Speakers
Speakers / Panelists
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Provider Wellness / Mindfulness /Yoga
October 21, 2023 from 7:15am AST to 8:00am AST -
Medical Jeopardy
October 21, 2023 from 3:30pm AST to 4:30pm AST -
The Art of Precepting: Pearls for Enhancing the Experience of Medical Learners
October 19, 2023 from 11:00am AST to 12:00pm AST -
Workshop: How to Suture like a Plastic Surgery PA
October 19, 2023 from 1:00pm AST to 3:00pm AST -
Workshop: How to Suture like a Plastic Surgery PA
October 20, 2023 from 1:00pm AST to 3:00pm AST -
Opening Remarks followed by Keynote - Why Green Health Care?
October 20, 2023 from 8:45am AST to 10:00am AST -
Penetrating Neck and Laryngeal Trauma
October 20, 2023 from 11:00am AST to 12:00pm AST -
Workshop: Casting & Splinting Part One
October 20, 2023 from 10:00am AST to 12:00pm AST -
Workshop: Casting & Splinting Part Two
October 20, 2023 from 1:00pm AST to 3:00pm AST -
Workshop: Casting & Splinting Part One
October 21, 2023 from 10:45am AST to 12:30pm AST -
Workshop: Casting & Splinting Part Two
October 21, 2023 from 1:30pm AST to 3:30pm AST -
“Ask Us ANYTHING...Well, Almost Anything!”
October 19, 2023 from 10:00am AST to 12:00pm AST -
Workshop: Assessment of Vertigo
October 19, 2023 from 1:00pm AST to 3:00pm AST -
Surgical Treatment Indications for Endometriosis
October 21, 2023 from 1:30pm AST to 2:30pm AST -
Vaginal Atrophy and the Urogynecologic Implications
October 21, 2023 from 3:30pm AST to 4:30pm AST -
Medical Jeopardy
October 21, 2023 from 3:30pm AST to 4:30pm AST -
Approach to Arthrosis
October 19, 2023 from 10:00am AST to 11:00am AST -
Lightning Round Sessions
October 21, 2023 from 10:45am AST to 12:30pm AST -
Motivating PA Learners
October 20, 2023 from 10:00am AST to 12:00pm AST -
EPAs: What are they and why should I care?”
October 19, 2023 from 3:00pm AST to 4:00pm AST -
Lung Nodules - Where and When to Refer
October 20, 2023 from 10:00am AST to 11:00am AST -
Welcome Reception
October 19, 2023 from 7:00pm AST to 9:00pm AST -
Welcome and Opening Remarks followed by Exploring Physician Assistant Funding Models and Impact
October 19, 2023 from 8:45am AST to 10:00am AST -
Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception
October 21, 2023 from 7:00pm AST to 9:00pm AST -
Panel Discussion: PA Work Integrated Training Project
October 21, 2023 from 8:50am AST to 10:30am AST -
Sport Concussion
October 19, 2023 from 3:00pm AST to 4:00pm AST -
Learning to Sail: The Process of Entrustment and Development of Expertise when Navigating a New Clinical Beginning
October 21, 2023 from 2:30pm AST to 3:30pm AST -
Lightning Round Sessions
October 21, 2023 from 10:45am AST to 12:30pm AST -
Lightning Round Sessions
October 21, 2023 from 10:45am AST to 12:30pm AST -
“Ask Us ANYTHING...Well, Almost Anything!”
October 19, 2023 from 10:00am AST to 12:00pm AST -
The Climate Paradox of Healthcare
October 20, 2023 from 1:00pm AST to 2:00pm AST
Alison McIntyre, BHSc(PA), HBSc, CCPA
Alison McIntyre, BHSc(PA), HBSc, CCPA
Alison McIntyre is a family medicine Physician Assistant practicing in St. Catharines, Ontario. Born and raised in London, Ontario, she earned her BSc in Biological Science from the University of Guelph before graduating from the McMaster PA Program in 2014. After graduation, she developed an interest in medical education. Alison is now an Assistant Clinical Professor within the Department of Family Medicine. She is involved with the McMaster PA Program as a clinical skills instructor, family medicine virtual tutor and CRE coordinator. In her spare time, Alison enjoys travelling, curling and spending time with her husband and their miniature dachshund.
Doris Hansen MS, PA-C
Doris Hansen MS, PA-C
Doris Hansen MS_PA-C, is a board certified physician assistant at the Toronto Cosmetic Surgical Institute better known as “Six Surgery”, located in downtown Toronto, Canada. She graduated from Wagner College PA school where she completed her undergrad and masters in a 5 year program. She has worked in various specialties in various locations including Pediatric Neurology in Brooklyn, NY, a traveling Primary Care PA in rural California and Reconstructive and hand surgery PA in Cooperstown, NY. Currently she has been working in Toronto for over three years. She recently started a small business venture dedicated to scars, incorporating medical tattooing and medical interventions to improve patients scar outcome. She has been actively advocating for the PA profession since 2015 and hoping that it can live up and be valued at its full potential. She has done a previous workshops with CAPA and delighted to return to in person conference.
Dr. Laurette Geldenhuys
Dr. Laurette Geldenhuys
Laurette was trained as a physician and a pathologist in South Africa, and has master’s degrees in Anatomical Pathology and Medical Education.
She is a Professor at Dalhousie University, and specializes in her medical practice in the pathology of medical diseases of the kidney, including transplantation. She also has interests in Medical Education, the Medical Humanities, including Medical History, and most recently and most passionately, Planetary Health.
She served as Division Head and Service Chief of Anatomical Pathology at the QEII Health Sciences Centre for 10 years; and is a Past President of the Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP); Vice Chair of the CAP-ACP Section on the Humanities and International Health; Chair of the CAP-ACP National Specialty Network on the Environment; Secretary of the Doctors Nova Scotia Section on Planetary Health; Chair of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment’s Nova Scotian Regional Committee (CAPE NS); and member of the Department of Pathology Green Team, the Board of CAPE, the Board of the Ecology Action Centre, and St. Matthew’s United Church Earth Spirit Action Team.
She is particularly interested in the greening of health care; the health effects of the climate emergency; and the beneficial health effects of spending time in nature.
Her three lovey daughters, her two adorable grandsons, and her love of nature inspire her in her planetary health advocacy.
Natalie Dies, CCPA
Natalie Dies, CCPA
Natalie is a graduate of the 2012 McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program. Her passion lies within acute surgical care, with experience primarily in general and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. She lives in Edmonton, and enjoys complex team-based care at the University of Alberta Hospital. Last year she had the opportunity to travel to Kenya with the Office of Global Surgery and Moi University’s otolaryngology program. When she is not working, Natalie enjoys playing tennis, walking her dog, dancing Zouk, DJing, and playing the oboe.
Laura MacMillan
Orthopaedic Technologist
Laura MacMillan
Laura MacMillan is a Senior Orthopaedic Technologist with Nova Scotia Health with over twenty years’ experience. Laura is one of four certified Orthopaedic Technologists in Nova Scotia. She is passionate about educating and mentoring. Her professional development includes but is not limited to: Certification in Functional Cast Bracing, Custom Knee Bracing, Halos, Wound Care, Facilitation, and Harvard Trade Union Program 2022. In addition to her professional certifications, Laura is an active member and leader in several professional organizations including the Canadian Society of Orthopaedic Technologists, President of the Nova Scotia Healthcare Local, Board of Directors for NSGEU, and a member of the Canadian Healthcare Professionals Secretariat. Laura is a highly respected professional who is dedicated to providing the highest quality patient care and advancing the field of Orthopaedic Technology. When she is not working Laura is a dedicated grandmother of four who enjoys photography and travel.
Zlata Janicijevic, MSc, PA-C, CCPA
Zlata Janicijevic, MSc, PA-C, CCPA
Zlata Janicijevic is an American and Canadian Certified Physician Assistant. She has been a practicing PA for over 21 years, completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Medical Sciences from Barry University Physician Assistant Program in Miami, Florida, in 2002. Zlata began her PA career in the United States, specializing in cardiovascular surgery and emergency medicine. She introduced the profession at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre as the first PA hire in 2009. She held the Lead Emergency Physician Assistant position from 2009-2016 and the Professional Lead role from 2014-2015. She holds a Faculty of Medicine appointment and is the Director of the Longitudinal Clinical Experience course and a Clinical Lecturer for the Physician Assistant Program at the University of Toronto. Zlata actively promoted the PA profession as Vice President of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA 2011-2013). She is passionate about the PA profession and tremendously supports interprofessional care and education. Zlata enjoys working with students as a clinical preceptor and mentor.
She is also a certified ultrasound (CPoCUS) and Stop the Bleed instructor. Zlata recently completed a Doctorate in Physician Assistant Education at A.T.Still University in Meza, Arizona.
Erin Unger, CCPA
Erin Unger, CCPA
Erin Unger MS, MPAS PA-C/CCPA Works in outpatient obstetrics, gynecology and urogynecology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. She also helps instruct PA students at University of Toronto. Prior to working in OB/GYN, she worked at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in sexual health, HIV treatment and prevention. She practices inclusive, trauma informed care for all of her patients. She trained at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. Originally from Colorado, Erin enjoys skiing, rock climbing, white water rafting, quilting and collecting old cast iron things. If you see her at the conference, or out in the wild, stop by and say hello!
Erin Sephton, CCPA, BHSc.PA, BSc Biology
Erin Sephton, CCPA, BHSc.PA, BSc Biology
Erin Sephton was born in Charlottetown PEI, raised throughout the maritimes and graduated with a BSc Biology from St FX in 2008. She then worked as a Primary Care paramedic throughout the province of Nova Scotia until enrolling in the PA program at McMaster University in 2011. Graduating in the class of 2013, Erin worked in primary care in Kitchener ON, as well as emergency medicine in Brantford ON until becoming one of 3 pilot project PAs for the Nova Scotia Orthopedic Surgery Pilot project in 2020. She currently works in arthroplasty in Halifax and Dartmouth NS in knee/hip replacement surgery. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her puppies and attending sporting events.
Guillaume Couture, CCPA
Guillaume Couture, CCPA
Sharona Kanofsky, PA-C, CCPA, MScCH
Sharona Kanofsky, PA-C, CCPA, MScCH
Sharona Kanofsky, PA-C, CCPA, MScCH, is an Associate Professor in the teaching stream at the University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family & Community Medicine. She was the founding academic coordinator of the Consortium of PA Education Program and is currently the Research & Scholarship Lead at the PA Program. She is a Canadian- and American-certified PA with master’s degree in health professions education. She practiced as a PA in the US and Canada, most recently in geriatric care at Baycrest Hospital and is the recipient of the 2013 Tom Ashman PA of the Year Award.
Nicola Crich, CCPA
Nicola Crich, CCPA
Nicola Crich is a Physician Assistant who currently works in the Thoracic Surgery Department at London Health Sciences Center in London, Ontario. She transitioned to Thoracic Surgery from her previous positions at Hamilton Health Sciences in Trauma and General Surgery. During her time in Thoracic Surgery, she has found a new passion in cancer education and prevention.
Nicola holds a Bachelors of Science from the University of Western then went on to complete her Bachelors of Science Physician Assistant Degree at the University of Toronto. Nicola one day aspires to share her passion and knowledge for health care within an academic role; to further students' understanding and excitement and to serve as a mentor and advocate for the Physician Assistant role.
She is currently working towards publications in esophageal trauma and cancer. During her free time, she loves to bake, golf and spend time with her two cats Henry and Molly.
The Honourable Bruce Fitch
New Brunswick, Minister of Health
The Honourable Bruce Fitch
Dr. Kathleen Ross (Virtual Recording)
President
Dr. Kathleen Ross (Virtual Recording)
Chris Viel
Research Associate II, Health
Chris Viel
Chris comes from an interdisciplinary background in both core and social sciences, holding undergraduate degrees in both biology and gerontology. Following this, he completed his Masters in Health Science in epidemiology at Lakehead University, where he received The Frederick Banting & Charles Best Canadian Graduate Scholarship for his multi-province work examining the impact of supervisor workplace mental health training. In February 2023, Chris joined The Conference Board of Canada as a Research Associate with their Health knowledge area. He has a diverse resume in both clinical and applied research, with experience in the fields of mental health, workplace/workforce injury and disability, seniors' healthcare and Indigenous health. In addition to these experiences, Chris has a keen interest in health policy, economics and outcomes research, which have been the focus of his mentorships and professional development over the last three years.
Major General Marc Bilodeau, CD, MD, MPA, CCFP(EM), FCFP, CHE, FCCHL FRCPSC(HON)
SURGEON GENERAL AND CHIEF HEALTH SERVICES
Major General Marc Bilodeau, CD, MD, MPA, CCFP(EM), FCFP, CHE, FCCHL FRCPSC(HON)
Major General Marc Bilodeau, CD, MD, MPA, CCFP(EM), FCFP, CHE, FCCHL FRCPSC(HON)
SURGEON GENERAL AND CHIEF HEALTH SERVICES
Major-General Bilodeau enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces, under the Medical Officer Training Program, in 1995, during his third year in medical school. He completed his Residency in Family Medicine at Université Laval, Quebec City, in the summer of 2000.
Major-General Bilodeau then served as the medical officer of the 1st Battalion Royal 22nd Regiment in Valcartier for two years. From the summer of 2002 to the summer of 2003, he did an additional year of training in Emergency Medicine at Université Laval. Following his return to Valcartier, he trained for and deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was responsible for role 1 support (pre-hospital and primary care). Upon his return, he was promoted to Major and appointed as the Brigade Surgeon in support of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, where he served until the summer of 2008. He was then posted to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium, as the Canadian medical officer and Officer in Command of detachment Casteau of the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Ottawa). There, he provided family medicine support to Canadians, US and other country military personnel and dependents in a US Army clinic. He was awarded the US Army Commendation Medal for his accomplishments during this appointment.
Upon his return from Europe in 2010, Major-General Bilodeau was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and appointed as the Senior Staff Officer - Primary Care in the Directorate of Medical Policy, Health Services Group Headquarters. In May 2012, he took command of the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Ottawa) and became National Capital Region and Europe Surgeon. Promoted to Colonel in October 2014, he was appointed the Director of Medical Policy at Health Services Group Headquarters in Ottawa. In June of 2016, Major-General Bilodeau was appointed as the Commander of 1 Health Services Group in Edmonton, and he served in that capacity until the summer of 2018. In this position, he was responsible for all medical units in the western half of the country. He was promoted to Brigadier-General in June of 2019 and was appointed as the Deputy Surgeon General in July 2019. He was promoted to his current rank in June 2020 and was appointed as the Canadian Armed Forces Surgeon General in July of the same year.
Since 2013, he has been a surveyor for Accreditation Canada, the organization that sets the standard for patient safety and quality of healthcare in Canada. From 2014 to 2015, he completed a Master’s Certificate in public administration at l’École nationale d’administration publique. He is a graduate from the Medical Strategic Leadership Program from the US Army and the US Federal Healthcare Executives Institute. Major-General Bilodeau graduated from the Canadian Forces College’s National Security Programme and has obtained a Master of Public Administration from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), Kingston, in 2019.
He was awarded the Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) designation by the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders (2014, 2019); the Certified Health Executive (CHE) title by the Canadian College of Health Leaders (2017); the title of Fellow from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (2018); and the D. Fraser Holman Medallion as the student on the National Security Programme who best exemplifies excellence in strategic thought and leadership potential (2019).
He is married, together they have two daughters. He enjoys skiing, skating, biking, and running with his family.
PA PC Integration Working Group
PA PC Integration Working Group
The Physician Assistant Primary Care Work Integration (PAPWCI) team was established in February 2023 after a successful Federal grant application. The seven panelists are all Canadian Certified PAs from Ontario and Manitoba with clinical expertise in mental health, substance use health, care of the aging adult/long term care, Indigenous health, and refugee health. Drew Gould (mental health) is a family medicine PA from Sudbury (ON); Sarah Flanagan (refugee health) is a refugee health PA in Kitchener (ON); Jessica O’Neil (Long Term Care/care of the aging adult) was a PA in LTC in Windsor-Essex (ON) and now works in outpatient internal medicine; Josh Noyce (substance use health) is a family medicine and substance use health PA from Sudbury (ON); Tara Clarke and Lisa Moore (Indigenous health/remote primary care) are PA leads for Ongomiizwin Health (MB). The panel discussion will be led by one of the project co-leads, Kristen Burrows, a PA from Hamilton (ON) and PA educator. Each panel member is a graduate from one of the respective Canadian PA education programs (McMaster University, University of Toronto, University of Manitoba) and passionate about improving patient access to care and enhancing primary care delivery across Canada.
Graeme Young, BSc, BMSc, MD, FCFP(EM), Dip of Sports Med.
Graeme Young, BSc, BMSc, MD, FCFP(EM), Dip of Sports Med.
30 year career in Emergency and sports medicine. Former Emergency Medicine dept Chief at Horizon Health Fredericton NB 2010-2020. Director and manager of first Physician assistant program in NB 2010. 20 year career with supervision and collaboration with physician assistants in Emergency medicine.
25 year career of primary and emergency sports medicine care and practice with professional and college athletic programs. Practicing emergency medicine physician.
Leslie St. Jacques, CCPA
Leslie St. Jacques, CCPA
Leslie St. Jacques is a Research Fellow at the Wilson Centre, and a PhD student in Health Professions Education Research (HPER) at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Under the supervision of Dr. Tina Martimianakis, Leslie’s research explores interpersonal aspects of healthcare education and work, professional identity formation and compassion in healthcare education and practice. Leslie is a Canadian certified physician assistant (CC-PA) who graduated from the PA Education Program at McMaster University (2010). Her clinical experience as a PA includes 12 years combined in cardiovascular surgery ICU and peri-operative neurosurgery. Leslie has held roles as the PA discipline Co-Lead and PA Education Lead at the University Health Network. She was the President of the Board of Directors of CAPA, (2019-2021) and is finishing her term as Past President at this year’s conference. Leslie’s varied career includes a Master’s in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier (2004), and she continues to work as a psychotherapist in private practice, where she draws on both mindfulness and narrative-based approaches. This year Leslie has found a new passion learning to sail racing dinghies in the Toronto harbour. This is her first time visiting New Brunswick, and she has been looking forward to witnessing the beauty of this province and its fabulous coastline.
Ryan Bennett, CCPA
Ryan Bennett, CCPA
A 2014 graduate of the University of Manitoba’s MPAS program, Ryan is an Emergency medicine PA practising in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He spent the first four years practising rural emergency medicine in Gimli, Manitoba and, in 2018, he was able to return back home to the Maritimes to practise in the Emergency Department at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, where he also lives. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys camping, hiking and exploring the great outdoors, time with family and enjoying a beverage of choice at one of the many local pubs and breweries around town.
Dr. Howard Ritz DMSc, PA-C
Dr. Howard Ritz DMSc, PA-C
Howard Ritz has been a PA for 25 years and worked in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Allergy/Clinical Immunology, and Otolaryngology in rural New York. A graduate of what is now named Thomas Jefferson University PA program, he earned his MPAS from the University of Nebraska in 2003 and DMSc from A T Still University in 2022. He is the current president of the Society of PA in Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Sean Christie
Dr. Sean Christie
After finishing his Honours in Chemistry at Saint Mary’s University, Dr. Christie attended medical school at Dalhousie University. He continued at Dalhousie University for his neurosurgical residency and then completed his fellowships at the University of Chicago and the University of Calgary. In January 2006, Dr. Christie returned to Halifax and now holds the position of Professor at Dalhousie where he heads the Neurosurgical Spine Program and serves as Vice-Chair and Research Director for the Division of Neurosurgery. In 2016 Dr. Christie facilitated the Inception of the Canadian Neurosurgical Resident Collaborative (CNRC), drawing on leadership experience and participation within the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR) and the Canadian Spine Outcomes Research Network (CSORN). The CNRC enables dedicated neurosurgical residents across the country to develop a functioning research collaborative that has been very productive over the past four years. In 2017 Dr. Christie was elected to serve as the President of the Canadian Spine Society. Dr. Christie maintains a keen interest in research in the areas of spinal cord injury (clinical and basic science), neurotrauma, minimally invasive spinal surgery, motion preserving spinal surgery and clinical outcomes following spinal surgery. Recognizing the impact that healthcare has upon global climate change, in 2020 Dr Christie applied, and was appointed, Co-Lead for the Healthy Populations Institute Flagship Project: Creating Sustainable Health Systems in a Climate Crisis, who’s initial output was a Systematic Review on Lifecycle Assessments within Surgery and then expanded into the HealthcareLCA database. Dr Christie is also an executive, and founding, member of CASCADES and serves on the Board of the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care.