Join us at the The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel or virtual, Spring 2025!
STAY TUNEDPlanning Committee and Faculty
Obesity Update Co-Chairs
Obesity Update Planning Committee
Diabetes Update Co-Chairs
Diabetes Update Planning Committee
DUO Faculty
Dr. Harpreet S. Bajaj MD, MPH, ECNU, FACE
- Endocrinologist, Researcher and a Public Health Expert
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Harpreet Singh Bajaj’s research, published in key medical journals, focuses on prevention, remission, and management of type 2 diabetes along with its associated complications and comorbidities, such as obesity and cardiorenal risk reduction. He works as a consultant endocrinologist and as the medical director of Endocrine and metabolic research at LMC Healthcare/Centricity in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition, Dr. Bajaj is currently the chair of the clinical practice guidelines steering committee for Diabetes Canada, the founding chairperson of the “STOP Diabetes” Foundation Inc, an editorial board member of the Diabetes Care journal and the principal investigator for the Canadian Diabetes Prevention Program.
Dr. Bajaj completed his endocrinology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, USA. After pursuing his medical education at the University of Delhi in India, Dr. Bajaj attained his Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology at the University at Albany, New York, USA.
Some of his career highlights have included a research associate position at Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, Mount Sinai Hospital (University of Toronto); being a national consultant editor for the Canadian Journal of Diabetes; and a columnist for his Medscape column titled The Sugar Beat.
Ms. Lori Berard Nurse Consultant
- Diabetes Educator with an expertise in Diabetes Education, Management and Clinical Research
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Biography
Lori Berard has 37 years of experience in diabetes education, management and clinical research working as the Nurse Manager for the Health Sciences Centre Diabetes Research Program. She was also a Faculty Member at the University of Manitoba Department of Medicine Section of Endocrinology. Currently she is working as a consultant in diabetes management and clinical research operations. Lori has dedicated many years volunteering with Diabetes Canada and has extensive experience with the Clinical Practice Guidelines. She has been part of over 100 peer reviewed publications, continues to be active in medical education events and has received many honors and awards related to her work in diabetes.
Dr. David Campbell MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC
- Associate Professor & Consultant Endocrinologist
- University of Calgary & Alberta Health Services
Calgary, Alberta
Biography
Dr. Campbell is a specialist in Endocrinology and Metabolism and an associate professor in the Departments of Medicine, Community Health Sciences and Cardiac Sciences at the University of Calgary. His clinical practice is largely focused on diabetes care for people who face various forms of social disadvantage - including providing outreach care in community settings. His research interests also center on improving equity in health services delivery for those with chronic diseases.
Ms. Marisa Cardinal
- Chair, National Indigenous Diabetes Association
- Past Indigenous Science & Content Co- chair for Diabetes Canada National Conference
Edmonton, Alberta
Biography
Marisa is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in the Treaty 6 territory of Alberta. She is the current Chair of the National Indiegnous Diabetes Association. Marisa also has a Bacehor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Marisa shares her story of living a life with Type 2 Diabetes as an Indigenous woman. It is her goal to create awareness of how Indigenous people face the challenges and can manage a life with Diabetes. Her volunteer work and commitment to working with NIDA and Diabetes Canada has shown her dedication to creating awareness of Diabetes. It is her hope to help non-Indigenous people and Indigenous people understand that a life of Diabetes can be a healthy one, with the right support and collaboration.
Dr. Alice Cheng MD, FRCPC
- Endocrinologist
- Trillium Health Partners and Unity Health Toronto
- Associate Professor, Department of Medicine
- University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Cheng is an Endocrinologist at Trillium Health Partners and Unity Health Toronto and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. She has been involved with the development of the Diabetes Canada clinical practice guidelines since 2003 and served as Chair for the 2013 version. She served as Chair of the Scientific Planning Committee for the 2023 and 2024 American Diabetes Association annual scientific meetings which is the largest international diabetes conference. In addition, she is an Associate Editor for the journal, Diabetes Care, and co-host of the podcast series “Diabetes Care On Air”. In recognition of her contribution to the diabetes community, she has received the national Charles H. Best Award and the Gerald S. Wong Service Award from Diabetes Canada. She is also the creator of The Med Ed Pledge – an initiative to increase Diversity & Inclusion in continuing medical education (www.theMedEdPledge.com) along with CMEX – a searchable database of health care professionals interested in contributing to medical education.
Dr. Charles de Mestral MDCM, FRCSC, PhD
- Vascular Surgeon, St. Michael’s Hospital
- Associate Professor, Department of Surgery and Institute for Health Policy
- Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto
- Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital
- Senior Adjunct Scientist, ICES
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Charles de Mestral is a vascular surgeon-scientist with a clinical practice and research program focusing on amputation prevention among people with diabetes and peripheral artery disease. He is a co-lead of the Downtown East Toronto Ontario Health Team Lower Limb Preservation Initiative and a co-lead of the Amputation Prevention Goal Group of Diabetes Action Canada.
Dr. Louis Girard MD, MBT, FRCPC
- Medical Director of Apheresis
- Medical Director of Glomerulonephritis
- Glomerulonephritis Fellowship Program Director
- Nephrologist & Clinical Professor of Medicine
- Cumming School of Medicine
- University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
Biography
Dr. Louis Girard joined the Division of Nephrology at the University of Calgary in July of 2010. He is a Nephrologist and Clinical Professor of Medicine. Within the Division of Nephrology, Dr. Girard focuses on clinical immunology and infectious diseases in chronic kidney disease patients. He is the medical director of the Glomerulonephritis Clinic and Apheresis. He is heavily involved in clinical trials. He has several peer-reviewed publications, including in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Girard has a strong commitment to education and has won numerous awards for his teaching contributions at all levels of medical training. He has been faculty on numerous national CME endeavors for Diabetes and is the co-chair for the Medicine Strategic Clinical Network’s CKD in DM2 subcommittee.
Dr. Ilana Halperin MD, MSc, FRCPC
- Chief Medical Information Officer Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Assistant Professor Division of Endocrinology
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Ilana Halperin is a full time staff physician and assistant professor in the job description of Clinician in Quality and Innovation at Sunnybrook Hospital and the University of Toronto. She has a large type 1 diabetes practice with a special interest in young adults and pregnant women and has been recognized as a national expert in the integration of diabetes technology into virtual care. She was the lead author on a Diabetes Canada position paper on Do-It-Yourself Automated Insulin Delivery and is co-leading an upcoming Diabetes Canada Guideline on glycemic management in Type 1 Diabetes across the life span. She is a strong advocate for the use of advanced technologies to help people living with diabetes decrease the burden of this complex chronic condition.
Dr. Kate Hawke MBBS, FRACP
- Lead Diabetes Fellow, BC Diabetes
- Staff Specialist Endocrinology, LEADS (Logan Endocrinology and Diabetes Service)
Queensland, Australia
Biography
Kate Hawke, MBBS, FRACP joined BCDiabetes in July 2023 as a Diabetes Technology Fellow. She is an endocrinologist from Australia with interests in type 1 diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy. She completed her training at the University of Queensland and Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital and is currently on educational leave from staff at Logan Hospital, Queensland. In her role at BCDiabetes, Kate works with patients using open-source automated insulin delivery systems and is undertaking clinical research on these systems.
Ms. Krista Lawrence BN, RN, MN, CDE
- Nursing Clinical Lead - Diabetes Center at Eastern Health
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Biography
Krista graduated from Memorial University School of Nursing in 2005. As a new graduate, she worked on obstetrics, gynecology, and orthopedics units. A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes as a child fueled a passion in her to help others live a healthy and full life with diabetes. In 2009, Krista was offered a position as a diabetes nurse educator within Eastern Health’s Regional Diabetes Program, which she graciously accepted. Krista currently holds the Clinical Nursing Lead position within Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, Eastern- Urban/Rural Diabetes Program. As clinical lead Krista has been able to satisfy her desire to not only educate people living with diabetes, but also be an active participant in minimizing barriers to care, advocating for fellow educators, and promoting optimal health outcomes through policy development, program planning, and mentorship.
Krista completed her Master of Nursing with a Leadership Focus through Athabasca University in 2020. Throughout her master’s she focused on research to enhance the delivery of care and client outcomes within her program.
When not at work Krista loves to hike, especially on the East Coast Trail that spans over 300km on the Avalon Peninsula. Krista also adores her husband John and two dogs (Janey Rhubarb and Samantha Wigglesworth). She can be found walking with Jane and Sam on the park trail next to her home at lunchtime!
Dr. John G. B. Mancini MD, FRCPC, FACC
- Professor of Medicine at UBC, Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, Director, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Core Laboratory, Scientific Director CardioRisk Clinic
Vancouver, British Columbia
Biography
Dr. G.B. John Mancini is a tenured Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and directs an imaging-based research program (Cardiovascular Imaging Research Core Laboratory, CIRCL) that includes facilities for quantitative coronary angiography, ultrasound analysis (coronaries, carotids and brachial artery for atherosclerosis and endothelial function assessments) and cardiac computed tomography analysis. Dr. Mancini developed and serves as the Scientific Director of the CardioRisk Clinic, providing comprehensive primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention.
Dr. Louise Moist MD, MSc, FRCPC
- Professor - Department of Medicine
- Professor - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
London, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Moist is a Clinician Scientist and Professor of Medicine/Epidemiology at Western University, London, Canada, Associate Chair, Division of Nephrology and Associate Director, Center for Quality Improvement, Innovation, Safety. Dr Moist is a Certified Canadian Physician Executive, credentialing her significant role in healthcare leadership. Dr Moist is an active clinician, teacher and researcher. Her research focus is in Obesity, CKD progression, and Implementation Science, integrating best evidence to best practice. Publications include over 250 peer reviewed papers. Recent awards include the Canadian Society of Nephrology Distinguished Service Award, MAC Chairs Award for outstanding contribution to quality improvement and patient safety and both a Western University Dean's Award in Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Research awards.
Dr. Sean Wharton MD, FRCPC, PharmD
- Adjunct Professor
- McMaster York University, University of Toronto
- Medical Director, Wharton Medical Clinic
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Wharton has his doctorate in Pharmacy and Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is the medical director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, a community based internal medicine weight management and diabetes clinic. He is an adjunct professor at McMaster University in Hamilton and York University in Toronto. He also academic staff at Women’s College Hospital, and clinical staff the Hamilton Health Sciences. Dr. Wharton’s research focuses on bariatric medicine and type 2 diabetes. He is the co-lead author of the Canadian Obesity Guidelines.
Dr. Wharton is involved activism to achieve health equity in Canada. He founded the BMSA (Black Medical Students Association) at the University of Toronto in 2000. The BMSA is now a recognized mentorship organization across Canada.
Dr. Shelley Zieroth MD, FCCS, FHFSA (hon), FESC, FACC, FHFA, FRCPC
- Cardiologist, St. Boniface Hospital
- Professor, University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Biography
Dr. Shelley Zieroth joined the Section of Cardiology at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg in July 2006. She is currently a Professor in the College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, as well as Director of the Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Clinics. She is also Head of the Medical Heart Failure Program for Cardiac Sciences Manitoba.
Dr. Zieroth attended medical school at the University of Manitoba and went on to train in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the same centre. She completed her Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship, specializing in Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant, at Toronto General Hospital.
She is involved in several international heart failure clinical trials as a PI, National Lead or Executive Committee member. She is the Past President of the Canadian Heart Failure Society and co-Chair of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society for Heart Failure Guidelines. She serves as Co-Chair of Canada’s largest annual heart failure meeting, HF Update. She is also Associate Editor at the Journal of Cardiac Failure and the European Heart Journal.
Dr. Zieroth is actively engaged in Social Media and promotes it’s use for rapid access to clinical trial data, publications, and free online access to medical education. It is through this engagement Dr. Zieroth has become recognized as a global supporter and sponsor of women in medicine and cardiology. She is currently Past President of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada.
Dr. Jeremy Gilbert MD, FRCPC
- Staff Physician, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine
- Faculty of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto
- Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Section Chair, Endocrinology and Metabolism for Royal College Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Gilbert completed his medical degree, internal medicine training and endocrinology residency at the University of Toronto. He is an associate professor at the University of Toronto.
He is the former program director for adult endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Toronto. He has authored a chapter in the 2013 and 2018 Diabetes Canada Guidelines and is a member of the steering committee of the current Diabetes Canada Guidelines. He is the national lead for dissemination and implementation for the Diabetes Canada Guidelines.
He is on the executive and is a national editor for the Canadian Journal of Diabetes. He is the endocrinology section chair at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is the current co-chair for the clinical stream of the Diabetes Canada national scientific meeting.
He is a passionate teacher and his academic interest in undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education in diabetes and endocrinology. He has received numerous awards for outstanding teaching including the 2021 Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism's Harvey Guyda Educator of the Year Award.
Dr. Alyse Goldberg MD, FRCPC
- Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Consulting Staff, Division of Endocrinology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Associate Lecturer University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Alyse Goldberg obtained her Medical Degree from the University of Toronto and completed her residency training in Internal Medicine at Western University where she served as one of the chief medical residents. She returned to University of Toronto to complete her training in Endocrinology. Under the mentorship of Dr. Sheila Laredo, she chose to pursue a clinical fellowship at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto on reproductive endocrine conditions, as these patients benefit from focused care early in their lives that will benefit their short and long term reproductive and metabolic health.
Dr. Goldberg currently practices as a consultant Endocrinologist at fertility centres in Toronto, as well as a part of the Women’s and Babies team at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre managing patients with gestational diabetes. She is a member of the International PCOS Network that participated as authors for the 2023 International Evidence based Guidelines for Assessment and Management of PCOS.
She has a special interest in the care of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome as well as dispelling myths and misinformation targeted at this population.
Dr. Akshay Jain MD, FRCPC, FACE, CCD, ECNU, DABIM, DABOM
- Endocrinologist, TLC Diabetes and Endocrinologist
- Clinical Instructor, University of British Columbia
Surrey, British Columbia
Biography
Dr. Akshay Jain is the first Canadian physician to be triple board-certified by the American Boards in Endocrinology, Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine.
He trained in Internal Medicine at Rochester, NY where he became the only 4-time winner of the prestigious Rochester Academy of Medicine Awards. He completed his Fellowship in Endocrinology at Harbor UCLA/City of Hope in Los Angeles, CA.
He is the only non-American physician to win the AACE Rising Star in Endocrinology Award (2022) and to feature on Medscape’s list of 25 Top Rising Stars of Medicine (2020). He is the first North American to win the prestigious Etzwiler Diabetes Scholarship at the International Diabetes Center and Mayo Clinic in MN, USA. In 2017, he was awarded the Rising Star of Diabetes Award at the International Symposium on Diabetes.
He is a renowned educator and has spoken at over 1000 medical conferences/events across the world till date. His clinical interests include diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders and osteoporosis. He has active YouTube/Instagram channels dedicated to patient education with thousands of views till date.
He is fluent in 6 languages including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Marwari and Urdu. In 2022, he won the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award and also received the 2022 Healthcare Achievement Award by Drishti Magazine.
Dr. Alanna Weisman MD, PhD, FRCPC
- Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism,
- Mount Sinai Hospital & University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Alanna Weisman is a Clinician Scientist and Staff Endocrinologist at Mount Sinai Hospital and University Health Network. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, a Clinician Scientist at the Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, and an adjunct Scientist at ICES.
Dr. Weisman attended medical school at Queen’s University and completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology & Metabolism at the University of Toronto. Following her clinical training, Dr. Weisman completed a PhD in Clinical Epidemiology & Health Care Research in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Dr. Weisman’s research program uses epidemiologic and health services research methods to study determinants of outcomes in type 1 diabetes, which ultimately will inform the design of novel interventions to improve outcomes for people living with type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Zaina Albalawi MD, MSc, FRCPC
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Clinical Associate Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Chair, Clinical Practice Guidelines Diabetes Canada
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Biography
Zaina Albalawi is an adult endocrinologist and clinical epidemiologist at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She holds a professional associate appointment with the division of Population Health and Applied Health Science at Memorial University.
Her areas of interest include limb preservation in diabetes, health care system evaluation and clinical guideline methodology. Zaina is currently chair of Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines, and secretary for the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) Infection group guidelines. She holds certification in Physician Management & Leadership as well as Medical Teaching from Memorial University.
Zaina has been at most of the Diabetes Update annual meetings since its inception in 2014, and values the community this meeting brings together.
Ms. Tammy Cadieux Nurse Clinician
- Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)®
Terrebonne, Quebec
Biography
Tammy Cadieux is a Nurse since 1996 and Nurse Clinician specialized in Diabetes for 18 years.
CDE: Certified Diabetes Educator
CPT: Certified Insulin Pump Educator
Scope certification
She has been a nurse at the Centre Hospitalier Pierre Le Gardeur, for 20 years, including 13 years at the diabetes center.
In 2016, she opened a medical clinic specializing in metabolic disease, the Lanaudière Metabolic Medicine Center, where she also works as a nurse clinician.
Her expertise is in follow-up of type 1 and 2 diabetic clients, gestational diabetes, insulin pump follow-ups, CGMS, and obesity.
For the past 3 years, Tammy Cadieux also acts as research coordinator. She is a trainer and speaker for patients and healthcare professionals in Quebec and Canada.
Dr. Jeffrey Habert MD, CCFP, FCFP
- Assistant Professor
- Department of Family and Community Medicine
- University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Jeffrey Habert is a Family Physician in Thornhill for the last 35 years. He is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is also an Investigating Coroner for the City of Toronto.
He is also Co-Editor of Canadian Primary Care Today.
He is a member of Diabetes Canada: Dissemination & Implementation Committee.
He is one of the co-authors of the recently released 2023 CANMAT MDD Guidelines and the upcoming Consensus Recommendations for the Management of Chronic Insomnia in Canada.
Dr. Habert is a former Peer Assessor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (19 years)
He has an interest in the use of clinical practice guidelines, and has participated on committees to establish guidelines in the areas of Depression, Stroke, ASA in Primary Care and Thrombosis.
He was awarded to Gerald S. Wong award by Diabetes Canada in 2023 for significant contribution to the Diabetes community.
He is the Previous co-chair of Thrombosis Canada Clinical Guides.
His clinical interests are varied, and include Diabetes, Obesity, Depression, ADHD, Insomnia, Thrombosis/Stroke and Osteoporosis.
He is also published in many of the above mentioned areas in addtion to others.
He is a National speaker in the multiple areas and actively participates on Scientific Committees involved in the creation of educational programs.
Dr. Rose Yeung MD, FRCPC, MPH
- Associate Professor, Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Medical Director, Office of Lifelong Learning and Physician Learning Program
- Member, Alberta Diabetes Institute
- Member, Women and Children’s Health Research Institute
- University Of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
- College of Health Sciences
Edmonton, Alberta
Biography
Associate Professor Rose Yeung is an academic endocrinologist and Senior Medical Director with the University of Alberta’s Office of Lifelong Learning/ Physician Learning Program, an Implementation Hub, and member of the Alberta Diabetes Institute. While her clinical and research work focuses on diabetes care, Dr. Yeung also broadly supports the Physician Learning Program’s mission to create information that physicians can act on, and to engage with physicians, teams, patients, and partners to co-create sustainable solutions to advance practice. Through her collaborations, she is co-creating educational programs and interventions to address care gaps and to support healthcare quality improvement across the care continuum.
Dr. Alex Abitbol MDCM, FRCPC
- Endocrinologist & Assistant Medical Director
- LMC Healthcare
Toronto & Oakville, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Alex Abitbol is an endocrinologist and assistant medical director at LMC Healthcare. He graduated medical school and completed residency at McGill University. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Abitbol is committed to treating patients in all areas of endocrinology. He strives to support the relevance of primary care education and remains an avid speaker locally and abroad. He also serves as the lead primary investigator of early phase research at Centricity research, and some of his recent work focused on implantable glucose sensing technology and automated insulin therapy.
Relationships with for profit and/or non-profit organization:
Grant/Research Support:- Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Boehringer-lngelheim, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Glasko-Smith-Kline, Merck Canada, Moderna, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer
- Novo Nordisk, Abbott, Dexcom, Boehringer-lngelheim, CCRN, Eli Lilly, Janssen, GSK, LMC Physician Inc.
- Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Biocon, Abbott, Dexcom, Eli Lilly, Janssen, GSK, Roche, Insulet
- N/A
Dr. Basel Bari MD, MCFP
- General Medicine - Cardiology
- Diabetes Focus
- Markham Healthplex
Markham, Ontario
Biography
In out-patient practice since 1995, focus in Diabetes, Cardiology, Chronic Disease Management.
Experience in involvement CME development, panels in Diabetes, Asthma, COPD, HF among others.
Presently have patients involved in clinical trials.
Member of Family Practice Advisory Boards for DM for BI/Lilly, AZ, Novo-Nordisk, Sanofi, Merck
MD school Class '91
Residency University of Toronto, Sunnybrook HSC
Served as hospitalist staff in Department of Cardiology, Sunnybrook from 1992-1995.
Relationships with for profit and/or non-profit organization:
Grant/Research Support:- Canadian Knowledge Translation Group
- CCRN
- Merck, Novo Nordisk, HLS, Sanofi,Boeringer, AstraZeneca, Lilly, GSK
- N/A
Dr. Kristin Clemens MD, MSc, FRCP, Cert Endocrinology
- Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism), and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University
- Diabetes Canada Chair in Diabetes Management, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University
- Senior Adjunct Scientist and Site Director, ICES Western
- Associate Scientist, Lawson Health Sciences Institute
- Endocrinologist, Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, St. Joseph’s Health Care London
London, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Kristin Clemens, MD, MSc, FRCP, Cert Endocrinology, is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University, an Associate Scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute, and a Senior Adjunct Scientist and Site Director of ICES Western. She holds the Diabetes Canada Research Chair in Diabetes Management at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Dr. Clemens has a clinical and research interest in the care of patients with multimorbid endocrine disease with a particular interest in diabetes, kidney disease and health disparities. She has experience conducting administrative database studies, pragmatic randomized controlled trials, qualitative research, surveys, and quality improvement projects. Dr. Clemens’ research has been funded by organizations including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Diabetes Canada, and the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Dr. Kim Connelly MBBS, PhD, FSCMR, FCCS
- Executive Director, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto
- Division Head, Division of Cardiology, St. Michael’s Hospital
- Keenan Chair in Research Leadership
- Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Kim Connelly is a Cardiologist and Scientist who is both nationally recognized as an expert in echocardiography, cardiovascular MRI and the impact of diabetes upon cardiac function and ventricular remodeling. Dr. Connelly runs a basic research laboratory at the Keenan Research Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital where he focuses upon basic mechanisms of disease – primarily around the role of pathological extracellular matrix accumulation with a focus upon translating discoveries into therapies in humans.
He has an H-index of 63 and i10-index of 195 (Google scholar), and his work has been cited >12098 times, with publications in journals such as the NEJM, Circulation, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Circulation Research, Diabetes, Cell Metabolism and Lancet Endocrinology and Diabetes. His work is diverse covering clinical guidelines statements, clinical trials, and preclinical studies along the themes of ventricular remodeling, diabetes, magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography. He is a member of the editorial board of various journals such as The Canadian Journal of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Diabetology. He has received funding from the Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada, CIHR, Canadian Foundation of Innovation, Ministry of Ontario and industry sources, totally >$5 million as principal investigator. As a co-investigator, he has been part of >$20 million in funding, from the Ministry of Ontario, HSF, CIHR, CFI and industry sources.
Dr. Connelly has been recognised for his contributions to science by being awarded a HSF clinician scientist award, a CIHR New Investigator Award, an Early Researcher Award from the Ministry of Ontario, the SC Verma award and the Insulin 100 emerging leader award to celebrate 100 years since the discovery of insulin at University of Toronto, as well as Canadian Cardiovascular Congress YIA 2012. He is past chair of the Canadian Cardiovascular guideline and was chair of the macrovascular complication section for Diabetes Canada CPG 2018.
Dr. Kim Connelly is the executive director of the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, holds the Keenan Chair in Research Leadership, and is the Division Head of Cardiology at St. Michael’s hospital.
Dr. James Kim MBBCh, PgDip(Diabetes), MScCH(HPTE)
- General Practitioner, Vineyard Medical Clinic
- Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Calgary
- Department of Family Medicine
Calgary, Alberta
Biography
Dr. James Kim is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary. Dr. Kim has a special interest in diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and chronic migraine. Since completing his Master’s program in Healthcare Professional Education, Dr. Kim’s interest lies in effective healthcare professional education delivery methods and has been invited as a guest lecturer at a number of universities and conferences on this topic. He is also a lead editor for the Primary Care section of Canadian Journal of Diabetes and co-editor for Canadian Primary Care Today journal.
Within Diabetes Canada, his role includes steering committee member for the Clinical Practice Guidelines; current co-chair of Primary Care Special Interest Group; Dissemination and Implementation member; author of the guidelines; lead author of MASLD guidelines.
Within Migraine Canada, Dr. Kim is a scientific committee member and he is a committee member of the international medical education organization. Most recently, he was invited to join the Global NASH Council, as one of the first Canadian member, to collaborate with the leading international experts on MASLD. He is currently leading a major project in Calgary to reduce the wait time to access the specialists.
Dr. Barry Simon MD, FRCP, CDE
- Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
- University of Toronto
- Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes Mount Sinai Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Barry Simon MD FRCP is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and a Consultant with the Leadership Centre for Diabetes at Mount Sinai Hospital where he improves diabetes adherence in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. For the past two decades he has educated dietitians, family doctors and medical specialists on effective motivational and psychological strategies to improve diabetes adherence, the mental health issues in chronic illness and managing binge eating disorder. He presents workshops across Canada and annually at the Canadian Diabetes Association meetings and has presented in the US and Europe. Increasingly, he has been using spiritually based methods in his care of patients who struggle with diabetes distress and diabetes adherence. He has presented on this topic to diabetes educators and endocrinologists as part of continuing education at annual updates.
Dr. Jill Trinacty MD, FRCPC, ABOM
- LMC Ottawa, Bariatric Medical Institute
- Bruyere Continuing Care, University of Ottawa (Lecturer)
Ottawa, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Trinacty is originally from Nova Scotia, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree at Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. She completed her medical degree at Dalhousie University and residency in Internal Medicine and specialization in Endocrinology and Metabolism at The Ottawa Hospital.
She practices at LMC Ottawa, Queensway Carleton Hospital and Bariatric Medical Institute. She is a consultant and affiliate researcher with Bruyere Continuing Care. She is presently a lecturer at the University of Ottawa and provides ongoing medical education through speaking engagements for other health care professionals including family physicians, diabetes educators and pharmacists. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Endocrinology Section for the OMA and is an editor of Canadian Diabetes and Endocrinology Today.
Dr. Amish Parikh MD, BArtsSc, MEd, FRCPC
- Endocrinologist, Trillium Health Partners
- Assistant Professor, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
- University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Parikh is an endocrinologist at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, Ontario. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and has a strong interest in medical education. He completed medical school and his specialty training at the University of Toronto and also holds a Masters in Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. His clinical interests include exercise and diabetes, continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pump technology, and new technology in diabetes.
Dr. Amish Parikh MD, FRCPC, ABOM
- Medical Director, Medical Weight Management Centre of Canada (MWMCC)
- Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct), McMaster University
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Megha Poddar is an Endocrinologist and Obesity medicine specialist in Toronto, Ontario. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and an Assistant Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University. Dr. Poddar serves as the Medical Director of the Medical Weight Management Centre of Canada (MWMCC) and the Clinical Director of the LMC Weight Management Program. As a lead author and co-author, she has contributed to various resources on obesity education, including the McMaster textbook of internal medicine and the Assessment Chapter of the 2020 Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. Dr. Poddar conducts research as a principal investigator in randomized control trials focusing on type 2 diabetes and obesity. She is dedicated to mentoring healthcare providers in obesity management and clinical development, both nationally and globally, and is a passionate advocate for patients living with obesity.
Dr. Sandy Van MD, CCFP, ABOM Diplomate
- Obesity Medicine
- Founder, Haven Weight Management
- Staff Physician, MEDCAN Weight Management
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Sandy Van is a licensed Family Physician and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine who has dedicated her practice to Obesity medicine for the past decade. She is the founder of Haven Weight Management, a Virtual Weight Management Program which couples medical treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy in individual and group settings. She is also a staff physician at MEDCAN Weight Management Program. Dr. Van offers a unique voice for the medical community regarding behavioural treatment for obesity and is a nationally renowned speaker at academic conferences and a regular expert contributor in television media. Dr Van also currently serves as Medical Advisor to patient advocacy group, Obesity Matters.
Dr. Stephen Glazer MD, FRCPC, FCCP, FAASM
- Internal Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine
- Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Medical Director Bariatric Surgical Program-Humber River Hospital
- Medical Director Greater Toronto Area Medical Bariatric Program-Humber River Hospital
- President of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons (CABPS)
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Stephen Glazer graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, completing a fellowship in Internal Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. He is currently affiliated with Humber River Regional Hospital in Toronto. Dr. Glazer has both an office practice with an interest in general internal medicine, cardiology, diabetes, obesity as well as preoperative risk assessment. In addition, he has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and is actively involve in research within this area. In April 2010, Dr. Glazer was appointed the Medical Director of the Surgical Bariatric Program at Humber River Regional Hospital. In March 2013 Dr Glazer was appointed as the Medical Director of the only Ministry of Health hospital based medical weight loss program in the greater Toronto area.
Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam MD, MHPE, FRCPC, FACLP, DFCPA
- Scientific Director, Obesity Canada
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam is Scientific Director, Obesity and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He is also Senior Vice President, Education, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. He is the Psychosocial Director for the University Health Network Bariatric Surgery and Medical Program.
He is currently the co-lead for the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Ontario Mental Health at the Centre for Addiction and Mental and Health and the University of Toronto, which is a provincial hub-and-spoke knowledge-sharing network model building mental health and addiction capacity in rural Ontario.
Dr. Sockalingam has over 250 peer-reviewed publications and is a lead investigator on several peer-reviewed grants. His clinical research interests are focused on C-L Psychiatry, specifically obesity and mental health including predictors of obesity treatment outcomes and effectiveness of psychosocial interventions, including digital interventions.
He has been the recipient of several national and international education awards including the 2018 Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (ACLP) Alan Stoudemire Award for Innovation and Excellence in C-L Psychiatry Education, the University of Toronto and the Association of Chairs of Psychiatry of Canada Award for Excellence in Education. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Canadian Psychiatric Association and Fellow of the Academy of C-L Psychiatry.
Ms. Alissa Steinberg – Francis RD, CDE, MHSc
- Registered Dietitian at HealthyU
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Alissa Steinberg is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and the founder of Healthy U, a nutrition-focused business offering individual counseling and consulting services. With over 12+ years of extensive clinical experience at The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Markham Family Health Team and Unity Health Toronto, Alissa has gained invaluable nutrition knowledge and has fostered a passion for providing up-to-date, evidence-based nutrition care.
Dr. Michael A. Tsoukas MD, FRCPC
- Associate Professor of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre
- Director of Endocrinology, Montreal General Hospital
- Co-Director Obesity Medicine, McGill University Health Centre
Montreal, Québec
Biography
Dr. Michael Tsoukas is an Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology of the McGill University Health Centre and Research Investigator of the Research Institute of McGill and Hygea Medical Clinic. He completed his residency in medicine at Tuft’s University in Boston and subsequently trained in Endocrinology at McGill University. Upon completion, he pursued a post-graduate research fellowship in diabetes and obesity at Harvard University (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center), with a focus on GLP-1 receptor pharmacotherapy, brain signaling, and enterohormone treatments. Further training involved pathophysiological regulation of novel molecules such as SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists important in energy homeostasis, diabetes, and obesity.
On his return to his native Montreal, Dr Tsoukas continues to conduct clinical interventional studies in humans, ranging from early phase pharmacokinetic “proof of concept” studies to medium and large-scale placebo-controlled clinical trials. He has authored over 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals, chapters, and abstracts. He is also involved in training future generations as the Residency Director for Endocrinology at the Montreal General Hospital.
Dr. Sonia Butalia BSc, MD, FRCPC, MSc
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Associate Professor of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary
- Member of O'Brien Institute for Public Health and The Libin Cardiovascular Institute
Calgary, Alberta
Biography
Dr. Sonia Butalia is a Clinician-Scientist in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. Her research interests are in innovative tools and strategies to improve diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors in the community.
She is the recipient of awards from Diabetes Canada (2018), Hypertension Canada (2020), the Department of Medicine (2021), the Libin Cardiovascular Institute (2021, 2024) and is the recipient of the Diabetes Canada/CIHR Young Scientist Award (2022) for her research contributions and achievements. Her award-winning program of work importantly engages and is informed by people (i.e., patient partners), health care providers and decision makers. Her research program is funded by the CIHR, Diabetes Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
She is a co-author of several national guidelines in diabetes and hypertension and has contributed to several textbooks. She also teaches at the University of Calgary’s medical school, supervises graduate and medical trainees, and was awarded a Gold Star Resident Teaching Award for her contributions.
Dr. Peter Senior BMedSci, MBBS, PhD, FRCP(E), FRCP
- Director, Alberta Diabetes Institute
- Charles A Allard Chair in Diabetes Research Professor of Medicine
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Alberta Diabetes Institute
- University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Biography
Dr. Peter Senior is the Director of the Alberta Diabetes Institute, the Charles A Allard Chair in Diabetes Research and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta. He has clinical appointments as the Medical Director of the Clinical Islet Transplant Program and staff endocrinologist for Alberta Health Services, in Edmonton, Canada.
He completed his specialist training in Diabetes and Endocrinology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, in the UK, where he received his PhD in 2002.
His clinical and research interests focus on type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia, diabetic kidney disease and islet transplantation. He has published approximately 200 scientific articles. He received the Gerald Wong Service Award from Diabetes Canada in 2020 for “diabetes research, clinical care, the organization and diabetes advocacy”.
He recently completed two terms on Diabetes Canada’s Board of Directors including 3 years as Board Chair. Previously he served as Chair of Diabetes Canada’s Clinical Practice Guidelines Steering Committee and its Professional Section. He continues as Medical Director of the Alberta D-Camp for children with Type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Michael Piccinini Vallis Ph.D., R. Psych.
Halifax, Alberta
Biography
Dr. Vallis is a health psychologist based in Halifax, Canada. He is an Associate Professor in Family Medicine at Dalhousie University. He obtained his Ph.D. and M.A from the University of Western Ontario, London, and his B. Sc. From Dalhousie University. His main area of expertise is adult health psychology, with an emphasis on obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular risk and gastroenterology. He spends most of his time training healthcare providers in behaviour change for chronic disease management. He regularly supervises clinical and academic students and is active in research on motivation, behavioural change and adaptation to chronic disease. He consults nationally as well as internationally and is heavily involved in academic publications, journal editing, and clinical practice guidelines. He was on the executive of the Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Obesity (2020) and lead author of the Psychological and Behavioural Chapter for these new guidelines as well as the 2006 guidelines. As well, he is an author of the Psychology and Mental Health chapter of Diabetes Canada’s Clinical Practice Guidelines (2023, 2018, 2013, 2004). He received the 2021 Charles H Best award from Diabetes Canada and holds a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Government of Canada on the recommendation of the Diabetes Canada.
Dr. Jane Yardley PhD
- Director, Research Unit in Physical Activity and Diabetes
Montreal, Québec
Biography
Jane Yardley, PhD, is the Director of the Research Unit in Physical Activity and Diabetes at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM). She also serves as an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Physical Health Sciences at the University of Montréal. In completing her doctoral degree at the University of Ottawa, Jane was the first person to study the acute effects of resistance exercise (weightlifting) on blood glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes. She now has almost 15 years’ experience in recruiting and testing patients with type 1 diabetes in exercise studies. She is a co-author of the 2016 American Diabetes Association Consensus Statement on exercise and physical activity in diabetes, and a recipient of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Alberta New Investigator Award. Her recent work has focused on sex-related differences in blood glucose responses to exercise in people with type 1 diabetes, and how aging might impact these responses. She has also been exploring an interest on the impact of fasting on blood glucose responses to anaerobic exercise. Jane is an exercise enthusiast herself, running and cycling in the summer, cross-country skiing in the winter, lifting weights year-round, and doing her best to get others up and moving at every opportunity.
Dr. Baiju Shah MD, PhD
- Head, Division of Endocrinology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Senior Core Scientist, ICES
- Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Baiju Shah is a health services researcher and clinician-scientist in endocrinology. He is a staff physician and Head of the Division of Endocrinology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and a Scientist at the Sunnybrook Research Institute. He is a Professor in the Department of Medicine and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto, and a Senior Core Scientist at ICES. He holds the Novo Nordisk Research Chair in Equitable Care of Diabetes from the University of Toronto. His research seeks to understand and improve the quality of care and long-term outcomes of people with diabetes. He has national and international leadership in several areas of research, including diabetes care in immigrant, indigenous and other disadvantaged populations; long-term cardiometabolic consequences for women following gestational diabetes; and novel models of healthcare delivery to improve outcomes.
Dr. Brandy Wicklow MD, MSc(epi), FRCPC
- Associate Professor
- Head, Section of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Medical Director, Diabetes Education Resource for Children & Adolescents (DER-CA)
- Medical Director, Manitoba pediatric Insulin Pump Program (MPIP)
- Medical Lead, Gender Diversity Assessment and Affirmation in Youth (GDAAY)- transyouth clinical program
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | University of Manitoba
- Child Health Program, Children's Hospital | HSC Winnipeg | Shared Health
- Clinician Scientist
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM)
- Medical Director, Research Support Unit (CHRIM)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Biography
Dr. Brandy Wicklow is a pediatric endocrinologist, head of the section of pediatric endocrinology and metabolism in Winnipeg, Manitoba, associate professor at the University of Manitoba, and clinician researcher at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. Her clinical career focuses on healthcare provision to underserviced children and youth, including outreach type 2 diabetes subspeciality care to Indigenous children living on reserve in Northern communities. Her clinical research focuses on the intergenerational and early life determinants of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and renal disease in children and adolescents, with a particular interest in the impacts of the psychological, economic, and social and structural impacts on the wholistic health of all children living with diabetes.
Ms. Sandra Elia
- Board Chair, Director of Education & Patient Advocacy of Obesity Matters
- Certified Food Addiction Counselor
- https://www.sandraelia.com/
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Sandra Elia is the Chair of Obesity Matters, an advocacy organization that empowers individuals and communities via education and support. Sandra is a Certified Food Addiction Counselor. She runs Canada's outpatient Food Addiction Recovery Program in weight management clinics across Canada.
Sandra is the Author of: Never Enough: Three Pillars of Food Addiction Recovery.
She is dedicated to changing the conversation about obesity so that anyone living with obesity has access to treatment that is delivered with dignity, respect, and understanding.