Meet Kathleen and learn more about allergies at back to school time.

What is your role at Winterberry, and what does a typical day look like for you?

As a Physician Assistant and Clinical Educator at Winterberry, a typical day involves supporting the team, developing educational content, and ensuring we are up to date with evolving guidelines, such as recent changes to colon cancer screening in Ontario.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working with Winterberry patients and families?

Prior to joining Winterberry nine years ago, I worked in an acute care setting with brief patient contact. At Winterberry, we are fortunate to support patients and families through many life transitions, over years and even generations.

I value our ability to support our patients and advocate for them. I also really enjoy seeing patients achieve goals that I know will benefit their health long-term, like quitting smoking or improving their diabetes management.

With kids heading back to school, why is this an important time for families managing anaphylaxis to review their plan?

Back to school is an obvious landmark on the calendar to review anaphylaxis management plans and check prescriptions for expiration dates.

Children may be entering a new environment where they, along with their caregivers or educators, need to feel empowered and confident to act in the event of an anaphylactic reaction.

I would encourage all patients and families managing allergies to familiarize themselves with the Food Allergy Canada website. They currently have an amazing and thorough Back-to-School 2026 program available.

How can Winterberry help families prepare for school, sports, field trips and other activities when a child is at risk of anaphylaxis?

Winterberry providers can counsel families on recognizing and treating anaphylaxis, create an anaphylaxis plan, provide prescriptions, refer to an allergist if needed, and complete plans or documentation required for schools or childcare settings.

What is something you would like people who don’t live with a child with a serious allergy to know?

Anaphylaxis is a serious event with the risk of fatality if it is not promptly recognized and treated.

Children and adolescents need the adults around them to set a supportive and empathetic tone so they feel safe sharing their allergy history and understand the importance of always carrying their epinephrine device.

Is there a myth about anaphylaxis you hear often and would like to debunk?

The main myth worth debunking is: “I don’t need my EpiPen with me at all times.”

Anaphylaxis can be variable and unpredictable. Anyone with a history of anaphylaxis should always have an easily accessible epinephrine device.

Additionally, if you are concerned someone is experiencing anaphylaxis, don’t hesitate to act. Anaphylaxis can progress quickly, and epinephrine is the first-line treatment.

When you’re not at Winterberry working with patients, what will we find you doing?

When I’m not at Winterberry, I am like most working parents — busy chauffeuring my children to one event, party, game or practice after another!

When there is any free time, I can usually be found reading. I normally have a few books on the go. I always need an audiobook for driving and am currently listening to Fellowship Point, which has been an enjoyable long listen.

Otherwise, I am labouring through The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire as a challenge and enjoying The Brontës, the definitive history of the Brontë sisters and their family.