Staff Directory - Drug Information and Research Centre

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Staff Directory
Director
SCOTT GAVURA

Senior Manager, Quality Assurance
DOROTHY TSCHENG

Senior Pharmacist, Knowledge Translation
BRENT RUDDOCK

Education Coordinator
JANICE TANG

Drug Information Support Coordinator
CAROL LEE

Drug Information Pharmacists

LEILANY ALBARRAN	JACKIE CAMPBELL	BRENDA CHANG
DORIS CHEUNG	TOMMY CHEUNG	MANDY DE JONG
JOANNE DESHPANDE	SHARON ENG	ELLEN FAN
MIKA FUJII	SUSAN HALASI	SHERRIE HERTZ
ANHTHU HOANG	HEIDI HUANG	BUU HUYNH
LENKA JANECKA	NISHA KADIKAR	SANG MI LEE
VALERIE LEUNG	KAREN LONG	KARINA MALAK
NICOLE MANDLSOHN	SAYEH RADPAY	DAVID SHUM
SUMEET SIDHU	JACQUELINE SIOW	LEAM TANG
PAUL THOMPSON	JILL WESTLUND	MARGARET WONG

Administrative Staff
SARAH PASCUTTINI PENNY YOUNG
Staff Bios

SCOTT GAVURA, B.Sc.Phm., MBA [email protected]

DIRC Director

Scott Gavura has been Director of DIRC since 2003. He is responsible for the strategic growth of DIRC as it plays a leading role in enhancing appropriate medication use in Canada. In this role, Scott is responsible for providing leadership to the DIRC team, and overseeing DIRC’s expanding range of programs, products, and services for health professionals and the public.

Scott’s extensive background in the Canadian health environment has contributed to the success of DIRC, with a detailed understanding of federal and provincial drug approval and management systems. His former roles include the position of Manager, Drug Submissions, at the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Drug Programs Branch. In this position Scott managed the Ontario Drug Benefit submission review and approval process. Scott also held leadership roles and participated on several Federal/Provincial/Territorial task groups, including the development of the Common Drug Review as well as work streamlining the generic drug review and approval process.

A pharmacist by background, Scott has a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BScPhm) from University of Toronto, and an Accredited Canadian Pharmacy Residency (ACPR) from London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). His pharmacy experience includes work at both LHSC and Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Scott also has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Toronto. Scott has worked part-time in community pharmacy since graduation and continues to practice regularly at his local pharmacy.

DOROTHY TSCHENG, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Senior Manager, Quality Assurance

Dorothy Tscheng has been DIRC’s Senior Manager, Quality Assurance since 2004. In this position, Dorothy is responsible for the operational excellence of DIRC’s call centre services. Dorothy brings significant technical, project management and training experience to this role, with a demonstrated ability to implement change. She is dedicated, customer-oriented, and passionate about the role of DIRC in improving health outcomes and improving medication use.

As Senior Manager, Quality Assurance, Dorothy’s responsibilities include ensuring that DIRC meets all contractual and service obligations to its clients. Dorothy has led the implementation of dozens of service innovations and shares these innovations at health care conferences across Canada.

Dorothy is a motivated leader with a track record of developing both excellent drug information pharmacists, as well as industry-leading drug information management systems. A practicing pharmacist, Dorothy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy (BScPhm) from the University of Toronto. Prior to joining DIRC, Dorothy spent five years working in internal medicine at Toronto Western Hospital.

BRENT RUDDOCK, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Senior Pharmacist, Knowledge Translation

Brent Ruddock has been DIRC’s Senior Pharmacist, Knowledge Translation, since 2005. In this position, Brent oversees all of DIRC’s written and published communication. Brent brings to this position a demonstrated ability to work with clients to identify and resolve information and communication needs. Brent’s experience and enthusiasm for excellence in written communication, supports DIRC as it significantly grows its medical writing services.

As Senior Pharmacist, Knowledge Translation, Brent is responsible for ensuring that all of DIRC’s resources meet strict quality standards, are evidence-based, and unbiased. In this role, Brent has significantly enhanced the quantity and quality of DIRC’s publications, and contributes to the literature regularly through published articles on appropriate drug use.

Prior to joining DIRC in 2000, Brent practiced as a hospital pharmacist at the London Health Sciences Centre. His education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto, as well as a pharmacy residency at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario.

JANICE TANG, B.Sc. [email protected]

Education Coordinator

Janice has been DIRC’s Education Coordinator since 2006. Janice is responsible for planning and implementing educational programs and services to pharmacists and other health professionals. Janice has an extensive background in pharmacy, with prior positions at Mediresource, Rx Canada, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, and Shoppers Drug Mart. Janice has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto.

LEILANY (LEILA) ALBARRAN, B.Sc., BS Pharm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Leila is a part-time pharmacist at DIRC and supports the Telehealth Ontario service. Leila has a Bachelor of Science degree, and Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. She has worked in both community pharmacy as well as in drug information as a pharmacist supervisor for Medco Health. Presently, Leila is a full-time pharmacist at Toronto General Hospital working in cardiology.

JACKIE CAMPBELL, B.Sc.(Pharm.), LLB. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Jackie has been a staff pharmacist at DIRC since 2000. Her role has evolved to include significant responsibility for writing and editing DIRC’s publications, and in training new staff on writing skills. As well, she acts as a mentor in Health Technology Assessment training for other staff.
A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Jackie completed a hospital pharmacy residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. She has worked in a variety of positions in hospital and drug information centres in Vancouver, London and Yellowknife. She has worked in industry, both in regulatory affairs, and as head of the pharmacy team for a multinational healthcare management services organization.

Jackie is also a lawyer and practices environmental law with Dianne Saxe, a top environmental law specialist. The firm is regularly consulted by governments, business, individuals and environmental groups, and provides advice on civil, criminal and administrative environmental litigation matters. Jackie finds her pro bono advocacy work on behalf of Algonquin Eco Watch particularly satisfying.

BRENDA CHANG, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Brenda has been with DIRC since 2002 as a part-time drug information pharmacist. Brenda is a University of Toronto pharmacy graduate and completed a hospital residency at St. Michael’s Hospital. Currently, Brenda is a full-time clinical pharmacist at St. Michael’s hospital while she pursues her Pharm.D. degree on a part-time basis.

DORIS CHEUNG, B.Sc.Phm., M.Sc., DDS [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Doris is a 1995 pharmacy graduate of the University of Toronto and has been a drug information pharmacist at DIRC since 2001. Doris is also a dentist and is currently building a thriving practice while she continues to work at DIRC on a part-time basis.

TOMMY CHEUNG, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Director, Information Technology and e-Health

A University of Toronto graduate, Tommy joined the DIRC team having worked as a pharmacist in the I.V. Admixture / Central Pharmacy of Toronto Hospital as well as fulfilling a clinical role on the general surgical and psychiatric units. Tommy still continues to practice community pharmacy on a part-time basis. In addition to managing the IT needs for DIRC, Tommy is also Director of e-Health for the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association.

MANDY DE JONG, B.S.P., M.Sc. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Mandy joined the DIRC team as a full-time drug information pharmacists in 2005. A 1995 graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Mandy also completed a Master’s of Science in Clinical Pharmacy in 2004. Mandy has worked in a variety of pharmacy practice sites including community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, long-term care and drug information. Her clinical area of interest is geriatric pharmacotherapy, particularly in treating behaviour problems in dementia.

JOANNE DESHPANDE, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Joanne joined the DIRC team of pharmacists in October 1998. She currently works on a part-time basis supporting the Telehealth Ontario service. Prior to her current position, she was a hospital pharmacist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, with many years of clinical and teaching experience.

SHARON ENG, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Sharon joined the DIRC team in 2002 and has been a drug information pharmacist since that time. Sharon has extensive community pharmacy experience and is also an accredited consultant pharmacist, with experience in long-term care facilities. Sharon is a member of the DIRC training team and provides coaching and support for new pharmacists. Sharon also works part-time at the Toronto General Hospital in addition to her work at DIRC.

ELLEN FAN, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Ellen graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto in 1996. After gaining expertise in community pharmacy, Ellen joined DIRC in January 2001. Ellen is a regular contributor to the pharmacy literature, with recent articles in Pharmacy Practice, Pharmacist’s Letter, Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal, and several DIRC publications.

MIKA FUJII, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Mika is a 2001 graduate of the University of Toronto, with extensive community pharmacy experience in settings across Ontario. Mika’s demonstrated ability to provide exceptional service, in demanding and fast paced environments, will be critical as she begins training on the Telehealth Ontario service, starting June 5.

SUSAN HALASI, M.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Susan has provided drug information for over two decades. Prior to joining the DIRC team, Susan worked as a drug information pharmacist at the St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. Susan graduated from the University of Toronto in 1973 with her Bachelor’s degree and then in 1988 with a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutics. Susan also has extensive clinical experience in the areas of psychiatry and geriatrics. Susan plays a major role in the training and education of students and residents that spend time at DIRC. Susan has given many presentations to pharmacists, health care professions, and patient groups and is a regular contributor to the pharmacy literature.

SHERRIE HERTZ, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Director, Pharmacy Programs, Ontario Pharmacists’ Association

Sherrie has been a drug information pharmacist with DIRC since 1998, and currently supports DIRC on a part-time basis. Sherrie has an extensive background in pharmacy with experience in a number of settings. Sherrie is currently the Director, Pharmacy Programs for the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association and is responsible for acquiring and managing projects related to pharmacist professional practice.

ANHTHU HOANG, PharmD. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

AnhThu obtained her doctor of pharmacy degree at the University of Minnesota, and subsequently completed a post-graduate fellowship in infectious disease. Her experience includes work as an academic detailer for a Pennsylvania-based health plan, acting as a Clinical Co-ordinator of Infectious Disease at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and the position of Medical/Scientific Director for a New York based educational firm. She has many publications and book contributions to her name. AnhThu is a part-time pharmacist with DIRC and supports several DIRC services.

HEIDI HUANG, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Heidi is a 2000 pharmacy graduate of the University of Toronto and supports DIRC on a part-time basis. Heidi also has a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry & biotechnology from the University of Waterloo. Heidi has also completed an Ambulatory Pharmacy Residency at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She currently works full-time as a clinical pharmacist at Toronto East General Hospital.

BUU HUYNH, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Buu is a 2005 graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Pharmacy and is currently completing an industrial pharmacy residency at Janssen-Ortho Inc (JOI). At JOI, Buu has been working in the Medical Information department and has developed considerable expertise in drug information provision to the public and health professionals. Buu has also been working in community pharmacy on a part-time basis since graduation, and brings an understanding of the needs of our pharmacist clients.

LENKA (LENNY) JANECKA, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Lenny has been a full-time drug information pharmacist since 2006. A 2004 pharmacy graduate of the University of Toronto, Lenny has experience working in both community and hospital pharmacy practice. Lenny’s ability to converse in four languages supports DIRC’s growing range of drug information services.

NISHA KADIKAR, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Nisha Kadikar, BSc, BScPhm, CAE is a 2003 graduate of the U of T’s pharmacy program. She joins us from Apotex, where she was a Drug Information Associate over the past eighteen months. Nisha also has a community pharmacy background, and has worked as a pharmacist for the Section 8 Program at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Nisha is bilingual (French/English), which will be an asset as we continue to expand our services and programs. Nisha will be starting on May 31, and will begin training for DIRC service provision.

SANG MI LEE, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Sang Mi is a part-time pharmacist at DIRC and supports the Telehealth Ontario service. Sang Mi is a 2003 pharmacy graduate of the University of Toronto and has worked in community pharmacy, as well as government, since that time. Presently, Sang Mi is with the Drug Programs Branch at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care where she works in Policy and Standards with the Individual Clinical Review Program.

CHRISTINE LING, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Since graduating from the University of Toronto in 1996, Christine has worked in community practice in both staff and management roles. Christine supports DIRC on a part-time basis, supporting the Telehealth Ontario service.

VALERIE LEUNG, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Valerie is a part-time pharmacist at DIRC and supports the Telehealth Ontario service. Valerie is a 2004 pharmacy graduate of the University of Toronto. Valerie recently completed a hospital pharmacy residency at the University Health Network, and is currently working full-time in Emergency and Critical Care at Toronto East General Hospital.

KAREN LONG, B.Sc.Phm., PharmD. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Karen is a part-time pharmacist at DIRC and supports the Telehealth Ontario service. Karen completed her Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at U of T in 2001 and has worked in several community settings since that time. Since obtaining her PharmD in 2005, she has been working full-time at GlaxoSmithKline and presently works in regulatory affairs.

KARINA MALAK, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Karina brings extensive industry experience in information and drug safety to her role at DIRC. Her background in several therapeutic areas including psychiatry, hormone replacement, cardiovascular, neurology, respirology, and urology complements her significant pharmacy experience in other settings. Previously working in the pharmaceutical industry, Karina managed and was involved in industry functions such as: clinical research, marketing, product submissions, quality assurance and drug safety reporting. This knowledge of processes, functions and infrastructure has proved invaluable to DIRC’s growth and expansion.

NICOLE MANDLSOHN, BS Pharm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Nicole is a part-time pharmacist at DIRC and supports the Telehealth Ontario service. Nicole obtained her Bachelor’s degree at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston in 1998. After graduating, she worked as a Diabetes Care Specialist for Eli Lilly, and then community and hospital pharmacy practice across the U.S. Nicole is currently a full-time pharmacist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

SAYEH RADPAY, B.Sc.Phm., MBA [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Sayeh has been a part-time Drug Information Pharmacist at DIRC since 2006. Sayeh is a 1994 pharmacy graduate of the University of Toronto, and has completed a hospital pharmacy residency. Following four years as an oncology pharmacist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Sayeh obtained her Master’s of Business Administration degree from the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management in 2001. Since completing her MBA, she has worked at MDS Proteomics and Baxter Corporation as a product manager and consultant. Most recently, Sayeh was a Research Associate (Biotech/Pharma) at RBC Capital Markets.

DAVID SHUM, B.Sc.Phm., PharmD., MBA [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Dave is a part-time pharmacist at DIRC and supports the Telehealth Ontario service. He has a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from U of T and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Wayne State University.

Dave has held numerous pharmacy roles, including that of a clinical pharmacist at the University Health Network to multiple roles at the Drug Programs Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Dave is currently National Manager, Private and Federal Payers, at Hoffmann-La Roche.

In addition to his other activities, Dave has a good understanding of community pharmacy practice with several years of part-time community pharmacy practice.

SUMEET (SIMMI) SIDHU, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Simmi is a 2004 graduate of the University of Toronto and brings to DIRC exposure to hospital and community pharmacy as well as expertise in the pharmaceutical industry in medical information. Simmi speaks regularly and also contributes to the literature through DIRC’s medical writing services. She continues to work on a part-time basis in community pharmacy.

JACQUELINE SIOW, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Jacqueline is a 1994 graduate of the University of Toronto and supports DIRC on a part-time basis with the Telehealth Ontario program. Jackie has an extensive community pharmacy background and an interest in medication use in the pregnant and lactating population.

LEAM TANG, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Since graduating from the University of Toronto in 1994, Leam has worked in the various fields of pharmacy practice – community, hospital and industry. His previous work experience has focused on roles in medical information. He joined the Drug Information and Research team in June 2004. Leam has significant audio-visual skills and provides in-house multimedia production to DIRC. Leam also continues to work part-time in community pharmacy.

PAUL THOMPSON, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Paul is a 2004 University of Toronto pharmacy graduate and has experience working in both hospital and community pharmacy. Most recently, Paul was a full-time pharmacist for Pharmasave. Paul’s fluency in both English and French will help support DIRC’s growing range of services.

JILL WESTLUND, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Jill joined the DIRC team in 2004 as a part-time drug information pharmacist. Jill brings to DIRC an extensive and varied pharmacy background. Jill had several years of community pharmacy experience before completing a hospital pharmacy residency. She is currently a clinical pharmacist at Toronto General Hospital. Jill brings her extensive clinical background the public through the Telehealth Ontario service.

MARGARET S.W. WONG, B.Sc.Phm. [email protected]

Drug Information Pharmacist

Margaret is a graduate from the University of Toronto who works with the Telehealth program. Prior to joining the OPA, she has had experience in both hospital and community pharmacy. She has experience as a clinical pharmacist at North York General, Sunnybrook and Women’s, and the Toronto General hospitals. Margaret has experience both as a part-time pharmacist as well as a co-owner of a community pharmacy. She also has experience with a consulting firm which specializes in hospital based marketing projects for clients in the pharmaceutical industry. She says, “Drug therapy is a rapidly growing field and it’s nice to work in a place where you can keep up with all the latest developments.”

CAROL LEE, CPhT, CCHRA(A) [email protected]

Drug Information Support Coordinator

Carol Lee joined the Drug Information and Research Centre in December 1998 as a pharmacy technician and currently plays an important role in ensuring the daily activities in DIRC run smoothly. Carol administers all of DIRC’s award-winning databases and other tools to ensure pharmacist can respond to inquiries as efficiently and effectively as possible. Carol’s background includes hospital pharmacy experience at several Toronto hospitals. She is certified with the Canadian Health Records Association and has completed a Pharmacy Technician program at Humber College.

SARAH PASCUTTINI [email protected]

Office Assistant

Sarah helps keep the DIRC office functioning smoothly by assisting our drug information pharmacists respond to inquiries as quickly as possible.

PENNY YOUNG [email protected]

Administrative Assistant

Penny has extensive experience in organizational, coordination, and administrative areas of the Association, and she has been working with DIRC since its inception in 1998. Penny’s enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring DIRC provides the best possible service to our subscribers is clearly evident. Penny is responsible for coordinating all DIRC and OPA education programs, ensuring they are administered smoothly and effectively.

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