RTi3 2026 Speakers

• Title: Innovative Patient Partnerships - From Concept to Co-production
• Speaker: Aileen Duffton
• Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
• Time: 9:10 - 10:00 AM EDT
• Venue: Cody Hall, St Paul's Bloor Street

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This presentation explores an innovative approach to radiotherapy research development, placing patients at the centre of the process from concept to co-production. It explores strategies for engaging hard-to-reach patient groups and highlights innovations in how research information is communicated and delivered. By moving beyond traditional communication models, this work demonstrates how genuine patient partnership can shape more inclusive and accessible approaches to radiotherapy research, whilst ensuring it is relevant and impactful.

Learning Objectives

• To describe processes involving patients as co-producers in radiotherapy research from concept to development.
• To evaluate innovative methods of communication and information delivery used to engage hard-to-reach patient groups.
• To discuss the impact of patient partnership on the design and direction of radiotherapy research.

Aileen Duffton, BSc (HONS), MSc, PhD is Lead Research Radiographer working at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK. Aileen has a MSc in Advance Practice in Radiotherapy and Oncology (MSc APRO) and a PhD in cancer sciences awarded by the University of Glasgow. Aileen is interested in optimising stereotactic radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aileen is active member of ESTRO and has led work that increases the profile of advanced practice and research for RTTs. She is now acting as Editor-in Chief of tipsRO journal.

• Title: Social Accountability and Radiation Therapy: From Lived Experience to Systemic Change
• Speaker: Amanda Bolderston
• Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
• Time: 4:00 - 4:50 PM EDT
• Venue: Cody Hall, St Paul's Bloor Street

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This session explores social accountability in the radiation therapy profession through the lens of advancing health equity for 2SLGBTQI+ patients. I will discuss how my queer identity has shaped my work across clinical care, research, education, and professional advocacy. This journey ultimately led to the creation of Queering Cancer; the only Canadian organization dedicated to supporting 2SLGBTQI+ people affected by cancer. By tracing this progression from individual action to systemic impact, the keynote will invite the audience to consider how their own values, identities and lived experiences can drive meaningful change and improve patient experiences.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize how lived experience can inform socially accountable radiation therapy and improve equity for patients.
• Identify ways to use personal values and professional roles to create meaningful change in patient care and systems.

Amanda Bolderston (she/her) MRT(T), FCAMRT 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 Emeritus 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 non-profit organization Queering Cancer.

• Title: Enabling Curative Radiotherapy Treatment for Cervical Cancer in Uganda
• Speaker: Joda Kuk
• Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
• Time: 9:10 - 10:00 AM EDT
• Venue: Cody Hall, St Paul's Bloor Street

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The speaker will present the current state of Radiotherapy access in Uganda, the barriers that prevent easy access, and the strategies taken to overcome barriers to Radiotherapy access.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the rural-urban discrepancy in Radiotherapy access.
• Become aware of Road to Care's pathway for accessing radiotherapy treatment.

Joda Kuk MD is the Chief of Oncology and the Division Head of Radiation Oncology at WRHN Cancer Centre. 

He has practiced Radiation Oncology for the past 16 years at WRHN, and treats Lung, Breast, GU and Heme malignancies, and is the clinical lead for Hyperarc brain radiosurgery and Cardiac SBRT.

For the past 17 years, he has lead Road to Care, a Canadian charity that now operates two radiotherapy hostels in Kampala, Uganda, and houses patients coming from the rural regions of Uganda so they can undergo curative radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer

• Title: Therapist Profession Reimagined… Embedding Research Into Practice Starting with Undergraduate Education
• Speakers: Marcia Smoke
• Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
• Time: 4:00 - 4:50 PM EDT
• Venue: Cody Hall, St Paul's Bloor Street

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The radiation therapist profession is currently undergoing significant transformation, evolving from a technical, operator-based role into a highly autonomous, technology-driven, and patient-centered profession. To support these emerging responsibilities, research must be meaningfully integrated into clinical work.

Research is a fundamental component of high-quality patient care and of successful clinical and academic environments. Research plays a critical role in advancing evidence-informed decision-making and in enhancing patient outcomes and care delivery processes.

The Medical Radiation Sciences Program at McMaster University includes an Independent Research Project course designed to foster evidence-informed decision-making. The objectives of this course are to prepare students to meet professional research expectations and to cultivate a strong research culture within radiation therapy. Many student projects have led to tangible changes in clinical delivery.

This presentation will highlight several student research projects and demonstrate how these initiatives have influenced care delivery, improved patient outcomes, and enhanced radiation therapists’ professional satisfaction.

The overarching aim of this presentation is to encourage adoption of a model in which research is embedded within clinical roles, recognizing the largely untapped research potential of front-line radiation therapists.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how research relates to competence.
• Describe the significance of evidence-based research and developing inquisitive, curious thinking.
• Identify examples of putting student research into practice in radiation therapy.

Marcia Smoke MRT(T), ACT, MSc  is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Science, Medical Radiation Sciences at McMaster University.

Marcia holds a diploma in Adult Education, has Canadian Advanced Certification in Radiation Therapy, a Master of Science Degree in Radiation Therapy and was awarded Life Membership of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists.  Currently she is a member of the International Society of Radiological Technologists Council and is the ISRRT Americas Regional Education Director.
In the past, before her retirement, Marcia was the Head of Radiation Therapy, the Undergraduate Education Director and the Chief of Radiation Therapy Practice at the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton, Ontario.

Marcia is a radiation therapist and has been a clinical instructor, Undergraduate Program Manager, Quality of Work Life Research Coordinator, and a Patient Education Director.  She is also a Faculty Trainer for the Institute for Health Care Communication, Canada; a Qualified Auditor in Quality Assurance for Radiation Oncology with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Marcia’s current research interests are in advancing practice for radiation therapists and promoting a research environment for frontline radiation practitioners.