When:

Saturday October 22, 2022, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT

On Demand until January 22, 2023

Where:

Virtual! Join from anywhere in the country! Attend this event without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Tickets:

Complimentary


About the Diabetes Canada Type 2 Conference: Let’s End Diabetes

Join thousands of people living with type 2 diabetes from across the country at Diabetes Canada Type 2 Conference: Let’s End Diabetes. This is a unique one-day virtual educational conference for people living with type 2 diabetes to help you live well.

What would create the most positive impact in your journey with type 2 diabetes?

Talking to dietitians about the pros and cons of some well-known eating patterns?
Knowing more about common type 2 diabetes medications?
Practicing preventative care by learning about important screening tests?

There is a lot of information out there to digest when it comes to living with type 2 diabetes, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. This conference is a place you can come to for easy to understand, trusted and actionable information to help you better manage your diabetes, while also connecting with other people who are living with the disease.

Event highlights include:

  • 20+ Expert Speakers
  • Live Exhibitor Tradeshow with diabetes products and services
  • Opportunity to engage with diabetes experts
  • Diversity Lounge with a variety of nutrition and exercise resources
  • Virtual Games, Prizes, and More!

Diabetes Canada Auditorium - Agenda

All presentations are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Agenda subject to change, please check back regularly for more topics and speakers

10:00 – 10:25 a.m.

Conference Site Open

10:25 – 10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30 – 11:10 a.m.

Tackling T2D Stigma

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Emily Brass is host of the CBC podcast Type Taboo: Diary of a New Diabetic, which follows her journey as she learns to cope with her recent diagnosis. In a series of audio diaries, Emily reveals her deepest feelings around type 2 diabetes, including the guilt and shame that often comes with it. She meets diabetics aged 17 to 76 who offer tips on dealing with type 2, while helping smash the stereotypes around the disease. The podcast won a prestigious RTDNA Award for the Prairie Region, while her opinion piece on learning to live with T2D also landed an RTDNA Award nomination.

Emily is also a local and national reporter at CBC Manitoba, filming for television, radio and online platforms. Before that, she worked as a journalist and radio news anchor for CBC in Montreal, Toronto, Victoria, St. John's and London, U.K.

Emily Brass
CBC Journalist and Host of Type Taboo: Diary of a New Diabetic

Denial, anger, depression, self-blame - Emily Brass has been through them all as a new diabetic. And she's not alone. As host of the CBC podcast, Type Taboo: Diary of a New Diabetic, Brass set out to smash the stereotypes that keep so many silent about this serious disease, affecting 1 in 3 Canadians. She spoke to other type 2 diabetics - aged 17 to 76 - who also felt that sense of judgment and shame that can get in the way of finding help. During this plenary opening speech, Brass will start the conversation about the stigma surrounding type 2, and the personal and societal changes needed to create a healthier future for us all.

11:15 – 11:40 a.m.

The Scoop on T2D Remission

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Dr. Michael Mindrum practices general internal medicine in Kentville, Nova Scotia. His clinical interests are in metabolism, diabetes, obesity, cardiometabolic health and behavioural change. He graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and completed his residency training at the University of Hawaii, the University of Vermont, and Dalhousie University. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. He married Dr. Christa Mindrum, a family physician and Newfoundlander, which led to his migration north to Nova Scotia. He is a proud father of three beautiful children.

Dr. Michael Mindrum
MD, FRCPC, Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine

Will offer patients an understanding of type 2 diabetes and how it can be placed in remission. We discuss strategies to improve the disease of type 2 diabetes. I will also consider the risks and benefits of discussing diabetes remission in clinical practice.

11:45 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

Managing Diabetes Distress: From Overwhelmed to Empowered

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Dr. Vallis is a health psychologist based in Halifax, Canada. He is a Health Behaviour Change Consultant and Associate Professor in Family Medicine at 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 consults nationally as well as internationally and is heavily involved in academic publications, journal editing, and clinical practice guidelines. He is an author of the Psychology and Mental Health chapter of Diabetes Canada’s Clinical Practice Guidelines (2018, 2013, 2004). He received the 2021 Charles H. Best award from Diabetes Canada and was awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Government of Canada on the recommendation of Diabetes Canada.

Dr. Michael Vallis
PhD, R. Psych

In this presentation I will provide a framework for understanding how living with diabetes interferes with a person's quality of life. Diabetes distress is very common in those living with diabetes and is often overlooked in diabetes management services. Yet diabetes distress can be easily identified and a number of coping strategies have been shown to be effective in helping people manage distress. The goal of this session is to empower the person living with diabetes, as well as care givers, to be more aware and confident in managing diabetes distress.

12:15 – 12:40 p.m.

Type 2 Diabetes Medications: What, When, Why?

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Susie is a community pharmacist where she has applied herself as a Certified Diabetes Educator, Certified Fitter of Compression Therapy and Certified Respiratory Educator.

Nationally, Susie serves on and leads several committees: with Diabetes Canada as a chapter author of Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines, and member of the dissemination and implementation committee; and with Wounds Canada where she serves on the Board of Directors and has co-authored Wounds Canada Best Practice Recommendations. Provincially, Susie serves on a variety of committees to effect practice and health-care in our communities such as the Health Quality Ontario, Diabetes Quality Standard Advisory Committee and the Ontario Immunization Advisory Committee.

Susie is the 2020 Charles H. Best Award recipient, given to a healthcare professional who has made a significant difference across Canada towards improving the quality of life of individuals living with diabetes; and was awarded the 2021 Diabetes Canada Educator of the Year.

Susie Jin
RPh, CDE, CRE

This informative and lively presentation will provide participants with an overview of the medications for type 2 diabetes. The various classes of medications will be discussed: how they work in the body, how to look out for and manage unwanted side effects, and which medications are particularly recommended therapies for certain people. This presentation is perfect for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, those wanting a refresher, and anybody with questions.

12:45 – 1:20 p.m.

The Fantastic Four: Essential Tests to Put Complications to Rest

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Dr. Robyn Houlden is Professor and Chair of the Division of Endocrinology at Queen’s University and a consultant in adult endocrinology at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Houlden has served as a diabetes advisor for the Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service of the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, and the Ontario Ministry of Health. She is a member of the eConsult/eReferral Clinical Advisory Group for the Ontario Ministry of Health. She has been an investigator in a number of clinical trials of new therapies for diabetes, and has a research interest in innovative models of diabetes health care delivery. Dr. Houlden has played a steering role in Diabetes Canada’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of diabetes since 2003 and was chair of the 2018 edition. She was awarded the Charles H. Best Award by Diabetes Canada for her advocacy work in diabetes.

Dr. Robyn Houlden
MD, FRCPC
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Zaina Albalawi is an Endocrinologist, and clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary. She also has a professional associate appointment with the department of Community Health and Humanities at Memorial University, NL.

Her areas of clinical and research interest include limb preservation, diabetes, health care system evaluation and clinical guideline development. She co-authored a Diabetes Canada (DC) guidelines chapter on the diabetic foot, Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) on PAD, and currently member of the International Working Group on The Diabetic Foot for the upcoming 2023 guidelines. Currently specialist lead on integrating DC guidelines into provincial EMR in Newfoundland and Labrador through the Practice 360, eDOCSNL project. She is the CBD Competency Committee Chair for the Endocrinology fellowship program at University of Calgary.

Dr. Zaina Albalawi
MD, MSc, FRCPC
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Harpreet Singh Bajaj is an Endocrinologist and Medical Director of Endocrine & Metabolic Research at LMC Healthcare/Centricity Research. Dr. Bajaj has completed his endocrinology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic (Ohio, USA). Dr. Bajaj’s medical education was at University of Delhi, India, followed by a Masters of Public Health (Epidemiology) at State University of New York in Albany (New York, USA).

Dr. Bajaj is a Research Associate at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto and an adjunct lecturer at McMaster University. He has co-authored publications in key medical journals in the fields of diabetes prevention and management, obesity, and cardiovascular risk reduction.

He is the principal investigator of the Canadian Diabetes Prevention Program, a nationwide collaborative effort between LMC, Diabetes Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Dr. Bajaj currently serves Diabetes Canada as the Chair of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Steering Committee.

Dr. Harpreet Bajaj
MD, MPH
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Dr. Phil McFarlane is a clinical-investigator in the Division of Nephrology at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. At St. Michael’s he is the Medical Director of Home Dialysis and the Chief Nephrologist in the Live Kidney Donor Program. He is a member of the Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines group, the Canadian Society of Nephrology guideline group, and the Hypertension Canada guideline group. He has completed his Ph.D. in health economics at the Institute for Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto. His areas of research interest include health economics and outcomes research. He is currently the Ontario Renal Network Provincial Medical Lead for hemodialysis. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and three book chapters.

Dr. Philip McFarlane
MD, FRCP(C), PhD

Intro to the four important screening tests – heart, eyes, feet, kidneys – to have done, the frequency with which they should happen, who should perform them and why these tests are so important to help prevent or delay diabetes complications

1:25 – 1:30 p.m.

Abbott Sponsored Break

1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

Break

1:40 – 2:05 p.m.

Let’s Talk About Sex…and T2D

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Dr. Jennifer Huynh completed her Medical Degree and Internal Medicine residency at Western University, followed by an Endocrinology and Metabolism fellowship at McMaster University in June 2018.

Dr. Huynh has privileges at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital providing inpatient consultations and is affiliated with the Halton Diabetes Program. Her private practice is in Oakville, ON.

Her areas of practice include diabetes and various endocrine problems, ranging from thyroid, adrenal and pituitary disease. Dr. Huynh has recently expanded her practice to encompass transgender medicine, including gender affirming hormone therapy and transition related surgery assessments. Her goal is to provide local, comprehensive care to the transgender and gender diverse community.

Dr. Huynh remains involved with medical education as an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) through McMaster University. She provides educational presentations for both the Medicine and Surgery postgraduate programs. She is the community representative for the McMaster Endocrinology Resident Planning Committee (RPC).

Dr. Jennifer Huynh
MD, FRCPC

Conversation about sexual health, sexuality and well-being with T2D, including information about sexual dysfunction, reproductive health and culturally-sensitive diabetes care for the LGBTQIA+/2S community

2:10 – 2:35 p.m.

Healthy Eating for South Asian and Diabetes

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Jyotika completed her Bachelor of Science at McGill University in Nutrition and Dietetics and went on to complete her Masters in Nutritional Science at the University of Toronto. She currently works at Halton Healthcare as a Certified Diabetes Educator and Dietitian. She’s worked in a variety of different settings including clinical, community, and corporate, but has focused on diabetes prevention and management, heart healthy eating and weight management. She has both a personal and professional passion for diabetes education and has worked with the South Asian Chapter for over 15 years.

Jyotika Desai
Registered Dietitian, CDE

This presentation will describe the role of nutrition in diabetes, and explain how to make changes to the South Asian diet in order to optimize glycemic control.

2:40 – 3:15 p.m.

Ask the Dietitian: Demystifying Popular Eating Patterns

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Joy Kiddie is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's in Human Nutrition from the University of British Columbia who has provided dedicated low carb and ketogenic services since 2017 through her dedicated low carb division, The Low Carb Healthy Fat Dietitian (lchf-rd.com). She has also provided dietetic services since 2007 through her long-standing dietetic practice, BetterByDesign Nutrition (bbdnutrition.com), where she uses various dietary approaches. Joy has written over 300 referenced articles about using a low carb or ketogenic diet to control blood sugar, to seek remission from the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and for use in other metabolic conditions. These are posted under the Food for Thought tab on her low-carb website. Joy is also the author of the book Low Carb Breads of the World (lowcarb-bread.com), which was released in July of this year.

Joy Kiddie
MSc, RD
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Alka Chopra is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator & Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor with a wide variety of experiences ranging from research, clinical, educational, and management settings. She is a trained healthcare communication facilitator with great interest in instructional design and healthcare communication and believes in making complex health messages simple. She also teaches clients about creating a sustainable selfcare type lifestyle. Alka has been running a successful consulting practice since 2006 and has transitioned from providing one-on-one counseling services to group programs, resource development, on-line courses and professional training.

Alka Chopra
RD, CDE, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor
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Jenna Walsh completed her degree in Human Nutrition at the University of Guelph, followed by a dietetic internship through the Ottawa Hospital. She has been working as a clinical RD in Renfrew County since 2010, dividing her time between Long Term Care, inpatient and outpatient support, private practice, as well as community nutrition, including developing and coordinating Kids in the Kitchen, and more recently, a Virtual Eating Disorders Support Program. She added CDE to her resume in 2017 and continues to support those living with diabetes in her community by normalizing food and movement as part of their diabetes management. She loves spending time outdoors with her spouse and three daughters and in the kitchen whipping up new recipes.

Jenna Walsh
RD, CDE

Chat with three RDs on three different, well-known eating patterns – keto/low carb, intermittent fasting, plant-based; a discussion of the basics of each regimen, the pros and cons, the research around outcomes and health/safety considerations

3:20 p.m.

Thank You & Wrap Up

Diversity Lounge

Indigenous

Supporting Indigenous Peoples Through Taking Back Control of Blood Sugars

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Rachel was born and raised in Prince Rupert, a small coastal town in Northern BC. She is of mixed ancestry; her mother immigrated from Hong Kong in 1978, and from her fathers’ side she is a member of La̱x Kw’alaams, a Ts’msyen Nation made up of 9 of the 14 Allied Tribes. She now currently has the privilege of living and working on the unceded ancestral homelands of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, colonially known as Tofino. Rachel works alongside the Nuu-chah-nulth Peoples as a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator and is currently employed by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with other Indigenous-led organizations, including ISPARC (Indigenous Sports and Recreation Council) and NIDA (National Indigenous Diabetes Association), who are actively promoting wellness through a decolonized lens. She recognizes that diabetes was rare in Indigenous communities prior to the 1940s and that the loss of land, legacy of residential schools, displacement, trauma, and racist policies have contributed to the disproportionate representation of diabetes in Indigenous communities. As an advocate for food sovereignty and social justice, she hopes to raise awareness around and dismantle some of the colonial and anti-Indigenous racist policies that impact Indigenous peoples’ access to traditional foods. Traditional foods not only provide nourishment for the body, but also for the mind and spirit through the harvesting and gathering, and connection to culture.

Rachel Dickens
Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator

Rachel will review what she has seen work and not work while working alongside Indigenous community members in their diabetes journey. She will provide case examples of how Indigenous Peoples living with diabetes have taken control of their diabetes through food and/or technology. She will also acknowledge the historic and ongoing effects of colonialism and how this continues to impact the lives of all Indigenous Peoples, specifically as it relates to their health and wellness.

Foot Care in Indigenous Communities

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Lindsey Cosh is the Foot Care Program Coordinator for the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC), formerly SOADI. She has been with IDHC since 2008 after graduating from Brock University and has enjoyed the many years of providing diabetes services to the Indigenous community.

She was raised on the north shores of Georgian Bay in a small Indigenous village of Shebahonaning, colonially known as Killarney, Ontario, and belongs to the Wahnapitae First Nation. She currently lives and works out of Sudbury. With both Scottish and Aanishnaabe ancestry, she spent most of her earlier years learning and living off the land. After attending and graduating Brock University, her journey took a new turn in providing the Indigenous community with diabetes prevention services through a holistic model of care. Her work involves collaborating with Diabetes Canada, Diabetes Action Canada, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), the National Indigenous Diabetes Association (NIDA), the First Nation Technical Institute (FNTI), Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Health Quality Ontario (HQO), Union of Ontario Indians (UOI), Wounds Canada, many of Ontario’s AHACs, Family Health Teams, Native Organizations, programs and health centres, and multiple healing and wellness leaders within the Indigenous community of Turtle Island.

Lindsey Cosh
Foot Care Program Coordinator, Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle

Learn more about principles of foot care from an Indigenous-centered point of view, including principles for prevention and management of complications.

Land, Air, Water, Sun: What Keeps Us Alive

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Kathleen LaForme is of both Mohawk of Six Nations and Mississaugas of New Credit First Nations. She is the mother of two daughters, a son, and is a grandmother. She is the Diabetes Wellness Coordinator for the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (formerly SOADI) South Region for 20 years. Kathleen has many family members and friends who are living with diabetes, and upon learning that diabetes was becoming an epidemic among Indigenous Peoples, knew that she had to do something to help stop this. She strives to do her best in promoting diabetes awareness and prevention among Indigenous Peoples not only through IDHC, but also among family, friends, and community.

Kathleen LaForme
Community Knowledge and Partnership Worker, Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle
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Crystal Bomberry is from the Mohawk Nation-Turtle Clan of the Haudenosaunee, and a proud community member of Six Nations of the Grand River First Nations Territory in Southern Ontario. She values her many family and community relationships, in addition to her role with the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle as a Community Knowledge and Partnership Worker since 2009. During this time and beyond, she has found great value and contentment in her work around diabetes prevention and holistic health promotion. With additional certifications in Personal Training, Healthy Eating, Yoga, and Mindfulness, she has a deep passion for promoting the profound benefits of engaging a holistically balanced lifestyle. The Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle approach combines Western diabetes knowledge with traditional wisdom and Indigenous influences.

Crystal Bomberry
Community Knowledge and Partnership Worker, Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle

This presentation explores the traditional and holistic wisdom gleaned from land, air, water, and sun, and how these principles can apply to diabetes management and overall health.

South Asian

Healthy Eating Tips for Busy Schedules

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Piraveena (Veena) Piremathasan is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, Certified Bariatric Educator and Certified Insulin Pump Trainer. She is a graduate from the McGill University and an active member of the Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec (ODNQ) and the College of Dietitians of Ontario (CDO).

Piraveena is passionate about improving access to nutrition and health education to people that come from many different backgrounds. As an Affiliate Member of the School of Human Nutrition, she gives lectures to McGill Dietetic students on Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety as well as Diabetes in Diverse Populations. She is the Co-Chair for the Mavis Verronneau Diabetes Canada Professional Chapter and as a Dietitian for the Montreal Tamil Health Initiative. She also delivers trilingual (English, French and Tamil) presentations on nutrition and diabetes to health professionals and the public across Canada.

Piraveena Piremathasan
RD, CDE, CBE, CPT

Sure, we're all busy! Our busy lifestyles can leave us little time for focusing on our physical well-being. In your daily routine, eating well may fall second in your priorities due to competing commitments and obligations. In addition to improving your nutritional health, eating well can also help you increase energy levels, reduce stress, improve immunity and so much more. During this session, we will discuss 5 tips for prioritizing healthy eating habits for people with busy schedules!

Cooking with Plant Proteins – How to Sprout Mung Beans

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Vidhi Agrawal is a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. Vidhi has over 20 years of experience working as a Registered Dietitian in various hospitals as well as community settings. She has been working as Diabetes Dietitian educator for the Community Diabetes Education program of Ottawa for over 12 years. She has expertise in facilitating workshops on healthy eating for people living with type 2 diabetes. Vidhi is passionate about using evidence-based strategies to help clients in their healthy eating journey with diabetes.

Vidhi earned her bachelor's degree in foods and nutrition and post graduate diploma in public health and dietetics from Delhi University, India. She is regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario.

Vidhi has been volunteering with many South Asian seniors’ associations in Ottawa to provide culture-specific healthy eating tips and guidelines.

Vidhi Agrawal
RD, CDE

The presentation will start with discussing different kinds of beans and lentils available as a source of plant protein. It will explain the nutritional benefits of including them in our meals. There will be a demonstration on how to sprout mung beans, the nutritional benefits of sprouting, and different ways to include the sprouted mung beans in meals.

East & Southeast Asian

Connecting Nutrition with Physical Activity and Glycemic Control: An Asian Perspective

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Lillian has been practicing as a dietitian for over 6 years, working in spaces supporting individuals and communities living with diabetes across the lifespan. She was also a previous co-chair of the Diabetes Canada British Columbia Professional Membership Chapter. During her 2-year term, she facilitated multiple in-person and virtual learning opportunities spanning topics including physical activity, nutrition, cultural safety, virtual care, medication access, best practice updates and bringing lived experiences to the conversations of how healthcare professionals can best support folks in delivery of healthcare services. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University to better inform policy changes that will improve healthcare access and preventive care with a lens of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Lillian Yin
RD, CBE, CDE, MPH(c)

We will review briefly how food affects blood sugar and the non-insulin mediated pathway of physical activity that improves blood sugar management. Understanding the biology and mechanisms by which factors such as food and various kinds of activity affects blood sugars will provide a roadmap for identifying ways to manage your blood sugar better. Lillian will discuss three types of activity: aerobic, resistance and stretching, and why they are all important to improve metabolic health.

What should I eat? Filipino edition

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Krisel (Maria) Quiambao is a registered nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator with 10+ years of experience in the healthcare field. She is based in Mississauga, Ontario where she works for Trillium Health Partners, providing direct clinical services to people living with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Krisel also has experience providing consultative/subject matter expert services for companies in the diabetes space and is a contributor to Diabetes Canada’s various healthcare provider and patient education initiatives. She is passionate about advancing diabetes self-management support and education through using behaviour change principles while leveraging the use of technology.

Krisel Quiambao
BScN, RN, CDE

What should I eat?" seems to be the most common question all people have with diabetes, and it is especially challenging for Filipinos as there are not a lot of resources out there to help them with this in a culturally sensitive way. This presentation will highlight ways on how to make Filipino meals healthier and will help people gain knowledge on how to figure out if the changes they have made with their food is actually working for them to improve their diabetes.

Black/African/Caribbean

Afro Caribbean Bites - Carbs, Portions and More.

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Linda is a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Educator who has been providing diabetes and nutrition education/counselling for over a decade supporting clients with the management of type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, PCOS and other chronic diseases. She has conducted numerous nutrition and diabetes prevention/management workshops for different population groups in the community. In her private practice, she provides nutrition consultancy services for several organizations and clinics. She is a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario.

Linda Akuamoah-Boateng
MPhil. RD, CDE

Living with diabetes is challenging enough but living with diabetes as a black person in the further complicated by the lack of culturally appropriate healthy eating resources to support in the day-to-day management of the disease. Oftentimes people from the African Caribbean and other black communities feel like they can no longer consume their cultural foods once they get a diagnosis of diabetes. The session will provide an overview of culturally appropriate carbohydrate foods, how much to eat and how to incorporate these foods as part of a healthy diet in the management of diabetes. In addition, we will be sharing recipes utilizing some common food items in these communities.

Physical Activity and Type 2 Diabetes

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My name is Juliet Opoku BSCN, RN, CDE, CBE. Mother of four children aged 9-15 years old. I graduated from Queen’s University. I have been a registered nurse for 18 years and worked across North America in many disciplines of nursing from cardiac, oncology, medicine, medical-surgical, diabetes care and bariatric health.

I am a full-time certified diabetes educator and certified bariatric educator at Unison Health and Community Services in Toronto, Ontario.

I am a health promoter and specialize in chronic illness management through my health and wellness company, Living A Balance Life Inc.

I am the health lead and Vice President of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO). As VP, I oversee, and coordinate operations with community leaders and members to provide resources for the Ghanaian community in Ontario and beyond.

Through Living a Balance Life Inc., I collaborate with organizations in partnership to allocate health, wellness, and social resources to improve the lives of Ghanaians in the community.

I provide counselling to the community in group education sessions and to individuals.

I provide health education through many avenues to the African communities in Ontario by volunteering my expertise and services to educate both in-person as well as through many social media channels. Increasing access across geographical areas to improve the lives of people.

I provide health and wellness education through my website at livingabalancelife.com and YouTube channel: Living A Balance Life with Julie Oo

Juliet Opoku
BScN, RN, CDE, CBE

If you have type 2 diabetes, it means that your body either doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't use what it does produce, properly. This can lead to high blood sugar (glucose) levels that if not manage properly, can lead to complications that can be dangerous to your health.

Getting regular Physical activity is an essential part of managing type 2 diabetes as it helps to control blood sugar (glucose) levels.

Keeping good control of your blood sugar (glucose) levels helps to prevent serious complications of diabetes such as

• Cardiovascular Disease (heart disease and higher risk of stroke)
• Diabetes Nephropathy kidney disease that may lead to dialysis
• Diabetes Retinopathy: eye disease (diabetes is a leading cause of adult blindness)
• Diabetes Neuropathy: nerve damage and Diabetic Foot Ulcers can lead to risk of amputation
• Impotence: problems with erection
• Mental illness: mental confusion.

The content in the presentation will provide the essential educational information on physical activities benefits in prevention and management of type two diabetes and its complications.

Men’s health

Resilience with a New Diabetes Diagnosis

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Rob Vanstone has been employed in his hometown at the Regina Leader-Post since 1986. Over the past 35-plus years, he has written about sports of all sorts — with a focus on the Saskatchewan Roughriders (football) and Regina Pats (hockey) — in addition to staffing two Olympics (2008, 2010) and writing a number of books on the side. His fourth book, on the history of maskless goaltenders in the National Hockey League, is to be released in the fall of 2023. Rob and his wife, Chryssoula, are the proud parents of an adorable rescue dog, Candy, whose arrival in their home was a wonderful reward after a traumatic year that included the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Rob Vanstone
Sports editor/sports columnist, Regina Leader-Post

What led to my diabetes diagnosis and what steps were taken to deal with it. The diagnosis initially felt like a death sentence, but it actually led to a rebirth of sorts.

Women’s health

Pregnancy in T2 – Hopes and Fears, Challenges and Considerations

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Dr. Yamamoto is an endocrinologist and clinician researcher at the University of Manitoba. In addition to her clinical training, she completed an MSc in Clinical Epidemiology and furthered a one-year research fellowship at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. Dr. Yamamoto holds the Henry G. Friesen Professorship in Endocrinology at the University of Manitoba and national funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research and Diabetes Canada. Her clinical work and research focus on diabetes preconception, during pregnancy and postpartum.

Dr. Jennifer Yamamoto
MD, MSc, FRCPC

This presentation will provide an overview of current challenges and considerations in type 2 diabetes in pregnancy. It will also discuss hopes and strategies to improve the care of pregnant people living with type 2 diabetes moving forward.

Managing Menopause with Type 2 Diabetes

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Gail is a clinical nurse specialist and a certified diabetes educator with over 30 years of experience in a variety of clinical and educational settings. She is a passionate advocate for the highest quality of education and support for all people with diabetes and all health care professionals involved in diabetes care. Her publications and research interests focus on innovative care delivery methods and novel educational models. Gail has served on the past two Clinical Practice Guidelines committees (2013, 2018) and has been honoured with several awards, including educator of the year and the Charles H. Best award. She is an active volunteer with Diabetes Canada and is a past co-chair of the Diabetes Canada national conference. Gail currently works as an education consultant.

Gail MacNeill
BNSc, RN, MEd, CDE

It is a natural health phenomena, yet one many women would prefer to skip over. Menopause can be challenging for most women but even more so for those who have type 2 diabetes. In this discussion today, we will take a brief look at what is happening to our body during the stages of menopause and what we can expect to experience during these years. We will discover the interplay between the symptoms of diabetes and the symptoms of menopause. But the majority of our discussion will focus on how we can effectively live a healthy life both emotionally and physically during these years and beyond.

LGBTQIA+ health

Supporting Transgender People Living with Diabetes

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Raymond Fung is head of division of endocrinology at Michael Garron Hospital, affiliated with the University of Toronto. He has a special interest in endocrinologic aspects of trans care. He is actively involved in educating residents and physicians about trans care and involved in special research projects related to trans care.

Dr. Raymond Fung
Endocrinologist, MD

This presentation will introduce concepts of gender and gender identity. It will help the audience deepen their understanding of how to support trans and gender diverse people. Lastly, a brief description of gender affirming hormone therapy will be given.

Overlapping Needs: Transgender with Diabetes

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Cale is a trans, non-binary person who has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 19 years. They recently completed their undergraduate degree in social development studies, specializing in social work. Cale got involved with Diabetes Canada through being a participant and staff member at the Ontario D-Camps. They are a passionate advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples in both camping and medical spaces.

Cale Allen
Lived Experiences Trans and T1D

Throughout this discussion, Cale will touch on their experiences in an adult endocrinology setting as a transgender person living with diabetes who started seeking medical transition care five years ago. As both diabetes and hormone therapy treatment are overseen by endocrinologists, Cale expected this to be a relatively easy addition to their care. Five years and three endocrinologists later, they have plenty of challenges to reflect on and use to initiate conversations about navigating the overlapping needs for transgender patients living with diabetes.

Exhibitor Tradeshow

Diabetes Canada

Medtronic

Abbot

Pharmasave

Dexcom

Roche Diabetes Care

Egg Farmers of Canada

Games & Prizes

Gift Card x1

Gift Card x1

Amazon Canada

Value: $150
Gift Card x1

Gift Card x3

Pharmasave

Value: $100
Gift Card x1

Gift Card x1

President's Choice

Value: $100

Gift Card x1

Gift Card x1

Amazon Canada

Value: $50
Gift Card x1

Gift Card x4

Pharmasave

Value: $50

Sponsors & Donors

Have questions?

Check out our FAQ page!

Event Advisory Committee

A special thanks to our: Let’s End Diabetes Type 2 Conference advisory committee for sharing their time and expertise to help create this educational event

Disclaimer: “As a participant in this virtual conference, you hereby acknowledge and agree to the following terms: Diabetes Canada (DC) in no way sponsors or endorses the information shared or presented amongst presenters. Any products and or services presented are in no way promoted or endorsed by DC or its affiliates. Diabetes care and dietary recommendations are strictly for discussion purposes and a physician should be consulted to determine appropriate care tailored to your needs. Any information presented during this event should not be recorded or published, including shared on any social media platforms or any forum outside the virtual conference whatsoever. Sharing this information is prohibited and remains the intellectual property of Diabetes Canada and its affiliates”. DC reserves the right to vary any of the speakers, topics or times without further notice.

The Let’s End Diabetes virtual conference contains links to external websites that are not provided or maintained by or in any way affiliated with Diabetes Canada. Please note that Diabetes Canada does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information on these external websites. You agree that should you decide to use any links to any third party websites referenced or linked from the Let’s End Diabetes, you do so at your own risk. You further agree that your use of such third party website shall be subject to the terms and conditions and privacy policies of such third party websites

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This is an online virtual event. You do not have to travel to any specific location. You can participate from the comfort of your own home or anywhere that you have internet access. The event is accessible via your desktop, laptop computer, mobile and tablet device. Wherever possible, we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for the best user experience.

This is a one-day event which will go LIVE on Saturday, October 22, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

The event is designed for adults and youth living with type 2 diabetes. It is also a great source of information for those supporting someone with type 2 diabetes (i.e., spouse, child, caregiver, etc.).

Yes, please register via the “REGISTRATION” tab. At this time, you will be asked to provide your personal information. After registering, you should receive an email within 24 hours, confirming you’ve been registered, along with a link to the October 22nd live event platform. At that time, you will need to enter your email (same as the one entered during registration) to gain access.

Using your login credentials (this is your email), you can log in as soon as the event goes live on October 22, 2022 at 10:00 a.m EDT. Once you log in you will be taken to the virtual lobby and will be able to view welcome and instructional videos on how to navigate our virtual conference. You will receive a virtual conference bag which will include a detailed program, as well as additional diabetes related information from our sponsors.

Much like an in-person conference, you will be able to watch presentations in the virtual auditorium and participate in Q&A sessions. There is also an interactive tradeshow where you can visit a variety of diabetes related exhibits and ask questions of company representatives via chat box or schedule a call to speak with a representative.

We will also have an area called the Diversity Lounge where you can view a variety of fantastic educational videos. Some of these will include cooking and fitness demonstrations. Check out the Diversity Lounge tab for more details on topics and hosts.

To add a little more fun to your day, we are also including gamification (i.e. a virtual scavenger hunt, leaderboard) where you can earn points for a chance to win prizes. For more information, visit the Games & Prizes tab.

Virtual events bring the experience of an in-person conference to your personal computer, so just like an in-person conference, you have the freedom to pick the sessions you attend. But many say that attending the event in its entirety will help you get the most out of the experience. You will be able to log into the event until January 22, 2023 to watch presentations, visit the exhibitor tradeshow, and watch or download any information. After 3:31 p.m. EDT on October 22, 2022 you will not be able to chat with booth representatives.

No, the event is complimentary!

No, you do not need to download or install any software to participate in our conference. Nor do you need a webcam to take part. You only need to have access to the internet.

For any technical assistance, please contact letsenddiabetes2@getvfairs.io OR visit our virtual Help Desk depicted in the internal lobby and a vFairs representative will be available to help you.

Accessibility

The vFairs platform includes the following accessibility features:

  • Ability to increase or decrease font size

  • Read-speaker

  • Colour contrast mode

Privacy

Diabetes Canada has contracted vFairs to manage registrations for this virtual conference. vFairs is committed to constantly ensuring the use of the latest state-of-the-art technology and procedures at its disposal to guarantee the security of the data hosted. vFairs will comply with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Model Code and will not use or disclose any person information or data otherwise than in strict accordance with the code.
Contact us via email at info@diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464) and our call centre staff will get back to you in 1-2 business days.

Contact us via email at info@diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464) and our call centre staff will get back to you in 1-2 business days.