inspiring research – because every patient matters” launch... · “inspiring research –...

“Inspiring research – because every patient matters”

Launch Celebration | September 22, 2011 | Program

2 E s c a r p m E n t CanCer reSearCh I n s t I t u t E

Launch CelebrationE s c a r p m E n t CanCer reSearCh I n s t I t u t E

Thursday, September 22, 2011atrium,Juravinskicancercentre|10:30a.m.–noon

AgendaWeLCome

Dr. Bill evans,President, Juravinski Cancer Centre

murray T. martin, President & CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences

Dr. John Kelton, Dean & Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

remarKS anD InTroDuC TIonS of The eCrI SCIenTISTS

Dr. mark Levine,Founding Scientific Director, Escarpment Cancer Research InstituteProfessor and Chair, Department of Oncology, McMaster UniversityHead, Cancer Research, Hamilton Health Sciences Dr.andrewarnold Dr.anitaBane Dr.melissaBrouwers Dr.DeniseBryant-Lukosius Dr.LaurieElit Dr.HalHirte Dr.sebastienHotte Dr.rosalynJuergens professorJimJulian Dr.peterKavsak Dr.Gregorypond Dr.Hsienseow Dr.markosimunovic Dr.Jonathansussman Dr.timothyWhelan

aDJournmenT & refreShmenTS

“ Inspiring research – because ever y pat ient mat ters” 3

hamilton has a long tradition of research and discovery and, as this community evolves to become a leading centre of technological innovation, our health care research programs are stronger than ever. Today we are marking an important milestone in one of those programs.

sixteen scientists (11 of whom are practicing clinicians at the Juravinski Hospital and cancercentre) who have dedicated their careers to advancing cancer research are joining forces toformtheEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitute.theseindividualsareamongstthebestintheirfieldsandeachofthemisalreadymakingadifference.togethertheywillbeabletobuildontheirsharedexperienceandexpertisetoachievenewgoalsacrossthecancerresearchspectrum.

thisInstitutehasbecomearealitywiththesupportandvisionofmanypeople.Dr.markLevineandhisEcrIcolleagueshave inspiredHamiltonHealthsciencesandmcmasteruniversity toenhancetheprofileof cancer researchby focusing itat the Juravinski site.thiswillenable themtomovelaboratory researchfindings into the clinicmoreeffectively,deliverbetter treatments topatientsmorequickly,andoptimizethetranslationofresearchfindingswithinourLHIn.thatimpactwillbefeltfarbeyondthiscommunityandthisregion.theInstitute,whichiscurrentlylocatedinthecentreoftheJuravinskicampus,willalsoplayakeyroleinthedevelopmentoftheacademicprofileofourorganization.

murray T. martinPresident & CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences


Message from Murray T. Martin


The escarpment Cancer research Institute capitalizes not just on hamilton’s largest geographic point of interest, but also on the city’s unique advantages, to be large enough to attract world-class researchers and clinicians but small enough to encourage effective and innovative interdisciplinary teamwork that will inspire trailblazing research.

thisistherighttimeformcmasteruniversity,HamiltonHealthsciencesandtheJuravinskicancercentre tobring together theirwell-establishedandsuccessfulcancer researchgroups,aswellasnewlyestablishedoneswithpromiseinordertoembraceandgrowtheopportunitiesforsynergiesinresearch.

theserangefrom:thestudyofpatienttumorsamplesinthelaboratorytoidentifynewtargetsfortherapyandnewmarkerswhichwillpredictwhether treatmentwillworkornot; toclinical trialsofnoveltherapiesandtechnologies;tohealthservicesresearchonqualityofcareandknowledgetranslation.thekeyisthatanyoneoftheInstitute’sresearchthemeswilldirectlyresultinbettercareatthebedside.theInstitutewillalsoprovidefertilegroundforthe importanttrainingofthenextgenerationofstudentsandresearchers.

ItisapleasuretodaytoapplaudtheworkofDr.markLevineandhisnewteamastheyreachtowardsnewheightsofaccomplishment.

Dr. John KeltonDean and Vice-PresidentFaculty of Health SciencesMcMaster University

Message from John Kelton



thesewordsresonatedwiththe16scientistswhometlastJunetodiscussavisionfortheEscarpmentcancer research Institute (EcrI). this is our belief and the beacon that guides our research. ascliniciansandresearchers,weunderstandthetollcancertakesonourpatientsandtheirfamilies.throughresearchandthepursuitofgreaterknowledge,weaimtoimprovecareforthoseaffectedbythisdisease.

The scientists in eCrI will work in three thematic areas:•clinicaltrials•Qualityhealthcareandknowledgetranslationresearch•translational(benchtobedside)research.

Ourcommitmentistogenerateresultsthatwillhaveameaningfulimpactinatimelyfashion.Ourteamismultidisciplinaryandincludesthedisciplinesof:medical,radiation,andsurgicaloncology;pathology;nursing;epidemiology;biostatistics;healthpolicy;andsocialsciences.Wearecommittedtotrainingyoungstudentsincancerresearchandinspiringthemtobetheleadersoftomorrow.

“Inspiring research” isourwayof expressing the spirit of EcrI.Our researchwill beexcitingandcutting-edge.We believe that breakthroughs and innovations come from taking a collaborative,coordinatedapproachthatoptimizesthecombinedskillsandtalentsofamultidisciplinaryteam.Wearecommittedtoinspiringotherresearchersandstudentsbeyondthisinstitutetoworkwithusinordertobetterthelivesofcancerpatientsandtheirfamiliesworldwide.

theEscarpmentcancerresearch Institute is laying the foundation fora futureofdiscovery. It isbasedonalongtraditionofresearchexcellenceinHamiltonandinthefutureitwillgrowtoincludemoreinvestigatorsandevenlargerstudies.currently,weareveryappreciativeofthespaceonthecampusoftheJuravinskiHospital&cancercentreprovidedtoourresearchscientists.Inthecomingyears,ourplanistobringallthescientiststogetherunderoneroof,sothatresearchersandstaffwillbeable to interactandshare ideas,createopportunities,andestablishavibrantandsustainableenterprisethatwillgenerateresultsforyearstocome.

OnbehalfofthescientistsandstaffatEcrI,andHamiltonHealthsciencesandmcmasteruniversity,thankyouforsharingthiscelebrationwithus.Inthisbooklet,youwillfindbriefprofilesofour16scientists.Eachandeveryoneofthembelievesin“Inspiring research – because every patient matters.”

Dr. mark Levine Founding Scientific Director, Escarpment Cancer Research Institute Professor and Chair, Department of Oncology, McMaster University Head, Cancer Research, Hamilton Health Sciences

Message from Mark Levine


Dr. andrew arnold’s 30-year career in cancer care and research makes him one of the most senior investigators at the escarpment Cancer research Institute.thatlongevityhasgivenhimapoignantperspectiveonthechallengethatremains.“untilwecureabsolutelyeverybodyofcancer,weshallneedtoconductclinicaltrials,”hesays.Fortunately,thepassionthatsparkedDr.arnold’s interest inclinicaltrialsbackwhenhewasayoungoncologist inEnglandstilldriveshimtoday.Helikesthedisciplineofcollaboratingonclinicaltrialsthatareproperlyconductedandanswerimportantquestions.Dr.arnoldisalsoproudofHamilton’sreputationasacentrewithhighstandardsinclinicalepidemiologyandhighparticipationratesinhealthcareresearch.It’soneofthereasonsthathewasdrawntothiscityinthefirstplace,andwhyhehasbeenpleasedtoheadtheclinicaltrialsDepartmentattheJuravinskicancercentreoverthepastthreeyears.Forhim,EcrIrepresentsanopportunity tocreateanenvironment thatwillencouragediscovery in thenextgenerationofcancerspecialistsandscientists.“It’stremendouslyimportanttosupportournewinvestigators,”hesays.

Dr. Andrew Arnold

for Dr. anita Bane, her work as a pathologist is both rewarding and intriguing. “It’skindoflikeapuzzle,”saystheIrish-bornphysicianandphDscientist.“Youusedifferenttechniquesandlookatdifferentaspectsofthetissueandcellstogetanoverallpictureofthepatient’sdisease.”throughamicroscope,Dr.Banegainsuniqueinsightsthatinformdecisionsrelatedtothetreatmentandfollow-upcareforcancerpatients.Fromaresearchperspective,sheisparticularlyinterestedinthemolecularprofileofbreastcancerandhowthisrelatestooutcomeandresponsetotherapy.additionally,sheisstudyingtheclinicalsignificanceofbreastcancerstemcells,andisintheprocessofdevelopingtestingmethodsthatwillenablepathologiststoidentifyspecific“markers”forthesecells.Dr.Baneplaysaleadershiproleinthisfield–sheisanOntarioInstituteforcancerresearchscientist.aspartoftheEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitute,sheseesanopportunitytobuilduponacoregroupofHamilton-basedscientistswhoarealreadycollaborating.shebelievesthetransferofknowledgewillbeenhancedthroughtheestablishmentoftheInstitute,andthatpatientswillbenefit.“Incrementalimpactsareveryimportantandourpatientsneedtoknowthat,”saysDr.Bane.

Dr. Anita Bane

Dr. melissa Brouwers is dedicated to using research knowledge to improve health care. It’s a long way from her academic roots in psychology and her creative experience in amateur theatre.ButasscientificDirectoroftheinternationally-recognizedprograminEvidence-basedcareforcancercareOntario,sheispassionateaboutthevalueofknowledgetranslationandappreciatesitsinnovativepotential.“theguidelinesweproducetranslateresearchintoactionablemessages,”shesays. “thoseactionsmaybehowto treataparticularpatientbetter,orhowtoorganize thesystemsowecan treatallpatientsmoreeffectively.”Dr.Brouwers’40-person team is locatedatthe JuravinskicancercentreandwillserveastheEscarpmentcancerresearch Institute’sQualityofcare&Knowledgetranslationunit. It isalreadythebestresourcedteamofitskindincanada.Fundamentally, its role is to assemble all the research evidence available on a particular typeofcancertreatmentand,basedonthat,developclinicalpracticeguidelinesforoptimaltreatmentplans.“Byshowing thevalueof thesestandards,we’re influencing theentirehealth care system,” saysDr.Brouwers.Overthenextfiveyears,herfocuswillbeoninterventionalresearchtoreducethegapbetweenguidelinerecommendationsandclinicalperformance,andthedevelopmentoftoolstohelppolicymakersnavigateormitigateuncertaintyinhealthcaredecisions.

Dr. Melissa Brouwers

nurses play a vital role in cancer care and treatment.nooneknowsthisbetterthanpatientsthemselveswhorelyonnursestonotonlydelivercare,butalsoguideandsupportthemthroughevery stage of their treatment and recovery. as a nursewithmany years of clinical experience,Dr. Denise Bryant-Lukosius is well aware of this intimate connection, especially as it relates toadvancedpracticenursesinoncology.theseareveterannurseswhohaveadditionaleducationandexpertisethatqualifiesthemtoplayleadershiprolesonhealthcareteams.thefocusofDr.Bryant-Lukosius’doctoralandpostdoctoralresearchhasbeenonhowtobesttrainandutilizethisspecialbreed of nurses. she has developed role descriptions and policies related to advanced practicenurses,andhasstudiedtheir jobsatisfactionandcareerdevelopment.Dr.BryantLukosius leadsthecanadiancentreofExcellenceinOncologyadvancedpracticenursingandissoughtafteracrossthecountryandinternationallytoshareherresearch.Overthenextfiveyears,Dr.Bryant-Lukosiuswillcontinue furtherdevelopmentofnursingrolesandmodelsofcare inoncology.“throughtheinterdisciplinary collaboration that the Escarpment cancer research Institute offers, we will beabletoadvanceourworkasindividualinvestigators,”saysDr.Bryant-Lukosius.“Inoncologythat’sparticularly important becauseof the complexityof thediseaseand theneed for strategies thataddressallaspectsofthepatient’sneeds.”

Dr. Denise Bryant-Lukosius



Dr. Laurie elit was just seven years old when her father was diagnosed with cancer. shewenttosomeofhisappointmentswithhimandwitnessedhisbattlewithHodgkin’slymphoma,aformofcancerwhich,atthetime,tookmanylives.nowahealthy81-year-old,he’sproudofhisdaughterwhowasinspired,partlybyhisexperience,tobecomeadoctorandthenasurgeon.Dr.Elit’sspecialtyisgynecologicsurgeryandshebeenonstaffattheJuravinskiHospitalandcancercentresince1998.Herresearchfocuseson identifyingthebestwaystoprevent,diagnose,assessandtreatcancersof thefemalereproductivesystem.Dr.Elitalsohasconsiderableexpertise in internationalhealth.about10yearsago,sherespondedtoanadinamagazinelookingfordoctorstoworkinmongolia.thisledhertoateachingroleatamongolianobstetricalhospital,andaresearchprojectonaformofovariancanceruniquetooneparticulartribe.Dr.ElitappreciatesdiversityandislookingforwardtothesynergythatwillcomefrombringingpeoplewithdifferentskillsetstogetherattheEscarpmentcancer research Institute. “We’ll be able to explore new opportunities and ask new questions,”shesays.

Dr. Laurie Elit

for inspiration on what career to choose, Dr. hal hirte didn’t have to look any further than across the dinner table. “myfatherwasanoncologistandIrespectedwhathedid,”saysDr.Hirte.“I thought thiswassomething Iwould like todevotemy life toaswell.”atuniversity, theyoungDr.Hirte enjoyed research andmedicine, buthe especially liked thewide rangeof opportunitiesofferedbythestudyandpracticeofoncology.aftercompletingtrainingprogramsandresearchinOttawa,torontoandmaryland,Dr.HirtejoinedthestaffattheJuravinskicancercentrein1987.Heisnowanationalleaderinthestudyofnovel,anti-cancerdrugs.Ovariancancerhasbecomehisfocus,inpartbecause,eveninthemostadvancedcases,itiscontainedwithintheabdominalcavity.thefluidinthatcavityprovidescluestowhatishappeninginthetumourenvironment,andcouldprovidevaluableinformationaboutwhatdrivestumourgrowthandwhythepatient’simmunesystemisn’trejectingthetumor.Oncethesephenomenaarebetterunderstood,doctorswillbemoresuccessfulinapplyingtargetedapproachestoinhibitprocessessuchasangiogenesistostopthebloodsupplytotumorsandinhibitpathwayscrucialtothegrowthandprogressionofthesecancers.Ovariancancerisparticularlychallengingbecausesomanypatientshaverelapsesanddie.Dr.Hirteishopefulthat,bybringingmolecularscientistsandclinicalscientiststogetherattheEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitute,greatadvancesinthefightagainstallcancerswillresult.

Dr. Hal Hirte

Dr. Sebastien hotte likes a challenge. that’sfortunatesince,likealloncologists,hefacesmanychallengeseveryday.“You’redealingwithaveryseriousillness,caringforpatientsatpivotaltimesintheirlives.Youhavetocreatearapportandbuildtrustveryquickly,”hesays.“andyouhavetoknowyourmedicineverywell.”themedicineDr.Hottespecializesinisgenitourinarycancer.thatiscanceroftheprostate,bladder,kidneyandtesticle.EversincehisearlytraininginOttawa,hisresidencyinLondon,Ontario,andhispostgradstudiesatmcmasteruniversity,Dr.Hottehasbeeninvolvedinresearch.Hisprojectsincludesomesignificantclinicaltrialsindevelopmentaltherapeutics(newanti-cancerdrugs),butheisalsoveryinterestedintranslationalresearch–researchthattranslatesthefindingsofbasicsciencesoitisappliedquicklytomedicalpractice.Intheyearsahead,Dr.Hotteislookingforwardtocontributingtothedevelopmentofmorepersonalizedcancertreatments.thesearetreatmentsthathavethebestoddsofbeingeffectivedependingonthepatient’sgeneticmakeupandthetypeandstageoftheircancer.“theEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitutewillanchormyresearchagendaandmakeiteasierformetocollaboratewithotherlike-mindedinvestigators,”saysDr.Hotte.“Wehaveacommonvisionandacommongoal.”

Dr. Sebastien Hotte

Dr. rosalyn Juergens is candid about why she became interested in studying lung cancer.“tobehonest,lungcancerneedshelp!”shesays.“Lungcanceristhebiggestcancerkillerinwomen–includingwomenwhohaven’tsmokedadayintheirlives.”Dr.Juergens’interestinoncologywassparkedwhenshewasrandomlyassignedtoacancerclinicduringtheearlyyearsofhermedicaltraining.shedescribestheexperienceasoneofthemostamazinginherlife.“Youhavethisincredibleconnection with your patients. plus, the scientific breakthroughs driving patient care offer newoptionsallthetime.”Dr.JuergensmovedtoHamiltoninJanuary2011aftercompletingaresidencyininternalmedicineandafellowshipinoncologyattheJohnsHopkinsmedicalInstituteinBaltimore,maryland.she is alsonearlyfinishedher doctorate in clinical investigationat the JohnsHopkinsBloombergschoolofpublicHealth.Inaddition,sheholdsanOntarioInstituteofcancerresearchscientistaward.Dr.Juergens’researchfocusisonthedevelopmentofmorepersonalizedtreatmentstrategiesforcancer–therapiesthatareselectedforthepatientdependingonthepatient’sownmolecularmakeupaswellasthetypeandstageoftheirdisease.sheisdoingthisthroughtheuseofnovelimagingmethods–anapproachthatisalsobeingpursuedbyotherinvestigatorsatEcrI.

Dr. Rosalyn Juergens



Looking back, Jim Julian acknowledges that his career path has meandered more than most.asayoungman,hewantedtobeanarchitectbut,duringhissecondyearinarchitecture,hebecamedisillusionedwiththeprofession,andswitchedintomathematics.a jobopportunityasaqualitycontrolanalystluredhimawaytoworkatconsolidatedBathurstinHamilton.thisexposureto“real-worlddataanalysis”encouragedhimtoreturntoschooltocompleteadegreeinstatisticsatmcmasteruniversity.Itwasn’tuntilhismaster’sattheuniversityofWaterloothathistalentsandinterestsfinallymerged.Hewasconcernedaboutairpollutionand its impactonhealth,andthatledhim into thefieldof occupationalhealthandepidemiology. In themidnineties, after almost20yearswithmcmaster’sOccupationalHealthprogramconductingresearchoncancerandsilicosisinundergroundminers,professor Julian’s statistical andmethodologic expertisedrewhim to theattentionofoneofmcmaster’semergingclinicaltrialsgroupswhichhejoined.Formanyyears,hewasaprofessor in theDepartmentofclinicalEpidemiology&Biostatistics.Hewontopteachingawardsmultipletimes,andeventually,alifetimeteachingexcellenceaward.today,professorJulianisassociateDirectoroftheOntarioclinicalOncologyGroup.Hecollaborateswithmedicalresearcherstodesignandconductstudies intreatingpatientswithcancerandwiththrombosis(bloodclots).Hisgreatestjoyismentoringyoungbiostatisticians.

Professor Jim Julian

Dr. Peter Kavsak fell victim to the allure of science early in life.“asakid,Iwasalwayscuriousaboutwhythingshappen,”hesays.“andIfoundoutsoonthatthemoreyouknow,themoreyouwanttoknow.”thatcuriosityhasledhimtoacareerinclinicalbiochemistryandlaboratorymedicineattheJuravinskiHospital&cancercentreandtheHamiltonregionalLaboratorymedicineprogram.Inpeter’s laboratory, blood samples from cancer patients are studied for variousproteins, calledbiomarkers,thatcanbeusedtopredicttheeffectivenessandsideeffectsoftreatments.Forexample,oneofhiscurrentresearchprojects is lookingatthe impactofcancertreatmentonhearthealth.sometimespatientswhosurvivecancersufferfromcardiacproblemslateron–problemsthatarecausedbythetoxicityofthecancertreatment.Dr.Kavsakhasalreadydonealotofinvestigationintocelldamageandcardiacinjury,soheisnowapplyingthosefindingstocancercare.Heisamemberof theOIcrtranslationalresearchteam.Oneofhisresearchpriorities–andthereasonhe issopleasedtobepartoftheEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitute–isthathewouldliketohelpopenupwhathecallsthe“bottleneck”betweenlaboratoryresearchandclinicalcare.“Weneedtoharnessthepowerofdiscoveriessotheycanleadmorequicklytobetterpatientcare,”saysDr.Kavsak.

Dr. Peter Kavsak

When Dr. mark Levine reflects on the evolution of his career as an oncologist, his story is sprinkled with the names of mentors and role models who shaped his vision of what he wanted to accomplish as a physician and a researcher.Heknowshowvitalthoserelationshipsare in motivating the next generation of scientists and, by facilitating the establishment of theEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitute,Dr.Levineisensuringthattomorrow’sresearcherswillalsobesupportedandinspired.Besidesbeingaleaderintheadvancementofcancerresearch,Dr.Levinehasbeenaprolificinvestigatorhimself.Hisfocushasbeenonbreastcancer,bloodclotsincancerpatients,anddiagnostic imaging.anumberoftheclinicaltrialshehasconductedhaveimpactedhealthcareacrosscanadaandaroundtheworld.In1982,Dr.LevinehelpedestablishtheOntarioclinical Oncology Group which develops and coordinates clinical trials throughout the province.currently,heisprofessorandchairoftheDepartmentofOncologyatmcmasteruniversity,Directorof theclinicaltrialsmethodologyGroupat the JuravinskiHospital&cancercentreandheholdstheBuffetttaylorBreastcancerresearchchair.With30yearsofclinicalandresearchexperience,Dr.LevineknowsthattheEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitutewillmakeadifference.“We’relayingthefoundationforthefuture,”hesays.

Dr. Mark Levine

The real world is very messy.thatisoneofthemanythingsDr.Gregorypondlearnedasayoungstatisticianinvolvedinhealthcareresearchforthefirsttime.Hewasworkingatthemayoclinicinrochester,minnesota–hisfirstfulltimejobaftercompletinghismastersatsimonFraseruniversity.“Inmostfields,researchprojectshappeninacontrolledenvironmentandhaveaclearendpoint,”hesays.“Butwhenyoutalkaboutendpointsinclinicaltrials,it’speople’slivesyou’retalkingabout.”thechallengeofcreatingstudieswhilefactoringinallthevariablesthatinevitablyemergeinhealthcareintriguedDr.pond,andhepursuedhisphDattheuniversityoftoronto.OriginallyfromDundas,hewashappytoreturntoHamiltonin2008tojointheOntarioclinicalOncologyGrouplocatedattheJuravinskiHospital&cancercentre.“OneoftheveryinterestingthingsaboutHamiltonisthatthetrialsrunherearenotnecessarilystandardclinicaltrials–thatis,onedrugversusanother,”hesays.“Weareinvolvedinawidevarietyofstudies–everythingfromimaging,tolifestyleintervention,tosurvivorshipcare.”Fromhispointofview,thatrangeofworkensuresthat,theEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitutewillbealeadernotonlyincanada,butintheworld.

Dr. Gregory Pond



early in his career, Dr. hsien Seow feels fortunate to already be in his dream job. HeholdsthecancercareOntarioresearchchairinHealthservicesresearchand,withtheEscarpmentcancerresearchInstituteashisacademichome,heisabletosharehispassionfordiscovery.“Innovationhappensattheintersectionofdisciplines,”hesays.“atEcrI,wehaveadynamicandcollegialgroupofexpertsfrommanyspecialties.together,we’llanswerimportantquestionsthatcaninitiaterealchange.”Dr. seow started asking his ownquestionswhenhewas an undergraduate student atYaleuniversity.Hebeganstudyingcoursesrequiredformedicalschoolbutrealized,duringacourseonhealth carefinancing, that hewasmore interested in how societies organize the systems todeliverhealthcare.thisinterestledhimtoconductresearchwithranDHealthandthencompleteaphDatJohnsHopkinsschoolofpublicHealthinhealthpolicyandmanagement.anOakvillenative,Dr.seowwasglad to return tocanadaand looks forward topursuing researchonpalliativecareservicesinparticular.“Deathispartoflife,yetourcurrenthealthcaresystemispoorlydesignedtocareforthecomplexneedsoftheverysickanddying,”hesays.“althoughoursystemhasproblems,I’m optimistic that research can positively impact policies, practice, and patient care in canada.”ultimately,Dr.seowisdeterminedtohelpchangethehealthcaresystemforthebetter.

Dr. Hsien Seow

Dr. marko Simunovic has always been interested in how systems work, specifically, human systems – human rights, politics, or international relations for example.Whenhe got tomedicalschoolandresidencytrainingingeneralsurgery,hediscoveredthatthehealthcaresystemisequallyfascinatingandhehasfocusedhiscareerondevelopingstrategiesaimedat leveragingitsstrengths.“WhenIwasaresidentingeneralsurgery,Iwasshownanarticleonhowoutcomesforpatientsundergoingcolorectalsurgeryvarieddramaticallydependingonwhothesurgeonwas,”saysDr.simunovic.“thisreallyfascinatedme.toexpectsuchdifferencesmaybeintuitive,butfroman equity perspective itmakes no sense.” after completing hismD at the university of Ottawa,Dr.simunovicearnedhismastersinpublichealthatHarvarduniversity.this,inadditiontoaseriesofsurgicalfellowships,preparedhimwellfortheleadershiprolehenowplaysinsettingstandardsforcolorectalcancersurgery.Dr.simunovicconductspopulation-basedresearchonvolumeoutcomerelationships,waittimesandquality improvement.Heisdedicatedtosharinghisknowledgeandskillswithothersurgeonsthroughinterventionsaimedatraisingstandardsandimprovingpatientoutcomes across this Local Health Integration network and beyond. “the Escarpment cancerresearchInstituteoffersmanyopportunitiestoexpandthisresearch.Wecanalldrawonitspoolsofexcellence,”saysDr.simunovic.

Dr. Marko Simunovic

although he is now a highly specialized radiation oncologist at the Juravinski Cancer Centre, Dr. Jonathan Sussman was once a family physician in Burlington. thethreeyearshespentinprimarycarehelpedhimdecidethathewantedtoworkinthefieldofoncology.Duringthattime,healsolearnedhowimportantitisforcaregiverstointeracteffectivelywitheachotherinordertomakethingseasierforpatients.BuildingbridgesbetweencancerspecialistsandfamilyphysiciansisnowamajorthemeofDr.sussman’sresearchandprofessionalwork.HeisDirectorofthesupportivecancercareresearchunitattheJuravinskicancercentreandDirectoroftheprogramintransitionsincarewithintheappliedHealthresearchnetworkoftheOntarioministyofHealthandLong-termcare.“allcareprovidersneedtobesupportiveofeachother,especiallywiththecomplexitiesoftreatmentthatusenewtechnologiesandpersonalizedmedicineapproaches”saysDr.sussman.“theroleofthefamilyphysicianispivotaltotheoverallcareofcancerpatientsandmustbeclearlyarticulatedandappropriatellysupported.”Hebelievesthatbysharingoneaddressandonevision,thescientistsoftheEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitutewillproduceresearchthattransformspatientcare.“Wehavea largenumberof individualsfromdifferentdisciplineswhoseworkoverlapsandintersects.WorkingtogetheratEcrIwillfurtherenhanceourabilityproducehighquality,meaningfulresearchthatwillimprovethedeliveryofcancercare”

Dr. Jonathan Sussman

Dr. Timothy Whelan first came to hamilton to pursue research training 20 years ago and has remained ever since. Heholdsacanadaresearchchairandistrulyoneofourstars.Hehashadalongdistinguishedcareer.asaradiationoncologistspecializinginbreastcancer,heknowsthateverycaseisunique,andeverypatient’sprioritiesaredifferent.Hehaslednumerous,innovativestudiesthathavefocusedonpatientdecisionmakingfortreatment.Forexample,heledthedevelopmentandassessmentofdecisionaidsthatareusedbybreastcancerpatientsandphysiciansat timeswhencriticaltreatmentchoicesneedtobemade.Inclinicaltrials,hisworkhasfocusedonevaluatingthedurationandintensityofradiationtreatmentforbreastcancerpatients.amongstotherfindings,hehasshownthatshorterradiationtreatmentregimenscanbejustaseffectiveaslongerregimensinwomenwhohaveundergonelumpectomyforbreastcancer.recently,Dr.Whelanhasextendedhisresearchtocollaboratewithcolleaguesinthelaboratorytoidentifyandevaluatebiomarkers,whichcanpotentiallypredictresponsivenessofbreasttumorstoradiotherapy–anotherstrategyaimedatimprovingtreatmentdecisions.“Iamthankfulthatwehavebeenabletomakeadifference,”saysDr.Whelan. “the Escarpment cancer research Institute is a special opportunity for peoplewithdifferentinterestsandexpertisetoworktogetherandperformevenbetterresearchthanwehavedonesofar.”

Dr. Timothy Whelan



anne SniderDirector of OperationsEscarpmentcancerresearchInstitute3rdFloor,JWing,JuravinskiHospitalandcancercentre699concessionstreetHamilton,OntarioL8V5c2

phone:905-387-9711x63006Fax:[email protected]

Dr. mark LevineScientific Director

EscarpmentcancerresearchInstitute1stFloor,GWing,JuravinskiHospitalandcancercentre

711concessionstreetHamilton,OntarioL8V1c3

phone:905-527-4322x42176Fax:[email protected]

(LoriDale,executiveassistanttoDr.Levine)

inspiring research – because every patient matters” launch... · “inspiring research –...

Documents