Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov
OPENING PLENARY SPEAKER
THURS. OCTOBER 12, 2023
Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov is a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and a Senior Scientist at CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute. His research in palliative care has resulted in more than 300 career publications, broaching, broaching diverse topics such as depression, quality-of-life, suicide, vulnerability, spirituality, and existential distress.
He has also led a large program of research on dignity within the healthcare setting, which includes the creation and study of Dignity Therapy. He is the co-founder of the Canadian Virtual Hospice, co-editor of The Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine (Oxford University Press). His latest book is entitled Dignity in Care: The Human Side of Medicine, published by Oxford University Press. He is an Officer in the Order of Canada, and an inductee into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Dr. Hsien Seow
Dr. Sammy Winemaker
PLENARY SPEAKERS
FRI. OCTOBER 13, 2023
Dr. Hsien Seow, PhD, is the Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Health System Innovation and an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, McMaster University. His research focuses on evaluating health policy and education interventions and improving care for patients and families facing serious illness.
Dr. Samantha Winemaker, MD, CCFP(PC), FCFP, is an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, in the Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University. She teaches palliative care to health care professionals and has won numerous awards for excellence in palliative medicine.
Dr. Winemaker and Dr. Seow are co-hosts of The Waiting Room Revolution podcast and co-authors of the book ‘Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 keys for navigating a life-changing diagnosis.’
Dr. Kathryn Mannix
CLOSING PLENARY SPEAKER
SAT. OCTOBER 14, 2023
Kathryn trained in general internal medicine and then moved sideways from training in medical oncology to develop her interest in palliative care. Before Palliative Medicine was an accepted medical speciality in the UK, she devised her own training scheme that included spending time in medical specialties associated with incurable long-term conditions (including a month in Canada), and also training as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. After appointment to a consultant post in 1995 she worked in hospices, patients’ own homes and led a busy palliative care service in a large teaching hospital, and she was regional lead clinician for palliative and end of life care in North East England.
Her research interests were in palliation of nausea and vomiting, and in the application of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in a palliative care setting. With CBT colleagues she devised and validated ‘CBT First Aid’ training for physical health practitioners, a training programme providing additional skills for helping patients with their difficult symptoms and situations.
Kathryn took early retirement in 2016 to campaign for better public understanding of dying. Her first book With The End In Mind was shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize, became a Sunday Times best-seller, and has been translated into 14 languages so far. Her second book, Listen: how to find the words for Tender Conversations, was published to critical acclaim in 2021.
