CAPO Innovation Award
2025 CAPO Innovation Award WinnersDr. Gabriela Ilie & Dr. Rob Rutledge Dr. Gabriela Ilie and Dr. Rob Rutledge are co-creators of the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) and CancerPEP, groundbreaking initiatives that empower cancer patients to take an active role in their recovery and long-term well-being. These programs are unmatched in their depth, breadth and scientific validation, combining structured online education with interactive engagement to support patients through every stage of their cancer journey. What makes PC-PEP and CancerPEP unique is their six-month intensive curriculum followed by ongoing monthly live video conferences. This structure provides cancer patients with continuous access to expert guidance, peer support, and evidence-based strategies to enhance mental, emotional, and physical health. Research has demonstrated that patients in these programs experience reduced psychological distress, improved resilience, better management of treatment side effects, and an overall higher quality of life (and appear to be cost saving to the medical system). These programs are now actively implemented in healthcare systems across Canada and internationally, with adoption in New Zealand, Belgium, South Africa, Romania, and the Netherlands, Dr. Ilie is the Endowed Soillse Scientist in Prostate Cancer Quality of Life Research and an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University, jointly appointed in the Departments of Urology and Community Health & Epidemiology, with cross-appointments in Radiation Oncology and Psychology & Neuroscience. A dedicated researcher and advocate, her work has transformed patient care by bridging scientific research with real-world application. She was recently honored with the 2024 Public Impact Award by Research Nova Scotia for her contributions to public health and patient empowerment. With over 100 published research papers in top medical journals, including JAMA, European Urology, and BMJ Open, she is recognized for her leadership in advancing patient-centered cancer survivorship care and health system transformation. Dr. Rutledge is a Radiation Oncologist at Nova Scotia Health and an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University, specializing in breast, prostate, and pediatric cancers. A national leader in integrative oncology and psychosocial cancer care, he has dedicated his career to supporting patients through education, clinical practice, and survivorship research. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Rutledge has dedicated himself to empowering patients and healthcare professionals through hundreds of public talks, workshops, and retreats, reaching thousands of individuals affected by cancer. He has led over 70 weekend retreats across 30 cities worldwide, fostering communities of healing and resilience. His lifelong dedication to patient care, education, and empowerment has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Excellence in Patient Care Award from Cancer Care Nova Scotia, the Health Promotion Award from Doctors Nova Scotia, and the Excellence in Education Award from Nova Scotia Health, Together, Dr. Ilie and Dr. Rutledge have redefined cancer survivorship support by developing the most comprehensive, interactive, and enduring patient empowerment programs available today. Their work ensures that cancer patients not only survive but thrive, with ongoing access to the tools, education, and support needed to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. |
Submissions are now closed.
The CAPO Innovation Award honours the development of quality improvement and innovative clinical, educational, or organizational initiatives aimed at enhancing the performance of psychosocial cancer care or cancer prevention. Award submissions will be rated based on originality and scope, impact of initiative on processes, impact of initiative on stakeholders, meaningfulness, value for money and sustainability.
The CAPO Innovation Award honours the development of quality improvement and innovative clinical, educational, or organizational initiatives aimed at enhancing the performance of psychosocial cancer care or cancer prevention. Award submissions will be rated based on originality and scope, impact of initiative on processes, impact of initiative on stakeholders, meaningfulness, value for money and sustainability.
Eligibility
- The nominees may be an individual or a team of individuals working within psychosocial cancer care or prevention.
- Eligibility is limited to members in good standing of CAPO (in cases of teams of individuals, at least one team member must be a members in good standing of CAPO).
Application Criteria
- Nominator must be a CAPO Member (Regular, Affiliate, Retired) in good standing.
- Application for the award will consist of:
- A confidential letter of nomination from the nominator.
- One letter of support from other individuals to whom the nominee(s) is known, also specifying why the nominee(s) meet(s) the award description above (supporters need not be CAPO members).
- Complete curriculum vitae, with details of specific termination dates of degrees and post-graduate training. In cases of a team nomination, a complete CV of the team lead(s).
- Statement from the nominee(s), not to exceed 500 words, highlighting significant accomplishments in the area of psychosocial oncology (research, clinical or education).
Application Process
- Complete nomination packages must be submitted ONLINE to the Chair(s) of the Awards Committee (c/o the CAPO office) by no later than Feburary 14, 2025.
- Nominations and supporting documentation can be submitted in either French or English.
- The Awards Committee will invite members of the CAPO Board (barring those with real or perceived conflicts of interest) to review the nominations and vote for a recipient of the award. In the event of a tie vote, the last three CAPO past presidents, excluding the immediate past president (who are clear of any conflict of interest) will review the tied nominations and vote amongst themselves to select a winner.
- There is no monetary value to this award.
- Award will be presented at the annual CAPO Conference. Award recipients must register and attend the annual CAPO conference (in person or virtually) in order to be eligible.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT FOR CAPO INNOVATION AWARD |
2022 CAPO INNOVATION AWARD RECIPIENT: The Ottawa Hospital Wellness Beyond Cancer Program
Dr. Amirrtha Srikanthan, Vicky Samuel, RN, Kelly-Anne Baines, RN, and Gail Larocque, NP
The Wellness Beyond Cancer Program at The Ottawa Hospital has been in place since 2012. This program aims to ensure that all breast, colon and endometrial cancer patients, who have completed active cancer treatment, have access to appropriate follow-up care and resources, including psychosocial care. Since 2012, we have facilitated the discharge of over 10,000 cancer survivors from the regional tertiary cancer centre, through our specialized NP and RN team. The program also includes a nurse practitioner specialised in oncology care and survivorship, who provides direct clinical care to patients who require it prior to their official discharge. The clinical impact to patients and health care providers has been instrumental in sustaining the program for the past decade.
2019 CAPO INNOVATION AWARD RECIPIENT: The Androgen Deprivation Therapy Educational Team
The core team of the Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) Educational Team is comprised of Drs. Richard Wassersug, Erik Wibowo, John Robinson, Lauren Walker, Andrew Matthew, and Deborah McLeod. We work together to help prostate cancer patients maintain a good quality of life while on ADT. The impetus for the ADT Educational Program began after Richard Wassersug, currently an Honorary Professor at the University of British Columbia and a prostate cancer patient, started ADT treatment some 18 years ago. Richard was curious about the physiological and psychosocial effects of ADT and began research on them. Independently, Dr. John Robinson, a Clinical Psychologist with the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, started working with prostate cancer patients in the 1980s. Over the years, he observed that many prostate cancer patients on ADT lacked support to manage ADT-related side effects. Under Dr. Robinson’s supervision, Dr. Lauren Walker began working with men on ADT in 2007 as a Masters student. During her PhD, her dissertation formed the basis of the team’s book, Androgen Deprivation Therapy: An Essential Guide for Prostate Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones. Now it its second edition, and also translated into French, the book has sold over 60,000 copies. Dr. Walker now an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, continues to facilitate ADT classes and also champions patient access and staff training of the program on an international level. To sort out physiological reality of ADT from placebo effects, Dr. Wassersug began with preclinical research investigating how rodents responded to androgen deprivation. Dr. Erik Wibowo joined him in this research, first as a PhD student and later as his postdoctoral fellow. Erik contributed to the implementation of the ADT Educational Program, and served as Program Coordinator from 2014-2018. Dr. Andrew Matthew, Clinical Psychologist from the Princess Margaret Health Cancer Centre in Toronto, and Dr. Deborah McLeod, Clinician Scientist and Adjunct Professor from Dalhousie University in Halifax, have been involved in the ADT Educational Program since its inception. They have offered face-to-face ADT classes as part of the ADT Educational Program in their cancer centres, making it a truly national program. The newest member of the team is Carly Sears, who joined as Project Coordinator in 2018, when Dr. Wibowo moved to a faculty position at the University of Otago, New Zealand. The ADT Educational Program is now available in face-to-face format in several Canadian cancer centres and is also available online so that patients and partners can access the program regardless of where they live. Well over 1,500 men and partners have participated in the face-to-face classes, which began in 2014; 324 have participated in the online program, which was implemented in 2018. Most recently, the program has been offered at the Moffitt Cancer Centre in Tampa and plans are underway to make the program available to Europeans and Australians.
2016 CAPO INNOVATION AWARD RECIPIENT: Dr. Carole Mayer, RSW, PhD
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