Making coordinated care easier for physicians and their

patients, all across Erie St. Clair

2220 Kildare RoadWindsor, ON N8W 2X3519-253-5253 1-844-904-2273 Ext. 58558www.wrh.on.ca/wrcp

The Cancer Centre offers a dedicated phone line for physicians and community partners. It provides easier access to Cancer Program physicians, nurse navigators and others who are involved in patient care. The line is answered by Call Centre staff during daytime hours. During evenings, weekends and holidays, calls are forwarded to a switchboard at Windsor Regional Hospital who will contact the physician on call. PlEaSE NOtE: The line is intended for use only by physicians and community partners; it should not to be given to patients.

519-255-6757For all fax referrals, please use this number:

519-253-5364Reminder: properly completed referral forms help reduce wait times!

A word from Dr. Tim O’Callahan, President, Essex County Medical Society

Our service area

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The Cancer Centre servespatients all across the counties of lambton, Kent and Essex. Our coverage area matches that of the Erie St. Clair lHIN.

A direct, dedicated telephone line for physicians and community partners.

“The Cancer Program at Windsor Regional Hospital is a local resource of which the local medical community can be very proud. I always feel entirely comfortable referring my patients there, confident that they will receive the highest level of care. That confidence is reinforced by the patients who, when they return to us after treatment, have nothing butpositive things to say about their care experiences.

“From the perspective of my family practice, I greatly appreciate the level of timely feedback we receive from the Centre’s staff, and how they keep us up to date on developments affecting our patients.

“Finally, I can’t overstate the value of having an excellent care facility so close at hand. Eliminating the added costs and stresses of accessing out-of-town care contributes in a big way to better patient outcomes.

“The Centre’s “bench to bedside” research, which explores new approaches to every stage of cancer care, involves over 500 patients and their families and includes research partners nationally and internationally. This level of leadership and collaboration certainly gains my attention and respect.” – Dr. Glenn Bauman, MD, F.R.C.P.C.

Chair/Chief, Department of Oncology; Director, Western Centre for Translational Cancer Research, Western University

“I don’t think people realize what a truly world-class healthcare resource the Cancer Centre is. And while I respect their clinical expertise, it’s not just about how they helped me get better; it’s also about how they made me feel better.” – Dr. Michelle Prince BHk, DC

Owner, Lifetime Wellness Centre and cancer survivor

“Minimally invasive advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgeries allow for better surgical outcomes and faster patient recovery. For many surgeries, and especially for prostate surgeries, wait times are shorter than at other nearby centres. The result is tremendous patient satisfaction.” – Dr. Shael Liebman BPHE, MD, F.R.C.S.(C)

Chief of Surgery, Windsor Regional Hospital

“I sincerely hope you’ll join me in celebrating the facility and the dedicated people who make it such a vital and vibrant part of our healthcare community.”

What makes this such a great Cancer Centre?

all of us are deeply and personally committed to providing a care experience that combines compassion and advanced medical expertise. We understand how vitally important it is to your patients and their families to receive the very best care in a timely manner.

We deliver that care through dedicated teams that include experts in dozens of specialized clinical fields, some directly involved with patients and many more working behind the scenes. We’re also committed to reducing the region’s cancer rates through prevention and screening, and to reducing cancer’s impact by providing timely access to effective care. Our evidence-based treatments are on a level with major national and international institutions and we are highly regarded for our clinical trials and other research initiatives.

Our commitment to your patients and their families continues across every aspect of the cancer journey, through diagnosis, treatment and end-of-life care and, in many more cases than ever before, survivorship.

Compassionate people, world-class technology and an unrelenting drive to excel with every patient, every day.

Q U I C K Q U O T E S

Dr. Ken Schneider, Chief of Oncology

Dr. Tim O’Callahan, President, Essex County Medical Society

02/15

The Windsor Regional Hospital Cancer Program: a physician’s guide to advanced

cancer care in Southwestern Ontario

A top Ontario performer

for meeting wait-time

targets!

www.wrh.on.ca/wrcpBig enough to know how. Small enough to really get to know your patients.

RADIATION TREATMENT

SYSTEMIC TREATMENT

SURGICAL TREATMENT

• all treatments delivered based on provincial standards• two of Ontario’s finest Drug access Coordinators on staff, ensuring our

ability to access the newest available drugs• active program of clinical trials that allow us to access emerging treatments

right here in Windsor• Most Medical Oncologists are members of, and contribute to, Ontario

Provincial Guidelines Groups for the systemic (chemotherapy and endocrine) treatment

• Our collaborative relationships with large cancer centres in the nearby USa allow us to offer cutting-edge treatments normally limited to larger centres (i.e. toronto). Our patients can also access a broader range of clinical trials here and close to home in affiliated Detroit centres, sometimes at no cost

• Full spectrum of radiation oncology expertise in adult oncology across all disease sites

• State-of-the-art linear accelerators delivering IMRt (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) with Rapid-arc® technology

• Brachytherapy including both low Dose Rate permanent implants for prostate cancer (I- 125 seeds) and High Dose Rate for prostate and some gynecologic cancers (cervix and endometrium)

• Close collaboration with and referrals to other Ontario-based Radiation treatment Programs for highly specialized treatment (Gamma Knife® and Cyber Knife® treatment) in the toronto and Hamilton regions

• Cancer surgery offered at both campuses of Windsor Regional Hospital with dedicated expertise in the management of malignant disease

• Breast, prostate, colorectal and lung are higher-volume disease sites• Upper gastro-intestinal, gynecological, head and neck, musculoskeletal

and neurosurgery (smaller volume disease sites) are also offered as well as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer surgeries

• More specialized cancer surgery in the areas of gynecological, hepatobiliary, musculoskeletal are offered at partner sites in london and Hamilton

• Regular collaboration between surgeons and oncologists with Multidisciplinary Case Conferencing to guide evidence-based practice

EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS

D IA G N O S T I C A S S E S S M E N T P R O G R A M S ( D A P S )

Our DaPs are excellent programs for patients whose symptoms suggest a possible diagnosis of breast, lung, colorectal or prostate cancer. The DaPs’ purpose is to streamline and simplify the entire care process from suspicion through diagnosis. Upon referral from the physician, a nurse navigator is assigned who gives the patient one-on-one support, explains the diagnostic process and streamlines the scheduling of everything from consultations to test appointments.

DaPs are linked to our EPS (Electronic Pathway Solution) program that provides online access to scheduling for appointments and referrals, availability of test results, diagnostic progress and next steps – from the beginning through to definitive diagnosis –for lung, colorectal and prostate cancer patients. RADIATION ONCOLOGISTSMEDICAL ONCOLOGISTS ( C O N T ’ D )

MEDICAL ONCOLOGISTS

Khalid HirmizM.B Ch. B, F.R.C.P. (C)Dr. Hirmiz completed his residency program in Radiation Oncology at Dalhousie

University in Nova Scotia. He is currently Adjunct Professor, University of Western Ontario Schulich School of Medicine. Site expertise: breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, skin and lung malignancies, lymphomas and CNS tumours.

Ming PanM.D., F.R.C.P.(C)After graduating from the Tianjin Medical University, Dr. Pan worked as a Radiation Oncologist in China until 1999. He

completed a two-year fellowship in Radiation Oncology in Paris, France in 2001 and then a residency in Radiation Oncology at McMaster University in 2009. Site expertise: lung, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, skin, and head and neck malignancies.

Kenneth SchneiderM.D., F.R.C.P. (C)Dr. Schneider graduated from McMaster University where he also completed his residency in Radiation Oncology. He is the

Program Head for Radiation Oncology and Chief, Department of Oncology at Windsor Regional Hospital and Radiation Lead for the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program. He also has an Adjunct Professorship in the Department of Physics, University of Windsor. Site expertise: CNS tumours, head and neck, breast, gynecologic malignancies and sarcoma.

C L I N I C A L C A R E S T A f fC A N C E R P R O G R A M S & S E R v I C E S

M E N ’ S h E A LT h

a 2011 assessment of the region’s services showed that coordination between primary care physicians and specialists was causing extended wait times and needed improvement. two major initiatives resulted.

The first was the creation of the Prostate Diagnostic assessment Program (DaP). The other was a major capital campaign to purchase new, state-of-the-art surgical equipment. Both programs were successful; between July 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013, 228 men had been referred to the program, 71% of

whom had a positive prostate cancer diagnosis. In april of 2014, the Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation concluded its capital campaign having raised $5.4 million. The centrepiece of the campaign, the renowned da Vinci® Surgical assisting Robot, offers less-invasive and less-painful surgery with quicker recovery and lower risk of post-operative complications than from conventional surgery.

I N T E R NAT I O NA L R E S E A R C h

In 2012, the Windsor Cancer Research Group launched as a partnership between the University of Windsor and Windsor Regional Hospital. The Group has already assembled collaborative research projects with the University, pharmaceutical companies, other research groups and partners such as Detroit’s Barbara ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Henry Ford Hospital. WCRG is building world- renowned cancer research programs, developing novel clinical trials and growing cancer research networks with national and international partners.

A f T E R- C A N C E R S U Rv I vO R S h I P

Our RENEW life-after-Cancer Education and Fitness Programs provide cancer survivors access to expert information, education and fitness programs. The educational series includes information on screening and prevention for after treatment, potential long-term side effects, healthy eating and nutrition, exercise, relationships, and back-to-work planning. RENEW exercise and yoga classes are designed for cancer survivors and are delivered by certified professionals.

M U LT I D I S C I P L I NA RY C A S E C O N f E R E N C E S

MCCs are regularly-scheduled meetings in which representatives from surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and diagnostic imaging present patient cases and discuss treatment options. Research shows that patient outcomes can improve through multidisciplinary case conferencing, especially in complex cases. They offer patients the benefit of combined expertise across many specialties related to their condition and, ultimately, the best treatment.

These sessions, which often include physicians linked-in by video conferencing, give doctors from across our service area an opportunity to collaborate with their

peers on complex or cross-disciplinary cases. as such, they are a valued asset for planning surgical pathways because surgeons have the opportunity to seek input from a variety of relevant specialties. They give surgeons the opportunity to challenge their decision-making with colleagues and they often include teaching sessions that involve reviewing new medical literature. The end result is improved outcomes for all our patients.

Rasna Gupta M.D.Dr. Gupta graduated from Government Medical College in Amritsar, India 2003, completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Wayne State

/ Detroit Medical Centre and her Fellowship at Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. She is a member of the American Society of Oncology and Hematology (ASCO), American Society of Hematology (ASH), and the American Medical Association (AMA). She is also Adjunct Professor at the University of Windsor’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. Site expertise: breast, lung, hematology and sarcoma.

Tarek Elfiki M.B.Ch.B., M.R.C.P.I., Medical OncologistDr. Elfiki graduated from Garyounus University in Libya. He trained and was certified in Internal

Medicine and Medical Oncology in Ireland, followed by a fellowship in clinical trials, and a second clinical and research fellowship in breast and colorectal cancers at the London Regional Cancer Program, UWO. Site expertise: metastatic breast cancers and connective tissue tumors “sarcoma.”

Akmal Ghafoor M.D., F.A.C.P.Dr. Ghafoor, originally from Pakistan, completed residency training in Medicine at Brookdale University Hospital, NY,

N.Y. in 1998 and fellowship training in Medical Oncology and Hematology at Albany Medical College, N.Y. in 2001. After finishing his fellowship he worked as a Medical Oncologist at Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton NB since 2001. Site expertise: gastrointestinal and gynecological malignancies.

Junaid YousufBSc, MD, FRCPCDr. Yousuf graduated from the University of Ottawa with his M.D. in 2005, and completed his residency in Radiation

Oncology at Queen’s University in 2011. His primary area of clinical research interest lies within genitourinary malignancies and focuses on the clinical aspects surrounding prostate HDR and LDR brachytherapy. Dr. Yousuf is also Adjunct Professor with the Department of Oncology and Faculty of Medicine, Western University. Site expertise: genitourinary, haematological, breast, lung, and skin cancers.

Colvin SpringerM.B., BS., F.R.C.P. (C), BSc., MSc.After graduating from the University of West Indies, Dr. Springer completed his residency and fellowship in

Radiation Oncology at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. He is currently Adjunct Professor, University of Western Ontario. Site expertise: prostate malignancies and treatment.

Sindu Kanjeekal M.D., F.R.C.P. (C)After graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Dr. Kanjeekal completed

her post-graduate training in Internal Medicine and Hematology at McMaster University followed by Medical Oncology at the University of Ottawa. She is Adjunct Professor with the Schulich School of Medicine and teaches both undergraduate and post-graduate students. She is a member of the provincial hematology and survivorship disease site groups and has been the local PI of multiple clinical trials offered at the Cancer Centre. Site expertise: hematologic, genitourinary and gastrointestinal malignancies.

John MathewsM. D., F.R.C.P (C)Dr. Mathews graduated with his MD in 1983 and trained in Internal Medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax and Medical

Oncology at the University of Ottawa. He joined the Cancer Program in 2000. He is certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is currently Adjunct Professor, University of Western Ontario Schulich School of Medicine. Site expertise: gastrointestinal, genitourinary cancers, breast cancer and melanoma and hematological malignancies.

Caroline HammM.D., F.R.C.P. (C)Dr. Hamm graduated from Dalhousie Medical School in Nova Scotia, completed Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology

fellowships in Ottawa and completed a fellowship in hematology with specialized training in the area of bone marrow transplantation at Karmanos. She stayed on staff at Karmanos/ Wayne State University until she joined the Cancer Program in 2002. She is the Clinical Trials Department Physician Lead and Clinical Research Director for the Windsor Cancer Research Group. She is also an Assistant Professor Schulich School of Medicine, Department of Oncology. Site expertise: breast cancer, leukemia, lymphomas, and melanoma.

Amin Kay, M.D., F.R.C.P. (C), Medical OncologistDr. Kay graduated from Boston University School of Medicine. He completed residency

training in Internal Medicine at Queen’s University, followed by fellowship training in Medical Oncology at University of Toronto/Princess Margaret Hospital. He is a fellow of Royal College of Physicians of Canada, and certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Site expertise: breast, lung, brain, and hematological malignancies.

Mohammed Jarrar M.D., F.R.C.P., Dr. Jarrar graduated from the University of Jordan Medical School in Amman Jordan in 1993 where he also completed his

Internship. His post graduate training included Pediatric Residencies at the Islamic Hospital in Amman Jordan and the Children’s Hospital of Austin Texas, and as an Oncology Fellow in Pediatric Hematology at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles California. Dr. Jarrar’s expertise is with young hematology patients through his position as Staff Pediatrician & Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist at Windsor Regional Hospital. Site expertise: young adults, age 17-24 with malignant hematology diagnosis.

Swati KulkarniB.Sc., M.B.B.S., F.R.C.P. (C)After graduating from Bhopal university in India, Dr. Kulkarni completed the Internal Medicine Residency and Medical Oncology fellowship

at Queen’s University, Canada. She is a fellow of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and is also certified by American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. She is also Adjunct Professor at the Department of Oncology, University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and is involved in teaching and research. Site expertise: breast, lung, brain and head and neck malignancies.

PALLIATIvE CARE

Rita DiBiaseMSN, RN (EC), NP-Adult, AOCNSRita earned her MSN from Wayne State University, is board certified as a Nurse

Practitioner in both Canada and the US and as an Advanced Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is the Nurse Practitioner for the Palliative Care Medicine Consultative Team.

Muna Al Haddad BsCN, MN, RN (EC)Muna Al Haddad graduated with Bachelors of Nursing from the University of Windsor in 2009

and earned a Masters and Nurse Practitioner Certificate in 2013.

Jane Simanovski RN (EC), MScN, NP-PHCJane completed her BScN, MScN and Nurse Practitioner training at the University of Windsor. She started her career

as a Registered Nurse at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI where she worked for 11 years and joined the Windsor Regional Cancer Program as a Nurse Practitioner in 2010. She holds Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification in Ontario as well as national board certification with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in Michigan.

Kimberly Simard Grubb RN (EC) ACNP-MN-AdultKim Simard graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology with honours from McMaster university

in 2005, and completed her BScN at the University of Toronto in 2007. She began in the surgical program at Windsor Regional Hospital in 2007- 2013 while completing her ACNP-adult with Masters at the University of Toronto in 2012. Kim works on the inpatient unit.

Hakam Abu-Zahra M.D., F.R.C.P. (C), Medical OncologistDr. Abu-Zahra graduated from Cairo University, Egypt in 1961 and completed postgraduate

training in Haematology at Dundee and Edinburgh Universities in Scotland. He was a Research Fellow in Haematology at Queen’s University in Kingston, and a Research Associate at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He was Head of Systemic Therapy and Chief Executive Officer, as well as Vice President of Cancer Care Ontario’s Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program, and Chief of Oncology, Windsor Regional Hospital. Now semi-retired, he provides well follow-up services and End-Of-Life Care at the Hospice Residential Home.

NURSE PRACTITIONERS

Nicole Freeman M.D. Dr. Freeman received her Honours Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor and her

Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Ottawa. Dr. Freeman completed her Family Medicine Residency at Western University, and her postgraduate and specialized training included a conjoint program in Palliative Medicine Fellowship at the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine.

Lawrence Aoun M.D.Dr. Aoun has post graduate training in both Internal Medicine and in Family Medicine. His areas of clinical interest include Hospitalist

Medicine and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Aoun is active in teaching at both the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Dr. Aoun is Physician Lead for the Palliative Care Program for Windsor Regional Hospital.

wELL fOLLOw-UP CARE