BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Teresa is an 13 1/2 year stomach cancer survivor and a 11x cancer survivor. Teresa also has Lynch Syndrome, a genetic syndrome that makes her a high risk patient for many types of cancer.

In 2011 she was diagnosed with Stage 2B adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Teresa had a laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy followed by chemo and radiation. At the time there was very little in the way of support or awareness for this disease, so she wanted to change that.

In 2016 she co-founded My Gut Feeling - Stomach Cancer Foundation of Canada. The Foundation is the first and only non-profit organization dedicated to stomach cancer in the country. My Gut Feeling has also established November 30th as Stomach Cancer Awareness Day in Canada and internationally.

Teresa’s volunteer work as the Chair of the organization has allowed her to support patients, survivors and caregivers so that no-one has to go through the journey alone. She currently sits on various provincial, national and international research projects as a patient advocate, and has spoken at numerous symposia and conferences, with the aim of strengthening the patient voice and bringing awareness to stomach cancer.

Teresa has over 30 years of experience in the non-for-profit world, and 17 years of governance, strategic and administrative experience in the cancer sector directly. She previously volunteered at St. Michael’s Hospital, Carmelina’s Home, and Caritas School of Life. Teresa holds an Honours BA in History and Literature from the University of Toronto. She is married and lives with her husband in Toronto.

Teresa Tiano
Chair, Co-Founder

Emma has been a freelance bookkeeper for over 30 years.

She has enjoyed working with a number of not-for-profit and charitable organizations, professionally as well as volunteering her time wherever needed.

She joined the Board in 2017 to help raise awareness for the disease

Emma Bernardo,
Director

Ramandeep Singh Bagga is the VP - Global Procurement at Apotex , a role he has held for four years. Prior to that he was the VP - Global Business Development.

I

Ramandeep Singh Bagga, Director

Howard Lim is a Medical Oncologist at B.C Cancer - Vancouver Centre and Clinical Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He specializes in gastrointestinal malignancies and is the Residency Training Program Director. He is also actively involved in clinical trials, ethics and genomic based research.

Dr Howard Lim,
Director

Katy is a ten-year stomach cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2011 when she was 21 years old. She underwent a total gastrectomy with both chemotherapy and radiation (Macdonald Protocol). At the time of her diagnosis there were no stomach cancer organizations in Canada. Frustrated by the lack of support, Katy reached out to others virtually. Her pursuits to help others led her to find Teresa. My Gut Feeling originated through their ongoing peer-to peer support. Katy is a Physician Assistant in Toronto, she holds an Honours BSc in Health Sciences and Psychology. She has volunteered with multiple cancer organizations including the Canadian Cancer Society, Gilda's Club and Trillium Hospital Mississauga Cancer Centre. Her cancer experiences allow her to relate to her patients and provide patient-centered care.

Katy is a 14 year stomach cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2011 when she was 21 years old. She underwent a total gastrectomy with both chemotherapy and radiation (Macdonald Protocol). At the time of her diagnosis there were no stomach cancer organizations in Canada. Frustrated by the lack of support, Katy reached out to others virtually. Her pursuits to help others led her to find Teresa. My Gut Feeling originated through their ongoing peer-to peer support.

Katy is a Physician Assistant in Toronto, she holds an Honours BSc in Health Sciences and Psychology. She has volunteered with multiple cancer organizations including the Canadian Cancer Society, Gilda's Club and Trillium Hospital Mississauga Cancer Centre. Her cancer experiences allow her to relate to her patients and provide patient-centered care.

Katy Kosyachkova
VICE-Chair, Co-Founder

Dr. Natalie Coburn is a surgical oncologist at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Center, and Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto,

Dr. Natalie Coburn is a surgical oncologist at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Center, and Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto, with a clinical practice completely devoted to Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary and upper Gastrointestinal cancers. She has been on staff at the Odette Cancer Centre since 2004, and has served in many leadership roles including head of the division of general surgery, chief examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s surgical oncology fellowship examination, and the Clinical Lead in Patient-Reported Outcomes and Symptom Management at Cancer Care Ontario. She now holds the Sherif and Mary-Lou Hanna Chair in Surgical Oncology Research.

Dr. Coburn’s research is focused on evaluating and improving the outcomes for patients who have gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Dr. Natalie Coburn, Director

Ramin Deravin,
Director

At 39 years old, Shannon is a survivor of two cancers. In 2018, she was diagnosed with locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer and gastric cancer. She underwent intensive multimodality treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation for both diagnoses. Through her experiences, Shannon has developed a deep appreciation for patient-centred care, resilience, and the importance of psychosocial support. She hopes to use her lived experience and professional background to advocate for and empower others navigating cancer and survivorship.


Shannon Phillips lives in Kingston, Ontario with her husband, David, and their dog, Bobbie. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking outdoors, all things food, and a good board game. A lifelong learner with an educational background in social work, Shannon is passionate about exploring ways to support patients and survivors in their personal journeys.

Shannon Phillips,
Director