Event Photos
Our Speakers
Moderator
Gary Rodin, MD
Gary Rodin is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care (GIPPEC) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto. Dr. Rodin leads an internationally recognized clinical and research program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre focused on the development, evaluation and global implementation of novel psychotherapeutic interventions to improve the psychological well-being and quality of life of patients with cancer and their families in diverse cultural, geographic and resource settings. He has published widely in these areas and has been recognized for his global efforts to ensure universal access to psychosocial and palliative interventions and optimal end-of-life care for patients and families facing advanced disease. Dr. Rodin is currently co-leading a Lancet Oncology Commission on the Human Crisis in Cancer.
Speakers
Jill I. Cameron, PhD
Dr. Jill Cameron is Professor and Vice Chair Research in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto and an Affiliated Scientist at KITE – Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. Her primary research interest is to understand the experiences and needs of family members who assume the role of caregiver for individuals with disability. Dr. Cameron aims to develop timely and relevant programs to assist them with their care-giving activities and pursuit of other valued activities and interests. The ultimate goal of her research is to support families as they transition across care environments with the aim of optimizing life in the community.
Madeline Li, MD PhD
Dr. Madeline Li is a Professor of Psychiatry (as of July 1, 2024) at the University of Toronto and Lead of Psychosocial Oncology at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada. In addition to clinical practice in cancer psychiatry, she conducts collaborative research in the areas of psychoneuroimmunology and psychosocial oncology. She has expertise in end of life care, emotional distress screening and management of mood disorders in cancer. She has authored several publications, guidelines and interprofessional education resources in psycho-oncology. She led the development of the Distress Assessment and Response Tool (DART) program at Princess Margaret and the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) service at the University Health Network in Toronto. She is currently the Medical Director on the board of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO).
Shelley Birenbaum, JD
Shelley Birenbaum is President and Counsel at Shelley R. Birenbaum Professional Corporation, a law firm dedicated exclusively to health and privacy law. She has worked for over 30 years with the health care sector. Shelley was formerly counsel to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and counsel in the Health Law Department of two large law firms. She has a Master of Social Work from University of Toronto, Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall and a Master of Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania. Shelley is an active volunteer with the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations, including Chair of the Canadian Bar Association End-of-Life Working Group. Shelley was a Board member at Dying with Dignity Canada, Jewish Family & Child Service, and Concerned Friends for Ontario Citizens in Care Facilities. She was a member of the National Working Group on Advance Care Planning and was the lawyer/privacy member of research ethics boards for over a decade. In 2020, Shelley received the Ontario Bar Association Award for Excellence in Health Law.
Special Guest
SarahRose Black, PhD RP MTA
Dr. SarahRose Black is a certified music therapist and registered psychotherapist, specializing in palliative care and psychosocial oncology at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and her private psychotherapy clinic, Whole Note Psychotherapy, in Toronto. She is a pianist, vocalist, and music health educator, and has performed, taught, and presented on her clinical work and research across Canada. As founder and coordinator of the inaugural music therapy programs at both the cancer centre and Kensington Hospice, SarahRose has introduced models of music psychotherapy for patients with varying diagnoses and psychosocial needs, across varying ages and stages of treatment. SarahRose has published widely on music and health care, music therapy, as well as oncology, palliative and end of life care. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, an academic graduate supervisor at Wilfrid Laurier University, and the former Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Music Therapy.
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