ABOUT
A pediatrician is a specialist in the care of babies, children, and youth. Pediatricians complete a minimum of 4 years of specialty training (called residency) after they finish 4 years of medical school and may have additional training or expertise beyond that. Some pediatricians are sub-specialists which means they have completed a fellowship (additional 2-3 years of training) in a specific area, for example, pediatric rheumatology.
Pediatricians see referred patients to consult and advise on a particular question or issue asked by a family physician or primary care provider. It may be a one time visit, or may include long term follow up for a defined set of problems, but does not replace all health care needs.
At Hillside Pediatrics we are consultant pediatricians. This means that we do not provide routine services such as well-baby exams, check-ups, or immunizations. We do not do pre-op assessments, nor do we provide emergency or sick visits in the office.
When we are not working in the office we are working as part of a larger group providing care 24 hours a day 7 days a week at Victoria General Hospital. Some of us work in other specialized clinics as well through Island Health or elsewhere. We are a clinical teaching site and involved in teaching medical students and residents at the local medical school (UBC’s Island Medical Program), at the hospital and in the office. You may see a medical student or resident doctor as part of your visit. We also use our expertise to advocate for children on various local, provincial, and national committees.
Referral Policy for Pediatric Care
To ensure timely and appropriate care, we require a new referral from your family doctor for each specific health concern. Referrals (in person or virtual) can be from physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners, or other specialists if you do not have a primary care provider.
What does this mean?
- Active Referral: If your child is being seen for a condition like autism, we need an active referral on file for that specific issue.
- New Concerns: If a new, unrelated health issue arises—such as asthma or a skin condition—a new referral is necessary.
Why is this important?
According to the Medical Services Plan (MSP) guidelines, each referral is linked to a specific health concern. Once a consultation is completed and the patient is discharged, a new referral is required for any subsequent issues. This ensures that specialists have the necessary information to provide the best care for each unique concern.
How to proceed:
- Contact your family doctor (or approved care provider) to discuss your child’s new health concern.
- Request a referral to the appropriate specialist.
- Submit the referral to our office, and we will assist in scheduling the appointment.
This process helps us provide focused and effective care for each of your child’s health needs.
OUR STAFF
Dr. Jennifer Balfour, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Balfour holds a medical degree from the University of Alberta and has successfully completed her pediatric residency, along with an additional year of fellowship training in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at British Columbia Children’s Hospital. Her extensive experience includes practicing in Comox and Nanaimo, with over 15 years in Victoria. She recognizes the complexity of medical and developmental challenges that a generalist consultant pediatrician encounters, encompassing conditions such as eczema, diabetes, endocrine disorders, autism, chronic complex medical issues, and ailments related to asthma, headaches, growth, and recurrent infections. Dr. Balfour prioritizes medical education, community involvement, and advocacy. Beyond managing her practice, she serves as the Co-Medical Director of Ambulatory Care for Island Health, supervises medical students in Victoria, and directs the local Pediatric Residency Program. Additionally, Dr. Balfour is an active member of the Centre for Health Promotion with the Doctors of BC committee, dedicated to fostering system change and health promotion for society’s vulnerable populations. She has been honored with a Clinical Faculty Award for Excellence in Leadership/Service by the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Roxana Bolaria, MD, FRCPC Pediatrics and Pediatric Rheumatology
Dr. Bolaria grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where she completed her medical school education at the University of Saskatchewan. She pursued a residency in general pediatrics in Saskatoon and completed residency training at McGill at the Montreal Children’s Hospital which also included a final year fellowship in Intensive Ambulatory Care. Dr. Bolaria went on to do a pediatric rheumatology fellowship at BC Children’s Hospital. She has lived in Victoria and enjoyed a pediatric rheumatology and general consulting pediatric practice here since May 2002. Her current practice is focused primarily on pediatric rheumatology. She also works at the Victoria Arthritis Centre as part of a multidisciplinary team in caring for children with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Dr. Bolaria is a member of the Canadian Alliance of Pediatric Rheumatology Investigators (CAPRI) and collaborates on clinical research with her colleagues from across Canada.
Dr. Lauren Kitney, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Kitney received her medical degree from the University of Alberta and completed her training in Pediatrics at the University of Toronto/The Hospital for Sick Children. She works as a consultant general pediatrician seeing children with a wide range of medical and developmental problems from newborns to adolescents. She provides a range of services in our community including hospital work at Victoria General Hospital and working in the multidisciplinary cleft lip and palate clinic at Queen Alexandra Centre. In addition to running her practice, Dr. Kitney is the Island medical program Director of Clinical Skills. She has an interest in medical education and works closely with medical students and residents teaching, evaluating, and providing mentorship. She is the Workplace-based Assessment Lead for the MD Undergraduate Program at UBC. She is an active member of various committees within the hospital, university, and beyond and has a special interest in literacy promotion.
Dr. Brett Schrewe, MDCM, MA, FRCPC
A proud Islander since 2018, Dr. Schrewe received his MDCM from McGill University and completed his first three years of pediatric residency at the Montréal Children’s Hospital. He also holds a PhD in medical education. After heading to Vancouver originally to complete a clinical educator fellowship and an MA in interdisciplinary studies at UBC, he ended up staying and completed residency at BC Children’s Hospital. Brett splits his professional time between life as a consultant general pediatrician and research, teaching, and mentoring in medical education. He is a founding executive member of the Canadian Association for Health Humanities, and as a board member for RésoSanté Colombie-Britannique, is pleased to offer clinical services in French to members of the growing Franco-Columbian community.
Jonathan Alves, Office Manager
Born and raised in Brazil, Jonathan earned a degree in Graphic Design with an emphasis on Social Communication. Before moving to Canada, he worked as an Administrative Manager for a non-profit organization in São Paulo dedicated to improving access to public services for people in vulnerable situations. In 2023, he began a new chapter in Canada and discovered a true passion for the medical field. He is proud to be part of a team that supports the care and well-being of children, youth, and families every day. In his free time, he enjoys going to the movies, exploring new cafés and restaurants, and spending quality time with his husband.
Hillside Pediatrics 