ASSOCIATE ProFessor

Dr. Fiona Schulte

Fiona Schulte is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She is also a registered psychologist in the Hematology, Oncology, and Transplant Program at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Fiona’s research is broadly interested in enhancing the patient and family experience for patients diagnosed with cancer and improving the psychosocial late effects of childhood, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. She has a specific interest in the social competence outcomes in survivors who have received toxic therapies directed at the central nervous system. Fiona is a former Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology. She is also a member of a number of national and international committees focused on improving the care of pediatric and AYA cancer patients, survivors, and their families including the Children’s Oncology Group Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines psychosocial task force. In addition to the SIOP Young Investigator award, she has been recognized for her research by receiving the 2018 International Psycho-Oncology Society Hiroomi Kawano New Investigator Award and Calgary’s Avenue Magazine Top 40 Under 40 in 2017.

Education

PhD, University of Toronto
Social and Behavioral Health Science

MA, York University
Clinical Psychology

BA (Honours), Queen’s University
Psychology

Post Doc

Dr. Perri Tutelman

Dr. Tutelman is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Departments of Oncology and Psychology at the University of Calgary. Her research expertise is centered at the intersection of psychosocial oncology, pain, and mental health. Dr. Tutelman’s doctoral research at Dalhousie University was focused on examining the relationship between pain and fear of cancer recurrence in survivors of childhood cancer. Her work has been recognized nationally and internationally, including by the World Health Organization as evidence on the burden of cancer-related chronic pain in children. As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Tutelman also provides clinical care to children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs) with cancer through Cancer Care Alberta.

Dr. Tutelman is a leader in patient engagement in research. She works closely with patient partners to co-design research that addresses what matters most to patients and their families. Dr. Tutelman is currently co-leading a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership to establish the Top 10 research priorities for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer in Canada (#AYACancerPSP). She was a 2021 recipient of the inaugural Research Impact Canada Engaged Scholarship Award for her work to increase awareness outside academia and change stakeholder practices and guidelines in the area of cancer pain. Dr. Tutelman is co-supervised by Dr. Fiona Schulte and Dr. Melanie Noel.

Education

PhD, Dalhousie University Clinical Psychology

Predoctoral Residency, Alberta Children’s Hospital Pediatric & Child Clinical Psychology

BHSc (Honours), McMaster University Child Health Specialization

PHD Student

Michaela Patton

Michaela Patton is a Clinical Psychology PhD student studying under the mentorship of Dr. Fiona Schulte. Michaela is originally from Washington and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Calgary, where her master’s thesis project focused on comprehensive assessment of pain in survivors of childhood cancer. Michaela’s doctoral dissertation project will test an internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for survivors of childhood cancer struggling with chronic pain. Michaela is also passionate about including patients as partners in her research. In her free time, Michaela enjoys going on fun adventures with her pug, Lucy.

Education

MSc, University of Calgary
Clinical Psychology
BSc, Oklahoma State University
Psychology

PHD Student

Hailey Zwicker

Hailey is a PhD student in the Medical Science program under the supervision of Dr. Fiona Schulte. She obtained her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Neuroscience from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Master of Science in Medical Science from the University of Calgary. Hailey has been fortunate to be a member of the CARE4Kids Lab and grow her interest in pediatric psychosocial research. She specifically is interested in children with Sickle Cell Disease, and how this disease and related environmental factors impacts psychosocial health. Her research interests include pediatric medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and intersectional health care. She is passionate about expanding knowledge and understanding of underrepresented populations in Western medicine and healthcare to aid in the future development of treatments and management strategies. In her spare time, Hailey enjoys playing field hockey, volunteering, and spending time outdoors with her schnoodle, Winnie.

Education

MSc, University of Calgary
Medical Science

BSc (Honours), Dalhousie University
Neuroscience

Master’s Student

Rachelle Drummond

Rachelle Drummond is a Master of Science candidate in Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. Rachelle is originally from Edmonton, Alberta and graduated from MacEwan University with a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in psychology and political science. She earned her Master of Public Policy at the University of Calgary in 2022, where her research focused on health policy, specifically in the realm of pediatric oncology follow-up guidelines and policies. Rachelle’s current research in the CARE4Kids Lab focuses on adherence to follow-up care as it relates to knowledge of late-effects and perceived seriousness. Her research interests include pediatric oncology, psychology, health policy and quality of life for survivors and patients. Rachelle’s research passions include patient and survivor empowerment in their health care plans, improved knowledge sharing between health care workers and patients, and post-traumatic growth. In her spare time, Rachelle enjoys hiking, skiing, rock climbing, reading, and volunteering.

Education

MPP, University of Calgary Health Policy

BA, MacEwan University Psychology & Political Science

MASTER’S STUDENT

Heide Adham

Heide is pursuing a Master of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the social competence of survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and solid tumours.

Education

BHSc (Honours)

Research Assistant

Tristyn Ranger

Tristyn joined the CARE4Kids Lab as a Research Assistant, supporting research on adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer.

PAtient and Family Partner

Victoria Forster

Dr. Vicky Forster is a postdoctoral research associate at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Her current work focuses on genetic pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes and researching better treatments for hypermutant cancers. She is also a 25-year survivor of childhood leukemia and has a keen interest in the short- and long-term effects of childhood cancer on survivors. She is a patient partner on Michaela Patton's project in Dr. Fiona Schulte's research group, looking at characterizing pain in long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Vicky is also a science writer contributing frequent articles to Forbes and oncology-focused websites. In her free time, Vicky enjoys seeing live music, exploring new places and is currently trying to learn how to ice-skate.

PAtient and Family Partner

Madison Tutt

Madison Tutt couldn’t wait to start high school. The athletic young Calgarian had her sights set on the volleyball team, but it was at a tryout that she started feeling pain. After a number of doctors and tests, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and immediately started chemotherapy to address the 15-pound tumour that was growing in her abdomen. Her hair started falling out on Christmas Day and she worried about how she would keep up with school and friends, as chaos and uncertainty swirled around her. Chemotherapy efforts failed but a surgery was able to remove the mass, bringing with it other complications. When it started to feel overwhelming, she was introduced to the psychosocial oncology team at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. They helped to carry the weight and let her know that her feelings were normal. Madison has been cancer-free since 2014 but still experiences side effects, including nerve pain, nausea and numbness in her legs. She says something new presents every few months, and she doesn’t expect it will stop. A strong-willed and positive young woman, she hasn’t let it keep her down and approaches each day with a maturity beyond her years. But sometimes she wishes she didn’t know so much.

Volunteers

• Ayla Baber

• Emily Memedovich

• Simone Garneau

• Intisar El Houjairy