Holistic Approach to Oncology Imaging

The education day will cover:
1. 1. Understand Patient Centered Care in Cancer Imaging and Treatment
2. 2. Have a basic understanding of how an ultrasound image is created
3. 3. List advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound as an oncology imaging modality
4. 4. Identify organs/structures where ultrasound plays a role in oncology
5. 5. Appreciate some of the sonographic features related to oncology
6. 6. Understand the complexity of CT Imaging in Cancer diagnosis, staging, and surveillance
7. 7. Familiarize with the benefit of IV and oral contrast in characterizing cancer pathologies
8. 8. Understand PET basics
9. 9. Comprehend PET applications in Oncology
10. 10. Be able to describe the challenges of implementing interventional MRI (iMRI) for diagnosis.
11. 11. Understand the use of iMRI for treatment of benign and metastatic lesions and tumors
12. 12. Understand the advantages and challenges of MR imaging for diagnosis of cancer
13. 13. Understand the current clinical practices and advanced imaging techniques
14. 14. Review the role that radiation therapy plays in the management of cancer within the Canadian context
15. 15. Recognize the importance of imaging within the cancer treatment trajectory
16. 16. Identify how imaging has advanced radiation therapy treatment techniques

• – Ms. Valentina Al Hamouche, MSc., Health Systems Management, MRT(R), CEO
• – Mr. Leonardo Faudez, MA, BSc, DMS RDMS RVT CRGS CRVS
• – Ms. Yili Wang , BSc, MRT(R)/li>
• – Ms. Charis Lin, BSc, MRT(R)
• – Mr. Doug Vines, BSc, MRT(N), CTIC(N), CNMT
• – Ms. Anna Simeonov, MSc MRT (MR), (R)
• – Ms. Laura D’Alimonte, MRT(T), MHSc

Short Biographies

Ms. Valentina Al Hamouche: Valentina holds an M.Sc. Health Systems Management, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, UK and B.Sc. (Hons) in Radiography Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge, UK Applied Health Sciences Department, Division of Radiography. She has also received a FAETC: Further Adult and Education Teacher’s Certificate from the College of North-East London, UK (1991), and a Diploma in Radiologic Technology American University of Beirut-Medical Centre Radiologic Technology Training Program, Lebanon. In 1994, she has pursued further education and training in radiation safety sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the International Center of Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste Italy. She has over 25 years of radiography teaching experience at different Universities in Canada and abroad. She is a registration committee member at the College of Radiological Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO). She is certified with the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). In 2017 she founded VCA Education Solutions for Health Professionals, Inc. In 2018, she was nominated for the OAMRS Practitioner of the Year award; and lately, she was appointed to represent CMRTO at Accreditation Canada.

Mr. Leonardo Faudez: Leonardo has been in the ultrasound field for 18+ years as a sonographer, professor, entrepreneur, and lecturer. He is currently working in three roles: (1) owner/founder of Aprende Canada (www.aprendecanada.com) where I offer continuing education to sonographers and ultrasound education consulting, (2) Clinical Education Specialist at Exact Imaging in charge of the training program for users of a high-resolution transrectal ultrasound system, and (3) a sonographer at University Health Network (UHN). He has worked as a full-time sonographer and clinical instructor for about 7 years at UHN and had the chance to work in small healthcare facilities as well. I was also an ultrasound faculty at The Michener Institute for 10 years. I have presented at several national and provincial conferences on several sonography topics. I have volunteered as the Vascular Editor of the Canadian Journal of Medical Sonography (CJMS) for two years. I have a master’s degree in education from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from York University. He enjoys travelling with my wife, playing soccer and DJing.

Ms. Yili Wang: Yili is a CT/Angio technologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Her past research includes radiation dose optimization in CT coronary angiography and testing the efficacy of radiation protection devices. Her current research focuses on quality improvement through increasing language service access via language tracking in Radiology Information System (RIS).

Ms. Charis Lin: Charis is a CT technologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Her past research experiences include a pilot study on the rate and reasons for repeat CT imaging of trauma transfer patients. The results from this study has led to approval for funding and is now being conducted by the Emergency and Emergency Radiology departments.

Mr. Doug Vines: Doug Vines has worked for more than 35 years as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) in 3 different countries and has more than 16 years’ experience in both clinical and small animal PET-CT. He is certified in NMT for both Canada and the USA, he is certified in CT imaging in Canada, and was PET certified for 14 years in the USA. He spent 3.5 years working at the National Institutes of Health in Washington DC, performing PET and SPECT neuroreceptor imaging in small animals, non-human primates, and humans. He currently works at both the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the STTARR Innovation Centre in Toronto where he performs human PET-CT and small animal PET-CT, PET-MR and SPECT-CT. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto and has published 40 peer-reviewed papers.

Ms. Anna Simeonov: Anna is a MRI technologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Center in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Anna has over 25 year experience in radiography, CT, clinical and research MRI. The last 15 years specializing in MRI applications for image-guided radiation therapy and cancer treatment planning and response.

Ms. Laura D’Alimonte: Laura received her undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Windsor in 2000. She completed the joint degree/diploma Medical Radiation Sciences from the University of Toronto/Michener Institute in 2005. She recently graduated with a Masters in Health Sciences from the University of Toronto in 2013. She joined the Sunnybrook Team in 2006 and has held various positions within the organization including team lead, research radiation therapist and most recently Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (CSRT) with the Brachytherapy Program. She is a Lecturer at the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto and a Clinical Educator with The Michener Institute teaching both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Laura’s research and scholarly activity is focused on improving the care and clinical outcomes of our patients and their families during their cancer journey.