Cancer Care and Research Recruitment

At a press conference today, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI) welcomed three new medical and research professionals to Thunder Bay.

• Dr. Kevin Ramchandar, originally from Kenora, Ontario, is currently completing his post-graduate medical training in Hamilton at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. He will join the Regional Cancer Care team as a Radiation Oncologist in July, 2009

• Dr. Dolores Sicheri, a graduate of Columbia University and New York University Medical School, recently joined the Regional Cancer Care team as a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist. Previously, she worked as a Medical Oncologist in Windsor, Ontario.

• Dr. Oleg Rubel, PhD, recently joined the TBRRI team as a Scientist within the Advanced Detection Devices research theme. Prior to coming to Thunder Bay, Dr. Rubel worked with Philipps-University Marburg in Germany. He is originally from Ukraine.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro extended a warm welcome to the new recruits on behalf of the Ontario Government.

"Today's announcement is another positive indicator of how TBRHSC and the TBRRI continue to attract world calibre talent to our region," Mr. Mauro said. "As a government we are proud to have partnered with these organizations that provide high quality healthcare and at the same time create a new knowledge based economy here in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario."

"As partners, TBRHSC and the TBRRI share a common goal: developing a world-class Academic Health Sciences Centre and Research Institute, which ultimately results in providing the best patient-centred care. We will accomplish this by recruiting outstanding scientists, researchers and physicians to our scientific and clinical teams," said Mr. Keith Jobbitt, Chair of the Board, TBRRI.

All three new recruits said TBRHSC and TBRRI’s commitment to excellence in patient care and progressive cancer care and research initiatives were big factors in deciding to work in Thunder Bay.

"I'm excited to come back to the Northwest for a few reasons. I have family here and I enjoy the outdoors. Equally as important, though, is the excellent work environment and dedication to patient care at Regional Cancer Care and TBRHSC," said Dr. Kevin Ramchandar, Radiation Oncologist.

"I saw a good opportunity in Thunder Bay where we can combine pure physics with the ‘flavour’ of health sciences. That is really quite unique," said Dr. Oleg Rubel, Scientist.

“This community fortunately had the vision and leadership to unify its healthcare program under one roof. The right ingredients are in place here for a successful tertiary referral Centre hosting both the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the Regional Cancer Centre,” said Dr. Dolores Sicheri, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist.

Regional Cancer Care has long supported cancer research, through clinical trials, psychosocial studies and lab research. Dr. Dimitrios Vergidis, Chief of Oncology at TBRHSC, said the creation of the Research Institute and its Molecular Imaging and Advanced Diagnostics research focus presents new and exciting opportunities for clinical staff and cancer patients.

“In order to dedicate appropriate time to research initiatives while still providing quality care to our patients, it is crucial for us to have a full complement of physicians. Dr. Sicheri and Dr. Ramchandar are important additions to our Cancer Care team, and we are very pleased to have them,” Dr. Vergidis said.

“As our Oncology and Research teams grow, cancer patients in Northwestern Ontario benefit. They will continue to experience some of the best cancer care in Canada and will soon have access to clinical trials in Molecular Imaging, which will change the way we diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases,” said Mr. Michael Power, Vice President of Cancer Services and Diagnostics at TBRHSC and CEO of TBRRI.

Thunder Bay Mayor Lynn Peterson also welcomed the new recruits to the community, encouraging them to enjoy all the city has to offer.

“The addition of these talented individuals to our professional complement marks another milestone in the emergence of Thunder Bay as a centre for excellence in research and innovation; we are thrilled to welcome them,” said Mayor Lynn Peterson. “We hope they will enjoy the benefits of a city with the best of both knowledge and nature, and our high quality of life in Thunder Bay.”

Dr. Oleg Rubel and Dr. Dolores Sicheri

:: Cancer Care/TBRRI Recruitment Bios ::

:: back to Media Releases ::