Dr. Janet de Groot

Dr. Janet de Groot, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Psychiatry, Oncology and Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School, University of Calgary, is a psychiatrist, researcher, and educator, with advanced training in psychotherapy and narrative medicine. Her continuous peer-reviewed funding includes Alberta Cancer Foundation (2020-2024) clinical grant funding and CIHR for Continuing Education grants.  Her national education awards include the Canadian Psychiatry Association Award for Most Outstanding Continuing Education Activity in Psychiatry in Canada (2008) and an Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada May Cohen award for Equity, Diversity and Gender (2014).

Dr. de Groot collaborates in incorporating digital storytelling, narrative medicine and forum theatre into both research and education.  In psychosocial oncology, Dr. de Groot is leading investigation of the therapeutic benefits of a novel psychotherapy and led implementation research of a psychotherapy for people with advanced cancer. She collaborates on medical education research to enhance Indigenous health, learner wellness and professional identify formation. In collaboration with an international team of researchers, the collective moral resilience concept will be investigated in relation to team functioning.  Clinically, she leads the Alberta Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) initiative for peer-supervision of multidisciplinary clinicians to provide CALM for people with advanced cancer and a family member. Dr. de Groot also provides psychotherapy supervision for graduate, postgraduate and undergraduate trainees.

Please find a listing of Dr. de Groot's publications on Google Scholar.

Dr. Kathleen Sitter

Dr. Kathleen Sitter is a Dorothy Killam Fellow and Canada Research Chair in Multisensory Storytelling in Research and Knowledge Translation. She is a Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary and an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University. Her transdisciplinary research advances novel sensory methodologies that centre lived experience and support whole person care to inform decision-making in healthcare and social practice. Dr. Sitter has led and collaborated on projects spanning digital storytelling, theatre, 4D installations, smellscapes, and tactile mapping. Her portfolio includes more than 500 creative and scholarly contributions, with over 200 invited and juried exhibitions. She is the director of the Multisensory Research Studio, where she leads projects focused on storytelling, accessible research design, and sensory-based knowledge sharing.

multisensorystudio.ca

Dr. Dana Male 

Dr. Dana Male is a Registered Clinical Psychologist with the Arthur J.E Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and an Adjunct Assistant Professor with the University of Calgary, Department of Oncology. Her clinical interests include supporting patients and their loved ones through their experiences of cancer in the form individual, couples, and group services. She is passionate about developing and evaluating innovative and accessible psychosocial programs that meet the evolving needs of those affected by cancer.

Dr. Male is the Principal-Investigator on a pilot project, PIVOT (Prioritizing Important Values, Opportunities and Transitions), to develop and evaluate a 6-week psychotherapy group for individuals in their 30s and 40s navigating the unique impact of cancer during this life stage. She is also the co-creator of a provincial class offered through Cancer Care Alberta, ‘Coping with a new Cancer Diagnosis,’ and is currently collaborating to develop an asynchronous virtual format of this class with the aim of further improving access to care.

Dr. Laura Labelle

Dr. Laura Labelle is a clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology, Arthur J.E Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. In her clinical work, she primarily supports breast cancer patients and their families. She also dedicates part of her practice to supporting Indigenous clients and reducing barriers to cancer care. She is passionate about the provision of evidence-informed, individualized, and culturally safe care. Through her clinical work, program development, and research activities, she strives to improve the patient experience, and to help cancer patients and families adjust to illness and enhance their well-being. 

As former Supportive Care Lead, South, Cancer Care Alberta (2018-2022), Dr. Labelle led psychosocial and rehabilitation oncology teams in delivering high quality care to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families living in Southern Alberta. Dr. Labelle believes that excellence in supportive care is achieved through the integration of clinical service, education, and research.

Dr. Labelle also holds an Adjunct Assistant Professor position with the Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine. She conducted her graduate research in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, and previously held a clinical role as psychologist supporting the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) and hematology clinics at the TBCC (2012 – 2018). 

Dr. Labelle’s current research includes evaluation of a new psychosocial triage coordination service, collaboration on developing an innovative model of equitable cancer care: Indigenous Cancer Patient Multidisciplinary Rounds, and Digital Storytelling among women with breast cancer. Her previous research has predominantly been focused on mindfulness-based interventions in oncology. Her graduate research projects evaluated the psychological and physiological effects of a Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) program, and mediators of these effects. 

Dr. Fay Strohschein

Dr. Fay Strohschein is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary in the Departments of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Community Health Sciences. She completed her PhD in Nursing at McGill University, with a joint focus on psychosocial oncology and aging. Her dissertation research explored cancer treatment decision making from the perspective of adults aged 70 years and older, providing insight into the cognitive, practical, and relational aspects of the decision-making process. After her PhD, Dr. Strohschein held a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Health System Impact Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Calgary, in collaboration with the Cancer Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services.

Passionate about supporting older patients and families through the cancer experience, Dr. Strohschein’s research interests grew from her clinical work with the Consultation Service for Senior Oncology Patients at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, where she worked as a nurse navigator, clinical nurse specialist, and clinical research coordinator. She is a certified CALM Therapist and has collaborated with Dr. de Groot on CALM implementation research in Alberta. Dr. Strohschein’s current research focuses on aligning health care services with the needs and concerns of older adults with cancer and those close to them.

Jessame Gamboa

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (With Distinction) from the University of Calgary, Jessame has continued working as a Research Assistant and Coordinator. Her dedication to fostering trust, respect, and compassion shines through in every project she undertakes. Jessame is committed to ensuring that all participants feel not only valued and understood but also empowered, thus cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment. Beyond academia, Jessame finds immense joy in painting, baking, and spending time with her loved ones and her dog.

Carly-Ann Haney 

Carly-Ann Haney (she/they) is a PhD candidate, Canada Graduate Scholar, and Registered Social Worker in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. Their doctoral research aims to bridge Fat Studies, Queer Theory, Arts and Sensory research, and Social Work. Her research and practice interests span sexuality, the politics of the body, movement, performance, supervision, and more.