About OLA
Office of Learner Affairs
Our Mission
We work with learners, at individual and systems levels to optimize the learning environment and experience, and enable their development into accomplished health care professionals.
Dr. Tony Pignatiello
Associate Dean, Learner Affairs
MD (Toronto), FRCP (C)
Dr. Pignatiello is the Associate Dean, Office of Learner Affairs (OLA) for the Temerty Faculty of Medicine (TFOM). He is a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, who has also been the Medical Director of the Provincial Pediatric Telepsychiatry Program for the last 20 years. Dr. Pignatiello has worked in many community, hospital, and academic based environments, and was previously the Associate Psychiatrist-in-Chief at SickKids. He enjoys working with trainees at all levels and has won awards for teaching and for his work on telepsychiatry.
Jonathon Dionisi
Office Coordinator & Executive Assistant to Associate Dean
I graduated from Acadia University in Nova Scotia in 2007-2008 with a BRM degree, and have been working in the hospital/healthcare industry in various administrative capacities prior to coming to University of Toronto in 2018.
Karen Crow, RSW
Manager, Operations and Learner Affairs
I am a Registered Social Worker with over 10 years of experience providing mental health supports to youth and adults. Prior to joining OLA, I worked as a manager and counsellor in community-based and educational settings in Toronto and in several cities in the United States. My clinical approach is eclectic (including CBT, DBT and mindfulness-based approaches), person-centered and trauma-informed. I am passionate about high quality student supports, and my goal is to ensure that OLA is an approachable, collaborative, safe and inclusive space for all learners.
Sundeep Battu
Administrative and Data Coordinator
I have been an Administrative Professional for over 15+ years supporting senior-level management and cross-functional teams at large legal and insurance organizations within the Toronto area. I am dedicated about helping our learners navigate and find the right resources provided by Office of Learner Affairs.
Diana Nuss
Administrative Coordinator
I began my career in wellness in 2011, when I joined PGME’s Office of Resident Wellness, which later became the Postgraduate Wellness Office. My previous employment experience also includes working front-line in the PGME office, and with medical students at UBC. I am passionate about providing a comfortable and warm experience to our learners, as I help them navigate booking appointments and finding appropriate resources and policies.
Lorraine Sheffield
Administrative Coordinator
Prior to joining OLA, my career focused on providing administrative support to senior teams in hospitals and other healthcare environments such as UHN, the OMA, and most recently the Heart Centre, Critical Care Services, at Sickkids. I am excited about this opportunity to assist learners navigate and access the services provided by our OLA Team.
Carole Sandy
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
MEd Counselling, MSc.(A) Couple and Family, R.S.W.
Carole Sandy is a multi-faceted clinical therapist working with individuals, couples, and families. She has worked in various clinical settings and has assisted MBA and undergrad students through some of the most difficult and exciting times in their educational journey. She is passionate about breaking generational hurts, supporting students as they transition to new careers and celebrating their strengths through supportive conversations. Carole has worked with many individuals in post-secondary settings and the marketplace. Through her experiences she has gained inspiration and insight from how creative and resilient many people are when facing their challenges.
Casey Schapel
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
M.S.W., R.S.W.
I am a Registered Social Worker and I have completed a Master of Social Work specializing in Indigenous trauma and resiliency. For the last twelve years I have worked in a variety of health settings in Australia and Canada, including primary health and hospitals. I am experienced in supporting people navigating personal or systemic challenges with stress, grief and loss, gender and sexual orientation, alcohol and/or other drug use, and other physical, emotional and mental health concerns. My approach is person-centered and strengths-based, informed by intersectionality, harm reduction and trauma-informed care. As a proud Aboriginal Australian man, I incorporate an Indigenous worldview lens in my practice. My aim is to hold a safe and non-judgemental space for you to discuss hurdles that life, school or work may present, to explore your inner strengths and values and to collaborate on self-care strategies and finding balance.
Joanne Leo
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
M.S.W., R.S.W.
I have worked in the mental health field for the past twelve years. Before joining the OLA counselling team at the University of Toronto, I worked in both clinical and research settings in hospitals, universities, and community mental health agencies. I am passionate about helping others to become more aware and accepting of their thoughts and feelings to engender change. For medical learners and trainees, school and work can be a time of significant stress and burnout. You may be having trouble juggling the academic and/or professional demands of medicine while trying to remain healthy; this, at times, may seem impossible. I want you to know that we are here for you and there is hope. My approach to counselling is to create a safe space for all to express their challenges while encouraging them to build on their strengths, face their fears, and practice self-compassion. My hope is to help you manage the unpredictability of life and move toward your true values to experience meaningful lives and careers.
Lisa van der Laan
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
OT Reg. (Ont)
I am a Registered Occupational Therapist and have a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto. I have worked in the mental health field for the past 13 years. Prior to joining the Office of Learner Affairs, I worked as an Accessibility Advisor supporting students and staff in health science professional faculties to help navigate and implement disability related accommodations. Another aspect of my clinical background was working at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), supporting young adults and adults with mental illness in their recovery journeys and with their goals. I am passionate about helping to support learners as they navigate intensive professional programs. My approach is client-centred, holistic, and inclusive, using skills from therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness. My hope is to create a space where learners feel safe and supported, can develop coping strategies, build on their own strengths, and practice self-compassion.
Marina Mammon
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
M.S.W., R.S.W., Certified Mindfulness Teacher
I am a registered social worker with experience in the areas of workplace stress, burnout, mood disorders, chronic pain and work/life balance (especially as it affects parents). I have worked in a number of settings including post-secondary education, community mental health and private practice. I use an integrative approach based on evidence-based therapies including Mindfulness, EFT and CBT. I also pursue advanced training in psychotherapy to stay current in the field. I use a trauma-informed lens in my practice and strive to create a safe space that is non-judgemental and confidential.
Rabea Murtaza
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
M.S.W., R.S.W.
I am a registered social worker with experience supporting people with anxiety and depression, trauma, substance use concerns, disordered eating and the impacts of neurodivergence in school and workplaces. I am deeply familiar with supporting people impacted by war, violence and discrimination. I work to be attentive to the unique nuances of gender, race, class, sexuality, caste and religion. My experiences extend across postsecondary education, community mental health, shelters, drops-ins and hospitals. I care about working collaboratively with you towards your goals, integrating evidence-based modalities as helpful.
Saunia Palmer-Nelson (on Leave)
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
RP
Hello my name is Saunia Palmer Nelson. I'm a Registered Psychotherapist and have 7 years of experience. Prior to becoming a Learner Life Specialist I worked at Turning Point Youth Services as a Counsellor for an Intensive In Home program, as well as Associated Youth Services as a family Counsellor and Morneau Shepell as a Counsellor. My areas of expertise or subjects I've gotten training in already are CBT, EFT, crisis intervention, trauma, family dynamics, FASD, anxiety and depression. I've enjoyed my work experiences so far, and I am very excited to work with you all in this role.
Dr. Heather Flett
Professor, Learner Wellness
MD FRCPC
Dr. Heather Flett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. She is an active educator in Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Continuing Medical Education. She served as a Director of the Postgraduate Wellness Office from January 2018 to September 2021. She is currently completing a Masters of Health Professions Education with Maastricht University, Netherlands. Her graduate and scholarly work centres on health professional wellbeing and organizational strategies to support clinician wellbeing and healthy/safe work and learning environments.
Jerusha Retnakanthan (she/her)
Lead Coordinator, Mentorship & Special Projects
I am your point person for all things mentorship and making connections, with a particular focus on aligning mentorship offerings for learners and operating key programs. To support this work of strategy and learner development, I draw from my Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Education degrees that I completed here at the University of Toronto. Before joining the OLA team, I worked in various student life and communications roles within U of T, including my most recent work with the Temerty Medicine Office of Inclusion & Diversity. The goal of my work is to ensure that every learner is offered the opportunity to build relationships that guides them in their personal and professional development.
Dr. Reena Pattani
Director, Learner Experience
MDCM (McGill), MPH (Harvard), FRCPC
I am a clinician-teacher in the Department of Medicine and a staff physician in Internal Medicine at St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto. I have worked with learners at all levels on the frontlines and also served as the Internal Medicine clerkship site co-director and the General Internal Medicine Fellowship site director at my hospital. In these roles, my goal has been to help learners thrive, and not just survive, through their training. Training to become a physician is challenging in so many ways, and we have a responsibility to ensure that you have support and guidance to become the best versions of yourselves. If you feel unsettled by something that you have experienced or witnessed, I am here for you to unpack it and determine next best steps. I will earn your trust and work hard to be your advocate. Please feel free to contact me anytime!
Dr. Meeta Patel
Assistant Director, Learner Experience
MD (McMaster), MScCH HPTE (U of T), CCFP(EM), FCFP
I am an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM), within the Division of Emergency Medicine (EM) and a staff physician in emergency medicine at North York General Hospital (NYGH). I am a Faculty Development Lead for the Division of EM, DFCM. I am an educator in Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Continuing Medical Education and have held roles in education leadership such as the Preclerkship Site Director and Undergraduate EM Site Director at NYGH. I have an interest in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion as it pertains to health and learning locally within the hospital and university as well as advocacy in having all voices heard and supported.
Dr. Laila Premji
Director, Career Advising System
Dr. Laila Premji is the Director of the Career Advising System at the Office of Learner Affairs. She is a Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and a Paediatric Hospitalist at The Hospital for Sick Children. As the Director of Career Advising, Dr. Premji developed and implemented the Career Advising and Preparation (CAP) course at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, which is a four-year longitudinal course aimed at building career related skills over the entire continuum of medical school training. Her goal at OLA is to ensure that all students receive the support they need, using an EDI lens, recognizing that not all student needs as they relate to career advising and planning will be the same.
Dr. Stacey Bernstein
Assistant Director, Career Advising System
Dr. Stacey Bernstein is a Professor in the Department of Paediatrics as well as a hospitalist and Clinician Educator at the Hospital for Sick Children. She was a graduate of the inaugural class of the Education Scholars Program in 2006. Her academic focus is in Undergraduate Medical Education and she previously served as the Clerkship Director, Undergraduate Director for Pediatrics, and Interim Associate Academy Director for the Mississauga Academy of Medicine at Temerty Medicine. She is passionate about mentorship and teaching in large and small groups. She is thrilled to have this new role in OLA to work with students across the education continuum to support them through career decisions and times of transition.
Colleen O'Connor, BA, CWC
Career Counsellor, Career Advising System
I am a Career Development Professional with over 20 years’ experience in non-profit, public service, and academic settings with a specialized focus in coaching healthcare professionals. My approach to supporting medical learners at various stages of training is strengths-based, empathetic, collaborative, and practical. I can assist medical learners with specialty exploration and decision-making, developing a career narrative as well as provide tailored support with the residency application, work search and interview processes. In support of learner success, I actively collaborate with learners, faculty, staff as well as internal and external networks to develop, implement, and deliver a range of resources, coaching supports and initiatives to support you throughout your medical training journey.
Lucky Kalsi, M.S.W
Career Counsellor, Career Advising System
I have been pleased to support individuals as a career counsellor and educator for over twenty-five years in postsecondary, consulting, and private practice settings. My experience includes supporting medical learners, undergraduate and graduate students from a wide range of disciplines, postgraduates and postdoctoral fellows, new professionals, and career changers in all aspects of the career management process. Using a client-centered and strengths-based approach, I work collaboratively with learners to help them assess and research their specialty and career options, and support them through the decision-making, residency application and interview process, as well as career transition. Through encouraging learners to identify their unique strengths and appreciate their specific interests, I strive to empower learners along their career journey.
Michael Cournoyea, PhD
Assistant Professor, Health Sciences Writing Centre
Dr. Michael Cournoyea is an Assistant Professor with the Health Sciences Writing Centre, appointed to the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. He holds a BSc in Biology and Philosophy (McGill) and a PhD in the Philosophy of Medicine (UofT). Since 2019, he has worked with both undergraduate and graduate students at writing centres across UofT. His current research focuses on the academic impacts of large language models and the obscure genre of CaRMS personal statements. With OLA, he is excited to be working with learners on a diversity of written documents, such as CaRMS personal statements, grant/scholarship applications, and research manuscripts.
Stephanie Karam, M.A., RP (On Leave)
Career Counsellor, Career Advising System
As a career counsellor, I have a passion for supporting medical students through their journey towards residency. As a registered psychotherapist, I use foundational therapy tools to support students in learning more about themselves in order to achieve their goals and make decisions. I am well-versed in the nuances of the medical school journey and work hard to ensure that students feel safe & supported. I take a solution- and goal-focused approach to assisting students with residency decision-making and the CaRMS application & interview process.
Dr. Chetana Kulkarni
Director, UG Learner Affairs
Dr. Chetana Kulkarni is a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, clinically based at SickKids. Throughout her career to date she has been involved in teaching, supervising and mentoring medical students, residents, fellows and inter-disciplinary learners. She has held a number of educational leadership roles and has received several teaching awards. She is thrilled for this opportunity to work with learners who are early in their health care careers in order to help make positive changes in the culture of medicine. She strives to bring a sense of humour, openness & compassion to her work.
Dr. Shaheen Darani
Interim Director, PG Learner Affairs
I am a clinician-teacher in the Department of Psychiatry and a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. I have had the privilege of working with learners as a teacher and in a number of education roles, including Site Postgraduate Director at CAMH, Chair of the Safety Subcommittee, and recently as the Director of Faculty Development in our Department. In these roles, I have been committed to helping our learners flourish during training and supporting them in achieving their full potential. If you are struggling with your wellness, performance, or feel you may need accommodations, I am here for you to listen, to advocate on your behalf, and to share information and resources. My goal is to provide a psychologically safe space where you feel comfortable to share and to work together to support your success while training.
Dr. Jory Simpson
Interim Associate Director, PG Learner Affairs
Dr. Jory Simpson is a Surgeon-Teacher in the Department of Surgery and the Division Head of General Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital. He has had an active role in medical education in different capacities at both an Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. These roles include: Director of Surgery in the MD Program, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Director, and Lead for the Patient as Teacher Program. He is also the recipient of multiple teaching and mentorship awards including the University of Toronto W.T Aikins Award for Educational Innovation. He is here to help learners overcome the many hurdles of Postgraduate training and assist in building resiliency with the goal to find further meaning and purpose in one’s chosen field.
Moira Ruthralingam
Lead Advisor, PGME Accessibility , PG Learner Affairs
Moira has focused her career and research on students—most recently, she was supporting University students in accessing barrier-free education through universal design and individualized accommodations. As PGME Accessibility Advisor, she aims to continue her work in promoting institutional inclusivity and equity. Moira is a registered Occupational Therapist who values a collaborative approach that highlights the expertise of the student in their unique experiences, strengths, and motivators.
Dr. Kathleen Ogden, PhD
Academic Coach and Learning Strategist
Kathleen Ogden, PhD, is an Academic Coach and Learning Strategist at Temerty Faculty of Medicine. She works with learners to build approaches to their learning that allow them to thrive throughout their academic and professional development. Kathleen has a particular interest in building strategies to help learners with various neurodiversities, especially ADHD, and has been worked with students and working professionals with ADHD for over a decade.
Dr. Kar-Ming (Ming) Lee
Consulting Psychiatrist
I am the consulting psychiatrist for the OLA. My role with the program is to support the team in navigating cases with psychiatric concerns. My clinical background is largely in the areas of student health and psychiatric service through the collaborative care model. In addition to my work here, I am also part of the clinical team at the University of Toronto’s Health and Wellness Centre.
Maryam Masood
On-Location Accessibility Advisor
I am the On-Location Accessibility Advisor at St. George Accessibility Services office, supporting students with disabilities in some of the professional health science faculties. My role involves working with students, staff and faculty in navigating disability-related barriers and academic accommodations. With a focus on inclusivity, my approach is rooted in compassion, as I understand the significance of creating a supportive environment where students feel valued and empowered. Looking forward to connecting with you!