Advisory Committees

Dr. Lori Tucker

Dr. Lori Tucker is a Clinical Professor in Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on physical activity in children and youth with JIA, development of shared decision-making in pediatric rheumatology care, and autoinflammatory diseases in children.

She is one of the founding members of the Canadian Alliance of Pediatric Rheumatology Investigators. In addition, she is a passionate advocate for kids with rheumatic diseases and their families, provincially and nationally and as a member of the Cassie & Friends Board.

Dr. Nadia Luca

Dr. Luca is a Paediatric Rheumatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Completing her medical degree in 2006, Dr. Luca went on to paediatric residency and fellowship in paediatric rheumatology at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

She also holds an MSc in Health Services Research and Clinical Epidemiology, and is an active mentor and lecturer to students and residents.

Dr. Roberta Berard

Dr. Roberta Berard is an associate professor of Paediatrics at the University of Western Ontario and the chief of Paediatric Rheumatology at the Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario, Canada. She is also a valued member of the Cassie + Friends Medical Advisory Committee where she helps to provide the most current and evidence-based information to youth and families.

To her patients, Dr. Berard is known for her warmth and passion in providing kids and families affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis, uveitis, and other rheumatic diseases with the best clinical care and treatment options possible.

Dr. Heinrike Schmeling

Dr. Heinrike Schmeling is an Associate Professor with the University of Calgary, as well as a Pediatric Rheumatologist, currently practicing at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Alberta.

She obtained her PhD in 2002 at Humboldt University in Germany, and completed her Medical Specialist in pediatric and adolescent medicine in 2005. Since the beginning of her first academic position at the Alberta Children’s Hospital/University of Calgary in 2009, Dr. Schmeling’s clinical and research activities are focused on personalized medicine and outcome in childhood arthritis and Juvenile Dermatomyositis.

Dr. Schmeling is also the site principle investigator on multiple international clinical trials in childhood arthritis. She has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers and secured multiple funding opportunities for research. Dr. Schmeling is currently serving as chair of the Canadian Alliance of Pediatric Rheumatology Investigators (CAPRI) organization.

Dr. Sara Campillo

Dr. Sarah Campillo is a Pediatric Rheumatologist and assistant professor at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (McGill University Health Centre) since 2005. She has been the director of the pediatric rheumatology residency program at McGill University since 2018.

She is the founder of the Arthritis Society’s Camp ArticulAction (a specialized summer camp for children with rheumatic diseases).

Ian Stedman

Ian Stedman is an autoinflammatory patient, parent, and advocate whose own lifelong symptoms—including unexplained rashes, fevers, joint inflammation, and hearing loss—went undiagnosed for years. When his first daughter began showing similar signs and stopped walking as an infant, Ian took action, combining his legal research skills with medical inquiry to search for answers. His persistence led to a diagnosis for both of them at SickKids: Muckle-Wells Syndrome, a form of Cryopyrin-Associated Autoinflammatory Syndrome (CAPS).

Since then, Ian has become a leading voice in the rare disease community. He serves as a board member of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, co-founded the Canadian Autoinflammatory Network, and chairs the Canadian Systemic Autoinflammatory Patient Advisory Group (Can-SAID). Alongside his advocacy, Ian is a professor at York University, vice chair at CIHR’s Institute of Genetics, and a member of the SickKids research ethics board—while most importantly being a dedicated father to his three daughters.

Sara Ethier

Since early childhood, Sara Ethier’s son experienced recurring illness that evolved into complex symptoms including fevers, rashes, and joint inflammation. After years of medical consultations, he was diagnosed with a form of TRAPS, a rare autoinflammatory condition.

While ongoing treatment has improved his quality of life, the condition continues to affect daily routines and family life. Despite these challenges, Sara’s son has returned to activities he enjoys, including sports and outdoor pursuits.

An educator in Communication and Liberal Arts, Sara is passionate about storytelling as a way to build understanding and awareness of the lived experiences of children and families navigating chronic illness.

Dr. Karim Lalani

Karim’s son, Jamil, began experiencing severe fevers and unexplained symptoms as a toddler, leading to years of complex medical investigations and evolving diagnoses. After ruling out multiple conditions, he was ultimately identified as having a rare autoinflammatory disease.

Following a difficult treatment journey, Jamil was placed on Canakinumab through compassionate access, a turning point that significantly improved his condition and long-term outlook.

Today, Jamil is attending the University of Ottawa. Karim brings this lived experience to support improved care and advocacy for families facing similar challenges.

Jennifer Anaquod

Jennifer Anaquod is the mother of two children with autoinflammatory diseases and a fierce advocate shaped by their journeys. Her son experienced severe, unexplained symptoms from a young age that were initially misdiagnosed, until a visit to BC Children’s Hospital led to a rapid diagnosis of Behçet’s disease. Through this experience, Jennifer became connected with Cassie + Friends and began building community and awareness.

Years later, her daughter was diagnosed with the rare condition atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), requiring an extremely costly life-saving treatment. After facing significant barriers, Jennifer successfully fought for provincial coverage and helped establish a medical review council for high-cost medications. An Indigenous educator and researcher, she continues to advocate for families navigating complex and often invisible health challenges.

Apoorva Vajpayee

Apoorva’s daughter, Anaisha, faced health challenges from birth, including difficulty gaining weight, frequent infections, and, by age two, prolonged unexplained fevers that led to a 30-day hospital stay. Despite extensive testing across multiple specialties, no clear diagnosis was found. Her symptoms—including persistent fevers, foot pain, and low red blood cell counts—were only temporarily managed with prednisone.

Genetic testing eventually confirmed a rare autoinflammatory condition, DADA2—making Anaisha one of only a few diagnosed cases in Canada. Now treated with weekly Enbrel injections, her condition has significantly improved. Throughout the experience, Apoorva balanced hospital life with limited support as a recent immigrant, while drawing strength from her daughter’s resilience and maintaining hope for the future.

Reese Merlin

Reese is a young adult autoinflammatory patient from Ontario who experienced months of unexplained fevers, rashes, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes before being diagnosed with Still’s Disease after multiple ER visits and a hospital stay. Their condition is now in remission with anakinra, though they continue to live with partial hearing loss and other chronic conditions, including hypermobile spectrum disorder and autonomic dysfunction.

A public health nurse with a focus on child health, Reese is passionate about supporting others. Outside of work, they enjoy time with family, friends, and their cats, Zoë and Chloë, and are committed to helping other young people navigate life with chronic illness.