The Team

Dr. Rikin Patel is consultant pediatrician and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto. Prior to medical school he completed a Masters in Health Policy Planning and Finance from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Currently he works for the Scarborough Health Network (SHN) and a founding member of Markham Kids Clinic. He has been practicing rural pediatric medicine traveling regularly to Timmins, Ontario since 2014. He also works for SHN’s Healthy Outcomes Pediatric Program focusing on a lifestyle approach for pediatric obesity patients.  In 2020 he completed the Plant Based Certificate program through the T Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies at Cornell University. In the spirit of prevention as an approach for children, he advocates to help reduce the risk of heart disease,  obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and fewer asthma flares all through a plant based diet. He is a RYT 200 certified yoga instructor after completing his training in India in 2019 and regularly teaches university students online across Canada. He is passionate about promoting a culture of wellness and resilience within physician and trainee communities through medical improv, meditation and plant-based nutrition.  In addition to yoga and meditation, in his spare time he teaches and trains Shaolin Kung Fu with 35 years of experience.

We’re excited to announce our collaboration with Heyday Therapy. Heyday Therapy is an online video/ phone clinic created in response to the increasing demand for accessible and modern mental health support. Having helped thousands become happier and healthier by improving their quality of life and well-being since 2013, Heyday’s mission remains to create a safe space to help people be themselves. Heyday offers services like mental health assessments, counseling, kids and youth therapy, family and couples therapy, etc, and also CPCA-approved certificate training/programs for professionals – groups or individuals.

Anna Hastings is a practicing IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and Registered Nurse. She graduated from University of Ontario Institute of Technology in 2011 achieving her BScN. She has 11+ years of experience caring for parents and babies in teaching hospitals in the GTA, working in labour and delivery, postpartum, special care nursery and as a lactation consultant. Anna has extensive experience working with an allied health team to help clients reach their goals. She is an expert in her field where colleagues and clients can depend on her support. Anna’s passion is supporting families through their feeding journey.

Susan has over 30 years experience working in level 3 neonatal intensive care units and neonatal follow up programs in Toronto and Hamilton.  She obtained her nutrition degree from the University of Guelph and completed her dietetic internship at Kingston General Hospital.  She has published research examining preterm human milk composition and neonatal growth outcomes.  She co-wrote sections regarding human milk fortification for the Canadian Pediatric Society and Health Canada.  She also has many publications which include papers on Post Discharge Nutrition and Infant Formula. She is a co-founder of the Canadian Neonatal Dietitian Education and Support Network (CndNeoRD) and is recognized by peers for establishing the dietitian role within neonatal intensive care both provincially and nationally.  

A growing body of literature is connecting adequate growth after discharge with improved developmental outcomes.  Recognizing limited access to preterm nutrition expertise in the community, Susan wants address these issues through the provision of support to infants born preterm after discharge from Neonatal Intensive care.

Susan has two grown children her who were exceptionally picky eaters.  She knows first hand the challenges many parents experience trying to feed their families.  She spends some of her time outside work volunteering for the Mississauga Canoe Club as a Board Director.  She spends her summers cheering for her daughter at Sprint Canoe Regatta’s and winter’s downhill skiing.