Our Stories

Healthier Children. A Better World.™

Email To Friend Email To Friend Print Print
Font Size: Increase Font Size Decrease Font Size

Our Team - Meet Dr. Kirsch

Growing up in Toronto, Dr. Joel Kirsh was familiar with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Little did he realize that one day, he would be part of the world-renowned SickKids cardiology team.

Dr. Joel Kirsch

Dr. Joel Kirsch, Cardiology

Dr. Kirsh is a paediatric cardiac electrophysiologist focusing on heart rhythm abnormalities. However, he didn't initially think his post-secondary education would lead him on this path. Dr. Kirsh started as a biomedical engineer and finished the graduate program at Northwestern University in Chicago. Realizing that he wanted to become a physician, Dr. Kirsh returned to Toronto to attend medical school at the University of Toronto in 1988 and during his rotations at SickKids, he realized he wanted to specialize in paediatrics - more specifically, paediatric cardiology. Dr. Kirsh completed visiting fellowships in both London and Boston and subsequently returned to Toronto again, this time as staff in the Division of Cardiology. He is also cross-appointed in the Cardiac Critical Care program.

He feels that working here has given him an opportunity that he never dreamed was possible. Working here for a number of years has allowed Dr. Kirsh to become involved in many Foundation activities. "A hospital is only as strong as its Foundation keeps it," explains Dr. Kirsh."The Foundation understands the need for the collaboration of researchers and clinicians to ensure the best possible outcome is achieved."

Along with volunteering for Foundation events, Dr. Kirsh has also been a recipient of Foundation support. In 2003, Dr. Kirsh developed and established Camp Oki, a summer camp for kids with heart disease, the first in Canada. Dr. Kirsh realized the need for the initiative, and together with other SickKids staff and the Foundation's support, they established the week-long retreat for cardiac patients.