Who Are We
Psoriasis Canada is run by a committed Board of Directors who are impacted by psoriatic disease – either as patients themselves or family members – a medical advisory board of experienced experts across their fields who provide the knowledge, insight, and clinical guidance that help shape our work, and a dedicated staff who are committed to furthering PsoCan’s mission.
Board of Directors
Simmie Smith,
Chair
Bio
Simmie Smith (she/her), M.O.M.,B.A.,M.B.A. is a passionate patient leader who has volunteered for the past 15 years in various capacities locally, nationally and internationally to assist others in navigating their own healthcare journey, including as current Chair of Psoriasis Canada. Her dedication comes from her own lived experience and as a first generation Canadian whose family were the first Sikh farmers in Sumas Prairie, Abbotsford, BC. In this environment she learned from an early age how to navigate the barriers she encountered as a racially diverse child in an English-based education and healthcare system. She has over 30 years of experience serving as a public servant within municipal, provincial and federal governments within Canada. As a result of her working within these public institutions she continues to draw from the similarities faced by those accessing our healthcare system. As a child she was exposed to hard work, inequities, and power imbalance to which she attributes her life-long passion of pursuing social justice for all and in memory of her father. Simmie’s more recent achievements include receiving the Order of Merit bestowed by the Governor General of Canada, the Canadian Police Exemplary Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.
Christian Boisvert-Huneault,
Vice Chair
Bio
Christian Boisvert-Huneault is a dedicated Healthcare Implementation Consultant at Harris Healthcare, specializing in workflow optimization and software integration. With a rich background as radiation therapist and Radiation Oncology Manager at the McGill University Health Centre, Christian has honed skills in team leadership, quality assurance, and patient care. An award-winning leader, Christian holds a BSc in Human Kinetics and a DEC in Radiation Therapy. Passionate about advancing healthcare, Christian also volunteers as a cyber mentor and serves as Chair of the Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients and Vice-Chair of Psoriasis Canada.
Simon Cheng,
Treasurer
Bio
Mr. Cheng has over ten years of experience in the resource, technology and finance sector. He specializes in capital finance, business agreement negotiations and corporate development and has previously held positions with professional investment firms providing advisory services to high net worth individuals and institutional investors. He currently serves as CEO and director of Trench Metals Corp. (TSXV: TMC), a mineral exploration company with a focus on uranium; as a director of ALDD Ventures Corp. (TSXVC: ALDD.P.CC) and as CEO and director of Little Fish Acquisition I Corp. (TSXV: LILL.P), both capital pool companies; as CEO and director of BioCure Technology Inc. (CSE: CURE.X), a biopharmaceutical company; and as director of P2P Group Ltd. (formerly, Pure to Pure Beauty Inc.) (CSE: PPB), of which he was both CEO and director until August of 2024, which is engaged in the development and sale of consumer product goods. In the recent past, he has also served as a director and/or officer of a number of private companies in resource and health.
Kimberly Seguin,
Secretary
Bio
With over 20 years of dedicated nursing experience, Kim has become a valuable support for patients living with psoriasis and other auto-immune and inflammatory conditions. Her journey in healthcare began with a passion for patient care and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by chronic conditions. Her extensive career has been marked by her dedication to patient advocacy. As a Psoriasis patient and mother to a child with severe Eczema she has a unique perspective from both sides of the curtain. Having navigated the journey for herself, her son and many patients over the years she understands the art of advocating for what you need.
Kimberley Hanson,
Director
Bio
Kimberley is a seasoned executive with a track record of strong leadership and execution and deep experience in the health charity sector in Canada. She is an expert in corporate strategy, public affairs, and communications. In recent years, she has worked as a strategic advisor to many organizations in the health and chronic disease community as Vice President at Hill+Knowlton Strategies and as Executive Director of Advocacy at Diabetes Canada. For nearly five years, she was Executive Director of Advocacy at Diabetes Canada, responsible for advocacy with the federal, provincial and territorial governments. She also led the Diabetes 360˚ initiative that has resulted in the passage of a law requiring Canada to implement a nation-wide framework to address the diabetes epidemic and a federal budget commitment in 2021. Kim is a fully bilingual, experienced spokesperson and public speaker who holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa. Prior to joining Diabetes Canada, Kim held various senior management positions in Communications, Business Development and Human Resources at Payments Canada and Export Development Canada. As a passionate volunteer and community member, over the past 25 years, Kim and her family have raised more than $1 million for local charities.
Reena Ruparelia,
Director
Bio
Reena Ruparelia is a mindfulness advocate, wellness coach, and a voice for individuals living with chronic skin conditions, particularly psoriasis. Diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of 14, Reena is dedicated to spreading awareness about the emotional and physical challenges associated with skin disorders. Through her journey, she has cultivated a deep passion for mental health, body positivity, and self-acceptance. In addition to her digital advocacy, Reena is an HR Professional and avid dancer.
Kerry Yang,
Director
Bio
Kerry Yang (he/him) is currently a medical student at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. As someone who has grown up with psoriasis and having more recently developed psoriatic arthritis, he is a passionate about supporting people with psoriasis through advocacy, collaboration, and research.
Medical Advisory Board
Dr. David Adam,
Founding Advisor
Bio
Dr. David Adam is the Medical Director of Baywood Dermatology. He is also the Lead Investigator at CCA Medical Research, a center for advanced dermatologic therapeutics.
Dr. Adam is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Adam received his medical degree at the University of Toronto graduating with honors. He completed his residency at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, serving as Chief Resident.
Dr. Adam is also the President of the Dermatology Association of Ontario, serves as a reviewer for several medical journals and regularly publishes in peer reviewed journals.
Dr. Vinod Chandran,
Founding Advisor
Bio
Vinod Chandran MBBS, MD, DM, PhD, FRCPC, a rheumatologist, is a clinician scientist at the Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and holds the Dr. Dafna D. Gladman Chair in Psoriatic Arthritis Research at UHN. He is an expert in psoriatic arthritis and directs the Gladman Krembil Psoriatic Arthritis Program at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute. His translational research program is focused on developing biomarker-based diagnostic and prognostic tools for psoriatic arthritis, with support by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the National Psoriasis Foundation, the Arthritis Society, and the Krembil Foundation. He has published more than 250 papers. He is an elected member of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA- an international organization facilitating research and education on the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis) Board of Directors and its Co-Vice President.
Dr. Mark Kirchhof,
Founding Advisor
Bio
Dr. Mark Kirchhof is the Division Head of Dermatology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital. He is also the current President of the Canadian Dermatology Association (2026) with a strong focus on advocacy and defending the dermatology specialty from encroachment. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in molecular biology from McMaster University, Dr. Kirchhof completed his medical degree and PhD at Western University in London, Ontario. His PhD research involved studies of the signalling pathways important to immune system regulation. He then went on to complete his dermatology residency at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has published over 110 papers and is invited to speak nationally and internationally.
Dr. Charles Lynde,
Founding Advisor
Bio
Dr. Charles Lynde is the Medical Director of Lynde Institute for Dermatology and Lynderm Research.
His clinical practice is a full-service dermatology practice offering medical and cosmetic dermatology as well as clinical trials.
A leader in Canadian research, Lynderm Research has been under the direction of Dr. Lynde for over 40 years. Dr. Lynde has been a Principal Investigator for over 400 clinical trials. He has authored more than 500 publications.
Additionally, with medical education as a pillar of his practice, Dr. Lynde maintains an associate professorship with the University of Toronto, teaching many medical students and residents throughout the years. A founding partner of DREAM, an annual program for new graduates of dermatology as they enter clinical practice. Dr. Lynde has been the chair of the Dermatology Update Conference since 2015.
Dr. Lynde is a nationally, and internationally recognized Key Opinion Leader in dermatology, having spoken at many major conferences worldwide.
Dr. Lynde has 6 children and 17 grandchildren.
Dr. Max Sauder,
Founding Advisor
Bio
Dr. Maxwell Sauder is a board-certified dermatologist in Canada (FRCPC) and the United States (DABD) with additional fellowship training in cutaneous oncology. He is an assistant professor in the division of dermatology at the University of Toronto. He is an onco-dermatologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre where he assists in the management of complex cutaneous malignancies and skin toxicities of anticancer treatments. He also practices at Toronto Dermatology Centre where he has a large general dermatology practice and is the director of the Pigmented Lesion Clinic. He is the research director at Toronto Dermatology Centre where he runs clinical trials investigating new therapies for various dermatologic conditions.
Dr. Sauder earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at McMaster University and completed a residency in dermatology at The University of Ottawa where he was the chief resident and received The D.C. Montgomery Resident Award for excellence in research. He completed fellowship training in Cutaneous Oncology at Harvard Medical School. He is a former instructor in dermatology at Harvard Medical School. He is an active member of the Canadian Dermatology Association where he is a member of the Sun Awareness Working Group. He is the secretary of the Dermatology Association of Ontario. He is the Treasurer of the Section of Dermatology within the Ontario Medical Association where he advocates for dermatologists, doctors and most importantly patients.
Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis
Bio
Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis is a dermatologist based in Regina, Saskatchewan, with a focus on medical dermatology and inflammatory skin disease. She is the founder of Origins Dermatology Centre, a multidisciplinary mixed-model practice that provides in-person and virtual care to a diverse population of urban, rural, and Indigenous patients. She cares for many patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and actively stays up to date with educational initiatives to best meet their needs. She carries a Masters of Health Sciences in Clinical and Translational Research and leads a research team that conducts both observational studies and clinical trials. She is also the co-chair of Skin Canada’s Skin of Color Working Group, which is dedicated to improving skin health for diverse populations by addressing gaps in research and promoting better representation and care for all skin types.
Dr. Kyle Cullingham
Bio
Dr Cullingham graduated from the University of Western Ontario with his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology, then pursued a Masters of Science degree in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba prior to attending Medical School at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
He completed his residency training at the University of Saskatchewan, University of Alberta and University of Calgary and successfully passed his Royal College exam in Dermatology in 2016.
He is a member of the Canadian Dermatology Association, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
He is very passionate about patient care and travelling having been to more than 60 countries.
Dr Cullingham is the founder and Medical Director of the Saskatoon Dermatology Centre.
Dr. Irina Turchin
Bio
Dr. Turchin has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta. She did her medical training at the University of Calgary and completed Dermatology residency at McGill University. Dr. Turchin is board certified in Dermatology in both, Canada and United States.
Dr. Turchin has been practicing dermatology in New Brunswick since 2009. She is a Medical Director at the Brunswick Dermatology Center in Fredericton, NB.
Dr. Turchin holds memberships with Canadian Dermatology Association, American Academy of Dermatology and European Academy of Dermatology. She continuously keeps herself up-to-date with the latest medical discoveries by attending and presenting at the national and international conferences and scientific meetings.
Dr. Turchin is interested in medical innovation and is involved in phase I-IV clinical trials. She has been a primary investigator for over 80 clinical trials covering skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, lupus, palmar-plantar pustulosis, prurigo nodularis and urticaria. She has co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Turchin is committed to medical education as Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University. She preceptors medical learners and commonly presents on dermatology topics to other physicians.
Dr. Stéphanie Turmel
Bio
Dr. Stéphanie Turmel is a board-certified dermatologist with the Royal College and has been in practice since 2015. She trained at Université Laval and practices at Clinique Médicale Saint-Louis. She is also an investigator at the Centre de Recherche Saint-Louis, where she participates in clinical trials in inflammatory dermatology.
She serves as an examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA), as well as on its Governance and Nominating Committee. In Quebec, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association des médecins spécialistes dermatologues du Québec (AMSDQ) and its Continuing Professional Development Committee, as well as the Pedagogy Committee of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ). She is also Secretary of the Société de Dermatologie de Québec.
Committed to research, medical education, and knowledge translation, she is regularly invited to serve as a speaker, moderator, and facilitator for educational programs and advisory boards at both the provincial and national levels.
Staff
Antonella Scali,
CEO
Bio
Antonella Scali is a seasoned leader in the nonprofit sector, specializing in health policy, community engagement, and coalition-building. As the Chief Executive Officer of Psoriasis Canada, she focuses on raising awareness about psoriatic disease, enhancing care, and fostering community support. With a background as a registered social worker, Antonella has experience in crisis counseling, community engagement, and mental health policy analysis. This informs her collaborative leadership style and her dedication to supporting individuals with psoriatic disease. Her personal experiences as a family caregiver and community volunteer further motivate her commitment to improving health and social care.
Helen Crawford,
Senior Programs Manager
Bio
Helen is an experienced patient advocate who has been working on behalf of Canadian skin patients since 2011. As the Senior Program Manager at PsoCan, Helen brings a strong background in communications, marketing and overall project management and works hard to bring valuable resources, tools and information to those Canadians impacted by psoriatic disease. She is also proud to serve as the vice president of the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations – a global organization representing over 60 million people living with psoriatic disease.
Affiliations
Psoriasis Canada is proudly affiliated with the following organizations.
Sponsors
PsoCan is able to fulfill our mission through the generous support of our funders, partners, sponsors, donors and volunteers.