MEDTalks: Embracing collaborative cancer care

When the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation was founded in 2003, Hamid Eshghi became its president. In this role, he oversees the distribution of grants to a diverse range of Canadian charities, ranging from local organizations fighting hunger to research institutes across the country. The foundation’s vision is to bring immediate and lasting change to people’s lives, particularly children, by improving health and supporting education. He holds a Master’s degree in Architecture. He is a Campaign Circle Member of FORWARD, the campaign for UBC.

Michelle Eliot is an award-winning journalist and the host of CBC British Columbia’s weekday call-in show BC Today. She has hosted numerous CBC news specials, has provided coverage for CBC’s Filipino community initiative Mabuhay B.C., and has hosted numerous events and forums throughout the Lower Mainland. Her news coverage has been recognized by the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Jack Webster Foundation. She received a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from UBC and studied Broadcast Journalism at BCIT before joining CBC Vancouver in 2000.

Dr. Kim Nguyen Chi is a medical oncologist, and leads BC Cancer as the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President at the Provincial Health Services Authority. He is also a professor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine and the Shrum Chair in Prostate Cancer Research at BC Cancer. His research on genitourinary cancers focuses on prostate cancer and investigational new drugs. He is the past chair of the Genitourinary Disease and Investigational New Drugs Site Committees with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, and has received grants from the Canada Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC)/Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), the US Department of Defence, Prostate Cancer Foundation (USA), and more.

Dr. Denise Laronde DHP(C) is a professor in the UBC Faculty of Dentistry, a Distinguished Associate Scientist at the BC Cancer Research Institute, and the Director of the BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program. She received her Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Master of Science (Dental Science) from UBC, her Diploma in Dental Hygiene from VCC, and her Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology) from SFU. Her research focuses on head and neck cancer, and her research program addresses oral cancer screening. She has conducted research in South Asia and Canada, has published more than 50 papers and 125 conference abstracts, and is a longtime CJDH editorial board member.

Arlene Nguyen is a clinical dietitian who graduated from UBC’s Dietetics program. While completing her 10-month practicum, she developed a deep passion for supporting patients’ nutritional needs throughout cancer treatment and recovery. She practices at BC Cancer locations in Surrey and Vancouver. Her work involves empowering patients to make informed dietary choices to enhance their well-being during challenging times. She shares her love for food and nutrition on her Instagram page, @ngutrition. Collaborating with prospective UBC dietetic students, she aims to inspire others and foster a community centered around developing healthy relationships with food.

Amy Rappaport is an experienced counsellor with more than 15 years in the field who has worked in various settings, including cancer care, mental health, and domestic violence. She has a Master’s in Social Work from UBC and is registered with the College of Social Work and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Previously, she worked for a decade on BC Cancer’s counselling team, supporting patients and families living (and dying) with cancer. She supports people to adjust to serious/chronic illness, process anticipatory loss, cope with caregiver issues, and bereavement. She has specialized skills and training in children’s grief.

Jennifer Suess completed her pharmacy education at the University of Manitoba. She has worked as a clinical pharmacist in various inpatient and outpatient settings across BC and Alberta before transitioning into her current role as the Pharmacy Professional Practice Leader at the BC Cancer – Abbotsford Centre. Her career highlights include creating emergency plans to support patients on oral treatments during the 2021 Abbotsford floods, implementing a unique mobile mixing trailer to support NAPRA renovations, and spearheading the implementation of the clinical pharmacist within the ambulatory care team at BC Cancer.