Our People

Mathew Gancarz leads the Information Technology (IT) Operations at de Souza Institute where he manages the technology platforms. Mathew has a wide-range of experience in Windows, Mac and Linux operating environments. With this extensive background, Mathew is ensuring that de Souza Institute has the most innovative platform possible for its students.

Mathew brings to the team a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector. Prior to joining de Souza Institute, he worked at the Research Information System (RIS) department at the University Health Network. At RIS, Mathew was responsible for managing the critical encryption project of ~1,500 UHN Research computers as well as initiating many other projects dedicated to improving the IT environment utilized by UHN Researchers.

Mathew’s experience also includes application development and support at the Munich Life Management Corporation and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. Mathew was also a Systems Engineer for T4G Limited providing consulting, IT administration and efficiency improvement expertise for the MaRS Discovery District.

Mathew holds a Bachelor of Science in Computational Physics with Honours from the University of Waterloo as well as Microsoft, Apple and Cisco certifications.

mgancarz@desouzanurse.ca | Phone: 416-581-8610

liat.brudnoy@deSouzanurse.ca | 416.581.8155
Liat Brudnoy is an instructional designer and writer with more than five years of experience in the higher education and corporate training spheres. Liat graduated with a B.A. in English Language and Literature from The University of Western Ontario and an M.A. in English from McMaster University. A combination of post-graduate teaching experience and professional editing and writing experience led Liat to embark on a career in instructional design. In her previous roles, Liat worked closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) from a variety of fields to develop innovative eLearning solutions for their training needs. In addition to designing and overseeing the development of distance education courses, her roles involved curriculum development, research, authoring of custom course content and communications consulting. Liat has also designed and written courses for the corporate mentoring and financial industries.

Thomas began his career as a freelance web designer and developer, specializing in website development for real estate and technology companies.  As a web developer, Thomas created customized content management systems for small business owners in the Greater Toronto Area. Now at de Souza Institute, Thomas uses his wide range of skills including web and graphic design, flash development, and audio/video editing to create dynamic and interactive educational tools for online learning.  He is also an integral member of the eLearning design team which are responsible for the overall style of the Institute’s online courses. Thomas holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Toronto in Communications Culture and Information Technology and a Certificate in Technology from Sheridan College.

lmiller@deSouzanurse.ca | 416.581.8158

As an Instructional Designer, Leah assists de Souza Institute Educators with the development of engaging and interactive eLearning courseware. Leah possesses over eleven years of experience in designing and delivering robust eLearning solutions, specifically as an Instructional Designer. In her previous positions Leah presented many solutions and strategies and personally designed thousands of hours of eLearning courseware for schools such as Vanderbilt University, Northeastern University, Boston University, The George Washington University, and New England College.  Leah has collaborated with many respected Subject Matter Experts resulting in high praises, long-term professional relationships, and satisfied clients. Leah attended the Bachelor of Arts program at The University of Guelph, majoring in English with a minor in Computer Science.

Laura Rashleigh has been an oncology nurse since 1999. Since receiving her oncology specialty certification she has practiced as a clinical educator, supporting oncology nurses in malignant hematology, medical and radiation oncology, short term surgical care and palliative care at the Princess Margaret Hospital. As a clinical educator, Laura focused on inter-professional person-centred care, oncology nursing professional development and excellence, and leadership for quality, safe practice environments. Her current research explores the phenomenon of grieving as experienced by oncology nurses, with the belief that this is an essential step in supporting nurses’ work with dying patients and bereaved families. Laura holds a BScN from McMaster University, and a MScN from York University.  Laura is currently a board member of the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO/ACIO).

Maureen has been in nursing for over 20 years, and has worked in a variety of settings including community, ER, and ICU prior to moving to oncology at Grand River Hospital/Grand River Regional Cancer Centre in Kitchener in 2003. Her initial focus in oncology was in the outpatient clinics as a Supportive Care Coordinator. In 2007, Maureen moved to the Education Practice Lead role for the oncology program at GRH/GRRCC, providing education and practice support to nurses on the inpatient unit, the outpatient chemo suite and outpatient clinics. Maureen will be working at de Souza Institute as a part-time educator to focus on Chemo/Biotherapy along with facilitating other de Souza courses. Maureen has CON certification from the Canadian Nurses Association, and is currently working on a MN from Athabasca University with a teaching focus.  

Mark Ossowski is a junior Graphic Design & Multimedia Developer at de Souza Institute. In this role, Mark supports de Souza courses and workshops by producing a wide variety of interactive and innovative modules.

Prior to joining the de Souza team, Mark was a student at Humber College’s Multimedia Design and Production Technician program, where he graduated with Honours. While in school, Mark honed his technical skills with Adobe Flash, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Premiere, among other tools. Mark enjoys bringing together the design and development aspects of his work because it amounts to a greater, fuller composition.

Joy Richards is the Vice-President of Health Professions and Chief Nursing Executive at University Health Network in Toronto. Dr. Richards is the immediate Past-President of the Academy of Canadian Executive Nurses (ACEN) and holds a teaching position at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). She holds clinical appointments at the University of Toronto, York University and Humber College. Dr. Richards focus and passion is in the area of clinical leadership, quality of work life environments and the development of client-centred practice settings, with a special focus on excellence in geriatric care. Her previous experience includes progressive senior nursing management positions in the acute care and long-term care sectors; nursing education and nursing informatics and has presented her work, both nationally and internationally. Dr. Richards holds a a PhD and a MA in Human and Organizational System (Fielding Graduate University), a BScN in Nursing and a MN in Nursing (University of Toronto). Dr. Richards is also a graduate of the Queen’s University Executive Program and is a Johnson & Johnson Wharton Fellow (University of Pennsylvania).

Mary Gospodarowicz is a Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto, Medical Director of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network, Regional Vice President, Cancer Care Ontario, and President of Union for International Cancer Control.  After completing her medical degree at the University of Toronto and obtaining specialty certifications in internal medicine, radiation oncology, and medical oncology, she joined the Department of Radiation Oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital (now Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) where she was Chief of Radiation Medicine Program from 2001-2012 and the University of Toronto where she was Chair of Radiation Oncology also from 2001-2012.  As a radiation oncologist at Princess Margaret who treats malignant lymphomas and genitourinary cancers, she is involved in research and clinical trials evaluating radiation therapy in cancer treatment, cancer staging and prognosis, image-guided precision radiotherapy and survivorship programs and has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters to date.

She is a Fellow of the American Society of Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), Honorary Member of the European Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO), Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists, United Kingdom, and the recipient of the 2012 Canadian Medical Association May Cohen Award for Women Mentors.

Claire Mallette is the Director of the School of Nursing at York University. She was formerly the Director of Nursing Education, Placement and Development at University Health Network. Her work focuses on fostering lifelong learning through leading and developing professional development initiatives and opportunities for staff across the learning continuum. Dr. Mallette’s career is diverse, with roles in administration, academia, research and clinical practice. She has adjunct appointments at York University and the University of Toronto and has had the opportunity to practice and teach nursing in Quebec, Alberta and Ontario. She holds her BScN (McGill University), and her Masters and PhD in Nursing (University of Toronto).

Pam Hubley is the Associate Chief of Nursing Practice at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She has been a nurse for over 20 years. Always learning and keen to take on new leadership experiences, she is an active advocate for family centred care and collaborative practice. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, she maintains an active clinical & research appointment as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Burn Program at SickKids. She is cross-appointed to the University of Toronto, Faculty of Nursing and has a keen interest in graduate nursing education, fostering Advanced Practice Nursing roles, and building interdisciplinary collaborations that contribute to evidence based practice. Pam has previously held positions such as Recruitment and Retention Specialist, Policy Advisor & Project Consultant at the Ministry of Health in Ontario and Clinical Director of the Post Masters Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Toronto. She has taught courses and been an invited guest lecturer at both Ryerson University and the University of Toronto. She has been an active member of several Boards and professional organizations. Pam obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Western Ontario (1987), a Master of Science from the University of Toronto (1993), and an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner diploma from the University of Toronto (1995). In addition, she has taken several courses in the Nurse Anaesthesia Program from the State University of New York (1997-99). Pam is a nursing leader who is known for her commitment to professional nursing and for building collaborative practices that advance child & family health.

Barbara Fitzgerald is Director of Nursing at Princess Margaret Hospital and a Clinical Nurse Specialist in locally advanced breast cancer. She has taught at the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia and University of Toronto and is committed to integrating research into the care of the patient/family. Ms. Fitzgerald applies a broad range of theories and relevant research to her clinical practice in caring for women diagnosed with breast cancer. She holds an MScN from the University of Pennsylvania.

Denise Bryant-Lukosius is Assistant Professor in the McMaster University School of Nursing and Senior Researcher for the CHSRF/CIHR Chair in Advanced Practice Nursing. An academic clinician, she also practices as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Juravinski Cancer Centre. She has held a Clinical Research Fellowship in Malignant Urology at the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre and a CHSRF/CIHR Post-doctoral Fellowship. Her post-doctoral research focused on advance practice nursing roles in cancer care delivery. Dr. Bryant-Lukosius holds a BScN (McMaster University), a Masters of Community Health Nursing and Education (D’Youville College of Buffalo) and a PhD in Nursing (McMaster University).