RTi3 2025 Keynote Speakers

• Title: Gen Z, the New Generation. What do We Need to Know?
• Speaker: Mira Keyes
• Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
• Time: 9:10 - 10:00 AM EDT
• Venue: Cody Hall, St Paul's Bloor Street

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To discuss how novel treatment types impact how we view traditional radiation therapy treatment, and how to best integrate these treatments into current treatment paradigms.

Learning Objectives

• Understand different forms of radiation treatment for cancer patients
• Understand treatment of neuroendocrine tumours as a paradigm
• Discuss the challenges and opportunities of multi-disciplinary care

Mira Keyes, MD, FRCPC, FABS is a Clinical Professor in Radiation Oncology, University of British Columbia (UBC), a Fellow (FABS) and a President, American Brachytherapy Society (ABS).

She is one of four founders of the BC Cancer Provincial Prostate Brachytherapy Program, past program Head, and program QA chair. She is a past AFC in Brachytherapy committee Vice-Chair at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, past program director UBC AFC in Brachytherapy, UBC Radiation Oncology Residency Training, and Royal College examiner in Radiation Oncology.

For the last 3 years, she has served as an associate editor for Brachytherapy journal. She is a recipient of several UBC teaching and mentorship awards, and recipient of CARO 2024, Gordon Richards Gold Medal, a keynote speaker at numerous Canadian and international conferences, and author of over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts. She holds CIHR and Michael Smith Foundation grant for translational research in prostate cancer. Her clinical practice include GU and breast cancer practice.

• Title: 20 Years of Inquiring, Inspiring, and Innovating: The Evolution of RTi3
• Speaker: Amanda Bolderston, Darby Erler, Madette Galapin, Brian Liszewski, and Tara Rosewall
• Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
• Time: 4:00 - 5:10 PM EDT
• Venue: Cody Hall, St Paul's Bloor Street

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In recognition of the 20th RTi3 Conference, five radiation therapy leaders who have served as conference chairs over the years will reflect on the evolution of the conference since it was first hosted at the Kingbridge Centre just north of Toronto in 2004. They will contextualize the impact of RTi3 on the radiation therapy community within the various traditions, milestones, statistics, and anecdotes that have contributed to the conference we know today. Looking ahead, they will also consider the future of RTi3, including its accountabilities and opportunities in supporting radiation therapy research and evolving practice in Canada and beyond. Following a moderated panel discussion, the floor will be opened for audience engagement of the panelists in a Q&A period.

Learning Objectives

• Appreciate the role of RTi3 in championing radiation therapist research over the past 20 years
• Explain the evolution of various RTi3 traditions and initiatives as elements of an inclusive and engaging annual knowledge translation and community-building event
• Inform a meaningful path forward for RTi3 as the premier Radiation Therapy conference in Canada

(Names listed alphabetically by last name)

Amanda Bolderston (she/her) FCAMRT EdD is a radiation therapist, educator and researcher with over 40 years of experience. She is a Fellow and Past President of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists and current Editor in Chief of the Canadian Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences. Her research areas include patient advocacy, storytelling and improving affirming care for queer, trans and non-binary patients affected by cancer. She is a co-director of the organization Queering Cancer and last year she completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University Health Network in Toronto focusing on the experiences of queer and trans oncology healthcare professionals.

Darby Erler MRT(T), MHSc is the Professional Leader for Radiation Therapy at the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre and Program Director for the University of Toronto Department of Radiation Oncology’s MR-Integrated Radiation therapy Training Program. She holds a status appointment as Instructor in the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto and a Practice-Based Researcher through the Sunnybrook Research Institute. Prior to transitioning to the Professional Leader role, she was the Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (CSRT) for the Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) Program for 7 years. As a CSRT, her clinical research focused on the evaluation of SBRT, especially in the oligometastatic (OM) setting where she oversaw an international consortium of 6 academic radiation oncology centers to pool outcomes for OM patients treated with SBRT, which yielded numerous high-impact publications. She helped lead the clinical implementation of Sunnybrook’s MR-Linac program and continues to work on enhancing the integration of MRI into radiation therapy and maximizing the scope of practice of radiation therapists.

Madette Galapin MRT(T), MScHQ completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in 2009 and graduated from the joint University of Toronto and Michener Institute Radiation Therapy Program in 2012. Madette started her radiation therapy career at the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre in June of 2012 and transitioned to the role of Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (CSRT) for the head and neck site group in November 2019. In 2023, Madette obtained her Master of Science in Health Quality degree from Queen’s University. She has a passion for quality improvement and promoting interprofessional collaboration. In her CSRT role, Madette has led multiple quality and research initiatives within the radiation therapy department and amongst the interprofessional team. Madette's clinical focus is to enhance radiation therapy practice and patient outcomes through compassionate care, technical expertise, and participation in education, research, and professional leadership.

Brian Liszewski M.R.T.(T.), BSc. is a Radiation Therapist, Advisor Radiation Therapy and Sector Planning and Capacity Optimization at Ontario Health and Lecturer, in the University of Toronto, Department of Radiation Oncology. He completed his diploma in Radiation therapy and degree in Radiation sciences from the Michener Institute, University of Toronto joint Medical Radiation Science Program in 2005. During his professional career Brian has had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles as a clinical radiation therapist including; treatment, simulation, dosimetry, leadership, research, quality assurance and education. In his current role, he strives to improve equitable access to care across the province through the administration of the radiation equipment replacement grant, capacity planning and supporting the provincial radiation treatment program.

Tara Rosewall PhD, fCAMRT(T) is a Clinician Investigator at the Princess Margaret Cancer Research Institute and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine. Her extensive research investigating new techniques in radiation therapy, has led to multiple grants and over 100 published journal articles. 
Her current research interests include why and how patients take cannabis to cope with a cancer diagnosis or treat the side effects of cancer treatment, and leveraging ehealth technology to quantify and minimize adverse events following radiation therapy. Related to these topics, she has recently received a grant to explore the association between cannabis use and the incidence of prostate cancer, supervised multiple graduate and undergraduate students, and her team’s preliminary work on remote monitoring of radiotherapy side effects is due to be presented at several international conferences in 2025. 

• Title: A New Hope: The Rise of Radiotheranostics
• Speaker: Zaynab Muraj
• Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
• Time: 9:10 - 10:00 AM EDT
• Venue: Cody Hall, St Paul's Bloor Street

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Radiotheranostics is experiencing a renaissance in the field of radiation medicine. This presentation will explore its transformative potential in cancer care and provide an overview of modern theranostics concepts, highlighting how radiopharmaceuticals aided by diagnostic and therapeutic expertise, combined with organ-based dosimetry, are redefining treatment approaches. 

The session will showcase the current landscape, emerging opportunities, and explore the drivers of innovation. Inspiration drawn from patient engagement and collaboration is central to this evolution, offering new hope for the future of cancer treatment.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about the concept of radiotheranostics and how it integrates diagnostics and therapy 
• Discuss key trials in the radiotheranostics landscape 
• Explore drivers of innovation using examples from radiotheranostics

Zaynab Muraj, MHSc, MRT(T) has been a Radiation Therapist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre since 2008, with experience across various domains of radiation medicine.

Throughout her career, she has championed quality and safety, patient engagement, and the continuous advancement of clinical practice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she held an interim position as Quality and Safety Lead, and she currently serves on the CMRITO council and committees, contributing to the regulation and safe practice of medical imaging and radiation therapy professions.

Zaynab’s work is guided by a deep commitment to understanding the patient’s perspective and improving the patient experience. Zaynab recently completed a Master of Health Sciences degree, further enhancing her expertise in evidence-based healthcare. Her current research activities are in the field of Radiotheranostics, focusing on the delivery of personalized treatment in this emerging and exciting field.

• Title: From Patient to Researcher: Cultivating Hope and Exploring Innovative Solutions to Support Others with Cancer
• Speaker: Julie Deleemans
• Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
• Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM EDT
• Venue: Cody Hall, St Paul's Bloor Street

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This presentation will discuss Dr. Deleemans own experience with stage IV laryngeal cancer in 2006, at age 18, and how this ultimately served as a catalyst for the research and advocacy work she does today. She will discuss the psychosocial impacts of her cancer experience, and how this inspired her to explore innovative solutions to support others affected by cancer, which led to the "Chemo-Gut" program of research. She will present data from her ongoing research that can be used to support patients' care. Lastly, she will touch on the unique equity, diversity and inclusion factors to consider when working with younger patients in particular and how to cultivate hope and healing from a whole person perspective.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will gain an understanding of how treatments for cancer can impact the gut microbiome and supportive care strategies to improve patients mental and physical health via healing the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
• Understand unique EDI factors to consider when working with younger patients, like adolescents and young adults (AYA), to cultivate hope and support accessible, age appropriate, whole person care.

Dr. Julie Deleemans, PhD, MSc holds a PhD in Medical Science specializing in psychosocial and integrative oncology. She is also a patient advocate and 19-year survivor of stage IV laryngeal cancer, diagnosed in 2006 at age 18. Presently she is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary in the Department of Oncology and serves as a patient advocate on various boards including AYA Can: Canadian Cancer Advocacy, and the Society for Integrative Oncology.

Dr. Deleemans’ primary research investigates the impacts of cancer treatments on the gut microbiota, gastrointestinal and psychosocial symptoms in people with cancer, and developing supportive care interventions (e.g. probiotics, biofield therapy) to address these symptoms. Through her research and advocacy work, she is passionate about helping others affected by cancer.

• Title: Improving Access and Quality of Cancer Care to Canada’s Northern Inuit – A Radiation Therapist’s Unique Perspective
• Speaker: Kelly Linden
• Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
• Time: 3:00 - 3:50 PM EDT
• Venue: Cody Hall, St Paul's Bloor Street

Get your RTi3 ticket here

The speaker will describe the landscape of cancer care for northern Inuit patients, illustrating the significant challenges and barriers they face navigating a complex healthcare system across provincial/territorial borders. The speaker will discuss the implementation of the oncology clinic in Iqaluit that has expanded to northern communities within Nunavut, with the overall goal to improve access to cancer care and culturally appropriate healthcare for Inuit.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the challenges Nunavut patients encounter to receive cancer treatments
• Understand current cancer services and supports available to Nunavut patients both in territory and outside
• Describe the exciting future work/research projects aimed to enhance cancer care for Inuit 

Kelly Linden, MRT(T), MSc began her career as a radiation therapist in Saint John, New Brunswick after completing her diploma in radiation therapy in 1998. Kelly pursued her therapy career in Ottawa in 1999 where she worked in treatment delivery, and CT simulation. In 2013 she became a member of the leadership team at TOH and held a Resource Therapist position in CT simulation until September of 2014 when Kelly began a new advanced practice role as a Palliative Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist. This new role includes expanded clinical, administrative and research skill set. Kelly has attained a Masters in Palliative and Supportive care at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK in 2020 and continues to provide care to patients attending the RPAL program at the Ottawa Hospital in addition to coordination of cancer care to regional partners to include our Inuit population from Nunavut.