Maureen Sawyer

Maureen Sawyer has been a registered physiotherapist in good standing for 31 years. She Graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy in 1989 summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McMaster University in 1986 summa cum laude. She received her CDT credentials for lymphedema treatment in 2008. 

Her career started with 10 years in neurological pediatrics. Since 1998 she was a sole practitioner in her own practice. The first 10 years in orthopedics and the last 11 years in lymphedema management. The primary focus in the lymphedema practice is treatment of cancer patients with the largest population being Breast Cancer. Her work focused on education and promotion of self-care management; demonstrating techniques for self-drainage, skin care, exercise and the importance of taping. She has extensive experience in treatment of mild to severe lymphedema. She has done several educational in-services presentations for nurses, doctors and patients on lymphedema management.

Throughout her career she attended more than 30 post graduate courses in neurology, orthopedics, vestibular, and lymphedema education.

Ms. Sawyer, has recently retired from active practice to pursue her passion in lymphedema management through education and awareness. Her vision is to help ease the journey physically, mentally and emotionally for those who develop lymphedema.

Ann DiMenna

Ann is currently the Clinic Director and owner of Markham Lymphatic Centre, a multidisciplinary clinic located in Markham, Ontario. Ann brings expertise from a wide variety of therapy settings, including hospital, home care and private practice orthopedic settings. Ann is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, where she received a degree in Biochemistry, as well as the University of Toronto, where she received a degree in Physiotherapy. Ann has extensive expertise in treating complex injuries and managing complex health issues with precise problem-solving skills. Over the years, Ann has continued to add to her clinical expertise with post-graduate training in orthopedic manual therapy, McKenzie back care techniques and many other courses. In 2008, Ann completed post-graduate training in Combined Decongestive Therapy and is fully certified to treat patients with lymphedema. She has developed and taught post-graduate continuing education courses including a Head and Neck training course. She is a sought-after public speaker for lymphedema associations, hospital staff, patient education sessions, international conferences and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. One of Ann’s most recent accomplishments was writing the book “The Complete Lymphedema Management and Nutrition Guide”, which is designed to educate patients about self-management strategies. She looks forward to working with patients from near and far to help them learn to manage their lymphedema and take back control of their symptoms!

Helen Klassen

Helen Klassen comes to the LAO as both a volunteer and a patient managing her own Primary Lymphedema. Helen has years of work experience in Life and Health Insurance, as well as years of volunteerism in causes near and dear to her heart. 

Volunteering with the LAO allows her to help other patients by sharing her own experiences and knowledge of lymphedema. Her genuine compassion for and desire to help others comes from a lifetime of battling multiple chronic progressive diseases herself. 

Maria Wood

Maria is a certified compression fitter specializing in custom garments for lymphedema patients at Adapt Home Health Care. She been with the company for 14 years.

In the past Maria has volunteered for many non profits benefiting survivors of domestic violence, Financial resources for Women and Children, The sexual Assault centre of Peel , and the Princess Margaret Hospital. 

Education and awareness is very important when working  patients, to help them understand how lymphedema is controlled and to live a better life. 

Alla Hardoon

Soft Touch Mastectomy was founded by owner and medical director Alla Hardoon and originated as an extension of Care-Med Ltd.

Alla has over 14 years of extensive health care experience in Toronto. She acquired her first medical degree in 1988 as a Registered Nurse. She continued her studies in the fields of internal medicine, orthopedics, biomechanics, Primary and Secondary Lymphedema, Post Mastectomy Care, and specializes in Oncology Lymphedema.

Alla is currently a public speaker and educator on the subject of medical compression wear in the field of primary and secondary Lymphedema.

With her skilled and compassionate medical team, Alla provides an extraordinarily comforting and nourishing space for everyone. Her quality of care is superior, and she will always go above the call of duty, to ensure that everyone is cared for.

Soft Touch is ADP (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care), ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program), Insurance Company approved Fitter and Vendor.

Sophia White 

Sophia found her passion with lymphatics over 10 years ago when she began working in custom fitting at the retail level. Since then, Sophia has expanded her knowledge by becoming a Certified Lymphedema Therapist as well as well as annually continue her learning. Sophia has been employed as a National Clinical Advisor of Lymphology with Essity Canada for 5 years now and continues to share her passion with healthcare professionals, fitters and patients.  Her Role with Essity Canada allows her to advise and provide recommendations for complex lymphedema cases, educate, and ultimately be a resource for Canada.

Tony Wight

Retired after a lengthy career with an IT multinational, and having acted as the principal caregiver for a close family member suffering from secondary arm lymphedema, Tony wants to help the LAO achieve its important goals of early lymphedema awareness and treatment services guidance. Based on his proximity to the relative suffering from this debilitating condition, he recognizes there is an urgent need in Ontario for further patient, caregiver and health care provider education as to what to watch for, where to seek immediate help and the availability of required financial assistance. He believes that his service as Charter President of a Rotary Club and his many years of service in that organization will also help prepare him to assist the LAO in its critical work. He is also currently active as a volunteer Board Member of Canadian Foundation for Physical Disabled Persons where he CoChairs fundraising events.

Dr. Gregory Czarnota

Chief, Department of Radiation Oncology
Head, Radiation Treatment Program
Radiation Oncologist and Clinician Scientist
Department of Radiation Oncology, and Physical Sciences Platform
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Sunnybrook Research Institute
Professor, Departments of Radiation Oncology and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto 

Dr. Gregory Czarnota is a Radiation Oncologist and the Chief of the Radiation Oncology Department at the Odette Cancer Centre. He is Professor in the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto and Senior Scientist and Director of the Odette Cancer Research Program at Sunnybrook Research Institute. He is also at the Sunnybrook Research Institute.

Dr. Czarnota’s research is focused on developing methods to detect apoptosis and other forms of cell death in response to cancer therapy, and his work has revolutionized the detection of cell death by ultrasound imaging.