Who's behind it?

PeerNav is led by a team from the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Dr. Jackie Bender

Scientist and Lead

Dr. Bender is a scientist and Co-Lead of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship Program of the Department of Supportive Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network. She is also an Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Institute for Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Dr. Bender’s work focuses on developing digital health innovations to improve cancer care access, experience, and outcomes and promote health equity.

Dr Andrew Matthew

Psychologist

Dr. Andrew Matthew is a Psychologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in the Departments of Supportive Care, Urology, and Surgery. Dr. Matthew has over 20 years of professional experience in psychosocial oncology. He is the Head of the Genitourinary Survivorship Program and the Sexual Health Rehabilitation Program. His clinical work and research focus on urologic cancers, with particular emphasis on prevention, sexual health, survivorship, and improving patients’ quality of life.

Dr. Norma D'Agostino

Psychologist

Dr. Norma D’Agostino is a psychologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in the Department of Supportive Care. Dr. D’Agostino has over 20 years of professional experience in pediatric and adult psychosocial oncology. Her clinical work and research focus on young adults with cancer, including long-term survivors of childhood cancer.

Logan Meyers, MSc

Clinical Research Coordinator

Logan Meyers is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Logan completed his Bachelor of Science degree in the Health Sciences program at Wilfrid Laurier University. Logan then earned his Master of Science degree from the University of British Columbia, where he studied rehabilitation oncology. He is passionate about working with patients and caregivers at all stages of their cancer journey to ensure they receive the support they need.

Valerie Heller

Clinical Social Worker

Valerie Heller, MSW, RSW, is a social worker at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and she is also the Co-lead for the Psychosocial Oncology Program within the Department of Supportive Care.  Valerie has been at Princess Margaret for 25 years, providing psychosocial support to patients and their families throughout the trajectory of their illness.  Her work focuses on providing psychotherapeutic support to patients, plus supporting patients to eliminate any social barriers to accessing their cancer treatment and care.  She mentors social work students and provides clinic support to colleagues.

Dr. Baharan Ghavami

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Baharan holds a PhD in Health Psychology, a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Family Therapy, and a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Baharan has experience across both clinical and research settings in psychosocial oncology, supporting individuals with cancer and their caregivers. Her research interests include digital health innovations and the development of psychosocial support for patients with cancer and their families. She is currently involved in adapting PeerNav for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.

Elizabeth Yiminum Yusuf

PhD Student

Elizabeth is a Health Economist currently pursuing a PhD in Health Systems Research at the University of Toronto. She holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and has experience working across the Nigerian and UK health systems in consulting and research roles. Her current research focuses on the economic evaluation of digital peer navigation interventions. Outside of research, Elizabeth enjoys serving in her church community, photography, and reviewing movies.

Full Team

Dr. Abha Gupta

Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Dr. Robert Hamilton

Urologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Dr. Argerie Tsimicalis

Registered Nurse & Researcher, McGill University

Dr. Sheila Garland

Psychologist, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Dr. Amanda Fuchsia Howard

Registered Nurse & Researcher, University of British Columbia

Dr. Fiona Schulte

Psychologist, Alberta Health Services

Dr. Jennifer Jones

Senior Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Dr. Zhihui (Amy) Liu

Biostatistician, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Dr. Rebecca Hancock-Howard

Health Economist, University of Toronto

Nikki Leigh McKean

Patient Partner

Priscilla Estrada

Patient Partner

Paul Silvestri

Patient Partner

Brandon Baldassarre

Patient Partner

Mike Lovas

Director of Design and Innovation, Cancer Digital Intelligence, UHN

Emily Drake

PhD Candidate, Dalhousie University

Karine Chalifour

Program Director, Young Adult Cancer Canada

Annemarie Edwards

Director, Knowledge Mobilization,Canadian Cancer Society

Please note that PeerNav does not offer urgent support. If you need urgent medical help, please call 911.

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