Interlink - Community Cancer Nurses

POGO's provincial Pediatric Interlink Community Nursing Program enables children with cancer and their families to access the care and support they require at all stages of their illness. It is a program of Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO), funded via Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). Interlink nurses understand the challenges facing families whose children have cancer and are experienced with the care for children with malignant disease. Moving with the patient and family between hospital, community services and home, Interlink nurses provide cancer teaching for community nurses involved in their care and facilitate navigation of the health care system for families, helping them to locate and access community and hospital resources. The program has matured over the years and, under the POGO Childhood Cancer System, now encompasses clinical practice, education, community development and monitoring of service delivery, research and evaluation.

At present, nine Interlink nurses (eight FTE positions) serve well defined geographic areas across Ontario and are cross appointed at major service delivery sites in Hamilton, London, Toronto, Barrie, Muskoka, Peterborough and Ottawa.

To learn more about how Interlink nurses work with families whose children have cancer, please contact Karen Drybrough, Interlink Team Leader

Interlink Team Leader:
Toronto East/Durham/York Region:
Karen Drybrough, RN, MSc(N)
416-813-5693, ext. 1
Karen.drybrough [at] sickkids.on.ca


Other Interlink Nurses:

Barrie/Muskoka/Peterborough
Dianne Dekkers, RN, BA
416-813-5693 ext. 2
dianne.dekkers[at]sickkids.ca

Hamilton:
Claire O’Halloran, RN
905-521-2100 ext. 73935
ohallora [at] hhsc.ca

London:
Margaret Warden, RN, BScN
519-685-8300 ext. 58023 or 1-866-313-5437
Margaret.warden [at] lhsc.on.ca

Ottawa:
Marilyn Cassidy, RN, B.A.
613-738-3992 or 1-888-545-8898
mcassidy [at] cheo.on.ca

Isabelle Sjoberg, RN, BScN
613-738-3992
isjoberg [at] cheo.on.ca

Sudbury/Northern Ontario:
Vicky Wilton,RN, BPHE
Pediatric Interlink Nurse
705-522-6237 ext. 2107 or 1-800-293-2309
vwilton [at] hrsrh.on.ca

Toronto: 

Toronto West
Sally Casey, RN, B.A.
416-813-7868 ext. 3
sally-jane.casey [at] sickkids.ca 

Toronto Central
Tina Hamalainen, RN, BScN 
416-813-2185, ext. 2 
tina.hamalainen [at] sickkids.ca

Cory Murphy, RN, BScN
416-813-2185, ext. 1
cory.murphy [at] sickkids.ca