Our Leadership

The Central East Regional Cancer Program is led by a team which includes a Regional Vice President and clinicians who have taken on the role of Regional Clinical Leads in different areas of cancer care.

Regional Clinical Leads work closely with our partner hospitals to ensure cancer care in our community is aligned with Cancer Care Ontario's goals, standards and best practice guidelines. They also promote collaboration within the region, and work toward improvements in the quality and coordination of cancer care.

Regional Vice President (Interim)

Kirsten Burgomaster

Clinical Director, R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre

Patti Marchand

Regional Clinical Leads

Kathy McLeod-Beaver
Indigenous Navigator

Dr. James Chiarotto, Scarborough Health Network
Quality Lead for Systemic Treatment (Chemotherapy)

Debbie Devitt
Patient Education Lead

Dr. Gus Dotsikas, Lakeridge Health
Cancer Imaging Lead and Breast Imaging Lead

Dr. Medhat El-Mallah, R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Health
Radiation Clinical Lead

Dr. Julia Jones
Surgical Oncology Lead

Dr. Hugh Kendall
Colorectal Screening/GI Endoscopy Lead

Darrilyn Lessels 
Nursing Lead 

Patti Argier
Psychosocial Oncology Lead 

Dr. Avnish Mehta
Primary Care and Cancer Screening Lead

Dr. Edward Osborne
Palliative Care Lead 

Dr. Jason Pennington
Indigenous Cancer Lead

Dr. Nathan Roth
Cervical Screening/Colposcopy Lead 

For biographies, visit Our Regional Experts