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.
Tony Pignatiello
Associate Dean, Learner Affairs
MD, FRCPC
I'm a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry. I've also been the Medical Director of the Provincial Pediatric Telepsychiatry Program for the last 20 years. I’ve worked in a number of community, hospital and academic-based environments, and served as the Associate Psychiatrist-in-Chief at SickKids. I enjoy working with trainees at all levels and am honoured to have won awards for teaching and my work in 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
Manager, Operations and Learner Affairs
RSW
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, MSc(A), RSW
I would describe myself as a multi-faceted clinical therapist with experiences working with individuals, couples, and families. I’ve worked in various clinical settings and have assisted MBA and undergrad students through some of the most difficult and exciting times in their educational journey. I am passionate about breaking generational hurts, supporting learners as they transition to new careers and celebrating their strengths through supportive conversations. I’ve worked with many individuals in post-secondary settings and the marketplace. Through my experiences I have gained inspiration and insight from how creative and resilient many people are when facing their challenges.
Imran Juma
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
MScOT, OT Reg. (Ont.)
I am a Registered Occupational Therapist with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto. My passion is supporting individuals in enhancing their independence and quality of life. I believe that recovery is not always linear, and I work collaboratively with clients to set meaningful goals that help them thrive in daily life. My approach is client-centered, focusing on developing personalized strategies and interventions that can be applied across various domains. Drawing from Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-Based Practices, I aim to create a space where individuals feel safe, supported, and empowered. I take great pride in advocating for mental health awareness and combating stigma, which has led to opportunities for me to speak to youth from across Ontario through my connection with the Mental Health Commission for Canada. My goal is to foster a therapeutic alliance based on trust, respect, and resilience, while supporting clients in building on their strengths and practising self-compassion.”
Joanne Leo
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
MSW, RSW
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)
MScOT, 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)
MSW, RSW, 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.
Saunia Palmer-Nelson
Learner Life Specialist (LLS)
RP
Hello my name is Saunia Palmer Nelson. I'm a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with Masters in counselling psychology, and have over 10 years of experience working in the Mental Health field. Outside of UofT, I support therapists as a Clinical Supervisor and Director in Private Practice, and I support individuals and families in therapy. Prior to becoming a Learner Life Specialist, I worked at Turning Point Youth Services as a Counsellor for an Intensive In Home program, Associated Youth Services as a family Counsellor and Morneau Shepell as a Counsellor. My areas of expertise are CBT, Mindfulness, solution focused therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, crisis intervention, trauma, family dynamics, FASD, anxiety and depression. I look forward to being apart of your support network. My approach is client-centered, culturally sensitive and trauma informed. I hope to help you identify healthy and safe ways to navigate and/or avoid challenges while completing your goals in academia and in your personal life.
Heather Flett
Professor, Learner Wellness
MD, FRCPC
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and a staff physician at The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). I am an educator in Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Continuing Medical Education and have held roles in education leadership including the CAMH Postgraduate Site Director and Chair of the Departmental Safety Committee. I served as a Director of the Postgraduate Wellness Office from January 2018 to September 2021. My scholarly work centres on organizational strategies to support learner wellbeing and healthy/safe learning environments. The goal of my work is to support organizational strategies and resources at the departmental, program, supervisor and individual level to foster learner wellbeing and success. I have a passion for collaborating with leadership, faculty, staff and learners to create the conditions that enable wellbeing for learners and all who work in our training and practice environment.
Jerusha Retnakanthan (she/her)
Lead Coordinator, Mentorship & Special Projects
BCom, MEd
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.
Reena Pattani
Director, Learner Experience
MDCM, MPH, 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!
Meeta Patel
Assistant Director, Learner Experience
MD, MScCH HPTE, CCFP, 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.
Casey Schapel
Coordinator and Counsellor, Learner Experience
MSW, RSW
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.
Laila Premji
Director, Career Advising System
MD, FRCPC
I am a Clinician Educator, assistant professor of Paediatrics and a Paediatric Hospitalist at The Hospital for Sick Children. As the Director of Career Advising, I developed and implemented the Career Advising and Preparation (CAP) course at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, a four-year longitudinal course aimed at building career related skills over the entire continuum of medical school training. I have a passion for mentoring and advising learners at all levels to assist them in their career goals and endeavours. My goal at OLA is to ensure that all learners receive the support they need, using an EDI lens, recognizing that not all learners needs as they relate to career advising and planning will be the same.
Stacey Bernstein
Assistant Director, Career Advising System
MD, FRCPC
I am a professor in the Department of Paediatrics as well as a hospitalist and Clinician Educator at the Hospital for Sick Children. I’m a graduate of the inaugural class of the Education Scholars Program in 2006. My academic focus is in Undergraduate Medical Education and I previously served as the Clerkship Director, Undergraduate Director for Pediatrics, and Interim Associate Academy Director for the Mississauga Academy of Medicine at Temerty Medicine. I am passionate about mentorship and teaching in large and small groups. I’m thrilled to have this role in OLA to work with learners across the education continuum to support them through career decisions and times of transition.
Osman Kahiye
Faculty Career Lead for Black Learners, Career Advising System
MD, CCFP-EM
I am an emergency physician at North York General Hospital (NYGH) and a lecturer in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. I completed my medical training and residency at the University of Toronto. As an educator, I teach at both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels, and I currently serve as the Undergraduate EM Site Lead at NYGH. Outside of work and teaching, I enjoy playing basketball, spending time in nature, and connecting with family and friends. I am excited to work within OLA to support and develop the next generation of Black physicians.
Colleen O'Connor
Career Counsellor, Career Advising System
BA, CWC
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
Career Counsellor, Career Advising System
MSW
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
Assistant Professor, Health Sciences Writing Centre
BSc, PhD
I am an assistant professor in the Teaching Stream with the Health Sciences Writing Centre, appointed to the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. I studied Biology and Philosophy as an undergrad (McGill), and the Philosophy of Medicine during my doctorate (U of T). Since 2019, I have worked with both undergraduate and graduate students at writing centres across U of T. My current research focuses on the academic impacts of large language models and the obscure genre of CaRMS personal statements. With OLA, I’m 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 (On Leave)
Career Counsellor, Career Advising System
MA, RP
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.
Chetana Kulkarni
Director, UG Learner Affairs
MD, FRCPC
I am an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child & Youth Mental Health. I’m based clinically at SickKids in the TeleMental Health Program where I’m also the Education Lead. Throughout my career I’ve been involved in teaching, supervising and mentoring medical students, residents, fellows and inter-disciplinary learners. I’ve held a number of educational leadership roles and has received several teaching awards. I love working with learners who are early in their health care careers in order to help make positive changes in the culture of medicine. I strive to bring a sense of humour, openness and compassion to my work with the aim to help learners thrive.
Shaheen Darani
Interim Director, PG Learner Affairs
MD, FRCPC
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.
Jory Simpson
Interim Associate Director, PG Learner Affairs
MD, MEd, FRCSC
I am a Surgeon-Teacher in the Department of Surgery and the Division Head of General Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital. I have had an active role in medical education in different capacities at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. These roles include serving as Director of Surgery in the MD Program, as Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Director, and as Lead for the Patient as Teacher Program. I have been honoured to receive multiple teaching and mentorship awards, including the University of Toronto W.T Aikins Award for Educational Innovation. I am 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 (on leave)
Lead Advisor, PGME Accessibility, PG Learner Affairs
OT Reg. (Ont.)
I have focused my career and research on students and have a strong background in supporting university learners in accessing barrier-free education through universal design and individualized accommodations. As the Lead Advisor, PGME Accessibility, I continue my efforts in promoting institutional inclusivity and equity for residents and fellows during their intensive training journeys. I am a registered Occupational Therapist who values a collaborative approach that highlights the expertise of the learner in their unique experiences, strengths, and motivators.
Kathleen Ogden
Academic Coach and Learning Strategis
PhD
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.
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!