ALLISON LOUCKS RN, BA, BScN, CON(C)

I enjoy working in challenging settings, enforcing the need for consistent learning and evaluation of nursing practice to instill best practice in the delivery of services. I currently work as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in the Geriatric Oncology Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Center.  I conduct specialized comprehensive geriatric assessments and manage the care of older adults with cancer. I develop and deliver geriatric oncology education to nurses in the ambulatory settings, and strive to advance nursing knowledge, competence and practices. Also, I am committed to the health and well being of all my clients and hope to make a difference in their health care experience.

 

Professional Goals

• To become a Clinical Nurse Specialist working in innovative and dynamic health care settings. 

• To embrace opportunities for continued learning and skill acquisition in nursing practice. To make a positive contribution to the health promotion of clients and communities I work with. 

• To grow personally and professionally by continuing to challenge myself clinically and academically. 

• To provide a rich learning environment to my fellow nursing colleagues and to advance professional knowledge, skill and critical thinking. 

• To complete my Masters of Nursing- Generalist Stream 

 

Education 

Recent

• Current: Master of Nursing Program-Generalist Stream at Athabasca University, expected completion date Jan 2019

• 2017 SHS/UHN Geriatrics Institute Education Day June 22, 2017

• 2017, Nov 29th. 7th Annual Update in Geriatrics Drugs and the Elderly: Balancing Risks and Benefits

 

Education (previous)

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Ryerson University 2012

• Bachelor of Arts at Queen’s University with a concentration in Psychology 2003

• Graduate of St. Lawrence College Nursing Program 2002

 

Professional Awards

• Recipient of the 2016 Esther and Saul Baker Award in Geriatrics at University Health Network (UHN) and Mount Sinai Hospital

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Publications & Presentations

Publications

Alibhai, S. M., Jin, R., Loucks, A.,Yokom, D. W., Watt, S., Puts, M., ... & Berger, A. (2018). Beyond the black box of geriatric assessment: Understanding enhancements to care by the geriatric oncology clinic. Journal of Geriatric Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgo.2018.04.008

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Puts, M., Strohschein, F.J., Del Giudice, M.E., Jin, R., Loucks, A.,Ayala, A.P. & Alibhai, S.H. (2018). Role of the geriatrician, primary care practitioner, nurses, and collaboration with oncologists during cancer treatment delivery for older adults: a narrative review of the literature. Journal of Geriatric Oncology.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgo.2018.04.008

 

Loucks, A. & Jin, R. (May, 2016). Cancer Care for Older Patients: Four nurses on developing cancer care for older patients. European Oncology Nursing Society Magazine Summer 2016

 

(In progress) Case Study for submission 

Tools for Understanding: ASSESSING AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH CANCER.  Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing.Fay J. Strohschein, Allison Loucks, Rana Jin & Brandy Vanderbyl

 

Presentations & Posters

• 2018, Jan 23, presentation on Princess Margaret Geriatric Oncology Program to the Lymphoma/Myeloma Group by Allison Loucks& Rana Jin. 

• 2018, Feb 8-10, Presentation by Shabbir Alibhai at Genitourinary Cancers Symposium at ASCO:  Impact of a geriatric oncology (GO) clinic on cancer treatment plans and supportive care for older adults with genitourinary (GU) cancer. Shabbir M.H. Alibhai, Allison Loucks, Rana Jin, Martine Puts, Sarah Watt, Arielle Berger; University Health Network, Toronto, ON; University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

• 2018, Feb 20, Princess Margaret Geriatric Oncology Program Presentation to the Cancer Rehabilitation & Survivorship Program Staff by Allison Loucks& Rana Jin.

• 2018, April 20-22nd, Poster Presentation: Canadian Geriatrics Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM): Evaluating the First 18 Months of a Geriatric Oncology Clinic – Shabbir Alibhai, Allison Loucks, Rana Jin, Martine Puts

• 2017, Oct 24th, Princess Margaret Geriatric Oncology Program Volunteer Presentation, Allison Loucks& Rana Jin. 

• 2017, Oct 29th, CANO Presentation Tools for Understanding: ASSESSING AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH CANCER.  Fay J. Strohschein, RN, PHD (CANDIDATE), Allison Loucks, RN, BA, BSCN, CON(C), Rana Jin, RN, MSN, CON(C), Brandy Vanderbyl, RN, MSc, MSc(A), CON(C)

• 2017, Nov 9-11th, Poster Presentation at International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG): OPENING UP THE BLACK BOX OF CGA IN GERIATRIC ONCOLOGY CLINIC – UNDERSTANDING ENHANCEMENTS TO CARE BEYOND TREATMENT-DECISION MAKING by Shabbir M. Alibhai* , Rana Jin, Allison Loucks,Daniel Yokom, Sarah Watt, Narhari Timilshina, Martine T. Puts, Arielle Berger

 

Previous Publications and Presentations

• 2017 (May 15th) Patient Centered Care Rounds: Personalizing Cancer Treatment in Older Adults with Cancer: co-presented with Rana Jin. 

• 2017, Feb, Poster presentations on Geriatric Oncology Demonstration Project outcomes at the Personalizing Cancer Medicine Annual Conference.

• 2016, June 9th Presenting the Geriatric Oncology Program Evaluation Processfor the students of the Nursing 1034: Program Planning and Evaluation in Nursing Course, University of Toronto

• 2016, Nov, Poster presentations, Abstract 1: Geriatric Oncology Needs Assessment of Genitourinary Cancer Site Group: The Geriatric Oncology Demonstration Project at International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) annual conference in Milan, Italy

• 2016, Nov, Poster presentations, Abstract 2: Impact of a Geriatric Oncology Clinic on Cancer Treatment Plans and Survivorship Care at International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) annual conference in Milan, Italy

• 2016, Nov, Poster presentations, Abstract 3: Feasibility of Introducing Vulnerability Screening in an Ambulatory Cancer Clinic at International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) annual conference in Milan, Italy

• 2016, Nov, Poster presentations, Abstract 4: Does the Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) correlate with the presence of geriatric issues and syndromes in older adults with genitourinary cancer? at International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) annual conference in Milan, Italy

• 2015, Oral Presentation at 2015 CANO annual conference: Nurse-Led Proactive Calls Provided to 1st Time Chemotherapy Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancers

• 2015, Oral Presentation at UHN Nursing Forum: Nurse-Led Proactive Calls Provided to 1st Time Chemotherapy Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancers, 2015

• 2009, Poster Presentation of REACH Emergency Clinical Pilot Project at University Health Network Emergency Medicine Conference

• 2013-2011 Princess Margaret Management of a Deteriorating Patient Course Presentations and Facilitation,

• 2013-2011 Princess Margaret Oncology Nursing Physical & Health Assessment Course Presentations and Facilitation

• 2013-2011 Princess Margaret Mock Code Blue Scenarios

• 2013-2011 Princess Margaret REACH 5-lead Cardiac Strip Analysis Presentation

• 2013-2011 Princess Margaret New MD Fellow Code Medical Emergency Orientation Presentation

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Current Employment:

2015 (May) to Current

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Geriatric Oncology Program

Princess Margaret Cancer Center

610 University Ave. Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9

Responsibilities: Conduct specialized comprehensive geriatric assessments and manage the care of older adults with cancer.  Proactively provide nursing support within the 7 CANO Standards of Care to enhance the supportive care plan of vulnerable older adults who are undergoing cancer treatment and anyway along their cancer care trajectory.

Conduct knowledge and attitude surveys on staff involved in the project. Develop and deliver, and evaluate geriatric oncology education to nurses in the ambulatory settings. Collect outcome measurement data on an ongoing basis.  

 

Previous Employment:

Aug 2014- May 2015 

Clinical Educator, Ambulatory Oncology

Princess Margaret Cancer Center

610 University Ave. Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9

Responsibilities: Develop educational programs and model of care to optimize the nursing role in ambulatory clinics and identify strategies to fill patient care gaps. Mentorship of innovative nurse-led demonstration projects aimed to provide care to vulnerable cancer populations. Evaluate learning needs of nurses within ambulatory setting, design, develop and deliver education, evaluate outcomes.

 

Oct 2011 to Aug 2014

Acute Care Oncology Clinical Educator

Princess Margaret Cancer Center

610 University Ave. Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9

Responsibilities: Evaluate learning needs of nurses within acute care setting, design, develop and deliver education, evaluate outcomes. Develop acute care educational program; evaluate practice guidelines and policies. Project management leadership of various acute care and educational initiatives.  

 

Jan 2009 to Oct 2011

Staff Nurse, Oncology Urgent Care Unit (REACH- Reducing Emergency and Acute Care Hospitalization) and in the Systemic Therapy Units

Princess Margaret Cancer Center

610 University Ave. Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9

Responsibilities:Triaging all patients using CTAS, history and clinical assessment of patient, initiation of medical treatment and follow-ups. Co-launched the REACH clinic along with the team leader Kathy Trip, NP.  I was responsible for the training and orientation of all nursing staff in the REACH clinic.  

 

April 2004 to Oct 2011

Staff Nurse, Emergency Department

Toronto Western Hospital

299 Bathurst St. Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8

Responsibilities: providing care to emergency patients, 12-lead ECG, CTAS triage experienced, Resuscitation room experience, training new staff and Preceptorship of student nurses

 

March 2008 to Sept 2008

Best Doctors 

Case Manager

One Queen Street East, Suite 2000. Toronto, ON M5C 2W5

March 2008 to Sept 2008

Responsibilities: Assistant Clinical Director/Member Advocate, Acting as a case manager.

 

October 2002 to March 2004

Staff Nurse, Acute Care General Medicine

Toronto General Hospital, 14 Eaton

200 Elizabeth ST. Toronto ON, M5G 2C4

Responsibilities: Providing care to acute and complex medical inpatients

 

Feb. 2002 to September 2002

Staff Nurse, Acute Care Internal Medicine and Step-Down Unit 

Kingston General Hospital

Kidd 3, Acute Care Internal Medicine

76 Stuart Street. Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7

Responsibilities: Providing care to acute and complex medical inpatients 

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