Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology

We provide care to children and adolescents with gynecologic concerns.

Our program

The Division of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology at BC Children’s Hospital diagnoses and treats common and complex gynecologic conditions in children and adolescents, both inpatients and outpatients. We are a teaching centre and are lucky to have trainee medical staff who enhance the quality of care for our patients.

Patients need a referral (PDF download) from a physician or a nurse practitioner to be referred to our outpatient clinic.

Common reasons for consultation

Menstrual pain
Chronic pelvic pain
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Menstrual management in girls with disabilities
Contraceptive counselling
Early and late puberty
Fertility preservation
Gender services
Congenital anomalies of the reproductive tract

Our team

Our dedicated and experienced team of health care professionals works diligently to create a safe, compassionate and healing environment for you and your child. We are a teaching centre and are lucky to have trainee medical staff who enhance the quality of care for our patients. In addition to our gynecologists, you may encounter a medical student, resident physician or clinical fellow during your visit.

Dr. Debra Millar (division head)

Dr. Debra Millar, MD, FRCSC, completed her MD degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC) after having completed a BSc in Zoology, also at UBC. She spent a short time in the practice of family medicine before returning to UBC to complete a residency in obstetrics and gynecology.

Following her certification in the specialities of obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Millar moved to Toronto, Ontario to complete a clinical fellowship training program at the Hospital for Sick Children in the subspecialty area of paediatric and adolescent gynecology.

Dr. Millar returned to Vancouver to practice general obstetrics and gynecology as well as subspecialty services for the province of B.C. in paediatric and adolescent gynecology at BC Children’s Hospital.

Her areas of interest in paediatric and adolescent gynecology are in the management and treatment of individuals with Müllerian anomalies, providing care and support for individuals with differences in sex development, treating bleeding abnormalities and complex contraception needs in adolescents.

Dr. Millar is a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UBC and division head of pediatric gynecology in the Department of Pediatric General Surgery at BC Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Ellen Giesbrecht

Dr. Ellen Giesbrecht, MD, FRCSC, completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of British Columbia. She pursued extra training in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Giesbrecht has been on staff at BC Children's Hospital since July of 1998.

In addition to her work with BC Children's Hospital, Dr. Giesbrecht is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UBC.

Dr. Tara Justice

Dr. Tara Justice completed medical school at the University of Toronto. She subsequently moved to Vancouver where she completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at UBC. She was the recipient of the Hamilton Wadman award in her final year.

Dr. Justice completed her fellowship in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at the University of Calgary. She enjoys providing care to the full breadth of pediatric gynecology patients, including those with complex medical needs and Müllerian anomalies. Dr. Justice also provides care to patients who identify as non-binary or transgender.

In addition to working at BC Children’s Hospital, Dr. Justice provides care closer to home for our patients living in Fraser Health. She provides care to both adults and children at Surrey Memorial Hospital and Amara Women’s Health Clinic. Dr. Justice is an active member of the UBC Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology as a clinical assistant professor.

Fraser Health Dr. Nicole Todd

Dr. Nicole Todd, MD, FRCSC, completed residency in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Following residency, she completed a fellowship in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology at the University of Ottawa.

Additionally, she has received a health care education scholars program diploma from the Academy for Innovation in Medical Education at the University of Ottawa. More recently, she has completed the PHSA Quality Improvement Cohort Program and the UBC Sauder Physician Leadership Program.

Dr. Todd is an active member of the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology as a clinical associate professor.

Dr. Aalia Sachedina

Dr. Aalia Sachedina completed medical school and residency training at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She was the recipient of the Friedman Award for Scholars in Health from UBC, the Detweiler Travelling Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada and the Allen-Carey Scholarship in Women's Health from the London Health Sciences Institute.

Dr. Sachedina completed a fellowship in pediatric and adolescent gynaecology at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Her interests include the gynaecologic care of survivors of childhood cancer (including oncofertility), the surgical management of Müllerian anomalies, complex contraception and care of patients with differences in sexual development.

In addition to being on the medical staff at BC Women's Hospital, BC Children's Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital, Dr. Sachedina is a clinical assistant professor at the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Your visit

Referral (PDF download) for our clinic is open to all physicians and nurse practitioners in British Columbia.

Telephone consultations are available to assist the care of children unable to travel to Vancouver for assessment and treatment.

Preparing for your clinic visit

The Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology clinic occurs every Wednesday in the Ambulatory Care Building, Area 5, first floor (directly across from Starbucks).

Please bring a list of current and previous medications with you, including topical creams and previous forms of contraception, if available.

If your visit is for menstrual concerns, it is useful to keep track of your period in the weeks/months preceding your appointment and to bring a menstrual calendar to your appointment.

Allow extra time for parking when coming to your appointment. Valet parking is conveniently located in front of the entrance to emergency, which is very close to our clinic. The cost for the valet service is included in the regular parking fee; there is no extra valet charge.

We are a teaching institution and your child might be seen by a medical student or resident in addition to a BC Children's Hospital dermatologist. If you have any concerns about this, please let us know at check-in.

Preparing for your surgery

If you are coming in for a surgery or procedure, please visit our procedures and surgical services page to learn about how best to prepare for your visit.

Resources

Helpful websites

The North American Society for Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology: Useful resources for both patients and health care professionals (including review articles and clinical recommendations)
The BC centre for vulvar health: Information about vulvar pain and other vulvar conditions for patients and physicians
Bedsider: Resources for adolescents with questions about sexual health and contraception

Patient handouts

The following PDF downloads have been made available by The North American Society for Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology:

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