We are an independent team of 6 physicians and 1 nurse practitioner. We work closely with local hospitals and clinics, OHaH (Ontario Health at Home) care coordinators, and home-visiting nurses to offer care and support in the home.
Dr. John Vu
Dr. Vu is the current lead of the APPCT. He is a family physician at the Oshawa Clinic with a special interest in palliative care. He has been providing palliative care since 1992 and home palliative care in Ajax-Pickering since 2001. He graduated from medical school at the University of Ottawa in 1991. When he is not practicing medicine or enjoying family time, he can be found windsurfing or wingfoiling on the Great Lakes.
Alison Riddell, NP
Alison is a nurse practitioner who has provided palliative care in the Ajax-Pickering community since 2005. Prior to this, she worked in oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital. She has a BScN, MSc, and NP diploma from the University of Toronto. In her free time, she has a passion for fitness, especially running.
Dr. Luigi Pedretti
Dr. Pedretti is a family physician trained at the University of Toronto class of 1991. He worked in a community-based family practice for 10 years in Bowmanville and then transitioned to a full-time hospitalist practice at Lakeridge Health for 16 years. During those years of community and hospital-based practice, he also provided general palliative care to his patients when needed. During his years at Lakeridge, he has held various leadership positions. In March 2019, he transitioned to community palliative care as a member of the APPCT. In addition to his passion for palliative care, he also has a special interest in care of the elderly.
Dr. Mike Borchuk
Dr. Borchuk received his medical degree at McMaster University followed by his family medicine residency and an additional year of palliative care training at the University of Toronto. His hobbies include skiing and watching too much television.
Dr. Vance Tran
Dr. Tran is a family physician who has a special interest in palliative care. He completed medical school at the University of Toronto and family medicine residency at Queen’s University, where he was Chief Resident of the Durham training site. During residency, he carried out his palliative care training at Lakeridge Health, North York General Hospital, and Brampton Civic Hospital. He received his MSc in Palliative Care from the University of Maryland. He speaks French and Cantonese.
Dr. Christine Edwards
Dr. Edwards completed her medical training at the University of Toronto and family medicine residency at the University of Ottawa. In addition to her community palliative care practice, she works as a hospitalist and palliative care physician at Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering. Outside of work, she enjoys running and spending time with her husband and children.
Dr. Natalie Wong
Dr. Wong completed her medical training and family medicine residency at the University of Toronto. She provides palliative care in the community and at Lakeridge Health, as well as care of the elderly in long-term care and retirement home settings. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with family/friends and reading great books.
Ajax-Pickering Palliative Care Team 