Program

Jump to a specific Day

 (Day  1) (Day  2) (Day  3)

(Day 1)

0700-0800

Breakfast & Registration

Windsor Foyer & Ballroom
0800-0825

Opening Ceremonies

Windsor Ballroom
0825-0925
0925-0930

Transition Break

0930-1015
1015-1030

Nutrition Break

1030-1110
1110-1115

Transition Break

1115-1200
1200-1300

Lunch

1300-1345

Concurrent Session 3A

Decompensated Cirrhosis
Barb Aspinall NP Windsor Ballroom

Concurrent Session 3B

AI and Colon Cancer Detection
Dr. Riley Stewart Desert Palms
1345-1350

Transition

1350-1450
1450-1505

Quick Nutrition Break

1505-1555
1550-1555

Transition

1555-1645
1645-1700

Transition to Exhibit Hall

Main Ballroom
1700-1900

(Day 2)

0700-0745

Networking Breakfast

0745-0800

Quick Plenary Housekeeping

Windsor
0800-0845
0845-0850

Transition

0850-0935
0935-1005

Break in the Exhibit Hall

1005-1050
1050-1055

Transition

1055-1140
1140-1145

Transition

1145-1230
1230-1330

Lunch with All Vendors

1330-1415
1415-1420

Transition

1420-1505
1505-1535

Break in the Exhibit Hall

Main Ballroom
1535-1615
1615-1620

Transition

1620-1705
1705-1710

Transition

1710-1755
1755-1800

Transition to Main Plenary

Windsor
1800-1810

Quick Plenary Housekeeping

Windsor
1900-2100

(Day 3)

0700-0800
0800-0845
0900-0930
0930-0945

Transition Break

0945-1015
1015-1145

Plenary

Rodeo of Endoscopy
1145-1300

Lunch with the Exhibitors

Main Ballroom
1300-1400
1400-1415

Nutritional Break

1415-1500
1500-1600

Closing Ceremony

Windsor

Dr. Alex Aspinall

Clinical Associate Professor

Transplant Hepatologist (Alberta Health Services) Clinical Associate Professor (Cumming School of Medicine) Vice-Chair, Gastroenterology Examination Board, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Former Program Director, Hepatology, PGME, University of Calgary

Institution:

University Of Calgary


Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson, a self-proclaimed spiritual nomad, is an artist, poet, photographer, cultural documentarian, public speaker, and strategic analyst whose mission in life is to explore the beauty of the Earth and its inhabitants. A proud Dine (Navajo) man who was born and raised on the Navajo Nation, he's lived in many cities across Turtle Island and even had a short stint in Shanghai, China. After graduating from Harvard University in 2009 with a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Social Anthropology of East Asia, he has worked in the tech industry, fashion world, and project consulting. His move to Treaty 6 Territory in Edmonton, Alberta marked the beginning of the newest chapter in his life when he wed his husband, Dr. James Makokis, while running the BMO Harris Vancouver Marathon in 2017. Canada, and the world, were introduced to the couple when they competed on and won Season 7 of the Amazing Race Canada. Anthony currently works as a Project Coordinator in Kehewin Cree Nation where he is helping to revitalize Traditional Cree birthing practices, medicines, and ceremonies as they relate to the Cree 7 Stages of Life philosophy. He is an aspiring film maker who believes in the power of stories to bring healing.


Barb Aspinall NP

Nurse Practitioner

Barb Aspinall, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner GI/Hepatology at SHC. Clinical role involves acute care in patient consult service as well as out patient decompensated cirrhosis clinic. Previous NP focus in Cardiology, Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Former ED nurse.

Institution:

Ahs


Dr. Cathy Lu

Clinical Assistant Professor, Gastroenterologist

Cathy Lu is a clinical assistant professor of medicine. She completed her internal medicine and gastroenterology residency at the University of Alberta. Dr. Lu completed a joint advanced IBD fellowship with specialization in intestinal ultrasound at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary. She is a member of the STAR (Stenosis, Therapy, and AntiFibrotic Research) Consortium and IBUS (International Bowel Ultrasound) scientific committee. Her primary research interests are in fibrostenotic Crohn's disease, intestinal ultrasound, and biomarkers in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment response in IBD.

Institution:

University Of Calgary


Dr. Cathy Streutker MD, MSc

Chief of Laboratory Medicine group at Unity Health Toronto and Vice Chair of Promotions and Mentorship in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology

Catherine Streutker obtained her BSc at the University of Waterloo in the Co-operative program in Biochemistry (1989). She then earned a Master's degree in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Toronto (1991). She graduated Medical School at the University of Toronto in 1994, followed by an Anatomic Pathology Residency program at the University of Toronto and a fellowship in Gastrointestinal Pathology at McMaster University. In 2001, she joined the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto as she began her appointment as a Staff Pathologist at St. Michael's Hospital. Her research interests are primarily mucosal immunology, tumour biomarkers and pathology of tumours of the upper gastrointestinal tract. She is presently the Chief of Laboratory Medicine group at Unity Health Toronto and Vice Chair of Promotions and Mentorship in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto.

Institution:

University of Toronto.

Disclosures:

Membership on advisory boards or speakers' bureaus:Merck


Dr. Christian Turbide

Gastroenterologist

Dr. Christian Turbide graduated from McGill University, specialty training in Therapeutic endoscopy and ERCP, fellowship in Endoscopic Ultrasound

Further training in clinical nutrition and functional medicine with the Institute of Functional Medicine.

Guest radio host on CBC, guest on a local television health program

Past examiner at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons for Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology

Past recipient of the endoscopy teacher of the year and clinical teacher or the year.

Institution:

Foothills Medical Centre


Dr. Christopher Andrews

Clinical Professor

Christopher Andrews is a gastroenterologist specializing in GI motility disorders. He is a Clinical Professor at the University of Calgary and a gastroenterologist at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. His research specializes in developing novel diagnostic and treatments for gut motility disorders.

Institution:

Cumming School Of Medicine, University Of Calgary


Dr. Christopher Waterhouse


Dr. Cynthia Seow

Professor

Dr. Cynthia Seow completed medical school, internal medicine and gastroenterology training in Australia, then undertook a 2 year clinical research fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at Mount Sinai Hospital concurrent with a Masters in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Toronto. She is currently Professor at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary working as a clinician investigator in gastroenterology.

Dr. Seow's primary clinical interest is in special populations in IBD, namely, pediatric to adult transition, sexual health and the management of pregnant women with IBD. Her research interests are in materno-fetal outcomes in IBD, pharmacokinetics of biologic therapies and preventive care. Her other interests are in editorial work for gastroenterology journals and mentoring junior IBD faculty in her role as chair of the national Future Leaders in IBD (FLIBD) group.

Institution:

University Of Calgary


Dr. Derrick Randall

Assistant Professor

Derrick Randall is a clinical assistant professor in otolaryngology -head and neck surgery at the University of Calgary. His fellowship training was completed in laryngology at the University of California, Davis with a sub focus on dysphagia. He is the pharyngoesophageal committee chair of the American Bronchoesophagological Association, physician lead for continuing medical education the UofC department of surgery, and residency program director for OHNS at the UofC.

Institution:

University Of Calgary


Dr. Dominica Gidrewicz

Dominica is a pediatric gastroenterologist in Calgary with a clinical focus in pediatric celiac disease. She completed her medical training at the University of Toronto, and then moved to Calgary for her pediatric residency and GI fellowship training. She is a member of the Canadian Celiac Association Professional Advisory Council.

Institution:

University Of Calgary

Disclosures:

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: Canadian Celiac Association (Member of the Professional Advisory Council)


Dr. Doug Whiteside

Head Veterinarian/ Associate Professor

Dr. Doug Whiteside is the Head Veterinarian and Senior Manager of Animal Health at the Wilder Institute-Calgary Zoo and an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College and later completed his Doctorate of Veterinary Science (DVSc) in Pathobiology. His post graduate training included a zoological medicine internship at the Louisville Zoo and a zoological medicine and pathology residency at the Toronto Zoo. Dr. Whiteside is a board certified specialist in zoological medicine by the American College of Zoological Medicine and the European College of Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management). He is a strong advocate for animal welfare, especially for zoo and wildlife species, is active on several national and international committees, and enjoys the clinical, teaching, and research challenges afforded to him by his current positions.

Institution:

Wilder Institute-Calgary Zoo/ University Of Calgary Faculty Of Veterinary Medicine


Eric Tse RN

Registered Nurse

Eric Tse is the Duodopa RN for the Calgary Movement Disorders Program, managing Parkinson's care for Duodopa patients within the Calgary zone. He also has a certified specialization in geriatric nursing care.

Institution:

Alberta Health Services

Disclosures:

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: AbbVie (Previously invited to speak at Duodopa educational sessions with paid honoraria.)

Membership on advisory boards or speakers' bureaus: AbbVie (Previously invited to participate in Duodopa-related advisory boards)

Other potential influences: AbbVie (AbbVie has supplied grants to the Calgary Movement Disorders Program, where I am employed.)

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: AbbVie (Have received honoraria in the past for Duodopa-related talks.)

Membership on advisory boards or speakers' bureaus: AbbVie (Have participated in advisory boards relating to Duodopa, with paid compensation.)

Other potential influences: AbbVie (AbbVie has provided grants to Calgary Movement Disorders Program (location of current employment),)


Dr. James Makokis

Dr. James Makokis is a Nehiyô two-spirit physician from the Onihcikiskapowinihk (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) in Treaty Number Six Territory. He practices Family Medicine in Kinokamasihk Cree Nation in northeastern Alberta and has a transgender health focused practice in South Edmonton. He was the inaugural Medical Director at Shkaabe Makwa at the Centre For Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto -the first Indigenous health centre designed to lead systems' transformation in Indigenous mental health across the country. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta.

In 2019, Dr. Makokis competed alongside his husband Anthony Johnson as "Team Ahkameyimok" (Never Give Up in the Cree Language) on the Amazing Race Canada and won, becoming the first two-spirit, Indigenous, married couple in the world to do so. In 2020 Dr. Makokis was named one of 30 most powerful physicians in the country by The Medical Post, but believes power is a concept that should be shared amongst others. Dr. Makokis is a regular guest on the Marilyn Denis show and commentator in the media. Dr. Makokis is passionate about revitalizing the Nehiyô medical system, educating people about Treaty, and working toward the vision of Turtle Island, which is to live together in peace and friendship.


Jody Urquhart

Speaker

Jody is a motivational speaker. Her mission is simple, to eagerly empower worn out professionals with humour, hindsight and hallelujahs. She firmly believes it's not what you do that matters- it's how you feel about what you do. With more than twenty three years of experience inspiring and entertaining audiences across the globe, Jody Urquhart delivers uplifting, engaging motivational speeches that help professionals cultivate a much needed blissful can do attitude towards fun and meaningful work. She is the author of Bliss Out. A recently published book, a tongue in cheek insight into Life and how to reveal joy. Bliss Out shows people hard working people how cure a hustle hangover. In her spare time, Jody loves to meditate and still performs standup comedy, but not at the same time. Jody does not use PowerPoint, just pure engagement, inspiration and clean, catered comedy

Institution:

Idoinspire


Louise Morrin

Senior Provincial Director, Digestive Health SCN

Louise Morrin, BSc (PT), MBA Louise Morrin is the Senior Provincial Director of the Digestive Health and the Medicine Strategic Clinical Networks. This role involves working with a broad range of stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve the quality of care for those with digestive, kidney and respiratory diseases, and for hospitalized patients. Louise completed her BSc (Physical Therapy) and MBA at Queens University and has over 40 years experience in health care with a diverse background in clinical practice, administration, teaching and research in the areas of quality improvement and chronic disease prevention, management and rehabilitation

Institution:

Alberta Health Services


Dr. Maitreyi Raman

Associate Professor of Medicine

Dr. Maitreyi Raman is a Gastroenterologist and Physician Nutrition Specialist, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Calgary. Dr. Raman has clinical and research interests in using dietary patterns and components in the management of digestive health disorders, and she investigates the role of diet and mind body interventions to modulate the gut microbiome and chronic inflammation in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Dr. Raman has co-developed the LyfeMD mobile application, which is a digital lifestyle solution designed to provide individualized lifestyle therapies to patients with digestive diseases.

Institution:

University Of Calgary

Disclosures:

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: Takeda, Fresenius Kabi, Mckesson, Organon (Speaker Fees)

Patents on a drug, product or device: LyfeMD (CEO, Founder)


Dr. Mark Swain

Professor of Medicine

Mark Swain is a hepatologist in Calgary with a special interest in pathway driven patient care, especially NAFLD. Wendy Schaufert is an RN who leads the Calgary high risk NAFLD clinic.

Institution:

University Of Calgary

Disclosures:

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: Gilead, Intercept, Novartis, Ipsen, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk (Ad Board)

Membership on advisory boards or speakers' bureaus: Gilead, Intercept, Abbott (Speaker)

Funded grants or clinical trials: Gilead, BMS, CymaBay, Intercept, Genfit, Pfizer, Novartis, Astra Zeneca, GSK, Celgene, Novo Nordisk, Axcella Health Inc., Merck, Galectin Therapeutics, Calliditas Therapeutics, AbbVie (Clinical trial or research support)


Dr. Mary Ann Drosnock

Director, Clinical Affairs

Mary Ann Drosnock is the Director of Clinical Affairs at Healthmark Industries, where she leads a team of clinical educators who have expertise in device processing and infection prevention. She served as co chair of AAMI Working Group 84 for ST91 from 2013 to 2021. Before Healthmark, she managed the Infection Control Program for Olympus, worked as a pharmaceutical microbiologist, and taught Microbiology courses at the college level to healthcare professionals. Mary Ann has a B.S. in Biology from Albright College and an M.S. in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs from Temple. She is certified in Infection Control and Endoscope Reprocessing and is a Fellow for APIC and AAMI. She is also expected to complete a Doctoral Program in Health Science by the Fall of 2022.

Institution:

Healthmark Industries

Disclosures:

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: Healthmark Industries (Employee)


Dr. Milli Gupta

Associate Professor of Medicine

Dr. Milli Gupta is an Associate Clinical Professor in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Calgary. She completed Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology training at the University of Alberta, followed by an Advanced Esophageal Fellowship at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Gupta has an active research interest in Barrett's esophagus, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, esophageal motility and motor disorders. She is the lead for the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Clinic, the Calgary Gut Motility Center and co lead for the Southern Alberta Barrett's Endotherapy Program. Her practice is based at the South Health Campus in Calgary, Alberta Canada.

Institution:

University Of Calgary

Disclosures:

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: Sanofi (Global Advisory Board member)

Membership on advisory boards or speakers' bureaus: Regenneron (Global Advisory Board member)

Funded grants or clinical trials: Bausch Health (Speaker)

Patents on a drug, product or device: AVIR pharmaceuticals (Speaker)


Dr. Nauzer Forbes

Assistant Professor

Nauzer Forbes specializes in advanced and therapeutic endoscopy, including ERCP, EUS and related techniques. His research interests include studying outcomes, quality and innovation in luminal and pancreaticobiliary endoscopy. His work is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). He has published over 80 peer-reviewed manuscripts and serves on the ASGE

Standards of Practice Committee and helps prepare cutting-edge high-impact endoscopy guidelines.

Institution:

University of Calgary

Disclosures:

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: Boston Scientific (Post-marketing surveillance consultant)

Membership on advisory boards or speakers' bureaus: Pentax Medical, Boston Scientific, AstraZeneca, Pendopharm (Speaker, consultant)

Funded grants or clinical trials: Pentax Medical (Research funding)


Dr. Paul Belletrutti

Clinical Associate Professor

Dr. Belletrutti has been a member of the Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Calgary since 2010. After his core GI training, he completed formal training in Advanced Gastrointestinal Endoscopy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. More recently, he was a Visiting Professor at Humanitas University and Research Hospital in Milan, Italy which allowed him to introduce submucosal dissection and other "third space" endoscopy techniques to Calgary upon his return in 2019.

Institution:

University Of Calgary

Disclosures:

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: Pentax Medical (Consultant, speaker's honoraria)

Membership on advisory boards or speakers' bureaus: Pendopharm Inc. (Ad board member)


Dr. Rachid Mohamed

Physician

Rachid Mohamed is a therapeutic endoscopist in Calgary, based out of the Peter Lougheed Center. Rachid completed medical school in Edmonton and went on to an internal medicine residency at the University of Alberta. He moved home to Calgary in 2008 where he completed his gastroenterology fellowship followed by a fellowship in therapeutic endoscopy. He is Section Head for Therapeutic Endoscopy in the Calgary zone. His interests lie in endoscopy, specifically complex pancreaticobiliary endoscopy and advanced tissue resection.

Institution:

University Of Calgary


Dr. Riley Stewart

Dr. Stewart completed his Bachelors and Masters of Science at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. He went on to complete his MD at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He then completed residency training in General Surgery at Dalhousie University. His interests are in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and advanced endoscopy. He has fellowship training from Dalhousie University in MIS and advanced endoscopy and an additional fellowship in advanced endoscopy from Harvard University in Boston. He currently practices at Dartmouth General hospital in Nova Scotia.

Institution:

Dartmouth General Hospital

Disclosures:

Any direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: Medtronic (Speaking Honorarium)


Dr. Thomas Louie

Clinical Professor of Medicine

Dr Thomas Louie is an infectious diseases physician who has been involved with FMT for over 20 years and has been a clinical trialist exploring outcomes of RCTs of microbial components as treatment of recurrent CDI.

Institution:

University Of Calgary

Disclosures:

Membership on advisory boards or speakers' bureaus: Seres Therapeutics, Vedanta Biosicences, Finch Therapeutics, Summit PLC (consultant on clinical trials)

Funded grants or clinical trials: Seres Therapeutics, Rebiotix, Vedanta Biosciences, Crestone (investigator)


Wendy Schaufert RN CGN(c)

RN CGN(c)

Wendy is a Registered Nurse that has worked all her nursing career in Calgary, AB. She has had a broad range of experience in nursing including Cardiac Med/Surg and Endoscopy Nursing. She was one of 2 nurses in Calgary that did Esophageal Motility and PH studies at the Rockyview Hosp as well. In 2012 , Wendy took on a new role as the Nurse Clinician for the Endoscopy clinic at Calgary's brand new hospital -South Health Campus. Starting up a new unit from the ground up was a challenging and rewarding experience , a real highlight of her career. In 2014 another opportunity came her way , to start up a NAFLD clinic . Wendy couldn't pass that experience up and since then has been running the clinic. This nurse led clinic is very unique in Canada. Wendy was part of the process in the development of the NAFLD clinical care pathway . She volunteers and is on the BOD for CAHN the Canadian Assoc of Hepatology Nurses and active in many NAFLD projects in Canada.

Institution:

Alberta Health Services South Health Campus