New oncologist hired at Royal Victoria Hospital

An addition to the cancer team at Royal Victoria Hospital will bring the hospital one step closer to becoming a regional cancer centre.

Juhu Kamra, a wellrespected radiation oncologist from the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has joined RVH's cancer care team, as the hospital prepares to open its temporary radiation facility in April.

In addition to being an expert in radiation oncology, Kamra is also a well-known researcher, sought-after presenter, has published many abstracts, won numerous academic awards and is a director of undergraduate medical education at the University of Toronto. She joins RVH as the head of its Radiation Treatment Program.

"This temporary radiation facility at RVH will have a positive and immediate impact on cancer patients and their families. Not only will it be the only facility offering radiation therapy between Toronto and Sudbury, but this innovative, portable construction will be the first of its kind in Canada. I am thrilled to be a part of such an innovative approach to cancer care," said Kamra. "This facility is just the beginning of an incredible vision which will see the construction of the

Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre. It's also a chance for me to be involved in a project which will dramatically change the options, and availability, for cancer treatment for the people in this region."

Kamra is one of three radiation oncologists expected to be onboard in 2008. A radiation oncologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing cancer patients and prescribing the course of radiation therapy.

"Exceptional cancer care is more than just bricks and mortar. It's about recruiting well-respected leaders to help us develop and drive our regional program, while ensuring patients have access to the most up-todate treatments, knowledge and professional standards," said Garth Matheson, RVH's vice-president of regional cancer and clinical services.

"Kamra is a renowned expert in the cancer field and the addition of her to the RVH team is an important step in our journey to provide advanced cancer care closer to home for the half million residents of Simcoe Muskoka," he said.

It's projected the temporary radiation facility will treat almost 400 area cancer patients annually. Currently, almost 2,000 cancer patients across this region must travel to cancer centres in Toronto for their lifesaving radiation therapy every year.

For the typical patient, that's 35 difficult trips, and if traveling from Barrie, translates to over 6,300 hours of travel time and over 7,000 kilometres, often during treacherous weather conditions.