Tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Lara Hart. I’m a paediatric gastroenterologist with niche expertise in education and in managing patients with Crohn’s and colitis.

How would you explain your job to a friend?

I’m a kids tummy doctor. I talk to kids about anything from stomach aches to what their poops look like. I do gastroscopies and colonoscopies looking for conditions such as celiac disease, inflammation, polyps or allergic disease of the food pipe.

“My patients inspire me.” says Dr. Hart, pictured with two of her young patients.

What is the best part about your work?

I love that I can help treat a child’s condition and make them feel better. I can even objectively re-check their colon and see that their diseases are under good control and everything is healed.

What are the most interesting technologies at Humber?

While not exactly a technology, having a state-of-the-art endoscopy suite at Humber is amazing. It allows me to provide the best care for my patients who are undergoing gastroscopy and colonoscopy.

What inspires you?

My patients inspire me. In my role, I often have to give children the news that they have a lifelong condition and I am always amazed by how resilient they are and how well they are able to handle the situation.

What is one awesome thing you’ve done in the last year?

I would say that developing the Paediatric GI program at Humber River is the awesome thing that I’ve done (as it didn’t exist before). I am able to provide patients with excellent and thorough care, as I have access to the necessary tests, procedures and allied healthcare team members that allow me to manage their conditions.