Committee Members

Rabbi Dr. Rena Arshinoff obtained her nursing training in Montreal. She completed a Master of Health Science degree in Epidemiology at University of Toronto and worked for 20 years in clinical research prior to entering rabbinical school in 2003. Following Rabbinic Ordination in 2008, she trained in hospital chaplaincy and became certified in both Canada and the United States. She is a registered psychotherapist. She currently works at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care in Toronto as Rabbi/Spiritual Care Practitioner with Palliative Care, Complex Continuing Care, independent living, and Movement Disorders as well as private grief therapy practice. She is a member of the Research Ethics Board at Baycrest. Rabbi Arshinoff completed a PhD in Palliative Care from Lancaster University in England focusing on Parkinson’s Disease. She holds an adjunct lecturer appointment with the Division of Palliative Medicine at University of Toronto as well as the Institute for Life Journey and Aging. She facilitates seminars for medical students and wellness sessions for palliative care residents and fellows as well as teaching a course on Jewish Care and Counselling at Wilfred Laurier University. Rabbi Arshinoff’s main areas of interest are palliative care, bereavement and healing in adults and children; Professional Grief and staff support in hospitals; and spiritual needs in Movement Disorders, Parkinson’s Disease in particular. She has conducted research and education, and has published in these areas. In 2014, Rabbi Arshinoff was honoured by the Forward as one of America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis. She lives in Toronto with her husband Stephen and they have three children and 2 grandchildren

Despoina Kanellopoulou is an MSc. Social Scientist, Researcher on Mental Health, Alzheimer disease and related disοrders .
She has graduated in 2005 from University of West Attica department of Social Work School of Health and Welfare of Athens and she continued her Master Degree at Democritus University of Thrace and Democritus Researcher Center in Greece.
She has 18 years experience in Mental Health, in providing support to mentally ill people and their families through individual counseling therapy and also psycho-training groups. She develops community programs for the seniors with mild cognitive disorder and supports them in community connections Also, she has worked as an instructor training staff in Mental Health Units and today continues to work in Psychosocial Rehabilitation Unit and Alzheimer Center in Athens .
Psychogeriatric Association ‘ Nestor” , Alzheimer Center , Athens , Greece

Prof. Roberto Sánchez is a highly respected surgeon and Professor of Surgery at the University of Concepción in Chile. He has extensive experience in vascular and endovascular surgery, including a residency in Paris. Prof. Sánchez is a member of prestigious international societies, such as the SCVE and ESVS, and serves on the editorial board of EJVES-Vascular Forum. His career highlights his dedication to advancing surgical knowledge and improving patient care.

Daiane da Rocha Janner is form Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, RJ, Brazil and also completed her PhD.

Wen-Cheng Xiong completed her Ph.D and now she working as a Professor of Neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University.

Yan Liu has completed her PhD from Lanzhou University and postdoctoral studies from Massachusetts General Hospital, Athinoula A. Martinos Biomedical Imaging Center. She is also a Lecturer at the School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University. She has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals that have been cited over 70 times.