Dr. Silvana Spadafora Receives King Charles III Coronation Medal

Congratulations to Dr. Silvana Spadafora on receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal on March 29. She received this award for “her dedication to accessible healthcare, oncological services and health education” and distinguishing herself in the community as a dependable pillar for her excellence in this sector. 

We recognize and congratulate her on her outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the Algoma District Cancer Program (ADCP) and our communities across the Algoma District.

Dr. Spadafora is a Medical Oncologist, has been a member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital for many years, and was the former Medical Director and Chief for the ADCP, as well as former Chief of Staff at SAH. She is an Associate Professor for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) University. She serves as one of the directors for the Sault Ste. Marie Academic Medical Association and has held many roles at NOSM University from Site Lead for Internal Medicine, to serving on NOSM University’s Academic Council. She also represents our region at Ontario Health-Cancer Care Ontario as Regional Quality Lead for Systemic therapy to bring evidence-informed practices to our community through this affiliation. 

Dr. Spadafora is Site Lead for the ADCP at the Canadian Cancer Trials Group. She is involved in many studies and research trials, investigating new drugs as well as methods of improving symptom and disease control of patients with cancer. This work also includes implementing evidence-informed tools and practices for nurses and allied health involved in the care of patients with cancer. Through this work, hundreds of Algoma patients have contributed to establishing the gold standard for cancer patients throughout the world.  

Dr. Spadafora has been recognized for her incredible service to our community through her medical excellence, high standard of patient care, advancement of the medical field, and leading the practice of medicine in Sault Ste. Marie. She has been described by patients as someone who works tirelessly to ensure they receive the best care during their difficult journey. Dr. Spadafora is known for her ability to communicate with her patients and their families.

She is a mentor for students, an inspiration to her colleagues and a positive influence for her patients and their families. She formally mentors medical students, residents and junior fellows through NOSM University and the Canadian Association of Medical Oncology, as well as informally mentoring local high school and university students who wish to explore a career in health care.

The ADCP, with the strong support and leadership of Dr. Spadafora, established the inaugural Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) at SAH which led to the creation of other Patient and Family Advisors across the organization. Dr. Spadafora has also been instrumental in implementing innovative practices, ensuring access to the standard of care therapy ADCP patients require, and pursuing staff development opportunities and education to provide these therapies safely. She is proud of her work with the SAH and Health Sciences North teams who advocated for establishing the first stand-alone satellite radiation bunker in Canada so that radiation services can be available to Algoma patients closer to home.  

She has a dedicated family. John her husband, her children Michela, Remo and Daniella and their partners and her grandson Gio, all help her to be available to undertake this work by providing their love and support to her in many ways.

We salute her for her steadfast dedication and service.