Research, Science and Innovation Patient
Services

Nicole – RDAII

Clinical Assistant

Nicole graduated from the Registered Dental Assisting Program at Kelowna University College in 1998. She moved to Edmonton in 2003 where she worked in a general dentistry practice. In 2005 she joined a prosthodontic practice which specialized in implant supported restorations. In 2009 she joined the iRSM team.

As a clinical assistant at iRSM, Nicole provides support for a broad range of patient appointments, educating patients on their treatment, and provides support during surgeries as well as chair-side support within the clinic. Nicole assists with the maxillofacial prosthodontists, plastic surgeons, maxillofacial oral surgeons, and anaplastologists.

Andrew-Grosvenor – DT

Osseointegration Technologist
Maxillofacial Prosthetist and Technologist

Andrew completed his Certificate in Dental Technology at Newcastle College. He went on to obtain advanced certificates in orthodontics, intraoral prosthetics, and maxillofacial prosthetics and technology. He worked in the Dental/Maxillofacial Laboratory at Middlesbrough General Hospital, Cleveland, UK until 1996 before joining the department of maxillofacial surgery at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, London, UK. While at Queen Mary’s he exclusively specialized in maxillofacial prosthetics and technology with particular focus in facial prosthetics, burns appliance therapy and surgical planning and design by the more traditional means.

Andrew joined iRSM, then COMPRU, in 2002. He worked in the Osseointegration Laboratory and was instrumental in developing the Medical Modeling Research Laboratory (MMRL) in 2005. Andrew now works with iRSM prosthodontists and surgeons in the MMRL to perform digital surgical design and simulation for head and neck reconstructive surgeries. He has devoted considerable time to integrating digital technologies into treatment pathways at iRSM and numerous surgical disciplines outside the realm of head and neck surgery.

Kait-Lyn

Secretary

Kait-Lyn is a secretary at iRSM and has been since 2016. Prior to her current position, she was a medical office assistant at the Misericordia Hospital since 2012. Kait-Lyn is often the first person patients will meet. Look for her at the front desk!

Karolina Pawlikowski

Patient Scheduler

Karolina joined the iRSM team in 2016 as a patient scheduler. She has a long relationship with Covenant Health working in multiple departments, including occupation health and safety, surgery and admitting, to name a few. She enjoys interacting with patients on a daily basis, scheduling them for their upcoming appointments and procedures.

Renzo Garcia

Speech-Language Pathologist

Renzo completed his Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Alberta in 2017 and joined iRSM in 2019. As part of the Head and Neck Surgery Functional Assessment Laboratory (HNSFAL), Renzo is involved in measuring and maximizing the speech and swallowing abilities of head and neck cancer patients. He is also actively involved in the research projects ongoing within HNSFAL, with a particular interest in post-surgical changes in swallowing physiology.

Alex Gascon

Audiologist

Alex Gascon graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Audiology in 2011, and completed his Professional Master’s Degree in Audiology in 2012 , both at the University of Montreal. He began his career in audiology in 2013 in British-Columbia. 

His interest in helping individuals started with his work at Camp Papillon, a summer camp for adults and children with special needs. This experience and his interest in neuroscience and music lead him to choose a career in Audiology. During his master’s degree, he provided core input for the study-design and performed data-analysis for a research project using Auditory Event Related Potentials. This work led to authorship of a published article and poster presentations in various conferences. Prior to joining iRSM, Alex has worked in private practices, focusing on paediatric and adult amplification and diagnostic audiology. His previous experience also includes Educational Audiology. He is thrilled to contribute to IRSM with his clinical and research skills.

Amanda Kornum

Secretary

Amanda has worked at Covenant Health since 2016. She attended school between 2015/2016 for Medical Administration, and completed her practicum at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital. Amanda held a casual position at the Grey Nuns as well as the Misericordia Hospital post practicum. Amanda accepted the position of Secretary at iRSM in April of 2019.

Raymond Giguere – RDT

Osseointegration Technologist

Raymond completed his training in dental technology at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in 1987. Raymond began his career as a dental technologist in a small lab in Edmonton and expanded this lab into a full service with 18 staff lab before venturing into his own lab ownership. Raymond joined iRSM, then COMPRU, in 1996 as an osseointegration technologist.

Raymond works in the Osseointegration Laboratory and specializes in creating devices for patients with intraoral and craniofacial defects. These include osseointegrated intraoral prosthetics, surgical guides for autogenous ear reconstruction, and cranial implants. Raymond has played a critical role in adapting new techniques and technologies to the treatment of patients as new treatment approaches have been adopted. Raymond has integrated technologies at iRSM such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) and touch probe scanning technologies first adopted in 1997 to present technologies such as computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) rapid prototyping and laser scanning. Raymond’s continues to pursue advanced technologies to enhance the rehabilitation of iRSM patients.

Raymond has previously been a member and chair the NAIT Dental Technology Advisory Committee and served as complaints director within the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta for several years.

Vanessa Hearn

Executive Assistant

Georgina Papadopoulos – MSc-SLP, R.SLP, S-LP(C)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Georgina completed her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Alberta in 2014. Georgina specializes in the head and neck cancer population, focusing on functional outcomes including speech, resonance, swallowing, chewing and quality of life. Starting in 2014, her research focus has been on functional outcomes of patients after maxilla reconstruction. She has been involved in various research projects focusing on speech and swallowing outcomes, facial reanimation, and literature review.

Marlen Rosela – BScN, RN

Clinical Care Coordinator

Marlen is the Clinical Care Coordinator at Institute for Reconstructive Sciences in Medicine (iRSM) since 2012. She worked as a staff nurse in the Misericordia Hospital Medicine unit from 2006 to 2012.

Marlen acts as an advocate and liaison for iRSM patients. She provides coordinated care to patients by developing, monitoring, and evaluating interdisciplinary care.

Cynthia DeCastro

Service Attendant

Cynthia has been a service attendant at iRSM since 2013. She has worked at the Misericordia Hospital since September 1999, starting as a food services attendant. Cynthia likes the teamwork and the nice people she works with at iRSM. Cynthia keeps clinics running smoothly and makes sure things get where they need to go within the hospital.

Sharleen Martel – RDAII

Clinical Assistant

Sharleen is a clinical assistant at iRSM. She completed her training as a registered dental assistant at NAIT many years ago and has been with iRSM since 2008. Sharleen enjoys getting to know patients at iRSM and helping them through their treatment.

Monique Sylvestre – RDAII

Clinical Assistant

As a clinical assistant, Monique provides clinical support for a broad range of patient appointments, educates patients on their treatment, takes clinical photos, and provides support during surgeries. Monique assists with maxillofacial prosthodontists, plastic surgeons, oral surgeons and anaplastologists.

Monique completed her training as a registered dental assistant II at SIAST (Saskatchewan). She worked first in an orthodontist practice, and in 1996, began working for the Department of National Defense, Edmonton Garrison Dental Detachment. Here, her experience included general dentistry, and later she specialized in prosthodontics, periodontal surgery and maxillofacial surgery. She joined the iRSM team in 2003.

Megan Lockwood – RDAII

Clinical Assistant

Megan is a Clinical Assistant at iRSM. She completed the Dental Assisting Certificate Program with honors at NAIT in 2007 and worked in an oral surgery dental practice until starting with iRSM in 2014. Megan has also completed the Holistic Nutrition Certificate Program through Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. She enjoys the challenges of complicated surgical procedures and helping patients requiring treatment relating to oral cancer.

Anna Cabrera – RDAII

Clinical Assistant

As a clinical assistant, Anna provides clinical support for a broad range of patient appointments, educates patients on their treatment and provides support during surgeries as well as chairside in the clinic. Anna assists with maxillofacial prosthodontists, plastic surgeons, oral surgeons and anaplastologists.

Anna has been a clinical assistant at iRSM since 2006. She completed her training at NAIT in 1999. Prior to working at iRSM, Anna has worked at a prosthodontic dental practice.

Anna enjoys providing support with Alberta Reconstruction Technique surgeries. She finds it particularly rewarding being able to see the patients throughout their treatment to completion and receive their prosthesis.

Michelle Andrade – RDAII, RMT

Clinical Assistant

Michelle is a clinical assistant at iRSM. She completed her Dental Assisting Certificate Program at NAIT and received a Certificate in Project Management from York University. Michelle is also a massage therapist (RMT).

Michelle worked in private practice for five years prior to starting with iRSM in 1997. She has taught periodically at NAIT in the Dental Assisting Certificate Program in the area of prosthodontics, dental impressions and radiology, and has been acting examiner for the program.

Richelle Chuka – BSc, MSc, RDH

Dental Hygienist

Richelle is a clinician and research dental hygienist in the Jaw Reconstruction Rehabilitation Program at the Institute for Reconstructive Sciences in Medicine (iRSM). Richelle completed her Masters graduate degree in Medical Sciences (MSc, Oral Biology) at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

As a clinician researcher, Richelle is active in clinical care, research and teaching. Her clinical commitment is geared towards improving outcomes related to osseointegrated implant retained oral rehabilitation in patients with defects of the head and neck secondary to cancer and trauma.

Richelle has an active role in research and is dedicated to collate and manage head and neck outcomes data in a multi-site collaboration between head and neck surgery, radiation therapy, speech pathology and jaw reconstruction rehabilitation. She enjoys presenting and publishing on oral rehabilitation outcomes after treatment for head and neck cancer.

In addition to her clinical and research role, Richelle facilitates the research component of the iRSM Maxillofacial Prosthodontist fellowship program as well as the Head and Neck Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Module (HNRR) for the dental hygiene BSc students at the University of Alberta.

Carolyn Kincade – RDT (RAA), BTech-TM

Osseointegration Technologist

Carolyn completed her Dental Technology Diploma from NAIT in 2007 and worked in privately owned dental laboratories where she focused on dental device construction with a high need for aesthetics. Carolyn joined iRSM in 2013 and is interested in using digital technology to replace conventional dental processes. She went on to further her post-secondary education and obtained a Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management in 2017. She uses
conventional training, an interest in digital technology, and aesthetic skills to help patients
needing intraoral prosthetics at iRSM.

Carolyn is very involved with the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta, sitting on two
committees–the Finance Committee and the Competency Sub-Committee. She was also a
member then chair of the NAIT Dental Technology Advisory Committee from 2007-2017. She
is now a board member for the Bachelor of Technology Advisory Committee and the Alumni
Association Advisory Committee at NAIT.

Fari Karimi Boushehri – RDT, BTech-TM

Osseointegration Technologist

After completing his Dental Technology Diploma (CAPPD) in 1988, he completed his Certificate in Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics through DCH and the Ministry of National Education France in 1989. Fari began his career as a dental technologist in France. He moved to Canada in 1992 and continued work in the dental technology field holding positions with several prosthodontists in Edmonton before joining iRSM in 2004 as an osseointegration technologist that gave him opportunity expanding his expertise in various CAD (computer-assisted design) programs. Fari works in the Osseointegration Laboratory and creates intraoral prosthetics for patients at iRSM.

Fari pursued post-secondary education and obtained his Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management from NAIT in 2015. Fari has developed techniques to apply CAD to treatment planning in head and neck reconstruction and transitioning traditional dental technology methods to the digital processes. With other members of the Osseointegration Laboratory, Fari pursues a research interest in integrating digital technology in intraoral rehabilitation.

Kari Kandt

Patient Scheduler

Kari has been a patient scheduler at iRSM since 2009 and has been at the Misericordia hospital since 2006. Kari enjoys the fast-paced, team environment at iRSM and helping patients navigate their appointments smoothly.

Sarah Majorsmith

Secretary

Sarah has been a secretary with iRSM since 2008. She has worked at the Misericordia Hospital for 15 years at various units including the OR. Prior to coming to the Misericordia, Sarah worked at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and University of Alberta Hospital.

Kathy Sawchuk

Secretary

Kathy has been the administrative support for the iRSM prosthodontists for the past seven years. Previous to working at iRSM, she held the position of postgraduate program assistant in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta for five years. Prior to that, she was an administrative assistant for the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences for close to 10 years. Kathy is originally from Calgary, where she attended Mount Royal University, completing her Office Administration Diploma before embarking on her career in Edmonton.

Shannon Kerr – MHSc, R.SLP, S-LP(C)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Shannon received her Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toronto in 2011. Shannon also completed Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto in 2008. Shannon joined the iRSM team as a speech-language pathologist in 2011. Her main responsibilities include assessment of speech, voice, resonance and swallowing function of head and neck cancer patients. She is also involved in research projects performed in the Head and Neck Surgery Functional Assessment Laboratory (HNSFAL) at iRSM. Her main interests include assessment and rehabilitation of voice and swallowing disorders. Using her undergraduate education in music, Shannon is interested in using singing to improve quality of life and speech/voice outcomes in her patients.

Akhila Regunathan – BFA, MS

Anaplastologist

Akhila completed her Master of Science through the Biomedical Visualization Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2003 specializing in anaplastology. In 1997, she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a major in the teaching of english. Akhila went on to pursue coursework in the sciences at Benedictine University and became a research assistant at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois before combining her interests in art and science and enrolling in the master’s program. As an anaplastologist, Akhila creates custom facial prostheses for patients who are missing parts of their facial anatomy due to disease, trauma, or congenital conditions.

Akhila began working at iRSM in 2004. Her focuses include patient-oriented research, implementing digital technology into the treatment of facial prosthetic patients, patient advocacy and recruitment, and patient quality of life.

Lindsay McHutchion – BSc, MS

Anaplastologist

Lindsay completed her master of science degree through the Biomedical Visualization Program at University of Illinois in Chicago in 2012, specializing in anaplastology. In 2010, she completed her bachelor of science degree at University of Alberta with a major in biology and a minor in art and design. Lindsay creates custom facial prostheses for patients who are missing parts of their facial anatomy due to disease, trauma, or congenital conditions.

Lindsay began working at iRSM in 2012. Her interests include the integration of digital technology in treatment of facial prosthetic patients, colour science, and measuring patient outcomes.

Heather Logan – MSc

Surgical Design Simulationist

After obtaining her Bachelor of Design at the University of Alberta, Heather went on to complete a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science with a specialization in surgical design and simulation. She first became interested in the field of head and neck reconstruction after a practicum at iRSM as an industrial design student in 2009. Heather’s clinical responsibilities involve design and fabrication of patient specific surgical guides and templates for head and neck reconstruction.

Her research involves developing and refining surgical design and simulation methods and understanding patient outcomes.

Heather’s teaching experience includes courses on the use of advanced digital technologies for surgical design and simulation at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine