THE
CHARLES H. BEST
DIABETES CENTRE
CLINICAL STAFF BIOS
If you would like to contact anyone on staff, please use our CONTACT US form to have your email forwarded to the appropriate person.
Keeping our children, youth and adults with type 1 diabetes healthy until a cure is found.
Diana, BASc, RD
Diana is a graduate of Ryerson University and the Hospital for Sick Children Dietetic Internship Program. Before coming to the Best Centre, Diana worked in Paediatrics at Humber River Hospital in Toronto. Her favourite part of working at the Best Centre is the shared passion, camaraderie and kindheartedness demonstrated by everyone from the director, staff, physicians, board and patients and families. Diana enjoys baking, travelling and spending time outdoors with her family (and their dog).
Francie, MSc, RD, CDE
Francie has been a Registered Dietitian for over 15 years. She completed her undergraduate degree at Ryerson University and obtained a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph. Francie interned at Hamilton Health Sciences and has worked in a number of clinical settings, including both inpatient and outpatient diabetes before joining the Best Centre in May 2019. Francie is passionate about being a life long learner, having obtained her Certified Diabetes Educator status twice and currently enrolled in the Michener Institute's Diabetes and Pregnancy course. Francie is excited to join a team that specializes in type 1 diabetes and help support patients and families live their best lives.
Jennifer, RPN
Heather, RN
Heather is a graduate of the McMaster University Kinesiology Program and completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Toronto. She has been a Registered Nurse for 14 years. During that time she has worked exclusively within the Maternal Child program at Lakeridge Health, with the past 11 years focusing on Paediatric care. Heather is excited to join the multidisciplinary team at the Best Centre and grow her knowledge of Type 1 Diabetes. She has a particular passion for working with children and families. Heather is thrilled to transition from the acute care setting to this specialized outpatient environment, where she can journey alongside T1D patients and their families, and help them to remain healthy and active throughout all of life’s stages.
Jen is a Registered Practical Nurse who attended Durham, Mohawk and George Brown colleges, and holds a certification from the Michener Institute for further education in nursing and diabetes. Jen started at the Best Centre in 2012, as the Telemedicine Coordinator. Her role has expanded greatly over the years and is a great support to patients during paediatric clinic days. She has a passion for continuous glucose monitors and flash monitors and loves helping patients learn about this exciting technology.
Jennifer, BASc, MSc, RD
Jennifer completed her Honours Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition at Brescia University College, Western University in 2015. She subsequently received her Master of Science in Foods and Nutrition (Western) while also completing her dietetic internship. She worked for over five years as an outpatient diabetes educator at the Community Health Centres of Northumberland. Jennifer quickly grew a passion for working with patients with type 1 diabetes, particularly in advocacy as well as insulin pump technology. She obtained her certification as a diabetes educator in 2019 and really values continuous education for lifelong learning. Jennifer is grateful to be part of such an impressive team and organization, and to have the opportunity to work with children and families. Outside of work, living in Oshawa, you will probably find her with a coffee in hand, reading a book or spending time with her partner and their three cats.
Justin, RN
Justin graduated from the Life Sciences program at Queen's University and then completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western University. While working in clinical diabetes research at Mount Sinai Hospital during his undergraduate education, Justin realized his passion for helping patients with diabetes manage their condition. Justin is excited to work closely with patients and their families to develop personalized care plans to empower them to reach their full potential and live better lives with diabetes. He also looks forward to sharing his knowledge with the team and collaborating closely with them to constantly develop his skills to positively impact those he works with. Outside of work, Justin enjoys being outdoors and can often be found hiking and enjoying the wildlife, playing a variety of sports recreationally, or going for a run.
Karyn, BASc, RD
Kate, MSW, RSW
Kate became a Social Worker in 2011 and joined the Best Centre team in 2015. She supports children, teens, adults and families in managing diabetes and other life challenges. Kate is experienced in supporting patients with depression, anxiety, self esteem, emotion management, parenting and family relationships, among other areas. Kate loves working as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals where she gets to build long term relationships with the clients and their families. Outside of the Best Centre, Kate is busy raising three children and following her own advice of work/life balance by making time to participate in running races. Kate started her career as a community counsellor in 2007 before completing her Masters in Social Work at the University of Toronto with a specialization in children and families.
Kathy, RSW
Kerry, RN, CDE
Kathy is a Registered Social Worker joining us in August 2021 with 20 years of clinical experience, specializing in trauma, mental health and addiction. She has spent the majority of her career at Bellwood, Toronto where she has held a wide variety of roles and worked with diverse clientele. Kathy is very much looking forward to working with a new organization with a closely-knit team. She has experience working both in residential and out-patient programs, working with all ages; individually, as couples, as families and in groups. Kathy possesses years of experience in program development and clinical therapeutic counselling, and is excited to apply her skills and learning to working with our staff, patients and families of The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre
At the start of her nursing career, D-Camps sparked a passion for diabetes education. Those with type 1 hold a special place in her heart. Kerry was thrilled to join the team at the Best Centre in 2017. Previously, she worked as an RN in Multi-Organ Transplant and continues to work casually in the Cardiovascular Surgery ICU. In 2015 she completed a nursing fellowship to improve inpatient diabetes management, working with staff at the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre. Kerry received her designation as a Certified Diabetes Educator in 2016. She has so much appreciation for her colleagues and patients and was thankful for their support when she became a mom to baby Emma in 2018. In her spare time Kerry dances with a performance collective in Toronto, loves yoga, running, hiking, and looks forward to her week at D-Camps every year.
Lindsay, RN
Lindsay completed her Bachelor degree in Nursing from Brock University. After 8 years in the hospital setting, with experience in Thoracic and Critical Care Nursing, Lindsay eagerly accepted a position with the “Best” team in 2017.
Lindsay is dedicated to providing our type 1 community with the most up-to-date resources and education. Lindsay believes that every person who comes to the Best Centre has a meaningful story to tell, and she believes that there is great value in actively listening and learning from one another.
In 2013, Lindsay moved to the Durham region to reside with her partner, Steve. Together, they have two children, whom they adore, and an English Bulldog with a ton of personality. Lindsay enjoys spending the warm summer days on the lake with her family.
Lorrie, RD, MHSc
Executive Director
Before joining the Best Centre in June 2017, Lorrie practiced as a Clinical Dietitian at The Hospital for Sick Children in their Cancer Centre for many years. She transitioned into clinical leadership and proudly led the Blood and Marrow Transplant unit and then was the Senior Manager for the Organ Transplant & Medical Specialties unit for 3 years prior to her departure. Lorrie completed her Master’s in Health Administration (MHSc) from the University of Toronto, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. She enjoys leading her staff and working closely with patients, families, volunteers, community members, partners and sponsors. The future of the Centre’s work will continue to build on our innovative care and programming, growing to meet the demands of our patients.
Margaret, RN, CDE
Margaret began her nursing career at North York General Hospital. After 12 years in Medicine and ICU, Margaret left the hospital to work in the diabetes community. Her work in diabetes began with building her expertise in insulin pump therapy and CGM, following hundreds of patients in the community. In 2007, Margaret joined the Best Centre and completed her CDE designation. She joined the team at GlaxoSmithKline in 2011 to help launch the OmniPod Diabetes management System into Canada. Margaret is happy to be back at the Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre as of 2017 and remains passionate about CGM and insulin pump technology.
Megan,RD, CDE
Megan is a graduate of the Applied Human Nutrition program at the University of Guelph and subsequently completed her clinical internship at St. Michael's Hospital. She has always had a passion for working with individuals with diabetes and obtained her diabetes educator designation in 2020. Megan comes to the Best Centre from the adult diabetes clinic at Markham-Stouffville Hospital. Here she solidified her interest in working specifically with individuals with type 1 diabetes and particularly enjoyed working with young adults. She enjoys learning about new diabetes technologies and how they can be tailored to make life with diabetes easier for her patients. Megan is excited to join the passionate, knowledgeable, compassionate team here at the Best Centre. She is looking forward to further developing her skills in working with children and families to support them on their unique journeys with type 1 diabetes.
Natalie, RN
Natalie was born and raised in the Durham Region. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Queen’s University. After spending the last 5 years nursing in cardiac care in Ottawa, she is looking forward to a new chapter in her career. Natalie is thrilled to be a part of the Best Centre team and has enjoyed getting to know and working with the fantastic patients, families and staff.
Nkem, RN
Nkem is a Registered Nurse who graduated from Trent University. She also holds an Honours BSc. in Psychology from the University of Ottawa. During her 7 year nursing career, Nkem has worked predominantly in the Intensive Care Unit as a front line worker. She then shifted gears and worked in community care in a professional practice and supportive role that included quality assurance from the school program for kids with T1D. This sparked Nkem’s interest in the management of diabetes in pediatrics and fueled her desire to take on the role of Type 1 Diabetes Educator. Nkem is very excited to join the committed and passionate team at The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre and getting to know the wonderful patients they serve.
Sandy, RN, CDE
Sandy is a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator. She has been working at the Best Centre since 2001. She specializes in type 1 diabetes and loves working with children of all ages especially teenagers and young adults. She has shared her diabetes knowledge at several patient focused diabetes events across Ontario. In her spare time she loves to spend time camping with her husband and 3 daughters.
Stephanie, RSW
Stephanie is a graduate of Queens University, Ryerson University, and University of Calgary. She became a social worker in 2009. Stephanie comes from Grandview Children’s Centre, working with children with special needs and their families. Stephanie is experienced in supporting families with complex medical needs and providing counselling in a variety of areas. Stephanie lives in Brooklin and enjoys spending time with her family and dog, baking, and travelling.
Susan, MSc, RD, CDE
Susan completed her undergraduate degree at Mt. Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS and then received her Master’s degree in Community Medicine from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She joined the Best Centre as our third Dietitian in 2001. She specializes in educating patients/families and healthcare professionals in many topics but has a passion for the impact of exercise and nutrition on type 1 diabetes management. One of her favourite things about working at the Best Centre is being able to stay connected with her patients and their families throughout their milestones in life.