About Us

Who We Are & What We Do

At UHN’s Colorectal Cancer Program, we are sub-specialty trained surgical oncologists and colorectal surgeons, licensed by the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, and by the American College of Surgeons. In addition, our surgeons have done additional sub-specialty (“fellowship”) training in Complex Surgical Oncology or Colorectal Surgery. We are interested in both common and complex cases of colorectal and gastric cancers.

Our specialty training has allowed us to offer services that may not be available at other hospitals, such as:

  • Sphincter preserving surgery
  • Avoidance of permanent colostomy
  • Surgical assessment of cancers presumed to be “unresectable” or “inoperable”
  • Surgery for patients with many health problems

We are happy to offer first or second (or third, fourth, fifth, etc.) opinions on any case of colorectal cancer, so please reach out to us if you need us.

Colorectal Surgery Team

Surgeons

Sami A. Chadi

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Catherine O’Brien

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Fayez Quereshy

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Karineh Kazazian

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Natalia Lauzon

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Clinical Nurse Specialist

The Clinical Nurse Specialist acts as a single point of contact for new patients and family members, ensuring consistency of care and coordination of appointments.  As well, the Clinical Nurse Specialist has clinical expertise in oncology and provides guidance, education, and emotional support to patients during the diagnostic, surgery, and recovery phases of treatment.

Interventional Endoscopy Team

Dr. Eran Shomovitz

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Dr. Thurarshen Jeyalingam

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Dr. Andras B. Fecso

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Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, Continence (NSWOC) Team

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Leslie Heath

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Debra Johnston

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Alexis Truax

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Administrative Assistants

Shathana Kunapalasingham

Assistant to Dr. Sami A. Chadi

Debbie Craig

Assistant to Dr. Catherine O’Brien

Jodi DeMelo

Assistant to Dr. Fayez Quereshy & Dr. Karineh Kazazian