Young Leaders in Cancer Program

The Young Leaders program has been instrumental in helping to make me feel like part of a community at Princess Margaret. I have learned greatly from the experiences and have benefited the most from forming relationships with colleagues.

Erin Watson, DMD, MHSc, Young Leaders Alumni Member

​​​​​​The health care system as a whole continues to become more complex and resource restricted. In cancer care specifically, the rate of new cancer cases continues to grow. Due to the complexity of this health care challenge, there is a great need for leadership at all levels. Established in 2016, the Young Leaders in Cancer Program provides members early in their career a structured opportunity to come together to explore important topics in leadership, network and build leadership skills. The program is designed to empower members to lead from where they stand and drive the innovation and change needed to evolve cancer care to meet this unprecedented demand.

Membership in the Young Leaders in Cancer Program is focus​ed on early career staff leaders (5 years or less) who work at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. To qualify, members must also commit to active engagement with the program. ​​

Membership Criteria

Program membership criteria:

• Must be appointed staff at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre or Foundation
  
• Commit to actively engage with the program
• Have 5 years or less experience in a formal leadership role. This includes:
  • New staff physicians, scientists, physicists, physician assistants and dentists
  • Nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurse educators and clinical nurse specialists
  • Allied health professionals in leadership roles
  • Non-clinical leaders, new managers and directors

 

Active Engagement with the Young Leaders in Cancer Program

In order to become a member and maintain membership, members must commit to attend a minimum of 75% of monthly YL leadership discovery sessions that feature special guests and peer-led discussions.

Members are strongly encouraged to complete the Young Leaders Introduction to Leadership certificate within 3 years of membership.

About the Young Leaders Introduction to Leadership Certificate

Members of the Young Leaders in Cancer Program are encouraged to complete the Young Leaders Introduction to Leadership certificate. This blended learning certificate consists of four intensive sessions, as well as eLearning modules on critical topics.

Supporting content is offered by way of structured self-directed modules, aligned readings, and resources.

Those who engage in the requirements below will receive a certificate of completion:

• Register and attend 1 of 2 intensive sessions
• Complete 6 short eLearning modules and accompanying evaluation surveys
• Complete all requirements within one calendar year

 

Graduation/Duration of Engagement

Once members have reached 5 years' experience in their role, they will be invited to transition to the second phase of the YL program, the Young Leaders Alumni program, or they may elect to formally withdraw from the program.

About the Young Leaders Alumni Program

The Young Leaders Alumni program comprises alumni from across the Princess Margaret who were members of the Young Leaders in Cancer program. Recognizing that leadership is a lifelong journey, being part of the Alumni program allows members to maintain their connection to leadership development and the Young Leaders program in several ways. These include:

• Invitations to Young Leaders coffee break sessions with special guests
• Opportunities to join bonus or intensive sessions about leadership (as space is available)
• Options to mentor, connect and share lessons learned with new members of the Young Leaders in Cancer program
• Remain connected to leadership-related communications from the Young Leaders in Cancer program, including the quarterly newsletter​
  

Application Process

To apply for membership or for members to change their membership status, email Tina Papadakos Tina.Papadakos@uhn.ca.

Questions About the Program

The Young Leaders in Cancer Program is designed and governed by the Young Leaders Advisory Committee, which comprises members and alumni, and is administered by the Cancer Education program.

Questions can be directed to Young Leaders Program Advisors​:

• Meredith Giuliani, Director, Cancer Education (Meredith.Giuliani@uhn.ca)
• Tina Papadakos, Co-Director, Cancer Self-Management Research Centre; Director, Knowledge Translation, Cancer Education (Tina.Papadakos@uhn.ca) ​