Meet the iCALM Team
The iCALM team is composed of clinicians, scientists, and researchers from the affiliated institutions who have worked together to create iCALM. The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Global Institute for Psychosocial, Palliative, and End-of-Life Care team has taken the lead on developing the English version of iCALM, and the University of Ulm team has taken the lead on the German version.
Gary Rodin, MD, FRCPC
CALM Creator
iCALM Clinical and Research Lead
Dr. Gary Rodin is the Head of the Department of Supportive Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, the Director of the Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care (GIPPEC) and a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Rodin is a clinician-investigator who has published widely on the psychiatric and psychosocial aspects of cancer and other medical illnesses. Dr. Rodin is a co-developer of the Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) intervention.
Sarah Hales, MD, PhD, FRCPC
CALM Creator
iCALM Clinical and Research Lead
Dr. Sarah Hales is a psychiatrist for the Division of Psychosocial Oncology in the Department of Supportive Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. Her research has been funded by both the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Dr. Hales' clinical and research interests include the end of life experience as it affects both patients and families, and psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at alleviating distress in those facing advanced disease. Dr. Hales is a co-developer of the Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) intervention.
Natalie Bauereiß, PhD(c)
e-Health Expert
iCALM Research Lead
Natalie Bauereiß is a research associate and psychotherapist-in-training at the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm in Germany.
Harald Baumeister, PhD
e-Health Expert
iCALM Research Lead
Dr. Harald Baumeister is a psychotherapist and the Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm in Germany.
Laurice Karkaby, BSc, MA
iCALM Clinical Research Coordinator
Laurice Karkaby is a Clinical Research Analyst at the Global Institute for Palliative, Psychosocial, and End-of-Life Care (GIPPEC) and the Department of Supportive Care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Laurice earned her Bsc. and M.A. in Psychology from the University of Toronto. Laurice is experienced in managing multi-site mixed-methods research studies and has worked in both Canada and Sweden.
Emily Barca, MSW, RSW
iCALM Developer
iCALM eCoach
Emily Barca is a social worker at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She has been involved in the creation of iCALM and is looking forward to becoming an eCoach. She has been working as a social worker in a variety of healthcare settings since 2016.
Carmine Malfitano, MSW, RSW, PhD(c)
iCALM Developer
Carmine Malfitano is a registered Social Worker and psychotherapist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Research Associate at the Global Institute for Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care, and a PhD student at the University of Ferrara. Carmine is trained in several psychotherapeutic modalities including CALM, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and mindfulness. Carmine is an iCALM eCoach.
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Lesley Chalklin, MSc, PMP
iCALM Project Manager
Lesley Chalklin, MSc, PMP, is the Program Manager for the Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care (GIPPEC). Lesley completed her Masters in Health Administration and has her Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. Lesley acted as the Program Manager for the Adolescent Young Adult Program and the Older Adults with Cancer Clinic at the Princess Margaret. Lesley has led projects within the health sector for over five years.
Valerie Heller, BSW, MSW, RSW
iCALM eCoach
Vallerie Heller is a social worker in the department of Supportive Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre since 2000. Valerie mainly follows women with gynecological cancer, providing psychosocial support throughout the trajectory of their illness. Valerie have been involved in CALM at its inception; and was one of the first CALM therapists who delivered the psychotherapeutic intervention. CALM remains the foundation of her practice with Princess Margaret patients.
Cheryl Kanter, MSW, RSW
iCALM eCoach
Cheryl Kanter is an Oncology Social Worker in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Since 2001, Cheryl has been providing emotional and practical support to brain tumor patients and their families across the trajectory of illness, from initial diagnosis to palliation and bereavement. Cheryl educates and mentors masters level social work students and is involved in brain tumor quality of life research. Cheryl has been trained as a CALM therapist and has a strong interest in the psychosocial needs of caregivers.
Institutional Affiliations
iCALM is a collaborative project between the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the Global Institute for Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care (GIPPEC), and the University of Ulm.
Patient and Family Advisory Committee & Clinician Advisory Board
We are extremely thankful for our team of patients and caregivers who participated in our Patient and Family Advisory Committee to review and advise on the creation of iCALM, and to those who shared their stories and experiences for the benefit of others.
Patient Advisory Board Members:
John Dodds, Diane Boyes, and Pierrette Comtois-Heino
We are grateful to our team of clinicians from multiple disciplinary backgrounds who were part of our Clinician Advisory Board, who volunteered their time and expertise to create, review and advise on the development of iCALM.
Clinician Advisory Board Members: Dr. Froukje De Vries, Dr. Andrew Matthew, Dr. Lindsay Hurlburt, Ashley Patterson, Kelly McGuigan, Patricia Murphy-Kane, Dr. Christian Schulz-Quach, Loreto Fernandez, Dr. Chana Korenblum, Dr. Jenny Lau, Dr. Pamela Mosher, Dr. Jungmin Woo, Dr. Ebru Kaya