ECHO Cohort 1: BC & Yukon

Lymphedema & Skin Care: Janet Sprague (BHScPT)

Janet Sprague is a Physiotherapist with a strong interest in providing physiotherapy to patients recovering from cancer and those dealing with lymphedema. In 1997 Janet became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and received her Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) Lymphedema Therapist designation. Janet is on the Medical Advisory Board and the Advocacy Committee for the BC Lymphedema Association and has been a Clinical Assistant for the UBC Physiotherapy Program Adult Oncology Lab. Janet works in private practice in Vancouver as well as once a month in Kelowna.

Exercise Considerations: Lauren Capozzi (PhD, MD, Clinical and Postdoctoral Fellow, Cancer Rehabilitation; CSEP-CEP)

Dr. Lauren Capozzi is a Physiatrist currently doing a Clinical and Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Rehabilitation at the University of Calgary, and has her PhD in Cancer, Exercise and Rehabilitation. She is also a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Co-Founder of Thrive Health, an innovative exercise company specializing in the training of fitness professionals. Lauren has dedicated her career research and clinical career to improve the function and quality of life of those facing cancer. For this work, she was honoured in Avenue Calgary’s class of 2015 Top 40 Under 40 and with a Medical Hall of Fame award. She is active in medical education, and has played a key role in the development of national Physical Activity Curriculum objectives and Physical Activity as Medicine curriculum for undergraduate medical students at the Cumming School of Medicine.

Managing Life Roles: Maureen Parkinson (Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor)

Maureen Parkinson has been the provincial vocational rehabilitation counsellor at the B.C. Cancer Agency for 30 years.  She is the co-lead and content lead for www.cancerandwork.ca which is website to guide cancer survivors with returning, remaining and finding work.  She created the Cancer and Returning to Work: A Practical Guide for Cancer Patients and leads return to work and job search seminars for cancer survivors. She has a Masters in Counselling Psychology, is a Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counsellor and completed the Certified Return to Work Coordinator Program through the National Institute for Disability Management and Research.  Previously, she has worked as vocational rehabilitation counsellor for a public rehabilitation hospital, a vocational rehabilitation consultant for a private consulting agency; and as an instructor/facilitator teaching job search and career exploration.

Managing Fatigue: Sarah Buddingh-Smith (Physiotherapist)

Sarah Buddingh Smith is a Physiotherapist at BC Cancer Vancouver. She sees both inpatients and outpatients, and provides care both virtually and in person. Motivational interviewing and pain science education are cornerstones of her practice, and she works closely with the Pain & Symptom Management and Palliative Care team at BC Cancer. She is passionate about improving the function and quality of life of those living with cancer.

Sexual Function: Lori Brotto (PhD, Clinical Psychology)

Dr. Lori Brotto is internationally recognized as a leader in sexual health research. She has mentored 149 trainees and evaluated psychological interventions for sexual dysfunction and genital pain, which collectively impact 1/3 of women. Her work influences practice internationally, with mindfulness now implemented in sexual medicine centres and recommended as front line care in international guidelines. In recognition of her contributions, she holds a Canada Research Chair in women’s sexual health, has received recent awards in mentoring junior faculty, excellent public education through media, book awards, and is listed among the top 2% cited scientists by Stanford/Elsevier (SCOPUS citations).

Managing Pain: Julia Ridley (MD, Palliative Care Physician)

Dr. Julia Ridley is a palliative care physician with experience in acute care, palliative units, community, and outpatient clinics. She completed her residency training at UBC, and has a Master’s in Education from the University of Toronto. She has interests in research in education and communication, and is the program director for the Palliative Medicine Sub-specialty residency program at UBC.

Nutrition Considerations: Lindsay Van der Meer (Dietitian)

Lindsay Van der Meer is the Nutrition Knowledge Mobilization Dietitian within the Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation Department. Lindsay has worked in oncology for more than 15 years, having worked in a regional oncology role for Northern Health prior to moving into the Clinical Coordinator, Nutrition role at the BC Cancer Centre for the North when it opened in 2012. Lindsay is motivated to support BC Cancer clinicians and patients make sense of the often conflicting messages around nutrition and cancer in an effort improve outcomes from cancer treatment and reduce distress in the cancer journey. She has an interest in rural and remote cancer care, having completed her master’s thesis on the topic of lifestyle information needs of rural breast cancer survivors. She is also interested in the impact of weight stigma in access to and participation in cancer prevention, treatment, screening and survivorship care.

Supporting Palliative Patients: Jill Cowlrick (Nurse Practitioner)

Jill Cowlrick is a nurse practitioner who is a certified practitioner of oncology with 4 years experience working in medical oncology, as well as a palliative care provider and lead of the Victoria Pain and Symptom/Palliative Care team for the past 4 years. Jill has previously worked in Family medicine and addiction medicine in northern BC.

Kristin Campbell (BSc, PT, PhD; Professor, Dept of Physical Therapy)

Kristin Campbell is a licensed physical therapist and a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia. She also holds an appointment in the Cancer Control Program at the BC Cancer Research Centre.  She is a member of the Oncology Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. She completed her PhD in exercise physiology at the University of Alberta and a Fellowship in Public Health at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre.  Her research focus is on the role of exercise in cancer prevention, rehabilitation and survivorship has been funded by the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada and others. She is the co-lead of the 2019 exercise guidelines for cancer survivors from the American College of Sports Medicine and an associate editor for Physical Therapy, the journal of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Alan Bates (PhD, MD Psychiatry)

Dr. Alan Bates finished a PhD focused on neuroimaging at the University of Nottingham before completing his MD and Psychiatry residency at the University of British Columbia. He then completed a fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosocial Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre. Dr. Bates has published peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from brain imaging and artificial intelligence to psychotherapy and palliative care. He received the 2018 Canadian Psychiatric Association Early Career Achievement in Psychiatry Award and his volunteer work has been recognized through a Queen Elizatbeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and participation in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. He is the Program Medical Director for Supportive Care at BC Cancer, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UBC, and a past President of the BC Psychiatric Association.

Lauren Capozzi (PhD, MD, Clinical and Postdoctoral Fellow, Cancer Rehabilitation; CEP)

Dr. Lauren Capozzi is a Physiatrist currently doing a Clinical and Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Rehabilitation at the University of Calgary, and has her PhD in Cancer, Exercise and Rehabilitation. She is also a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Co-Founder of Thrive Health, an innovative exercise company specializing in the training of fitness professionals. Lauren has dedicated her career research and clinical career to improve the function and quality of life of those facing cancer. For this work, she was honoured in Avenue Calgary’s class of 2015 Top 40 Under 40 and with a Medical Hall of Fame award. She is active in medical education, and has played a key role in the development of national Physical Activity Curriculum objectives and Physical Activity as Medicine curriculum for undergraduate medical students at the Cumming School of Medicine.

Chiara Singh (Physiotherapist)

Chiara has been a physiotherapist for over 25 years.  She is a clinical supervisor for the Maternity/Child/Youth and Surgical Programs at Surrey Memorial Hospital and her clinical work includes adult and pediatric oncology.  She has a special interest in trying to minimize the effects of cancer treatment so people can go back to what they love doing after treatment. Chiara is also part of the clinical faculty at University of British Columbia in the Masters of Physical Therapy program and has done research in the area of arm morbidity after breast cancer treatment.

Kayla Bajic (Clinical Counsellor)

Kayla Bajic is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with 10+ years experience providing psychosocial support to patients and families living with cancer. Kayla has advanced training in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully. Living, working, and even studying in Northern British Columbia, Kayla is familiar with the challenges faced by those living and receiving cancer treatment rurally. In her current (temporary) role as the Supportive Care Resource, Kayla supports Professional Practice for Patient and Family Counselling Services at BC Cancer.

Lindsay Van der Meer (Dieititian)

Lindsay Van der Meer is the Nutrition Knowledge Mobilization Dietitian within the Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation Department. Lindsay has worked in oncology for more than 15 years, having worked in a regional oncology role for Northern Health prior to moving into the Clinical Coordinator, Nutrition role at the BC Cancer Centre for the North when it opened in 2012. Lindsay is motivated to support BC Cancer clinicians and patients make sense of the often conflicting messages around nutrition and cancer in an effort improve outcomes from cancer treatment and reduce distress in the cancer journey. She has an interest in rural and remote cancer care, having completed her master’s thesis on the topic of lifestyle information needs of rural breast cancer survivors. She is also interested in the impact of weight stigma in access to and participation in cancer prevention, treatment, screening and survivorship care.