.

We provide excellence in clinical care through the following modes:

  • Eating Disorder Program: Includes outpatient, day program and inpatient consultations
  • Calgary Adolescent Treatment Services (C.A.T.S) Clinic: Integrative health service for youth experiencing homelessness
  • Youth Health Program: For youth and their families with special healthcare needs and complex undiagnosed medical conditions
  • Metta Clinic: Providing consultation and transitional services to transgender adolescents
  • Somatic Rehabilitation Clinic: Medical consultation within an interdisciplinary team that addresses the youth with Somatic Symptom Disorder holistically
  • Community Outreach of Pediatrics and Psychiatry in Education (COPE): Providing school-based assessment, treatment and referral of youth struggling with medical or emotional issues impacting success at school
  • Adolescent consult requests from various pediatric subspecialists
  • Education at all levels, including undergraduate (UME), postgraduate (PGME), and continuing medical education (CME)
  • Ongoing research in various areas of adolescent health
  • Advocacy for adolescent issues - including liaising with our communities, media and academic groups - to promote public awareness on local and international levels

A physician referral is required for all clinics. Please contact your physician or family doctor.

The section promotes ongoing research in collaboration within the Department of Pediatrics and with our partners.

Research interests include:

Dr. April Elliott

  • Eating disorders: Family Based Treatment and Atypical Anorexia Nervosa, Compulsivity and Anorexia Nervosa
  • Substance Use: Opioid use in youth
  • Youth experiencing homelessness and their experience with inter-sectoral services
  • Emerging Adults and Mental Health

Dr. Jorge Pinzon

  • Eating disorders: The Calgary Eating Disorders Program: referrals, knowledge, and perception patterns Phase 1
  • Transition to adult care for youth and young adults with chronic health conditions

Dr. Ellie Vyver

  • Eating Disorders: Compulsivity and Anorexia Nervosa, Family Based Treatment and Atypical AN, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Children and Adolescents
  • Substance Abuse: Cannabis, Vaping

Research

For information about elective opportunities for medical students and clinical clerks click here.

The Department of Pediatrics does not currently have a PGME program in Adolescent Medicine. For contact information regarding resident electives please click here.

Education & Training

Dr. April Elliott
Dr. Jorge Pinzon
Dr. Ellie Vyver (Interim Section Chief)