Lecture Series 4 - Health and Medicine in the 21st Century

Mar 2 to Apr 6, 2023


From a global pandemic to the therapeutic use of recreational drugs, the 21st century has presented us with new health care challenges and changing approaches to prevention and treatment.

This series explores questions vital to us all:  Is our mental health system in crisis? How do we adapt to pandemics? What is the role of auxiliary practitioners and pathologists (coroners)? Are drugs such as cannabis useful in therapy?  What is the experience of a person living with disabilities?



Series Coordinators:
Dr. John Van Dorp
Joan Irvine
Diane MacIntyre
Jim Martin

Next Generation Vaccine Strategies to Prevent Future Pandemics

  • Date: Thursday March 2, 2023
  • Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location: Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound
  • Zoom re-play: 7:00 pm March 7 

    The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the challenges associated with attempting to control pandemics after they emerge, even with the development and approval of highly effective vaccines with unprecedented speed and efficiency. To avoid future human and economic devastation inflicted by pandemics, a new vaccine paradigm is required. Recent immunological insights have raised hopes that development of broadly protective vaccines capable of preventing pandemics before they emerge may be a possibility. In this lecture, we will discuss next-generation vaccine strategies designed to prevent future pandemics. 

    Lecturer - Dr. Matthew Miller 

     

    Dr. Miller is Director of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research at McMaster University, and Canada Research Chair in Viral Pandemics. He has served on the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) since December 2020, as well as several national pandemic committees.

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    Physiotherapy: an Active Partner in Health

    • Date:Thursday, March 9, 2023
    • Time: 10:00 AM -12:00 PM
    • Location: Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound
    • Zoom re-play:  7:00 pm March 14 

    Though a relative newcomer to the healing arts, the practice and clinical science of physiotherapy has had a surprising range of influences. Generously illustrated by clinical and personal anecdotes, this talk will touch on these influences, describe current established and novel approaches to wellness and look ahead to challenges and therapies of the future.

    Lecturer - Ian Stewart

     

    Ian Stewart grew up in the Owen Sound area and has worked as a public sector physiotherapist for the last 35 years. Apart from forays to Canada's West and North Coast, his professional career has played within Grey and Bruce counties.

     

     

     

     

     

    Canada’s Mental Health Pandemic: How Did We Get Here and How Do We Move Forward?

    • Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
    • Time: 10:00 AM -12:00 PM
    • Location: Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound
    • Zoom re-play:  7:00 pm March 21

    With increasing levels of anxiety and depression, flooded emergency rooms, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate and economic uncertainty and minimal infusion of additional resources, is the mental health of Canadians at a tipping point? Jenny will offer a brief history of mental health treatment, present data on the current prevalence and impacts of mental health challenges and illustrate a framework for understanding mental health and mental illness. She will highlight the disproportionate impact of mental health challenges on equity-seeking populations and introduce innovative approaches to addressing the mental health ‘pandemic’. Her session will integrate science, experience from 40 years in the mental health 'system' and voices of those with lived experience.

    Lecturer - Jenny Carver

    Jenny Carver was the co-founder of Stella's Place, an innovative, community-based young adult mental health organization in Toronto. From 30+ years in the mental health sector as a leader in clinical services, research, program and system design, she brings an informed, social justice-based perspective to the mental health conversation.

    Living Well With Disabilities

    • Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
    • Time: 10:00 AM -12:00 PM
    • Location: Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound
    • Zoom re-play:  7:00 pm March 28 

    Note: The lecturer will not be present in-person at the Bayshore Community Centre.  His presentation will be done over Zoom and projected on the auditorium's screens.

    Building bridges of understanding starts with being better informed. Hear a unique, first-hand perspective on disabilities. Become aware of the challenges and potential of those living with disabilities and discover the difference you can easily make in the life of another. Learn how to see the Ability in disAbility.   

     

    Lecturer - Matthew Corkum

     

    Matthew has pushed the limits to prosper in a wide range of environments regardless of living with Spastic cerebral palsy and achieved a PhD in atmospheric science. With a passion for inclusion, he sits on the City of Calgary's Advisory Committee on Accessibility and his bicycle is his Freedom vehicle.

     

     

     

     

     

    Why Do We Investigate Deaths?

    • Date: Thursday, March 30, 2023
    • Time: 10:00 AM -12:00 PM
    • Location: Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound
    • Zoom re-play:  7:00 pm April 4 

    Two of our local health professionals have teamed up to give us a lecture on the role of the Coroner and pathologist in the investigation into deaths in Ontario. What is the process? Can an autopsy delay a family’s plans for a funeral? What are the benefits of this system?

    Dr. John Van Dorp is a family physician and an investigating Coroner for the Ontario Coroners Office and Dr. Ken Newell is a Pathologist providing diagnostic services at GBHS and performs post mortem examinations for the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. Together they’ll give you an understanding of the death investigation system in Ontario and why this process is so important.

    Lecturers - Dr. Ken Newell and Dr. John Van Dorp

    Dr. Ken Newell completed his Ph.D at the University of Toronto in Medical Biophysics (1991) in cancer research. He subsequently obtained his medical degree from McMaster University (1996) followed residency training in General Pathology (2001). Dr. Newell provides pathology consultation services at the Grey Bruce Health Services.
     

     

      

     

     Dr. John Van Dorp has been a family doctor in Wiarton since 1984 and a coroner since 2004. He was previously a missionary doctor in Nigeria for 6 years. Now semi-retired, he continues as a long term care physician and coroner. Other interests include books, carpentry, astronomy and travel.

     

     

     

     

    Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain

    • Date: Thursday, April 6, 2023
    • Time: 10:00 AM -12:00 PM
    • Location: Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound
    • Zoom re-play:  7:00 pm April 11 

    Medical cannabis is increasingly used for the management of chronic pain; however, guidelines regarding use are inconsistent and contradictory. Some recommend use, others for select types of chronic pain only, and others recommend against use of cannabis altogether. This talk will review the current evidence for the benefits and harms of medical cannabis and chronic pain, and the recommendations from a recent clinical practice guideline that considered this information as well as patients' values and preferences.


    Lecturer - Jason Busse

     

    Jason Busse is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesia and Director of the National Pain Centre. He was the principle investigator for a 2021 guideline on medical cannabis or cannabinoids for chronic pain and holds a Canada Research Chair in the Prevention and Management of Chronic Pain.