Now Accepting New Patients with Dr. Irène Mathieu and Dr. Peter Pastolero
- info444274
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Thrive Kids Clinic is accepting new pediatric patients with a referral. Two pediatricians are open: Dr. Irène Mathieu (newborn to adolescent primary care, sleep, child mental health, behavior, Spanish-speaking) and Dr. Peter Pastolero (Adolescent Medicine Sub-Specialist — sports, eating disorders, reproductive health). Newborns are prioritized.
Ask your OB/GYN, midwife, hospital pediatrician, or family doctor to fax a referral to 416-849-2261 or send via Ocean eReferral. We can't accept referrals by phone or email.
Meet the pediatricians
Your provider's referral notes the concern, and we route to whichever doctor fits.
Dr. Irène Mathieu, MD, MPH
Pronounced "ee-WREN". MD from Vanderbilt and MPH from Johns Hopkins. Formerly Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia, where she founded the WAYS Lab for youth mental health research. Certified pediatric sleep consultant and certified bilingual provider in English and Spanish.
Right referral when: newborn handoff, well-child care, sleep regressions or insomnia at any age, Spanish-speaking family, child anxiety / ADHD / mental health, toddler behavior concerns.
Dr. Peter Pastolero
Pediatrician with sub-specialty training in adolescent medicine. Sees young people for comprehensive primary care that bridges pediatrics and adult medicine, with focus on sports medicine, confidential reproductive health, eating disorder support, and teen mental health screening.
Right referral when: adolescent medicine ages 10 to 17, sports / MSK injury, return-to-play decision, eating disorder concern, contraception or STI testing, menstrual disorder, teen depression / anxiety screening.
How to get a referral
A referral is required before we can book your child's first appointment. Ask one of these four providers to send a referral to Thrive Kids Clinic:
Your OB/GYN — during pregnancy or postpartum.
Your midwife — the postpartum handoff is common.
The hospital pediatrician — ask before discharge if you have a newborn.
Your family doctor — well-child care or ongoing primary care.
Two ways your provider can send the referral
Option 1 — Fax to 416-849-2261.
Option 2 — Ocean eReferral. Send via Ocean → (your provider can also search "Thrive Kids Clinic" in Ocean — we're pre-configured).
We cannot accept referrals by phone or email. Even if you call us or email info@thrivekidsclinic.ca, we'll just redirect you back here. The fax or Ocean step is required to start the booking process.
What your provider should write on the referral: For primary care, "well child care" or "ongoing primary care" is the right phrasing. For specialty consults (sleep, anxiety, behavior, sports medicine, etc.), they can write the specific concern.
What happens after the referral is sent
You ask your provider. OB/GYN, midwife, hospital pediatrician at discharge, or family doctor.
They send to Thrive Kids. Fax to 416-849-2261, or send via Ocean eReferral. Phone and email don't work for booking.
We contact you within 5 business days. Typical target. We'll call or email to confirm appointment options.
You book the first visit. Your child must be OHIP-registered. Bring the OHIP card to the appointment.
If 5 business days have passed since the referral was sent and you haven't heard from us, call 416-849-2260 extension 1, Monday to Friday between noon and 6 PM.
Discharging from Michael Garron with a new baby?
Tip: Ask your hospital pediatrician for a referral before you leave the hospital. They can fax it to 416-849-2261 or send via Ocean eReferral while you're still inpatient. Newborns are prioritized for Dr. Mathieu.
We're a 5-minute drive from MGH at 2686 Danforth Avenue. Thrive Kids Clinic has trained or worked with Michael Garron Hospital, SickKids, and the University of Toronto's Department of Family and Community Medicine.
The practical stuff
Hours
Monday 10:00 – 4:00
Tuesday 1:30 – 4:00
Wednesday 7:00 – 7:00
Thursday 10:00 – 5:00
Friday 10:00 – 4:00
Saturday & Sunday — closed
Location
2686 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4C 1L7. About 5 minutes by car from Michael Garron Hospital.
OHIP required
Your child must be registered for Ontario Health Insurance (OHIP) before booking. Not yet registered? Apply via ServiceOntario, then ask your provider to send the referral.
Emergencies
If your child is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For mental-health crisis support in Canada, call 9-8-8.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a referral to become a patient?
Yes. A referral is required before we can book your child's first visit. Your OB/GYN, midwife, hospital pediatrician at discharge, or family doctor can send the referral by fax to 416-849-2261 or via Ocean eReferral.
Can I just email or call to become a patient?
No. We only accept new patients via fax or Ocean eReferral from a provider. If you email or call us, we'll redirect you back to this same step.
How long until we hear back?
We contact families within 5 business days of receiving the referral (typical target). If you haven't heard from us by then, call 416-849-2260 extension 1, Monday to Friday between noon and 6 PM.
Are newborns really prioritized?
Yes. Newborns and time-sensitive concerns are scheduled first with Dr. Mathieu. Older children with referrals are also accepted; newborns just go to the front of the line.
Which doctor will see my child?
Dr. Mathieu sees newborn through adolescent for primary care, sleep, mental health, behavior, and Spanish-speaking families. Dr. Pastolero is the adolescent medicine sub-specialist for teens ages 10 to 17 (sports medicine, eating disorders, reproductive health, teen mental health screening). We route based on what your referring provider notes on the referral.
Does our child need to be registered for OHIP before booking?
Yes. Your child must be registered for OHIP before we can book the first appointment. Bring the OHIP card to the visit.
What if we don't speak English fluently?
Dr. Mathieu speaks Spanish. The wider clinic team also speaks Bengali, Tigrinya, and Farsi, depending on the day. Mention your preferred language when we contact you.
Can Dr. Mathieu or Dr. Pastolero evaluate our child for autism or a genetic condition?
No. Autism diagnostic evaluations and complex genetic syndromes are referred to hospital teams like SickKids or Holland Bloorview. We will help you make that referral and continue to be your child's medical home for everything else.
For referring physicians
OB/GYNs, midwives, hospital pediatricians, and family doctors can fax referrals to 416-849-2261 or send via Ocean eReferral. We close the loop with a consult note. Thrive Kids Clinic has trained or worked with Michael Garron Hospital, SickKids, and U of T DFCM — MGH-affiliated providers can route referrals directly.
Reviewed by Dr. Irène Mathieu, MD, MPH. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
Thrive Kids Clinic · 2686 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4C 1L7 · 416-849-2260 · info@thrivekidsclinic.ca