Leanna is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Alberta Children’s Hospital and is currently the Deputy Head of Education for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Calgary. She completed her fellowship and a master’s degree in medical education at the University of Calgary, at a time when pursuing this path was uncommon. Early in her career, she served as Program Director for the Pediatric GI Residency Program —one of her most cherished leadership roles—mentoring trainees who are now successful colleagues across Canada.
Leanna has also served as Assistant Program Director for the Pediatrics Residency Program, twice chaired courses in the Cumming School of Medicine’s undergraduate curriculum and spent ten years as Chair of the Royal College Pediatric Gastroenterology Examination Board, where she continues to serve. She is active nationally and internationally as a faculty member in medical education conferences and was the 2024 recipient of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Education Excellence Award.
Leanna continues to learn and be inspired by trainees every day, guided by her mantra that “the residents of today are the colleagues of tomorrow.” Outside of medicine, she loves traveling, spending time with her family, attending concerts, and eating spicy food. You can often find her at a 6 a.m. spin class—or on the dance floor at night.