Heart Health Matters Team
Karen Fleming, MD- Family Physician, Chief, Department Family and Community Medicine
Dr. Karen Fleming is an assistant professor with the department of family and community medicine at the University of Toronto and the chief of the department of family and community medicine at Sunnybrook. As part of her portfolio she is the education scholarship lead and director of mentorship and continuing professional development for the division of family medicine obstetrics at Sunnybrook. Her research interests include chronic disease prevention for women, exercise in pregnancy for sedentary women and elite athletes, pregnancy complications as predictors of women's future health, and exercise as medicine across the lifespan to improve health for not one, but two, generations.
Barbara Aybars, RN- Person with Lived Experience
Justin Rao, MD Candidate- Summer Student
Justin is a 3rd year medical student at the University of Toronto, funded through the Comprehensive Research Experience for Medical Students program. With an interest in translational research and a background in graphic design and digital media, he was excited to join the HeartHealthMatters team. His work supports engaging initiatives that raise awareness among providers and patients about heart health and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Kim Truong, RPh- Pharmacist/Person with Lived Experience
Kim Truong, RPh, a pharmacist and person with lived experience, brings 15 years of professional practice, including 12 in primary care. She champions preventive health, geriatric and equitable medicine, and patient advocacy. Having personally faced pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, she harnesses her experience to empower patients, ensuring compassionate, informed, and just healthcare that fully respects every individual’s needs and differences.
Mariya Shireen, MPH Student- Project Coordinator
Melissa Demirjian- IT Advisor/Person with Lived Experience
Tania Johannsen, MD- Research Assistant/International Medical Graduate
Tania Johannsen is an International Medical Graduate who works as a Research Assistant in the Sunnybrook Department of Family & Community Medicine. Her areas of interest include comprehensive family medicine, community health, psychosocial aspects of health, bioethics and research methodology.
Debbie Elman, MD- Family Physician
Dr. Debbie Elman graduated medical school at the University of Toronto and completed her Family Medicine residency at McGill University follow by an extra year of training in obstetrics and Women’s Health back at U of T. She practices comprehensive family medicine at the Sunnybrook Family Practice Unit where she is also the Quality Improvement lead. She is also the Chair of the Department Appointments Committee at the Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Ingrid Wirsig, MSc, C-IAYT- Research Coordinator/Yoga Therapist
Ingrid is a research coordinator in the Primary Care Research Unit at Sunnybrook and a certified yoga therapist. She currently works with older adults in the community, as well as residents of the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, focusing on their physical and mental well-being. Ingrid has also worked with healthcare workers and care partners, helping them manage stress and promote overall health. Her areas of expertise and interest include mental health, chronic disease prevention and management, and stress relief.
Karen Fung, RD- Dietitian
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Lani Copeland, MSW- Social Worker
Leigh Caplan RN BSc, MA CDE NBC-HWC
Leigh Caplan, a Diabetes Nurse Educator with the Sunnybrook Academic Family Health Team, has over 29 years’ experience in diabetes education. She led the program’s expansion at Sunnybrook and oversaw inter-professional education. As a lecturer in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the University of Toronto, she focuses on communication skills and supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Since 2016, she has instructed the Motivational Interviewing Certificate at the Health Leadership and Learning Network, continuing through the Canadian Healthcare Education Network. As Program Director of the NBHWC-accredited Health Coach Professional Certificate, now at McMaster University, her coaching and communication expertise enhances her work with both clients and learners.
Marsha Feldt RD, CDE-
Dietitian/Diabetes Educator
Marsha Feldt is a Registered Dietitian and certified diabetes educator with the Sunnybrook Diabetes Education Program (SUNDEC) and Sunnybrook Academic Family Team. She has worked in the area of adult diabetes for more than 25 years. She has been involved in developing postpartum programs for women who had gestational diabetes and also for women who have had hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. She enjoys working together with clients on prevention strategies and with helping clients to live well with diabetes.