Chair's Welcome

Chair's Welcome

Sent on behalf of Dr. Laura Dawson, UTDRO Chair

"Dear UTDRO Community,

As the new Chair of UT DRO, I am delighted to welcome you to the first 2023 newsletter. I would like to express my gratitude to my predecessor, Dr. Fei Fei Liu, past interim chair, Dr. Jan Seuntjens, UT DRO Vice Chairs, Dr. Gregory Czarnota (Executive), Dr. Eileen Rakovitch (Clinical Affairs), Dr. May Tsao (Education) and Dr. Michael Milosevic (Research), as well as all UT DRO Faculty, Students and Staff for their commitment to UT DRO and dedication to our cancer patients. Special thanks to Ruby Han, UT DRO business manager, who has been by my side as we navigate our new roles since January 1 2023.

It has been inspiring to reflect on recent accomplishments of UT DRO students and faculty. Celebrating together in person at graduation, convocation, research day, and educational meetings will not be taken for granted again. I look forward to continued celebration of our successes, with many more in person activities planned. Block your calendars for the 2023 ASTRO UT DRO Alumni reception in San Diego on October 2nd and the Annual General Meeting at the Faculty Club on October 10^th.

I would like to invite all of you to participate in two virtual unconscious bias workshops planned for August 3^rd and 17^th from 8 – 9 am, led by Toronto Initiative for Diversity and Excellence (TIDE) outstanding speakers, Dr. Maydianne CB Andrade and Dr. Bohana Stefanovic. These sessions have been tailored to our department, and are sure to help us all be our best selves, as we become more aware of our own biases, helping us in the goal to improve diversity and equity in all UT DRO activities. These sessions will be recorded for those who are unable to participate in real time.

I hope you enjoy the news as much as I did. Please reach out to me personally if you have ideas, concerns or suggestions. I am eager to hear your thoughts as we shape the future of UT DRO together."

Thank you,

Laura Dawson, MD, FRCPSC, FASTRO 

Professor & Chair
Department of Radiation Oncology
Temerty Faculty of Medicine
University of Toronto