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Register now for the 2024 Northwest SPOR Collaborative Forum on Patient-Oriented Research (POR), hosted by the Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit. We are returning to a spring conference as we Reflect, Reimagine, Refresh: The Future of POR. The Collaborative Forum will be held in-person in Calgary, Alberta from May 23-24, 2024. A live stream will be available. The event will include plenary panel sessions, workshop presentations, networking activities, a poster session, highlighted oral abstract presentations, and much more!
Dates: Thursday, May 23 – Friday, May 24, 2024
Location: Best Western Plus Village Park Inn, Calgary AB
Live Stream Available
This year’s conference theme, Reflect, Reimagine, Refresh: The Future of Patient-Oriented Research (POR), will celebrate the many successes of patient-oriented research while innovating for the future. Our expert speakers and engaging workshops offer conference attendees the opportunity to explore a range of topics related to the use of a patient-oriented approach to health research, including:
We are proud to announce Dr. Mahadeo Sukhai and Adam Brown as keynote speakers for the 2024 Collaborative Forum.
Day 1 Keynote Address: Dr. Mahadeo Sukhai, PhD
Dr. Mahadeo Sukhai is the world’s first congenitally blind geneticist. Mahadeo is Vice-President Research and International Affairs and Chief Accessibility Officer for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Dr. Sukhai is a leading expert on accessibility of graduate and postdoctoral research training in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and healthcare disciplines.
Dr. Sukhai is the Chair of the Employment Technical Committee for Accessibility Standards Canada, as well as the External Co-Chair of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Expert Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Systemic Ableism. In his role at CNIB, Mahadeo leads a significant research program focused on social determinants of health and inclusion for people living with sight loss in Canada. As Chief Accessibility Officer, Mahadeo also leads organizational culture change initiatives on accessibility and inclusion for CNIB. Dr. Sukhai also co-founded the International Network of Visually Impaired Researchers and their Allies, and is serving as its inaugural Secretary.
Day 2 Patient Partner Presentation: Adam Brown
Adam Brown was diagnosed in 2015 with tongue cancer. Adam faced the challenges of being a cancer patient as he underwent 2 surgeries, 30 bouts of radiation, and extensive rehabilitation. Building on his own experiences, Adam volunteers with both AHS’s Cancer and Pan Strategic Clinical Networks striving to improve care for other patients, contributing to peer-reviewed research and ensuring the patients view is heard and respected. In his 8th year as a AHS patient advisor he has delivered countless presentations and knowledge translation in the broadest definition of the term. He mentors new volunteers and is a tireless contributor to the cancer community and seeks to engage across the continuum to enhance the patient experience.
This year, along with our keynote speakers, workshops, lightning talks and panels, we are excited to feature new and exciting programming including:
Click here to view our complete 2-day program. (subject to change)
Whether held in-person, virtually, or both, our annual conference provides inclusive capacity development opportunities in patient-oriented research (POR) towards the shared goals of increased access to high-quality health care and improved patient outcomes. This event is open to researchers, students, clinicians, patients and caregivers, health-system professionals, policymakers, and more.
The conference provides opportunities for:
Each year our conference integrates Alberta-focused content and activities alongside programming delivered collaboratively with our POR partners across Western Canada. Through this, we aim to engage audiences with diverse perspectives and experiences, to enhance the conference impact for everyone.
Through a combination of keynote speakers, expert panel discussions, interactive workshops, poster presentations, and networking opportunities, conference attendees will:
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University of Calgary Foothills Campus
3330 Hospital Dr NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N1
College Plaza
1702, 8215 112 St NW
Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8
The Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit operates on and acknowledges the lands that are the traditional and ancestral territory of many peoples, presently subject to Treaties 6, 7, and 8. Namely: the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, and the Tsuu T’ina Nation and the Métis People of Alberta. This includes the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We make this acknowledgment as a reaffirmation of our shared commitment towards reconciliation, and as part of AbSPORU’s mandate towards fostering health system transformation.
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