Summit Co-Chairs

Ruby Gidda, RN
  • Co-Chair, BC Cancer Summit
  • Executive Director, Clinical Capacity Optimization, BC Cancer
Dan Le, MD, MHA, FRCPC
  • Co-Chair, BC Cancer Summit
  • Medical Oncologist, BC Cancer – Surrey
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
Heena Vadgama
  • Co-Chair, BC Cancer Summit
  • Project Manager
  • BC Cancer

Keynote Speakers

AI in oncology: From possibility to practice

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping nearly every aspect of our lives, and health care is no exception. This keynote session will explore how AI is being integrated across the continuum of cancer care, featuring three speakers:

Dr. John-Jose Nunez is a dual-trained cancer psychiatrist and computer scientist who currently serves as associate medical director of Supportive Care at BC Cancer. John Jose is also an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and chairs PHSA’s AI in Research Working Group. His research focuses on the clinical application of AI, with a particular emphasis on natural language processing to address the supportive care needs of patients with cancer.

Dr. Srinivas Raman is a staff radiation oncologist at BC Cancer – Vancouver and a clinical associate professor in the division of Radiation Oncology at UBC. He currently serves as the chair for the BC Cancer lung tumour group. He is dual certified in clinical informatics, and his research interests are centered in applications of AI to automate radiotherapy workflows and improve patient care.

Dr. Rasika Rajapakshe is a senior medical physicist at BC Cancer – Kelowna, as well as a clinical associate professor for the Faculty of Medicine at UBC and adjunct professor for Computer Science at UBC–Okanagan. Rasika also serves as lead medical physicist for the BC Cancer Breast and Lung Screening Programs. He is certified in Radiation Oncology and Mammography Physics, and is a member of the Standards Council of Canada ISO/IEC Mirror Committee on Artificial Intelligence and ISO TC215 Committee on Health Informatics. Since his own personal experience with an esophageal cancer diagnosis in 2005, his research interest has focused on the personalization of early cancer detection and prognostication.

From vision to action: Transforming AYA cancer care and support, together

This session will model the Summit 2025 theme by role-modelling authentic collaboration while being anchored and led by two AYA patient partners:

Celina Naguib is a two-time cancer survivor, mother, and AYA patient partner who brings lived experience and advocacy to her work with Anew Research Collaborative. Despite the odds following her first diagnosis, she became pregnant — a milestone that fuels her commitment to effective systems for AYAs facing cancer. With a background in community engagement, policy navigation and emotionally intelligent communication, Celina plans to help shape provincial AYA support programs. She is especially passionate about raising awareness to the unique challenges faced by AYAs in rural communities. Celina also works as a property manager and home warranty coordinator in her hometown of Terrace, BC.

Nivan Sharma is a fourth-year UBC medical student and an AYA survivor of osteosarcoma. He received chemotherapy and reconstructive leg surgery at BC Children’s Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital, respectively. Although his treatment went smoothly, witnessing his friends deteriorate and pass away from their own cancers deeply affected him. This experience motivated Nivan to pursue a career in oncology, with the goal of helping patients overcome cancer and giving back the same compassionate care he received during his treatment. He hopes to return to his remote hometown of Prince Rupert as a family doctor specializing in oncology to provide care for an underserved community while supporting cancer patients and their families.

The session will open with Celina and Nivan sharing their lived experience navigating cancer care as an adolescent/young adult (AYA) and framing the call for action. Their perspective will guide the session, inviting collaborators to share how their involvement has reshaped care, research and support in BC.

Collaborators for this session include:

  • Tammy Hoefer, director, Patient and Family Experience, BC Cancer
  • Cheryl Heykoop, team lead, Anew Research Collaborative
  • Alannah Smrke, medical oncologist, BC Cancer – Vancouver
  • Nathalie LeVasseur, medical oncologist, BC Cancer
  • Kristin Marr, pediatric oncologist, BC Children’s Hospital