Research Leadership Team

Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Veronique Boscart is the inaugural Chief Scientific Officer, bringing more than three decades of experience as a nurse, educator, researcher and health care leader. Her career has been dedicated to advancing evidence-informed care, with a particular focus on seniors’ health, workforce development and applied health research that drives real-world impact.

Before joining Osler, Dr. Boscart held executive academic roles nationally and internationally, including Executive Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates and Executive Dean of Health and Life Sciences at Conestoga College. At Conestoga, she led the development of the Canadian Institute for Seniors’ Care and held the prestigious CIHR/Schlegel Industrial Chair for Colleges in Seniors Care, through which she generated over $70 million in funding for applied research and educational innovation.

As a nationally recognized nurse researcher, Dr. Boscart has led more than 70 applied research projects focused on improving care models in long-term care, developing gerontechnologies, advancing curriculum design and promoting quality improvement through pragmatic research. Her research integrates quality indicators, health human resources and system-level care improvements.

She has published over 130 peer-reviewed papers and is the lead author of the first three Canadian editions of Gerontological Nursing and Healthy Aging. As Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal on Aging and a CIHR grant reviewer, Dr. Boscart continues to shape the national research landscape. Her contributions to health policy and practice have earned her awards and honours, including the Order of Merit from the Canadian Nurses Association and Fellowship in the Canadian Academy of Nursing.

Her leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to research, education and frontline care and ensuring health innovations are informed by research and responsive to patient and community needs.

Medical Director of Cancer Care and Head of Cancer Research

Dr. Parneet Cheema is the lead of cancer care as Osler’s Medical Director of Cancer Care and Head of Cancer Research. With a background in medical oncology, Dr. Cheema's journey began with postgraduate training at the University of Toronto, where she currently holds the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine.

Her academic experience goes beyond traditional medical training, as evidenced by her interdisciplinary business and science master’s degree in biotechnology from the University of Toronto. Dr. Cheema's expertise in lung cancer, precision medicine and immunotherapy has gained her international recognition for her contributions.

Dr. Cheema has been an innovator in her field, under her leadership, groundbreaking initiatives like the Osler Cancer Immunotherapy Program have been established, revolutionizing cancer treatment. She has put Osler at the head of oncology clinical trials recruitment in Canada, ensuring patients have access to state-of-the-art treatments through global clinical trials.

Her close collaborations with the Osler Pathology Department have promoted the integration of cutting-edge genomics into cancer care at Osler. She has also solidified partnerships that enable Osler to offer the most advanced genomic technologies for cancer care nationwide.

With a strong portfolio of clinical trials and research papers, Dr. Parneet Cheema has made significant contributions to the field of oncology. Her work includes publications in prestigious journals like the New England Journal of Medicine and issuing several Canadian consensus statements on lung cancer treatments. She has also served as a steering committee member for global clinical trials.

Dr. Cheema has played a pivotal role in advancing personalized and innovative oncological treatments both at Osler and on a broader scale.

Director, Clinical Research

Patti Rempel is a strategic leader with a wealth of experience in shaping strategy, driving innovation and measuring success across various settings. With a collaborative and creative approach to problem-solving, she develops actionable strategies that foster new thinking.

Currently serving as the Director of Clinical Research, Patti plays an important role in shaping the organization's research initiatives and operations, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Her direction was instrumental in growing the Osler research program, leading to the establishment of what is now the Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation. She continues to demonstrate her commitment to advancing health care through strategic leadership, innovation and collaboration.

Previously, Patti served as the Regional Director of Corporate Strategy at Osler from 2017 to 2021, and she has held key leadership positions in both the healthcare and technology sectors.

Patti has a proven track record in growing and scaling businesses and driving organizational change. With a Master's degree in Health Administration from McMaster University, complemented by her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Guelph, Patti has a diverse educational background, coupled with extensive professional experience to position her as a leader.

Executive Vice-President, Quality, Research and Chief Nursing Executive
Adjunct Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
Adjunct Professor, Humber College
Adjunct Lecturer, University of Toronto

Tiziana Rivera is a known her visionary leadership and strategic insight. A distinguished nurse executive with a career spanning over three decades, Tiziana has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence in clinical care, professional practice, and research innovation. Having earned her MSc in Nursing from the University of Toronto and a BScN from Toronto Metropolitan University, Tiziani’s academic foundations have supported her multifaceted career. From her early days as an Advanced Practice Nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto to her tenure as Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Practice Officer at Mackenzie Health, she has pushed the boundaries of health care delivery.

Throughout her career journey, Tiziana has had a passion for advancing nursing excellence and patient-centered care. Her leadership roles at institutions like Trillium Health Centre and Baycrest have equipped her with a deep understanding of health care administration, quality improvement and interprofessional collaboration. Tiziana's contributions extend beyond the boardroom and clinical environment, as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto, and Adjunct Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University and Humber College, she is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of health care leaders. Her commitment to education and mentorship underscores her belief in the importance of cultivating a knowledgeable and skilled workforce to address the evolving challenges in health care.

Recognized for her contributions, Tiziana has been the recipient of numerous honours, including the Nursing Award of Excellence in Nursing Leadership from the Ontario Hospital Association. Her prolific research endeavors, featured in publications in refereed journals and presentations at national and international forums, reflect her dedication to advancing nursing knowledge and practice.

In 2018, Tiziana assumed the position of Vice President of Quality, Research and Chief Nursing Executive at the William Osler Health System, where she drove transformative initiatives. In her current role as Executive Vice President of Quality, Research and Chief Nursing, Tiziana Rivera continues to be a leader in health care leadership, driving meaningful change and innovation, and now, she steps forward to spearhead the establishment of the new ORIHI, which, will be poised to become a frontrunner in transformative research.