Schedule

Sponsored by: The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Decades after his death, Percy Onabigon—one of the many children who went missing due to the Indian Residential School and Indian healthcare system—is finally making his spiritual journey home. Claire Onabigon, Percy’s niece, will speak about her decades-long search to find Percy, and the heart wrenching reality of finally learning where he spent nearly two decades of his life, as well as the emotional process of bringing him home. Kelsey Anger, Reconciliation Department Director at Anishinabek Nation, will share how she supported the family with tracking down various documents pertaining to Percy's institutionalization, and discuss the challenges and opportunities for improvement relating to accessing institutional documents. This presentation will highlight the horrendous impact of colonial medical institutions and practices on First Nations, a legacy which is very much still alive today. To learn more about Percy’s journey home, check out these articles: “Decades after his death, family repatriates First Nation man's remains 1,200 km back home.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/percy-onabigon-remains-repatriated-residental-school-1.7525722 “Province to help repatriate remains of Long Lake #58 man who attended residential school.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/bringing-percy-onabigon-home-1.7315284 Speakers: Cortney Clark, Canadian Medical Association (Moderator) Kelsey Anger, Anishinabek Nation - Union of Ontario Indians Claire Onabigon, Long Lake #58 First Nation

• Meals
• Sponsored Session
• Breakfast Session

Generously sponsored by: Sanofi Objectives: By the end of this panel discussion, participants will be able to: Examine how misinformation and media narratives influence caregiver decision-making in pediatric immunization. Discuss system-level and frontline barriers affecting implementation of new immunization programs, including RSV prevention. Identify practical communication strategies to address uncertainty and strengthen trust in hospital and community pediatric settings. Recognize multidisciplinary approaches to supporting informed decision-making during rollout of new immunization initiatives. Speakers: Dr. Katharine Smart, Moderator Dr. Shazma Mithani, Panelist Tim Caulfield, PhD, Panelist

• Recorded Session
• Sponsored Session
• Breakfast Session

Generously sponsored by: BC Children's Hospital Foundation Children’s health and equity are crucial for all our futures. But how do we build a health creating system from current more reactive-based healthcare models that treat diseases rather than prevent them and improve health and wellbeing? In the UK we’re transforming health systems with these goals in mind. The CHILDS healthcare and research group is leading the way for healthcare that improves outcomes and equity for children, raising the standard of evidence for healthcare systems and policy. CHILDS uses a population health approach, embedded in a Learning Health System, to deliver impact and evidence for improving health and reducing inequalities. Keynote presenter: Ingrid Wolfe OBE, BSc, MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRCPCH, FFPH Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health Consultant in Paediatric Population Medicine Director, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London Director, King’s Health Partners’ Women and Children’s Health Deputy Chief Medical Officer (Population Medicine), Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT)

• Plenary Session
• Recorded Session
• Sponsored Session

Following her keynote, Dr. Wolfe will be joined by a panel of Canadian child health leaders to bring this vision of a Health Creating System home.Together, they will explore what it will take to move from a fragmented, reactive “sick care” system to an integrated, health-creating system in Canada—one that embeds learning into everyday practice, aligns care, research, and policy, and delivers better outcomes for all children and youth.This conversation will challenge assumptions, spotlight practical pathways forward, and ask a critical question: how do we not just treat illness—but intentionally design systems that help children thrive? Speakers / Panelists Dr. Ingrid Wolfe, King's College London Dr. Stelios Georgiades, McMaster University Dr. David Chaulk, Alberta Children's Hospital Rita Janke, RN, MSN Child Health BC To learn more about these speakers click here

• Plenary Session
• Recorded Session

• Meals

The Ontario Early Adversity and Resilience Framework advances child and youth health equity by addressing systemic and structural factors that increase exposure to early adversity. Using a public health and social-ecological lens, the framework prioritizes culturally responsive, evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches and strategies to reduce adversity and strengthen resilience in families and communities that supports coordinated, cross-sector, upstream action. Participants will learn about how the Framework was developed and implemented in Ontario including application of tools and resources to support communities across Canada to work together to address adversity, strengthen protective factors and build resilience. Presenter: Becky Warzin, Program Manager, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

• Concurrent Session

Healthcare systems are structured to serve patient and their families…well some patients and some families sometimes in the correct circumstances. This is a statement of fact that has driven a different path forward in Hamilton, Ontario. We asked how we could see the real boundaries of healthcare systems and figure out who is impacted by these boundaries to make change. The Family Check-Up and The GO Clinic are two healthcare reforms at different stages of clinical translation, that are pushing health systems to meet the needs of children, youth and their families through unique developmental and mental healthcare services. Presenters: Dr. Terry Bennett, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, McMaster Children’s Hospital Dr. Kassia Johnson, MD, FRCPC - Developmental Pediatrician, McMaster Children’s Hospital Dr. Irene Drmic, PhD - Clinical Director MiCare Extensive Needs Service, McMaster Children’s Hospital

• Concurrent Session

Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) is a fundamental human right for those in need. In Canada, there are an estimated 80,000 Canadian infants, children, and youth facing serious illness, many with fragmented support. This workshop introduces Canada’s Core Care Pathway for Pediatric Palliative Care—a roadmap nationally co-designed with families and healthcare professionals to support the journey from diagnosis through bereavement. Aligned with the Core Care Pathway, participants will also explore the National PPC Resource Hub, gaining access to bilingual clinical tools covering a range of topics from building a network of care, to evidence-based symptom management, to supporting the healthcare workforce. Join us to mobilize resources that can reach every living room in Canada, ensuring equitable, compassionate support for every child. Presenter: Dr. Dave Lysecki (he/him), MD, FRCPC, Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University and the Division Head for Pediatric Palliative Medicine

• Concurrent Session

In this session, we will discuss a pilot project that occurred in Fort Providence, Northwest Territories. Hybrid allied health services were provided in collaboration with staff from DehGah Elementary and Secondary School and KCo Health. The focus was to improve children’s access to developmental and educational supports; build capacity among community members, educators and caregivers; and deliver culturally relevant, community-based care aligned with local priorities. The approach was rooted in Dene traditions, language and knowledge. We will review outcomes and explore ways for other communities with limited access to allied health services to increase their capacity to support student success. Presenters: Erin Klein, KCo Health Inc. Katie Scozzafava, KCo Health Inc.

• Concurrent Session

This interactive session shares practical strategies used by parent partners, clinicians, and researchers in Alberta to co‑develop a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) family experience measure. Through shared governance, reflective practice, adaptive roles, and nurturing reciprocity, our team advanced meaningful partnership and ensured family expertise shaped the work. Attendees will explore how to 1) establish governance structures that support authentic collaboration, 2) adapt workflows, 3) address dissent constructively, 4) use reflection to strengthen shared understanding, and 5) foster long‑term, trust‑based partnerships. Participants will also understand how early involvement of family perspectives enhances both the definition and evaluation of high‑quality healthcare. Presenters: Elsa Fiedrich, MD, Neonatologist, Alberta Health Services Christine Johns, PhD, Parent Partner, Alberta Health Services

• Concurrent Session

Generously sponsored by: SickKids Foundation Join us as we celebrate outstanding achievements that are transforming child and youth healthcare across Canada. This luncheon recognizes individuals, teams, and organizations whose innovative efforts are driving measurable impact, advancing equity, and improving outcomes for children, youth, and families. Enjoy a meal while connecting with colleagues and honouring this year’s award recipients as we highlight excellence, leadership, and forward-thinking solutions in our community.

• Meals
• Recorded Session
• Sponsored Session

Explore a diverse range of poster presentations highlighting innovative research, programs, and practices from across the child and youth health community. Poster presenters will be on hand to share insights, discuss emerging evidence, and engage in conversation. Join us during the Poster Session for a special book signing with Dr. Alika Lafontaine, one of Canada’s leading voices in healthcare leadership and system transformation. Dr. Lafontaine will be signing copies of his nationally bestselling new book, The Outrage Cure, which has quickly earned widespread praise and recognition as a top Canadian release. Drawing on personal experience and years of leadership in Canadian healthcare, The Outrage Cure explores how empathy, curiosity, and connection can help bridge divides in an increasingly polarized world. Stop by to meet Dr. Lafontaine, pick up a signed copy, and continue the conversation shaping the future of child and youth health in Canada.

Generously sponsored by: Ronald McDonald House Canada Stories from families often spark the most powerful moments of learning in healthcare—but how do we ensure those stories influence what health systems actually measure and prioritize? In this session, parent partners will share brief personal stories that highlight key moments in their family’s healthcare journey. These narratives will serve as the starting point for a conversation about translating lived experience into meaningful indicators of quality, access, safety, and partnership in care. Panelists and participants will explore how healthcare organizations can move beyond traditional metrics to incorporate measures that reflect what families value most—trust, communication, partnership in decision-making, continuity of care, and system navigation. The discussion will highlight practical approaches for embedding family-informed measures into quality improvement, evaluation, and system transformation efforts. Session Objectives Participants will: Hear lived-experience stories that illuminate what matters most to children, youth, and families in healthcare Explore how storytelling can inform the development of meaningful patient- and family-centered measures Identify practical approaches for integrating family-informed metrics into quality improvement and system design Reflect on how health organizations can better partner with families to define and measure success

• Plenary Session
• Recorded Session
• Sponsored Session

Generously sponsored by: Shriners Hospital for Children Canada Step into an evening of connection and celebration at Bank & Baron , a standout downtown Calgary venue set within the historic former Bank of Nova Scotia building on iconic Stephen Avenue. Originally built in 1930 and now a vibrant urban pub and event space, Bank & Baron blends storied heritage with lively atmosphere. Enjoy live entertainment, great company, and memorable conversations as we unwind together in one of the city’s most unique settings. 125 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1B4

• Sponsored Session
• Social & Offsite Events