Topic: Ontario Cancer Screening Programs

Having completed a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences at McMaster University in 2007, Dr. Sutherland returned home to Northern Ontario to begin his studies in medicine in 2007. He graduated from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in 2011 and went on to complete a residence in Family medicine. Dr. Sutherland assumed the role of the Northeast Regional Primary Care Lead in September of 2019. He has previous experience as regional lead for the North East LHIN, and practical experience as a family physician at the City of Lakes Family Health Team in Sudbury, where he has been practicing for 5 years.

As the Northeast Regional Primary Care Lead, his focus is on improving cancer screening rates through engaging and understanding barriers faced by northeast patients and providers.

Topic: Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP)

Dr. Jocko is an Algonquin Anishnabe-kwe. In 2009, she obtained her medical school degree at McMaster University and Obstetrics & Gynecology residency at University of Ottawa/Northern Stream in 2014. She is currently in her seventh year in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Health Sciences North in Sudbury. She works as a consultant specialist at the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre in Sudbury, Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current and Naandwechige-Gamig Wikwemikwong Health Centre. Dr. Jocko took on the role of Regional Cervical Screening and Colposcopy Lead for the North East with Ontario Health in 2016.

Her focus and passion in the role of Regional Cervical Screening & Colposcopy Clinical Lead is to improve quality, safety, and accessibility to appropriate care from prevention and screening to diagnosis and appropriate management of pre-invasive cervical diseases.

Topic: Colon Cancer Check (CCC)

The role of Northeast Regional Colorectal Screening/GI Endoscopy Lead is to work with the Northeast Cancer Centre clinical leadership team and regional partners in improving the quality, safety, and accessibility of cancer services for colorectal cancer screening and gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in the region.

Dr. Shulman completed medical school at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Michigan State University. He finished his training in gastroenterology at UWO with subspecialty training in therapeutic endoscopy and inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Shulman has practiced at the North Bay Regional Health Centre for the last 16 years and is familiar with regional priorities and supports Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) through the Regional Cancer Program in planning and implementing provincial quality improvement initiatives in the Northeast.

Topic: Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP)

Dr. Kulkarni was appointed to the role of Regional Breast Imaging Lead for the Northeast in early 2020. She brings to this position her experience as a Clinical Breast Radiologist and as Regional Breast Imaging Lead for the Toronto Central Regional Cancer Program as well.

Her main focus at present is to work on improving our cancer screening rates by understanding barriers faced by Northeast patients and providers, and also providing timely access for diagnostic work up for screen-detected abnormalities. In addition to monitoring cancer outcome metrics, she also is hoping to expand the access to the High Risk OBSP and provide training and education opportunities to OBSP radiologists, MRTs and support staff.

Topic: Ontario Lung Screening Program (OLSP)

Dr. Peltier is from the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island and prior to attending medical school was a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner, servicing the remote and urban Indigenous communities of northern and eastern Ontario. She attended the University of Ottawa School of Medicine and completed her family medicine residency at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) in 2017.

Following her residency Dr. Peltier was a staff physician at the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority along the James Bay coast until 2018. She is currently practicing family medicine at the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre in Sudbury and addictions medicine in North Bay. She is also an Associate Professor with NOSM.

Dr. Peltier and Dr. Innes collaborate, to better meet the cancer needs of Indigenous peoples across northeastern Ontario.

Topic: Tools to Support Primary Care with Cancer Screening

Dr. Innes is from Moose Factory, Ontario. She is Cree and a member of the Moose Cree First Nation, and has roots in Waskaganish, Quebec.

She graduated from medical school and residency in 2015 and her goal had always been to work among Indigenous people and in Indigenous communities. The role as Regional Indigenous Cancer Lead for the northern part of our region was a perfect fit for Dr. Innes and she has been serving in this role since 2018. She has previously practiced in Timmins providing primary care at Misiway Health Centre as well as hospitalist and emergency care at the Timmins and District Hospital. She is now in her home community at the Weeneebayko General Hospital where she is Chief of Staff.

Dr. Peltier and Dr. Innes collaborate, to better meet the cancer needs of Indigenous peoples across northeastern Ontario.