Conference Full Agenda
Check out our conference agenda to see the incredible lineup of speakers you’ll have the chance to learn from. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from experts in the field!
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Time
7:00 – 8:30 a.m.
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Session
Registration
Breakfast and Networking
Welcome - Michelle Hoad
8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
Session: Jean-François Ménard – Train (Your Brain) Like an Olympian
Sponsored by Roche Diagnostics
The workplace has changed drastically in recent years. Mental strength is no longer just an asset in performing at your best, it is a necessity.
Key takeaways:
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How to build an Olympic-inspired internal drive;
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Performance techniques in high-pressure situations;
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Mindsets for self-improvement.
People with a good attitude choose to be open-minded. They embrace challenges with a desire to succeed. The right attitude attracts success!
Key takeaways:
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Maintain focus in a distracting workplace;
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Learn to bounce back from setbacks;
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Develop robust self-confidence.
Jean François Ménard is an expert in mental training and leadership coaching. His clients are proven winners: Olympic gold medalists, Cirque du Soleil artists, Super Bowl and X Games champions, NHL players, surgeons, popstars, and corporate leaders.
He is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of performance psychology. While doing his PhD in Sports Psychology at the University of Ottawa, M. Ménard decided to join the world-famous entertainment company Cirque Du Soleil. In collaboration with a highly specialized multidisciplinary team, his mission was to coach circus artists the mental skills required to deal with pressure and perform at their best consistently, on demand, up to 450 times a year.
Five years later, he founded Kambio Performance, a company specialized in mental training and leadership coaching. Over the years, he’s become one of the most sought-after mental performance coaches in North America. During the last 4 Olympic Games, the athletes coached by M. Ménard won 18 medals for Canada. He is a bestselling author, a radio personality, and an accomplished speaker who shares his knowledge with elite organizations like the FBI, NASA, RedBull, PepsiCo and Toronto Blue Jays.
9:45 – 10:15 a.m.
Energy Break/Book Signing
10:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Session: Patrick Nelson and Michelle Hoad - An Update on Advocacy and Politics in Ontario
This session will provide an overview of the political landscape in Ontario and an update on the progress being made with the provincial government related to the health human resources shortage of MLTs.
Patrick Nelson, Managing Partner, Santis Health
At Santis, Patrick helps health care organizations
adapt to the changing health care environment,
influence government policy and improve their
engagement with members and stakeholders.
Patrick has expertise in strategic communications,
government relations, public affairs and board
governance. Prior to joining Santis, Patrick served
Corporate Affairs at the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), the voice of the province’s 34,000 physicians. Over almost ten years, he led the OMA through several strategic communications campaigns, a comprehensive governance review, as well as a major rebranding of the organization. Under his tenure, member satisfaction with the OMA doubled to a record high and, over the course of a five-month advocacy campaign, the profession witnessed a remarkable 12 per cent increase in public trust.
Patrick also worked in senior communications roles in the Ontario government, as an aide to Ontario’s Minister of Health and as Director of Communications to the Minister of the Environment and to the Minister of Education.
Michelle Hoad, CAE, CEO MLPAO
At Santis, Patrick helps health care organizations adapt to the changing health care environment, influence government policy and improve their engagement with members and stakeholder. Patrick has expertise in strategic communications, government relations, public affairs and board governance. Prior to joining Santis, Patrick served as the Executive Director of Public and
10:45- 11:15 a.m.
Session: Dr. Harriet Feilotter - Ontario Laboratory Medicine Program
Harriet Feilotter, PhD, FCCMG
Division Head, Genome Diagnostics,
Laboratory Medicine Program,
University Health Network
Professor (Adjunct), Department of Pathology
and Molecular Medicine, Queen’s University
Dr. Feilotter is the Division Head of the Genome Diagnostics program and lead of the Applied Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at UHN. She also maintains an adjunct professorship in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen’s University, and serves as Clinical Lead for Genetic Testing for Ontario Health. These interactions, as well as her role as Lead of the Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network (OMPRN) and Co-Lead for Implementation Science at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) allow her to engage broadly in education and research focused on bringing genomic biomarkers into clinical use.
11:15 – 12:00 p.m.
Session: Christine Bruce, John Tzountzouris, and Rosetta Belcastro – Micro-credential Panel Discussion
Join our panel of experts - Christine Bruce (UHN), John Tzountzouris (CMLTO) and Rosetta Belcastro (Michener) as they share information about the new micro-credentialling program at the Michener institute of Education. Learn more about why the micro-credential program was developed, its content, how individuals with the micro-credential can integrate into the workforce, and the role of the regulatory college.
Rosetta Belcastro,| LL.M., MIRHR, BSc.
Rosetta’s desire and commitment to healthcare spans over 20 years. During this time, she has co-authored over 40 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Rose has been a key member of the Laboratory Medicine Program (LMP) leadership team at UHN where she was the Senior Manager, Clinical Operations, Administrative and Research Services for Pathology. Rosetta graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Industrial Relations and Human Resources. Rosetta recently graduated with a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. In June 2023, Rosetta joined the team at Michener as the Academic Chair for the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program and is responsible for managing, monitoring and growing Michener’s academic programs.
Christine Bruce, MLT, MHA, PhD(c)
University Health Network, Senior Director, Laboratory Medicine
Executive Director, Lab Regionalization Northwestern ON
Strategic Lead - MLS, Michener Institute for Education
John Tzountzouris, MA, BSc, BHA, MLT, GSP Registrar & CEO, CMLTO
John is the Registrar & CEO at the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO). John is a registered medical laboratory technologist who spent the first decade of his career working in human molecular genetic testing. He has over 25 years of experience in medical laboratory technology, health services management, education and governance in the public sector. John holds undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry and Health Administration, a Masters in Public Policy and Administration and a professional designation as a Governance Systems Professional.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Session: Check-in with Michelle Hoad
1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Session: Kat Clewley – Building Resilience
Sponsored by Roche Diagnostics
Come prepared to stretch, move and learn! During this workshop, we will identify what resilience means to you, evaluate the 7 C’s of resilience and create an inspiring piece of art.
Kat's exuberant energy started at a young age. At age 6, her mom recalls her saying to a neighbourhood friend "Wanna race?!" which received a big "No thanks!" followed by Kat saying "What's wrong, don't you like to sweat?" Through many life experiences, careers and friends 'n family, Kat has learned “Life is not a race - but indeed a journey." ~Bonnie Mohr
That said, Kat has definitely sweat, many, many times! She is the world record holder in women’s retro running (running backwards) marathon as well as a marathon and ironman finisher. Kat has a BSc in business
administration, a teaching degree from Brock University and a Masters of Education in elementary education. She has a vast array of experience from a full day kindergarten teacher to the Manager of the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre, the owner of Hamilton Fitness Community, to her present role as a learning facilitator at Karis Disability Services.
4:00 – 4:15 p.m.
Session: Wrap Up and Closing Remarks - Michelle Hoad
4:15 – 6:00 p.m.
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Free Time
MLPAO Social Event – 80s Theme on the Island Queen
Sponsored by belairdirect
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Time
7:00 – 8:30 a.m.
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
8:30 – 9:15 a.m.
Session
Registration
Breakfast with Vendors
Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Awards Ceremony
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Session: Dr. Gino Somers – Wellbeing and Burnout in Laboratory Medicine: Learning to Surf
Burnout in healthcare has been a longstanding issue, gaining renewed attention since the Covid pandemic. Medical laboratory professionals are not exempt; a recent survey found burnout levels among Ontario MLTs to be as high as 72%. In this talk, Dr. Somers will discuss his efforts to prevent burnout and enhance wellbeing at an organizational level, focusing on the laboratory. He will share his personal struggles with burnout and outline practical steps you can take to improve your own wellness and wellbeing at work.
Gino R. Somers MBBS, BMedSci, PhD, FRCPA
Chief, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine;
Division Head, Pathology;
Physician Lead for Wellness;
Hospital for Sick Children
Professor and Vice Chair, LMP, University of Toronto
Dr. Somers is the Chief of the Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children, and Professor and Vice-Chair (Wellness) at the University of Toronto. Recognizing the need to better support colleagues in the medical field, Dr. Somers joined the peer support and trauma response team in 2018 and became Physician Wellness Officer in 2020. He is committed to promoting wellness throughout the hospital and is actively pursuing solutions to prevent burnout and enhance the wellbeing of healthcare workers by a combination of measurement, targeted solutions and advocacy. Dr. Somers has many years’ experience in medical leadership and is the current President of the International Paediatric Pathology Association. He has received both the Medical Staff Association’s Citizenship Award and the President’s Award from the Hospital for Sick Children.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Energy Break with Vendors
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Session: Dr. Matthew Cecchini - Lab 2.0: Unlocking Potential – How AI and Digital Pathology Can Empower Medical Laboratory Professionals
In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and digital pathology, exciting opportunities are emerging for medical laboratory professionals to shape the future of diagnostic medicine. This talk will delve into the fundamentals of AI and digital pathology, highlighting how these advancements are transforming the field. We will discuss how medical laboratory professionals can take on pivotal roles in driving innovation and seamlessly integrating these cutting-edge tools into clinical workflows.
Dr. Matthew J. Cecchini is an Associate Professor of
Pathology at Western University and a practicing
pathologist at London Health Sciences Centre. With
expertise in digital pathology and artificial intelligence,
Dr. Cecchini is leading initiatives to integrate advanced
technologies into diagnostic workflows, empowering
healthcare teams to deliver more efficient and accurate patient care. His work focuses on the development and implementation of clinically actionable AI tools, transforming pathology practice and creating new opportunities for medical laboratory professionals. Dr. Cecchini is passionate about fostering innovation, collaboration, and education to prepare laboratory professionals for the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
11:15 – 12:00 p.m.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Session: Annual General Meeting
Lunch with Vendors
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Session: Dr. Basem Gohar - Envisioning Change: A Solution-Focused Approach Towards the Retention of Hospital-based Medical Laboratory Technologists in Ontario
This qualitative study applied a solution-focused approach to help frontline, management, and senior leaders working in hospital-based labs across Ontario envision the necessary changes required to help retain medical laboratory technologists.
Basem Gohar, Assistant Professor,
Department of Population Medicine,
University of Guelph | Principal Investigator,
University of Guelph’s Research in Occupational
Health & Wellness (UGROHW) Lab |
Clinical Psychologist Carol Ibrahim, MSc student,
Department of Population Medicine,
University of Guelph |Lab member, UGROHW Lab
1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Session: Dr. Michael Knauer - Exploring New Horizons in Point-of-Care Testing: Enhancing Accessibility, Clinical Impact and Reliability
This session will explore the evolving landscape of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) in Ontario, focusing on how to assess the need for POCT within hospitals and expand its use to non-traditional settings. We will examine whether POCT offers a practical solution to the accessibility challenges and human resources issues currently facing laboratories, and discuss its potential to improve healthcare delivery.
Michael Knauer, PhD, FCACB
London Health Sciences Centre
London
Dr. Michael Knauer is certified as a specialist in
Clinical Biochemistry and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (FCACB). He is the Division Head of Biochemistry at London Health Science Centre and Section Head of the Core Laboratories and Point of Care Testing. During his time at LHSC, he has provided Medical Scientific Leadership throughout many projects including the Core Laboratory total lab automation transformation and the expansion of the Point of Care Testing programs.
Outside of LHSC, Dr. Knauer has provided support to regional partnering hospitals for both Core Laboratories and Point of Care Testing and has been involved with IQMH Scientific Committees and Canadian Society of Clinical Chemistry (CSCC) working groups on Point of Care testing, covid-19 serology, and laboratory utilization. In 2023, Dr. Knauer returned to the Ontario Society of Clinical Chemists (OSCC) Council and was appointed President of the OSCC for 2024-2026.
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Session: Dr. Shawn Clark – What’s Old is New Again: Advancements in Laboratory Testing for Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens
This presentation will discuss the current landscape of microbial pathogens of public health significance, highlight several of recent concern to Ontarians and discuss the provincial laboratory’s efforts to develop and support enhanced laboratory testing and surveillance.
University of Toronto where he studied the cystic fibrosis microbiome under the supervision of Dr. David Hwang and Dr. David Guttman. He later completed two research-based postdoctoral fellowships in antimicrobial resistance at the University of Toronto and the Postdoctoral training program in Clinical Microbiology in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Clark became a Fellow of the Canadian College of Microbiologists in 2023.
Dr. Shawn Clark is a Clinical Microbiologist at Public Health Ontario and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. At PHO, Dr. Clark oversees the genomics laboratory and diagnostic testing for arthropod-borne and zoonotic viruses. Dr. Clark received his BSc and MSc degrees from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and his PhD from the
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Energy Break with Vendors
3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
Session: Dr. Kris Cunningham – Frontiers in Forensic Pathology
An examination of modern forensic pathology with an emphasis on how advanced laboratory techniques facilitate death investigations.
Kristopher Cunningham, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Currently a Forensic and Cardiovascular Pathologist at Queen's University, past Deputy Chief Forensic Pathologist for the province of Ontario, director of the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS) Molecular Autopsy Program and Director of the Queen's undergraduate medicine Mechanisms of Disease course.
