Peter Mac continues to expand its global cancer network through a formal alliance partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer research centres, Toronto’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Princess Margaret is the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Canada and part of Canada’s University Health Network that includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto Western Hospital and the Michener Institute for Education.

Acting Peter Mac Chief Executive Karen Fox said Peter Mac and Princess Margaret share a focus on advancing cancer care, research and education.

“There are distinct similarities between Peter Mac and Princess Margaret that make this is a natural partnership, and something that will enhance research and education opportunities across the world,” Ms Fox said.

“Sharing knowledge, information and experiences will give staff from Peter Mac and Princess Margaret exposure to world’s best practice and provide benefits to patients here in Australia as well as in Canada.”

Dr. Keith Stewart, Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre at University Health Network, praised the partnership and said he looks forward to working together.

“Together we can find solutions, share best practices which improve cancer care and join in training the next generation of cancer leaders. These initiatives infuse a global perspective into our work,” he said. “We are like-minded institutions working in similar health systems and have lots to learn from each other.”

The first activities as part of this partnership will include:

  • benchmarking research, nursing and allied health practices
  • collaboration to support and train the world class cancer care workforce of the future
  • sharing, refining and collaborating on nursing models of care, advanced practice and patient experience
  • identifying and pursuing joint allied health-led research
  • training fellowships and an exchange program for nursing staff, allied health staff and non-clinical practitioners.

One example of this growing collaboration is a visit to Peter Mac by Professor Gary Rodin MD, the Head of the Department of Supportive Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care (GIPPEC) at the University of Toronto.

Professor Rodin is the keynote speaker for Peter Mac’s upcoming Trevor Anderson lecture and will present on the need to focus on the psychological and social aspects of cancer care to ensure these develop at the same pace as advances in biomedicine and physical cancer treatments.

Date:        Wednesday 14 December, 2022
Time:       6.00pm – 7.30pm
Location: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Level 7, Lecture Theatre B

You can register for this special event by completing this form (numbers are limited) or stream the lecture online here.