2024 Northern Ontario Conference for Healthcare Professionals – October 16-18, 2024 at the Killarney Mountain Lodge & Resort
2024 Northern Ontario Conference for Healthcare Professionals
About | Accommodations | Speakers | Conference Agenda | FAQ
Register Today for the 2024 Northern Ontario Conference for Healthcare Professionals
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About the 2024 Northern Ontario Conference for Healthcare Professionals
This conference will take place from October 16th to 18th, 2024, at the Killarney Mountain Lodge, a stunning resort that offers a variety of activities and amenities for your relaxation and enjoyment.
You will hear from expert speakers from different disciplines who share insights and practical strategies to deal with some of the most challenging and complex clients. You will learn about:
- The behavioural impact of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, depression, and other mental health disorders
- Emerging psychedelic therapies and evidence-based cannabis treatment for adults and children
- The challenges and treatment options for supporting clients with addictions
- The legal implications and processes for representing vulnerable clients
- Resources and referrals available for clients who need additional help or intervention.
This conference will also allow you to network with other professionals, such as healthcare providers, hospital clinicians, and lawyers. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your skills, knowledge, and confidence in working with vulnerable clients. Register now and secure your spot for this exciting and informative conference.
We look forward to seeing you at the Killarney Mountain Lodge in October 2024!
Who Should Attend?
This conference will be of special interest to healthcare professionals who treat, advise, and advocate on behalf of the brain injury community. You will gain valuable insights and skills that will help you improve the quality of life and outcomes for your clients.
Accommodations for the Conference
With the incredible landscape of Killarney as your backdrop, Killarney Mountain Lodge and Sportsman Inn offer many accommodations to suit your needs. To ensure a satisfying stay, please review the room information thoroughly, as the venue has various rooms with different features and amenities.
Conference Agenda (Subject to Change)
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
02:00 – 04:00 Early Arrival Hike
04:00 – 06:00 Hotel & Conference Registration
06:00 – 08:00 Welcome Reception & Dinner
08:00 – 10:00 Night Cap
Thursday, October 17, 2024
07:30 – 08:30 Yoga
07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast and Registration
08:45 – 09:00 Opening Remarks
09:00 – 10:00 Stigma, Personal Bias, and Their Adverse Impacts on Personal Injury Clients with Addictions – Dr. William Gnam
10:00 – 10:30 A Groundbreaking New Approach to PTSD: Reconsolidation Therapy – Dr. Genevieve Dale
10:30 – 11:00 Refreshment Break
11:00 – 11:30 Choices in Healing: Exploring Public and Private Support for Addictions – Dr. Tara Leary, Lara Fitzgerald-Husek, and Colleen Rosener
11:30 – 12:15 Out of My Mind Back in 5 Minutes – Kate Davis
12:15 – 01:30 Lunch
1:30 – 4:30 Group Activity
06:30 – 09:30 Cocktail Reception & Dinner
09:00 – 12:00 Bonfire
Friday, October 18, 2024
07:45 – 08:45 Breakfast
08:00 – 08:45 Morning Guided Hike
09:15 – 09:30 Opening Remarks
09:30 – 10:30 A New Approach to Concussion: Reframing Persistent Symptoms as Functional Neurological Disorder – Dr. Evan Lewis
10:30 – 11:00 Refreshment Break
11:00 – 11:30 Supporting Families Impacted by Trauma – Eden Dales
11:30 – 12:00 Jacob’s Journey from Injury & Addiction to Health & Happiness – Robert Durante, Jacob Florean, and Dr. Carolyn Lemsky
12:00 – 12:15 Closing Remarks
12:15 – 01:30 Lunch
1:30 – 4:30 Group Activity
Conference Chairs
Troy Lehman
Since starting law school, Troy has wanted to be a litigator. He graduated from Western University’s Faculty of Law and earned the highest mark in his class of 2001 on the bar exam. After being called to the bar, Troy joined a London firm that specialized in defending doctors in medical malpractice cases. During his first six years, he averaged two to three trials a year.
Throughout his career, Troy has been invited to educate other lawyers on personal injury law at conferences hosted by the Law Society of Ontario (formerly the Law Society of Upper Canada), the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and York University. He helped bring the Advocates Society’s Courthouse Series program to Barrie and has chaired that prestigious program for many years. He has been a guest lecturer at both Queen’s University and Western University, a director of the Simcoe County Law Association and was elected a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America—a prestigious accolade that fewer than one half of one percent of eligible lawyers receive.
When he’s not working to advance the rights of a client in need, Troy enjoys spending time with his wife and three boys, especially if there’s a Cleveland Browns game on.
Adam Little
Adam earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto in 1996. He graduated from Queen’s University Faculty of Law in 2000 and was called to the bar in 2002.
Adam speaks regularly at law conferences around the country. He co-authored The Personal Injury Practice Manual, and co-wrote chapters of The Oatley-McLeish Guide to Personal Injury Practice in Motor Vehicle Cases. A past president of the Simcoe County Law Association, Adam has also received the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association’s “Distinguished Service Award” and the prestigious “Dean F. Edgell Award,” presented annually to a lawyer who has promoted the goals of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association through significant contribution and excellence in legal writing, continuing legal education and leadership activities.
When Adam isn’t practising personal injury law, he enjoys running, mountain biking, riding his ATV — and doing just about anything outdoors.
Karen Vigmond
A born-and-raised Barrie resident, Karen knows and loves her community. She is proud to be a partner in one of Canada’s most successful personal injury law firms—right in her own backyard. Karen joined Oatley Vigmond in 2013 as an associate lawyer. She holds a BA from Queen’s University and her Juris Doctor from Bond University in Australia. Prior to being called to the Bar in January 2013, Karen articled at a well-known personal injury law firm in Toronto.
With a deep interest in community involvement, Karen joined Spinal Cord Injury Ontario in 2013, and in June of 2021 was appointed to their Board of Directors. She has also volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Society in both Kingston and Barrie, and with Lawyers Feed the Hungry.
Karen shares her two young children with her husband, a firefighter in Hamilton. When not practicing law, she tries to find moments of calm in her busy household by going for a run, spending time at the lake, or hitting the slopes.
Lara Fitzgerald-Husek
As a partner at Oatley Vigmond, Lara Fitzgerald-Husek uses her empathy, creativity, and trial experience to connect with her clients and help them move forward after trauma. Lara focuses her practice solely on personal injury, and she is determined to get her clients the best possible outcome—the one they deserve.
Lara completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto and obtained her Juris Doctor and MPA at Queen’s University. She was called to the bar in 2013 and joined Oatley Vigmond after practicing insurance defence at a leading national firm. Her experience representing Canada’s largest insurers has provided Lara with valuable insight into personal injury claims, allowing her to better serve her clients.
When Lara is not practicing personal injury law, she is steadily working through a culinary degree at George Brown college, hiking with her dog Finnegan, and practicing urban gardening.
Featured Speakers
Dr. William Gnam
Dr. William H. Gnam is a practicing Psychiatrist in Ontario. A former Clinician Scientist of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Gnam was also the Occupational Psychiatrist of the City of Toronto for 10 years. He is one of the most experienced disability and catastrophic impairment evaluators in the Province. In addition to his clinical training, Dr. Gnam is an expert in the scientific foundations of clinical decision making, and he holds a Masters Degree in Physiology from Oxford University, a Master Degree in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Toronto, and a PhD in Health Economics from Harvard University. Dr. Gnam is currently the Medical Director of Everspring House Bradford, a multidisciplinary day treatment program that treats clients with complex mental disorders, including addictions.
Dr. Genevieve Dale
I’m a private sector psychologist in the GTA area. I have my own private practice, PHNX PSYCH. Over the last 10 years, I have worked in various private practices, hospitals and clinics including Montfort Hospital, Center of Psychological Services at the University of Québec in Hull, Eastern Ottawa Psychological Center, Medical Sainte-Anne Clinic, Y2 Consultants Psychologist and the 555 Multi Clinic in Hull. In addition to my practice, I have also taught undergrad classes at the University of Québec in Hull and supervised master’s degree students at the University of Ottawa. I’m a provider for Blue Cross, Green Shield and Public Safety. I am certified to practice Reconsolidation Therapy, and I supervise a team of therapists that specialises in the treatment of trauma. I am a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and a registered psychologist with the Order of Psychologists of Quebec. I’m also a registered member of the Canadian Psychological Association.
I specialize in the treatment of trauma with military personnel and first responders. This population is my passion. Working with heroes, ready to do the greatest sacrifice inspire me and give a sense of meaning to my career and my life. My doctoral thesis was about how to decrease PTSD symptoms in a military population trough Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples (EFT). My results ended up being significant. My sample was couples from a military base in Quebec (Val cartier). To do therapy with them, I had to drive 6 hours each way every Monday for 15 weeks. It was totally worth it. Now I am pleased to be involved in the veteran community in Toronto and working with Toronto Police Association. I was involved with Warriors Adventures Canada and True Patriot Love, I had to accompany a group of veterans in a life changing adventure in the wilderness. I felt privilege to have experienced a bit of the concept of brotherhood, sharing pain and laughs with veterans. I’m also a group facilitator for the Veterans Transition Network, an organisation based in BC. We deliver PTSD treatment and group-based interventions across Canada with group of veterans that struggles with transitioning into civilian life.
I’m also a certified couple psychologist, I practice Emotion Focused Therapy for couple. I also have a certification in cult therapy to help people recognize and get out of mind control organisations. I practice in French and English.
Dr. Evan Lewis
Dr. Evan Cole Lewis is a neurologist with specialized training in pediatric neurology and epilepsy, holding a clinical appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. He is the founder and medical director of Numinus Toronto, formerly known as the Neurology Centre of Toronto where his work is at the intersection of traditional neurology and innovative therapeutic approaches.
Dr. Lewis has a rich clinical background in treating patients with persistent symptoms after concussion and Functional Neurological Disorder (previously or, at other times, known as conversion disorder). His consultation work extends beyond clinical settings, involving collaborations with litigators to apply emerging concepts in neurocognitive science theories to draw new perspectives on concussion and mild traumatic brain injury cases.
Dr. Lewis employs a range of therapies, from traditional methods to novel approaches such as psychedelic and ketamine-assisted therapy, and medical cannabis, particularly for conditions like epilepsy, brain injury, and functional seizures. He is actively involved in global research initiatives and advocacy for patients, as a contributor and investigator in clinical trials for medical cannabis therapy in epilepsy and headache.
This blend of clinical practice, research, and advisory roles reflects Dr. Lewis’s dedication to advancing neurological care through a comprehensive understanding of both conventional and emerging therapies in neurology.
Dr. Tara Leary
Eden Dales
Eden Dales is a registered social worker, registered with The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and a member of The Ontario Association of Social Workers. Eden received her master’s degree in social work from Yeshiva University in New York City and commenced her career supporting clients in the emergency departments during 9/11 in NYC.
Eden is the owner and director of Eden Dales Social Work (EDSW), a community based social work practice, specializing in preparing social work assessment reports and providing post-trauma counselling services, to individuals and families recovering from trauma, in many languages and regions across Ontario.
Eden has over twenty years of clinical experience and training in the field of social work, with expertise and specialized training in post-trauma recovery, and is knowledgeable and trained in cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction therapy, narrative and brief therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relational Life Therapy, Couples Counselling, Trauma Informed Care, Psychotherapy for Brain Injury and Concussion Recovery, and Gender Differences in Brain Injury and Concussion.
Eden also has a private counselling practice in North York, focused on stress and mood management, family and interpersonal relationships and executive function challenges (including ADHD, concussions and acquired brain injuries).
To Be Announced
FAQ
Our conference is usually sold out; therefore, it is not possible to register for just one day.
Yes, there are a limited number of fully accessible and partially accessible rooms available. Please describe your specific needs upon registration with the hotel.
Registration begins at 6:00 pm on Wednesday and 7:00 am on Thursday.
This year you can attend the conference and dinners if whatever you are comfortable in. We are encouraging comfy-chic.