Exploring the Future of Diabetes Treatment, Management and Prevention Event

PHRC: Exploring the Future of Diabetes Treatment, Management and Prevention Event co-hosted by Diabetes Canada

Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Westin Hotel
Ottawa, Ontario

Diabetes is a significant health concern in Canada, with a considerable impact on individuals, health care systems, and public health initiatives. Organizations and researchers across the country are studying the complexities of diabetes, exploring innovative treatments, and identifying preventive measures. Join us for an exclusive panel presentation and buffet luncheon where we delve into the forefront of research and innovation, exploring the latest developments that promise to shape the future of diabetes care.

Day at-a-glance

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Meet the Experts Session & Networking

(Research Canada’s Members, Supporters, and Partners)

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm: Expert Panel – The Future of Diabetes
(Research Canada’s Members, Supporters, and Partners)

Panelists

MODERATOR: Russell Williams Senior Vice President, Mission Diabetes Canada	Since joining Diabetes Canada in 2016, Russell Williams is the Senior Vice-President, Mission, leading the organization’s advocacy efforts at all levels of government for public policy change that will better support people with diabetes and their families, from improved access to medications and devices to strategies to improve the health of all Canadians and support type 2 diabetes prevention.
David Campbell, MD, PhD Endocrinologist & Associate Professor, Department of Medicine University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Health Services	Dr. David Campbell (MD, PhD) is an endocrinologist/diabetologist and a health services researcher focused on social disparities and their impacts on clinical outcomes of cardiometabolic diseases, like diabetes. He is the director of the Health Policy Trials Unit at the O’Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary. He conducts research with the goal of reducing the impact of social disadvantage on clinical outcomes by informing health policy and clinical practice.
Lorraine Lipscombe, MDCM, MSc, FRCPC Senior Scientist, Women’s College Hospital Professor, Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto	Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe is a senior scientist at Women’s College Hospital and Professor of Medicine at University of Toronto, where she is Executive Director of the Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations. She is an epidemiologist and health services researcher focused on improving care and prevention of diabetes. With support from national funding agencies, her team has developed a diabetes prevention program for women with gestational diabetes that is being evaluated for implementation across Ontario.
Greg Steinberg, PhD Professor, Medicine McMaster University	Dr. Greg Steinberg is a professor of medicine and Co-Director of the Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research at McMaster University. His research has discovered how targeting cellular energy sensors switched on by exercise and fasting can be harnessed to develop new medications for people with type 2 diabetes.
Tom Weisz Co-Chair of the Partnership, Sustainability and Legacy Committee Diabetes Action Canada	Tom Weisz is a retired Chiropodist/Podiatrist, social services worker, businessman, and constituency assistant. He best describes himself as “omnicurious”. Intrigued by the potential of diabetic foot care and wound care as a Chiropody student, his later diagnosis with diabetes simply impelled his interest further. The difficulties in providing appropriate care were not difficult to recognize, but doing something about it is. His objective is to do something about it.

1:15pm – 2:00 pm: Parliamentary Health Research Caucus Luncheon – Meet the Experts Session II
Hosted by the Honourable, Dr. Helena Jaczek, MP (Markham—Stouffville), Chair of the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus, Co-hosted by Vice-Chairs, Dr. Stephen Ellis, MP (Cumberland—Colchester), Ms. Carol Hughes, MP (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing) and Senate Representative, The Honourable Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia (Newfoundland and Labrador)

(Research Canada Members, Supporters and Partners and Parliamentarians – By Invitation Only)

Presenters

David Campbell, MD, PhD Endocrinologist & Associate Professor, Department of Medicine University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Health Services	Dr. David Campbell (MD, PhD) is an endocrinologist/diabetologist and a health services researcher focused on social disparities and their impacts on clinical outcomes of cardiometabolic diseases, like diabetes. He is the director of the Health Policy Trials Unit at the O’Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary. He conducts research with the goal of reducing the impact of social disadvantage on clinical outcomes by informing health policy and clinical practice.
Lorraine Lipscombe, MDCM, MSc, FRCPC Senior Scientist, Women’s College Hospital Professor, Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto	Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe is a senior scientist at Women’s College Hospital and Professor of Medicine at University of Toronto, where she is Executive Director of the Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations. She is an epidemiologist and health services researcher focused on improving care and prevention of diabetes. With support from national funding agencies, her team has developed a diabetes prevention program for women with gestational diabetes that is being evaluated for implementation across Ontario.
Greg Steinberg, PhD Professor, Medicine McMaster University	Dr. Greg Steinberg is a professor of medicine and Co-Director of the Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research at McMaster University. His research has discovered how targeting cellular energy sensors switched on by exercise and fasting can be harnessed to develop new medications for people with type 2 diabetes.
Tom Weisz Co-Chair of the Partnership, Sustainability and Legacy Committee Diabetes Action Canada	Tom Weisz is a retired Chiropodist/Podiatrist, social services worker, businessman, and constituency assistant. He best describes himself as “omnicurious”. Intrigued by the potential of diabetic foot care and wound care as a Chiropody student, his later diagnosis with diabetes simply impelled his interest further. The difficulties in providing appropriate care were not difficult to recognize, but doing something about it is. His objective is to do something about it.
Diana Sherifali, RN, PhD, CDE Associate Professor, Heather M. Arthur Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences Chair in Inter-Professional Health Research, School of Nursing, McMaster University	Dr. Diana Sherifali is Associate Faculty in the School of Nursing, and the inaugural Heather M. Arthur Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences Chair in Inter-Professional Health Research. Dr. Sherifali’s research interests include the implementation and evaluation of strategies to support diabetes self-management at the patient, provider and population level, including health coaching for diabetes prevention, management and remission. Dr. Sherifali has published over 150 peer reviewed articles.
Jane Yardley, PhD Associate Professor, École de kinésiologie et sciences de l’activité physique, Université de Montréal, Director, Research Unit Physical Activity and Diabetes, Montreal Clinical Research Institute	Dr. Jane Yardley, PhD, is trying to find the safest way for people with type 1 diabetes to exercise. Her early work focused on blood glucose responses to resistance exercise (weight lifting), and how prandial status (fasted vs. fed) affects these responses. Her recent work has focused on gender and sex-related differences in exercise behaviours and blood glucose responses to exercise in people with type 1 diabetes, with a particular emphasis on menses and menopause.
Thomas Pulinilkunnil, PhD Professor, Dalhousie University Diabetes Canada Scholar, ResearchNB, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick	Dr. Thomas Pulinilkunnil is a Professor at Dalhousie University and an expert in cell biology and molecular physiology. His research program uncovered the role of lysosomes (cellular garbage cans) in driving the pathogenesis of obesity, diabetes, heart failure, and cancer. This innovative research will offer new therapies, reducing mortality from metabolic diseases, decreasing healthcare costs, and improving the health quality of Canadians. His research is funded by Diabetes Canada, NSERC, CIHR, CFI, and Research NB.
Ian Zenlea, MD, MPH Division Head & Medical Director, Children’s Health Paediatric Endocrinology Clinician Scientist & Lead, Family and Child Health Initiative, Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners	Dr. Ian Zenlea (he/him) is a pediatric endocrinologist and Clinician Scientist at the Institute for Better Health at Trillium Health Partners, where he leads the Family and Child Health Initiative. This community-based participatory research program co-creates health and social solutions to improve children’s and families’ health and well-being. Dr. Zenlea’s research is focused on co-designing peer support interventions for type 1 diabetes management and co-designing community- and family-based type 2 diabetes prevention programming.

Event Co-Host:

Improving the quality of life for people with diabetes is at the heart of Diabetes Canada’s commitment to all Canadians diagnosed with this chronic health condition. That means connecting children and youth with type 1 diabetes through Diabetes Canada’s D-Camps; providing healthcare professionals and people with diabetes with expert information that improves their care and self-management; assisting researchers working on leading-edge treatments; and advocating on behalf of those with diabetes for equity, improved access to supplies and more.