Members
Thuy Mai Luu MDCM MSc FRCP(C)
Director, Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Pediatrician
Thuy Mai Luu is a pediatrician, medical director of CHU Sainte-Justine’s Neonatal Follow-Up Program in Montreal, and Full Professor of Pediatrics at Université de Montréal. Trained at McGill and Université de Montréal, with clinical research training at Brown University and a master’s in epidemiology from McGill, she is a Quebec Health Research Funds clinical research scholar. Her research examines long-term neurodevelopmental and physical outcomes after preterm birth. She has been involved in CNFUN since inception in 2009 and is the director since 2021.
Jehier Afifi MD BCh MSc
Co-Director, Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Neonatologist
Dr. Jehier Afifi is a neonatologist at the IWK Health Centre, clinician at the Nova Scotia Provincial Perinatal Follow-Up Program and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Dalhousie University since 2013. Trained in Egypt and Manitoba, she has completed a master’s at Dalhousie. Her research focuses on brain imaging and neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk preterm infants. She serves as a leading member of EPIQ (Evidence-based Program for Improving Quality). She is the Atlantic representative on CNFUN’s Steering Committee since 2016 and co-director since 2021. She leads the CNFUN database committee.
Rudaina Banihani MD MHPE
Physician Representative (Ontario), Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Steering Committee
Dr. Banihani, Assistant Professor at University of Toronto, staff neonatalogist and director of the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic at Sunnybrook, holds a dual appointment in neonatology and developmental pediatrics. She holds a master’s in medical education from Maastricht University and has additional epidemiology training from Harvard. Her research focuses on preterm behavioral phenotypes, autism, cerebral palsy and communication in difficult settings. She is one of the leaders of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination implementation initiative.
Karen Thomas MD FRCPC
Physician Representative (Ontario), Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Steering Committeet
Dr. Karen Thomas is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at McMaster University and director of the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic at McMaster Children’s Hospital. She is dual trained as a neonatologist and developmental pediatrician from McMaster, Queen’s University and University of Toronto. Dr Thomas advocates for preterm and neurologically diverse infants. She is interested in the early identification of neurodevelopmental differences and is one of the leaders of the the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination implementation initiative for early cerebral palsy detection.
Florencia Ricci MD PhD
Physician Representative (Manitoba), Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Steering Committee
Dr. Florencia Ricci is a developmental pediatrician at the University of Manitoba’s Child Development Clinic and clinician scientist at Children’s Research Institute of Manitoba. Trained at the University of Alberta, she co-directs the Manitoba Neonatal Follow-up Program. Her research focuses on neurodevelopmental outcomes in children born preterm, with congenital heart disease, and with complex conditions, with a specific interest in autism.
Matthew Hicks MD PhD
Physician Representative (Alberta), Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Steering Committe
Dr. Matthew Hicks is a neonatologist, developmental pediatrician, and perinatal epidemiologist, serving as Associate Professor and Divisional Director of Neonatal-Perinatal Care at the University of Alberta. He holds the Stollery/Variety Pediatric Clinical Research Professorship. His research examines prenatal exposures, early developmental outcomes, and prematurity, using different approaches including implementation science.
Jarred Garfinkle MDCM MSc FRCPC
Physician Representative (Quebec), Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Steering Committee
Dr. Jarred Garfinkle is a neonatologist, neonatal follow-up physician, and serves as director of the Neonatal Neurocritical Care at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. He is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at McGill University. Co-Chair of EPIQ Brain Health, his research spans antenatal corticosteroids, post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation, and neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm birth.
Jill Zwicker PhD OT
Occupational Therapy Representative (British Columbia), Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Steering Committee
Dr. Jill Zwicker holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Brain Development and Rehabilitation and is Professor at the University of British Columbia, with appointments in Developmental Pediatrics and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. With 35 years as an occupational therapist, she’s an international expert in Developmental Coordination Disorder, researching its causes and rehabilitation outcomes. She is serving on CNFUN’s Steering Committee since 2016.
Marie-Noëlle Simard PhD OT
Occupational Therapy Representative (Québec), Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Steering Committee
Dr. Marie-Noelle Simard is an occupational therapist, Full Professor at Université de Montréal’s School of Rehabilitation, and researcher at CHU Sainte-Justine Azrieli Research Center. Her CIHR-funded research focuses on developmental screening in preterm infants and children with congenital heart disease. She examines neonatal biomarkers and standardized clinical tests for early identification of developmental delay in children.
Arsalan Butt MSc
Clinical Research Leader Representative (British Columbia), Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Steering Committee
Arsalan is a Clinical Research and Data Operations Leader at BC Women’s Hospital’s Neonatal Follow-Up Program, where he has worked for the past 17 years. With over 20 years of healthcare experience and advanced training in computer science and applied science, he oversees clinical research operations, data management, and research administration. His work focuses on developing and maintaining research databases, ensuring data quality and integrity, supporting regulatory and ethics processes, and translating complex data into actionable clinical and research strategies that advance program excellence and patient outcomes.
Isabelle Lahaie MSc
National Coordinator, Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network
Isabelle Lahaie has spent over 25 years at CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center. She holds a bachelor’s in Biological Sciences, a Master’s in Pharmacology from Université de Montréal, and a graduate degree in management from HEC Montréal. With expertise in project management, lab coordination, and grant administration, she’s contributed to 25+ publications. She is the National Coordinator of CNFUN since October 2024.
Past Members
Anne Synnes (2009-2026) MDCM MHSc FRCPC
Founding Director & Past Director, Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network
Lindsay Colby (2018-2026) RN BScN MSN
Nursing Representative (British Columbia), Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network Steering Committee