How Lighthouse Labs alumni are accelerating change in digital cancer care with Haya Sarras, CEO of Oncology Simplified By: Kai Block November 27, 2024 Estimated reading time: 6 minutes. We caught up with Haya Sarras, co-founder and CEO of Oncology Simplified (Oncology Simplified | Personalized Cancer Services Made Easy), a digital healthcare company based in Southwestern Ontario addressing important, unmet, and underserved needs for cancer patients and caregivers. Oncology Simplified supports patients undergoing investigations for a possible cancer diagnosis or those already diagnosed. For the first time in Canada, patients can access faster, specialized cancer services tailored to their unique medical and lifestyle needs—without the need for referrals and online from the comfort of home. Oncology Simplified has partnered with Lighthouse Labs to bring in new talent. Haya highlights the value these grads bring to the team, noting their agility and the fresh perspectives they bring to a fast-paced, patient-centered healthcare startup. She shared how Lighthouse Labs alumni are helping to advance Oncology Simplified’s mission to make personalized cancer care accessible beyond hospital walls. An agile technical team at Oncology Simplified Oncology Simplified’s technical team is built on flexibility and expertise. Their agile team structure enables close integration across healthcare and operational departments. With the sensitive nature of patient information, having team members who grasp the critical role of safeguarding data against healthcare-specific threats is invaluable. Haya describes the team as multidisciplinary trailblazers, each making a significant impact in their area of expertise. Partnering with Lighthouse Labs Oncology Simplified has collaborated with Lighthouse Labs' Talent Acquisition team, which Haya describes as "an invaluable partner in our hiring journey." The team played a major role in curating a talent pool of qualified candidates aligned with the startup’s business goals, culture, and dynamic work environment. "Their support streamlined the hiring process, making it less daunting and ensuring we found a skilled team member who aligns with our mission," Haya notes. Since partnering with Lighthouse Labs, Oncology Simplified has welcomed two graduates, with hires from both the Web Development and Cybersecurity Bootcamps. These grads have brought the technical acumen and essential soft skills needed to thrive in tech needed to drive business goals forward. Hire tech talent The ideal hire: Strategy, collaboration, and resilience When hiring junior talent, Haya looks for adaptable, collaborative individuals with the resilience to tackle challenges in a fast-paced startup environment. "Given the fast pace and evolving demands of our healthcare mission, team members need to be resourceful problem-solvers with the grit to navigate complex challenges," Haya explains. By valuing strategic thinking and a proactive mindset, Oncology Simplified aims to find team members who contribute meaningfully to patient care and the company’s overarching mission. Opportunities to make a meaningful impact Why should a Lighthouse Labs grad consider a role at Oncology Simplified? "We offer a dynamic environment where grads can build impactful solutions from the ground up," says Haya. Working directly with founders, healthcare providers, and the marketing team, grads are encouraged to bring creative solutions to life, all with the freedom to experiment. "This hands-on approach allows them to deliver results with a clear focus and timeline, making a meaningful impact in oncology care," Haya emphasizes. Committed to lifelong learning: Why Oncology Simplified values Lighthouse Labs graduates When asked if she would hire another Lighthouse Labs graduate, Haya’s response is an emphatic "absolutely." The team is impressed by the practical training and technical knowledge that Lighthouse Labs grads bring to the table. "Their ability to navigate real-world challenges makes them strong assets in a healthcare-focused startup, where innovative solutions are essential," says Haya. This mix of hands-on skills and a forward-thinking mindset has allowed grads to seamlessly integrate into Oncology Simplified’s mission to improve individualized patient care and deliver novel healthcare solutions. The rapid pace of change in both technology and healthcare requires Oncology Simplified’s team to embrace continuous learning as a core part of their professional growth. Lighthouse Labs grads develop both technical and strategic skills while working on patient-focused projects, adapting to new challenges, and delivering results. One example stands out: when Oncology Simplified faced unexpected setbacks in a crucial website project, Lighthouse Labs graduate Sean Gray stepped up. Collaborating with the founding team and marketing lead, Ragia Megahed, Sean invested time to understand the technical infrastructure and project requirements. This foundation allowed him to approach complex challenges head-on, learning new tools and methodologies at a rapid pace. His proactive attitude and adaptability led to the successful delivery of a market-ready product. Sean’s growth exemplifies how Lighthouse Labs graduates don’t just keep up when they enter their careers, they thrive. "Embracing continuous learning is essential for success in our innovative landscape," Haya adds, a sentiment that embodies the ethos of both Oncology Simplified and the education at Lighthouse Labs. Sean Gray: A Lighthouse Labs alumni spotlight Lighthouse Labs graduate Sean Gray made an immediate impact upon joining Oncology Simplified, showing up with resilience and fresh insights. Sean was quick to learn new tools, and, in collaborating with the founding team and the marketing lead, Ragia Megahed, was instrumental in a project that brought Oncology Simplified officially into the Canadian market! Understanding the importance of cross-functional collaboration, Sean has been able “to translate complex ideas into simple designs that patients and caregivers can connect with digitally,” shares Haya. Reflecting on his experience, Sean shares, "My experience at Oncology Simplified strengthened my technical skills and provided deep insights into the resilience needed to grow a business from the ground up. It was a transformative journey that enhanced my development skills and entrepreneurial mindset.” Sean is an example of the strengths Haya sees in our Lighthouse Labs grads: deep technical knowledge and a proactive mindset. Future opportunities and continued growth While Oncology Simplified isn’t currently hiring, the team values their partnership with Lighthouse Labs and hopes to explore future hiring opportunities in 2025, recognizing the talent and determination that graduates bring to the team. Learn about Lighthouse Lab’s Talent Acquisition services. More on Oncology Simplified Oncology Simplified brings a unique service to the market: the "Cancer Expert Partner," provided by licensed Canadian cancer healthcare professionals. Available online, this service connects patients directly from the comfort of their homes. Patients can start with a free consultation to see if it's the right fit, then choose between subscribing for unlimited Cancer Expert Partner support or reaching out on an as-needed basis. Whether navigating a diagnosis, planning diets, managing daily routines, preparing for or recovering from surgery, exploring treatment options, handling side effects, or seeking compassionate support, the Cancer Expert Partner is there every step of the way, offering both clinical expertise and emotional care. Additionally, Oncology Simplified’s services are covered under most healthcare plans, including healthcare spending, wellness, and lifestyle accounts, and are also tax-deductible, making expert cancer care more accessible. The company is currently seeking partnerships with employers and organizations to further expand its reach, so go check them out! See the impact of other Hiring Partners Our network of over 4,000 Hiring Partners across all industries is constantly growing. Learn about a few of them: LAUFT Based in Toronto, LAUFT is transforming flexible workspaces with on-demand solutions, and Lighthouse Labs graduates have become a core part of their journey. Co-founder, Jesse Sharratt, spoke about the value of this partnership, emphasizing the hands-on skills and adaptability that Lighthouse Labs grads bring to LAUFT’s growth-oriented culture. “The humility to learn and the courage to try are key traits,” Jesse noted, highlighting how grads thrive in LAUFT’s high-trust environment. From developing a web app driving 20% of reservations to creating check-in kiosks, grads are driving tangible growth. Check out the spotlight. Empowered 4x Empowered 4X, a business development center in Brampton, Ontario, offers consulting, training, business support, and co-working spaces. We connected with Tianna Hoang, HR Coordinator, who shared how Empowered 4X has embraced Lighthouse Labs graduates. Over the years, they’ve hired three graduates who have become integral members of their technical team. Tianna highlighted the strong partnership between Empowered 4X and Lighthouse Labs, emphasizing the graduates’ eagerness to learn, adaptability, and valuable contributions across various industries. Check out the spotlight. Appy.yo Appy.yo, specializes in streamlining digital transformation. From concept to launch and beyond, their experienced team collaborates closely with clients, turning unique ideas into successful projects. We interviewed Nadia, the Founder and Lead Project Manager who highlighted the strong bond between Lighthouse Labs and Appy.yo. Over the years, Appy.yo has become a welcoming hub for Lighthouse Labs graduates, with more than 20 alumni finding their footing within its UX/UI and cybersecurity departments. Check out the spotlight. Pixeltree Inc. Pixeltree Inc. is a software consultancy firm in Calgary, Alberta. We interviewed Daniel Huss, Head of Mentorship at Pixeltree, and Carolina Contreras Isas and Tristan Cole, two of our Bootcamp graduates who successfully switched to a tech career and now work as software developers at Pixeltree. They were gracious enough to talk to us about the journey to a new career in tech, both from an employer's and a Bootcamp graduate's perspective. Check out the spotlight. Autotelic Development Ltd. Autotelic Development Ltd is a full-stack software and consultancy company. We spoke to Edward Stone, Autotelic's Chief Executive Officer, and Meghan Hein and Alex Hauka, Lighthouse Labs grads turned Full-Stack Developers at Autotelic, about the journey to an optimal career and the systems necessary to ensure that young developers thrive in their new jobs. Check out the spotlight.