BCSC is comprised of a team of physicians certified in family medicine but who specialize in breast cancer care, a psychiatrist, social worker and clinical psychologists. We are proud to take a whole-person approach to cancer care in order to address physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges that our patients and their families might experience. We work alongside specialists and family physicians to support patients through their active cancer treatments, and are unique in that we aim to empower individuals with breast cancer, their families and those at high risk of developing breast cancer to achieve optimal healing and wellness beyond their acute care.
Dr. Stephanie Kubik, BSc, MD, CCFP
Dr. Carla Montgomery, BSc, MD, CCFP
Dr. Ardythe Taylor, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Dr. Carrie Abrahamson MB ChB, CCFP
Dr. Sydney Pearson, MD, CCFP
Our team consists of the following key individuals:
Dr. Sumar is very grateful for the opportunity to care for those affected by cancer. Nureen completed her medical degree, Family Medicine Residency, and Enhanced Skills training in Breast and Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Calgary, during which she served on numerous medical education and leadership boards, including her terms as Vice-President of the Resident Doctors of Canada (RDoC) and Chair of the RDoC Resiliency Curriculum Working Group. Nureen continues to be involved in resident leadership and wellness in a consultant capacity. She brings to BCSC her dedication to delivering high-quality patient-centred care and her passion for a comprehensive approach to cancer care and survivorship. Her clinical duties focus on high-risk surveillance and breast reconstruction counselling.
Dr. Simpson is a psychiatrist employed with the Shared Mental Health Program. Dr. Simpson's role at Breast Cancer Supportive Care is to provide consultation services for any of our patients struggling with mental health issues.
Andrea has a Masters degree in Psychological Research specializing in Clinical Neuropsychology, as well as a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from South Africa. She worked at a psychiatric hospital in South Africa, in both the inpatient and outpatient departments, specializing in forensic psychological rehabilitation, as well as substance abuse, acute psychosis, and various other psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and personality disorders. Andrea also supervised intern clinical psychologists and has been working for the adult Shared Mental Health Care Program since moving to Calgary in July 2013.
Dr. Kristin Zernicke is a clinical psychologist who works in the Shared Mental Health Care Program (AHS) in collaboration with Primary Care physicians. Her role at BCSC is to provide consultative services to Dr. Kubik and Dr. Sumar and their patients. Dr. Zernicke completed her pre-doctoral residency with Alberta Health Services through the Edmonton Consortium. Her research interests have included the areas of health psychology and behavioral medicine with a focus on mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cancer recovery (TBCC), strategies for management of irritable bowel syndrome, motivational interviewing, behavioral change and online therapies and interventions.
The CASMHC program is collaborative care consultation mode of practise involving family physicians/pediatricians working with the CASMHC clinician to deliver mental health services to children and adolescents. Most mental health research indicates that up to 25% of children/adolescents will experience emotional/behavioural/psychological problems. Only one third of these children/adolescents will receive professional services for these problems, most of them through their family doctor. Many mental health issues can be identified, diagnosed, and if treated promptly, the resulting impact on learning and development can be substantially minimized. The CASMHC clinician will work with the physician and patient in their offices to assess, diagnose, and where appropriate deliver interventions for these problems. The program aim is to enhance physician capacity in the areas of mental health, with the physician retaining medical responsibility for patient care. The CASMHC clinician also has access to psychiatric consultation where appropriate. Referring patients to other treatment services are done in consultation with the physician and family members.