The Supportive Care ECHO is intended to enhance the knowledge and competence of healthcare professionals delivering cancer supportive care as well as build a community of practice throughout B.C. and Yukon.
The Supportive Care ECHO is specifically designed for healthcare professionals in the B.C. and Yukon regions. Through the ECHO model, we hope to enable shared learning and collaboration to improve patient outcomes in B.C. and Yukon. If you're new to ECHO, learn more about the ECHO model here.
We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds, including primary care providers, specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals who are looking to expand their knowledge and improve patient outcomes in these areas.
To participate in our ECHO, you must:
- apply and be accepted into the cohort. Fill out application form.
- be able to attend at least 8 out of the 9 sessions.
- submit a case study that may be discussed during one of the sessions. Case studies are due prior to the start of the cohort. Confirmed applicants will be notified of case study submission due date.
Our ECHO will host 9 sessions, October 2026 - June 2027. Sessions are held over Microsoft Teams on the third Tuesday of the month, 12:00 - 1:00pm.
October 20, 2026
| March 16, 2027
|
November 17, 2026
| April 20, 2027
|
December 15, 20206
| May 18, 2027
|
January 19, 2027
| June 15, 2027
|
February 16, 2027
| |
Topics include nutrition, exercise, managing fatigue, lymphedema & skin care, managing pain, sexual health, supporting palliative patients, managing emotions, and managing life roles.
- Complete application form.
- Once you complete the form, our team will contact you within 5 days to confirm your registration status.
- If you are accepted into the ECHO cohort, you must submit a case study by the requested date.
If you have questions or would like more information, email us at supportivecareecho@bcccancer.bc.ca
Our sessions will feature subject matter experts from various fields in cancer supportive care.
Managing Emotions: Alan Bates (PhD, MD Psychiatry)
Dr. Alan Bates finished a PhD focused on neuroimaging at the University of Nottingham before completing his MD and Psychiatry residency at the University of British Columbia. He then completed a fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosocial Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Bates has published peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from brain imaging and artificial intelligence to psychotherapy and palliative care. He received the 2018 Canadian Psychiatric Association Early Career Achievement in Psychiatry Award and his volunteer work has been recognized through a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and participation in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. He is the Program Medical Director for Supportive Care at BC Cancer, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UBC, and a past President of the BC Psychiatric Association.
Exercise: Lauren Capozzi (MD, PhD, CSEP-CEP, Cancer Physiatrist)
Lauren Capozzi is a Cancer Physiatrist and the Provincial Medical Director of Cancer Rehabilitation at BC Cancer. As a physician, clinical exercise physiologist, and researcher, she is dedicated to improving physical function and quality of life for individuals affected by cancer. Her research focuses on identifying physical impairments and inactivity early after diagnosis and developing strategies to ensure timely access to rehabilitation and exercise support. Clinically, Dr. Capozzi works with patients experiencing pain and functional challenges due to cancer and its treatment, helping them regain strength, independence, and well-being.
Lymphedema & Skin Care: Sarah Buddingh-Smith (Physiotherapist)
Sarah Buddingh-Smith is a Physiotherapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist at BC Cancer - Vancouver. She is also Clinical Faculty in the UBC Department of Physical Therapy. Motivational interviewing and pain science education are cornerstones of her practice, and she works closely with the Pain & Symptom Management and Palliative Care team at BC Cancer. She is passionate about improving the function and quality of life of those living with cancer.
Managing Life Roles: Bio coming soon
Sexual Function: Bio coming soon
Managing Pain: Julia Ridley (MD, Palliative Care Physician)
Julia Ridley is a palliative care physician with experience in acute care, palliative units, community, and outpatient clinics. She completed her residency training at UBC and has a Master’s in Education from the University of Toronto. She has interests in research in education and communication, and is the provincial medical director for Pain and
Symptom Managment/Palliative Care program at BC Cancer.
Nutrition: Lindsay Van der Meer (Dietitian)
Lindsay is the Provincial Professional Practice Leader for Nutrition at BC Cancer. She brings diverse experiences as a dietitian to this role, having practiced in oncology for more than 15 years. Lindsay worked as a regional oncology dietitian for Northern Health prior to moving into the Clinical Coordinator, Nutrition role at BC Cancer – Prince George in 2012. Prior to her current role in Professional Practice, Lindsay spent two years working in the Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation (NAHRKT) department where her work focused on bridging nutrition research and practice through an equity-oriented lens.
Lindsay is a Clinical Instructor with UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems. She is actively involved with preceptoring dietetics students through their research projects and sees practice-based research as an opportunity to increase engagement and advance dietetic practice.
Supporting Palliative Patients: Bio coming soon
Managing Fatigue: Stefanie Del Gobbo
Stefanie Del Gobbo is a Physiotherapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist at BC Cancer Vancouver. She is passionate about helping people living with cancer move better, reduce pain, and improve function. She also has a special interest in working with the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer group and has been involved in research projects and initiatives to further advance AYA cancer care in BC and nationwide.
Our ECHO is guided by our HUB team.
Lauren Capozzi (MD, PhD, CSEP-CEP, Cancer Physiatrist)
Lauren Capozzi is a Cancer Physiatrist and the Provincial Medical Director of Cancer Rehabilitation at BC Cancer. As a physician, clinical exercise physiologist, and researcher, she is dedicated to improving physical function and quality of life for individuals affected by cancer. Her research focuses on identifying physical impairments and inactivity early after diagnosis and developing strategies to ensure timely access to rehabilitation and exercise support. Clinically, Dr. Capozzi works with patients experiencing pain and functional challenges due to cancer and its treatment, helping them regain strength, independence, and well-being.
John-Jose Nunez (MD, MSc, FRCPC)
Dr. John-Jose Nunez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, an Associate Member of UBC's Department of Computer Science, and the Associate Medical Director for Supportive Care at BC Cancer. He is dual trained as a subspecialist psychiatrist in cancer psychiatry and treatment-resistant mood disorders, and as a computational scientist, having completed an MSc in Computer Science. His work focuses on applying artificial intelligence and other computational methods to improve mental health and cancer care, with an emphasis on clinically grounded, patient-centered approaches to challenges such as navigating the cancer system.
Lindsay Van der Meer (Dietitian)
Lindsay is the Provincial Professional Practice Leader for Nutrition at BC Cancer. She brings diverse experiences as a dietitian to this role, having practiced in oncology for more than 15 years. Lindsay worked as a regional oncology dietitian for Northern Health prior to moving into the Clinical Coordinator, Nutrition role at BC Cancer – Prince George in 2012. Prior to her current role in Professional Practice, Lindsay spent two years working in the Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation (NAHRKT) department where her work focused on bridging nutrition research and practice through an equity-oriented lens.
Lindsay is a Clinical Instructor with UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems. She is actively involved with preceptoring dietetics students through their research projects and sees practice-based research as an opportunity to increase engagement and advance dietetic practice.
Stefanie Del Gobbo (Physiotherapist)
Stefanie Del Gobbo is a Physiotherapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist at BC Cancer Vancouver. She is passionate about helping people living with cancer move better, reduce pain, and improve function. She also has a special interest in working with the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer group and has been involved in research projects and initiatives to further advance AYA cancer care in BC and nationwide.
Julia Ridley (MD, Palliative Care Physician)
Julia Ridley is a palliative care physician with experience in acute care, palliative units, community, and outpatient clinics. She completed her residency training at UBC and has a Master’s in Education from the University of Toronto. She has interests in research in education and communication, and is the program director for the Palliative Medicine Sub-specialty residency program at UBC.
Hilary Cochrane (MHSc, Speech-Language Pathologist)
Hilary is an oncology Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with over 10 years of experience who recently transitioned into the role of Educator for the BC Cancer SLPs. She continues to work clinically on a casual basis at BC Cancer Victoria and is passionate about helping SLPs develop confidence and competence in oncology practice. Hilary has also recently become involved in research and published a paper on one of her areas of special interest: the lived experience of late radiation-associated dysphagia (Late RAD). Outside of work, she enjoys trail running around Victoria, making slightly wonky pottery, and spending time with her two boys.
