POGO Interlink
The POGO Interlink Nursing Program is an innovative model of care in which dedicated pediatric oncology nurses are critical members of the care team. POGO Interlink Nurses walk alongside patients and families, providing navigational support, care and resources, at every stage – from the hospital setting to homes, and back to communities and schools. POGO Interlink Nurses are embedded in all five tertiary hospitals which have specialized childhood cancer programs in Ontario, and 2 POGO Satellite Clinics. View our Partners in Care map here.
For more information, please read our brochure.
Meet Our POGO Interlink Nurses
Today, 16 POGO Interlink Nurses work across Ontario.
Barrie/Muskoka/Peterborough – SickKids
Lisa Arnott, RN, BScN
416-813-7654 ext. 201590
Email Lisa Arnott
Hamilton – McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences Centre
Briar O’Neil, RN, BScN
905-521-2100 ext. 74005
Email Briar O’Neil
Emily White, RN, BScN
905-521-2100 ext. 73896
Email Emily White
Kingston – Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Patty Jansen, RN, BScN, CPHON
613-549-6666 ext. 3832
Email Patty Jansen
London – Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre
Jessica Payton, RN, BHsc, BScN
519-685-8500 ext. 75901
Email Jessica Payton
Sarah Mathison, RN, BScN
519-685-8500 ext. 57014
Email Sarah Mathison
Ottawa – Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Graham Robinson, RN, BScN
613-737-7600 ext. 3995
Email Graham Robinson
Isabelle Sjoberg, RN, BScN
613-738-3992
Email Isabelle Sjoberg
Sudbury/Northern Ontario – Northeast Cancer Centre, Health Sciences North
Vicky Wilton, RN, BPHE
705-522-6237 ext. 2107 or 1-800-293-2309
Email Vicky Wilton
Thunder Bay/Northern Ontario – Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Nicole Zuefle, RN
416-356-8371
Email Nicole Zuefle
Peel Region – SickKids
Anna Gacsadi, RN (Mississauga/Halton Region)
416-813-7654 ext. 401861
Email Anna Gacsadi
Arvinder Aulakh, RN, BScN (Brampton including Caledon)
416-813-7868
Email Arvinder Aulakh
Toronto Central – SickKids
Tina Hamalainen, RN, BScN
POGO Interlink Team Leader, Interim
416-813-7654 ext. 415867
Email Tina Hamalainen
Cory Murphy, RN, BScN
416-813-2185 ext. 1
Email Cory Murphy
Scarborough/Durham Region – SickKids
Sara Belot
416-813-5693
Email Sara Belot
Jessica Brooks
416-813-7654 ext. 224771
Email Jessica Brooks
To learn more about how POGO Interlink Nurses work with families whose children have cancer, please contact Tina Hamalainen, POGO Interlink Provincial Team Lead, or Devon Williams, POGO Interlink Senior Program Manager.
Resources for Families
School Support for Children with Cancer answers the many questions parents have following their child’s cancer diagnosis about going to school and maintaining friendships.
Video Education for Childhood Cancer Care at Home is a novel video-based series for parents and caregivers that helps improve understanding and confidence in the care of children newly diagnosed with cancer, after the first discharge from hospital. Learn more.
Resources for Educators
Children with Cancer: A Guide for Educators is a practical guide developed by POGO Interlink Nurses for educators and administrators striving to support children and adolescents throughout their cancer journey.
Helping Schools Cope with Childhood Cancer
Developed by the psychology department at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences, Helping Schools Cope with Childhood Cancer gives educators information, suggestions, and the confidence to meet the needs of children with cancer, their families and their classmates and peers.
YOU can be a champion for kids with cancer!
With your help, we will ensure that kids and youth with cancer, their families and survivors of childhood cancer have equitable access to the best care for the best possible outcomes.