Canadian Pediatric Dermatology Primer
Delta Dartmouth, Dartmouth, NS
September 11, 2027
Conference Background
The Canadian Pediatric Dermatology Primer is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of primary health care practitioners in diagnosing and managing skin conditions in children. First held in Saskatoon in 2025, the CPD Primer was developed and presented by Board-Certified Dermatologists to provide practical, evidence-based education to support front-line healthcare providers in delivering high-quality pediatric dermatologic care across Canada.
The 2027 conference will take place in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, bringing this unique educational opportunity to Atlantic Canada. Like many regions across the country, Atlantic Canada continues to experience challenges in accessing dermatology services, particularly for children living in rural, remote, and underserved communities. Long wait times for specialist consultation and geographic barriers to care mean that many common pediatric skin conditions—including atopic dermatitis, infantile hemangiomas, acne, and infectious skin diseases—are diagnosed and managed by family physicians, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, emergency physicians, and other front-line healthcare professionals.
The Canadian Pediatric Dermatology Primer provides attendees with practical, high-yield learning from pediatric dermatology experts, equipping clinicians with the confidence and knowledge to diagnose and manage common and complex skin conditions while recognizing when specialist referral is needed. The conference also fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals from across Canada, encouraging the exchange of best practices and strengthening networks that support pediatric skin health.
We are pleased to welcome participants to Dartmouth for an informative and engaging day of learning. Together, we can improve access to timely, evidence-based dermatologic care for children and support better outcomes for pediatric patients and their families nationwide.
Why Attend?
- Gain insights from top Canadian dermatologists specializing in pediatric dermatology.
- Enhance your ability to manage a wide range of pediatric skin conditions.
- Network with fellow primary care practitioners and dermatology experts.
Who Should Attend
- Dermatologists
- General practitioners
- Family physicians
- Pediatricians
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Pharmacists
- Medical trainees
Committee Members
Jérôme Coulombe, MD, FRCPC, DABD, Montréal, QC
Peter Green, MD, FRCPC, Halifax, NS
Joseph Lam, MD, FRCPC, Vancouver, BC
Irene Lara-Corrales, MD, M.SC, Toronto, ON
Alexandra Pennal, MD, Toronto, ON
Michele Ramien, MD, FRCPC, Calgary, AB
Irina Turchin, MD, FRCPC, Fredericton, NB
Canadian Pediatric Dermatology Primer
Delta Dartmouth Hotel
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Saturday, September 11, 2027
As of October 26, 2026
8:00am – 3:00pm
REGISTRATION
Welcome and Introduction
9:05am – 10:10am
Session 1
Diaper dermatitis: Getting to the bottom of things
Dr. Joseph Lam
Infantile hemangiomas (and other vascular birthmarks): Seeing Red
Dr. Sheenagh Luijk
Congenital nevi and birthmarks: Spot on!
Dr. Peter Green
Questions and Answers
10:10am – 10:40am
10:40am – 11:45am
Session 2
10:40am – 10:56am
Atopic dermatitis basic primer: Itching for Answers
Dr. Alexandra Pennal
10:56am – 11:12am
Atopic dermatitis: complex issues: Getting under the skin
Dr. Irina Turchin
11:12am – 11:28am
Alopecia in Children: Getting to the root of the problem
Dr. Laura Cossio
11:28am – 11:45am
Questions and Answers
11:45am – 12:45pm
12:45pm – 1:45pm
Session 3
12:45pm – 1:01pm
Rash Decisions! An approach to common acute rashes: See Spot Run!
Dr. Natalie Cunningham
1:01pm – 1:17pm
Mollusca and warts : can we win the war? Going viral
Dr. Jérôme Coulombe
1:17pm – 1:33pm
Pediatric Skin Procedure Pearls: Tips for Tiny Tots
Dr. Michele Ramien
1:33pm – 1:45pm
Questions and Answers
1:45pm – 2:15pm
COFFEE BREAK & EXHIBITS
2:15pm – 2:55pm
Session 4
2:15pm – 2:31pm
Acne Vulgaris: What’s zit all about
Dr. Ashley Sutherland
2:31pm – 2:47pm
Acne-like rashes: Looks can be deceiving
Dr. Irene Lara-Corrales
2:47pm – 2:55pm
Questions and Answers
2:55pm – 3:00pm
Conclusion and Closing Comments
SPEAKERS
Updates to be announced shortly.
Sponsors
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor and would like the opportunity to showcase your latest dermatological innovations to local primary care practitioners, please contact us for more information: [email protected]
Contact Us
For more information, please contact the Conference Secretariat:
Dr. Laura Cossio
Dr. Laura Cossio…
Dr. Jerome Coulombe
Dr. Natalie Cunningham
Dr. Natalie Cunningham…
Dr. Peter Green
Dr. Peter Green…
Dr. Joseph Lam
Dr. Joseph Lam…
Dr. Irene Lara-Corrales
Dr. Irene Lara-Corrales is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and a staff physician in Pediatric Dermatology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.
She completed her medical training and pediatric residency at the University of Costa Rica, in San Jose, Costa Rica and her pediatric dermatology training at the Hospital for Sick Children. She obtained a Master in Science degree from the University of Toronto.
She is involved in numerous clinical and research endeavours, as well as in teaching commitments. She co-directs the Genodermatoses, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Vascular Tumors and Café-au-Lait Screening clinics at SickKids. She is currently the Pediatric Dermatology Research Lead at SickKids. Her research interests include genodermatoses, inflammatory diseases and vascular anomalies.
Dr. Sheenagh Luijk
Dr. Sheenagh Luijk…
Dr. Alexandra Pennal
Dr. Alexandra Pennal…
Dr. Michele Ramien
Dr. Michele Ramien is a first generation Canadian whose immigrant parents’ experiences and examples of grit inspired to work for equity and excellence. She completed undergraduate (2000) and postgraduate (2003) training then medical school (2008) at McGill University, dermatology residency in Toronto and Ottawa (2013), and a pediatric dermatology fellowship at CHU Ste-Justine (2014).
In the years since, she has leveraged the exposures and knowledge she gained from diverse Canadian and international preceptors to foster trainees in her academic roles as an Assistant then Associate Professor at the Universities of Ottawa then Calgary. She is inspired by the ‘aha’ moments of her trainees and finds joy in continuing to learn with them.
Dr. Ramien has research interests in eczema, genodermatoses, and severe skin reactions and a strong publication history. She enjoys the challenge of creating a ‘good talk’ that translates complex science into digestible tidbits, and is frequently invited to speak at home and abroad.
Leadership roles have also been a large part of Dr. Ramien’s career trajectory where she has endeavoured to live into the values of excellence and equity.
She currently lives in Calgary with her husband, 3 sons, and 3 dogs and escapes to forest bathe and ski in the nearby Rocky Mountains as often as she can.
Dr. Ashley Sutherland
Dr. Ashley Sutherland…
Dr. Irina Turchin
Dr. Turchin has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta. She did her medical training at the University of Calgary and completed Dermatology residency at McGill University. Dr. Turchin is board certified in Dermatology in both, Canada and United States.
Dr. Turchin has been practicing dermatology in New Brunswick since 2009. She is a Medical Director at the Brunswick Dermatology Center in Fredericton, NB. Dr. Turchin holds memberships with Canadian Dermatology Association, American Academy of Dermatology and European Academy of Dermatology. She continuously keeps herself up-to-date with the latest medical discoveries by attending and presenting at the national and international conferences and scientific meetings.
Dr. Turchin is interested in medical innovation and is involved in phase I-IV clinical trials. She has been a primary investigator for over 80 clinical trials covering skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, lupus, palmar-plantar pustulosis, prurigo nodularis and urticaria. She has co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Turchin is committed to medical education as Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University. She preceptors medical learners and commonly presents on dermatology topics to other physicians.