Annaliese Tisseverasinghe, MD, FRCPC, MSc

Dr. Annaliese Tisseverasinghe obtained her medical degree from Queen’s University, with several medical school honours. After an internal medicine residency at McGill University, she completed a rheumatology fellowship and a masters of clinical epidemiology at the University of Toronto. Prior to medical training, she completed an honours bachelor of science degree in human biology and mathematics at the University of Toronto, graduating with high distinction.

The majority of her time is devoted to patient care in rheumatology clinics, with a special interest in lupus, myositis, and autoimmune disease related to cancer immunotherapy. In addition to rheumatology consult service, she also attends on the g6eneral internal medicine (GIM) clinical teaching unit (CTU) several months a year.  

Dr. Tisseverasinghe is a clinical researcher who is actively involved in numerous multidisciplinary and collaborative research projects. She has an interest in psychosocial factors contributing to clinical outcomes and currently holds an HSC foundation grant to study the association between adverse life experiences and lupus disease activity. She is a member of several national rheumatology research groups aimed at advancing the study of rare/emerging autoimmune diseases, including CIMS and CanRIO, for which she is the Manitoba Lead. Dr. Tisseverasinghe also supervises and mentors medical students and residents in their research endeavours. She collaborates in all research within the section of rheumatology, including CaNIOS (lupus), CATCH and ERA (inflammatory arthritis) cohorts, by helping with patient recruitment, data collection, and reviewing abstracts and manuscripts.

Dr. Tisseverasinghe plays an important role in medical education. As a member of the Rheumatology Program Committee, she participates in the teaching, supervision, and mentorship of rheumatology residents. She created the clinical epidemiology curriculum for rheumatology residents, which she organizes and teaches along with pediatric rheumatologist, Dr. Lily Lim. As supervisor of rotating residents, she co-ordinates the schedules, teaching, and evaluation of off-service (e.g. GIM, physiatry, ophthalmology, and family medicine) residents on rheumatology clinics and consult service. In addition to formal lectures at GIM academic half day, she provides informal teaching to trainees while attending on the CTU. She also contributes to undergraduate medical education, including case-based rounds and joint aspiration and injection training.

Education

• Master of Science, Clinical Epidemiology, IHPME, University of Toronto (2016)
• FRCPC, Rheumatology Residency, University of Toronto (2013)
• FRCPC, Internal Medicine Residency, McGill University (2010)
• Medical Doctorate (MD), Queens University (2006)
• Bachelor of Science (Hons.), Human Biology Specialist, Minor in Mathematics (graduated with high distinction), University of Toronto (2002)

Awards

• Health Sciences Centre Foundation General Operating Grant (2018)
• Future Leaders in Rheumatology Training Program, Canadian Rheumatology Association (2016)
• Poster Award, National Scleroderma Conference (2015)
• Ontario Graduate Scholarships, University of Toronto (2013, 2014)
• School of Graduate Studies Conference Grant, University of Toronto (2014)
• Medical School Honours, Queen’s University (2002)
• Adiel Steacy Memorial Scholarship, Queen’s University (2005)
• Canadian Rheumatology Association-Merck Studentship (2004)
• Human Biology Specialist Silver Medal, University of Toronto (2002)
• Molecular Genetics & Biology Studentships (2001, 2002)
• Dean’s Honour List, University of Toronto (1999)
• Entrance Scholarship, Human Biology Program, University of Toronto (1998)
• University of Toronto Book Award (1998)
• Eli Lilly Biochemistry Scholarship (1998)
• Ontario Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal for Academic Excellence (1997)

ORCID profile

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