October 21, 2020 Delivering virtual education to diabetes health-care providers

Toronto, ON. (October 21, 2020) - From October 28-30, 2020, Diabetes Canada and the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM) will hold their 23rd annual Professional Conference virtually, for the first time. Diabetes Canada shifted to an all-digital experience in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and will bring together top health-care professionals and scientists from across the country and around the world to share the latest research into the understanding, care and management of diabetes and other endocrine conditions.  

“It’s never been more crucial to support our health-care provider community with the latest research and resources to help them guide patient care,” says Laura Syron, President and CEO for Diabetes Canada. “This new online opportunity helps ensure diabetes health-care providers have access to professional development opportunities and expert speakers so they can continue delivering high-quality care. “ 

Speakers at the conference will cover a variety of topics to educate and inform health-care providers on the latest advances in diabetes prevention and treatment. This includes leading-edge research, diabetes and COVID-19, diabetes and mental health, DIY looping, telehealth and virtual care, type 2 diabetes prevention and lifestyle, using nutrition to achieve type 2 diabetes remission, and much more.

Highlights from this year’s conference include:

Wednesday, October 28:

•  Understanding siwinikan aspinewin ("Diabetes") and the whole human - Dr. James Makokis (AB) (Winner of   Amazing Race Canada 7)
• Diabetes and Mental Health: Never a Better Time to Expand Scope of Practice - Dr. Michael Vallis (NS)
• Exercise in a COVID Era – Dr. Jane Yardley (AB), Dr. Ronald Sigal (AB)
• Telehealth and Virtual Care – Dr. Jeff Winterstein (AB)
• DIY Looping – Kate Farnsworth (ON), Dr. Peter Senior (AB)
• Drugs in Pregnancy (metformin use / MiTY Trial) – Dr. Denice Feig (ON)
• Update on Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines – Dr. Peter Senior (AB), Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe (ON)

Thursday, October 29:

• COVID-19 and Diabetes – Dr. Alice Cheng (ON)
• Type 2 Diabetes Prevention and Lifestyle – Dr. Harpreet Bajaj (ON), Dr. Jon McGavock (MB)
• Islet Dysfunction – Dr. Patrick MacDonald (AB), Dr. Barbara Corkey (Boston, MA)
• Pediatric to Adult Diabetes Care Transition – Dr. Sonia Butalia (AB), Dr. Katie Pundyk (MB)
• Using Nutrition to Achieve Type 2 Diabetes Remission and Metabolic Health – Dr, Jon Little (BC), Dr. Satchin Panda (La Jolla, CA)

Friday, October 30:

• New Developments in Imaging for Endocrinologists - Prof. Dr. James Nagarajah (Netherlands)
• Genetic Testing in Daily Clinical Endocrinology Practice with a Focus on Diabetes – Dr. Andrew Hattersley (UK)
• Obesity Update (New Guidelines) – Dr. Sue Pedersen (AB)

To learn more about the event and view the entire program, please visit our website.

Media can attend sessions – please reach out for details. Interviews with select presenters can be arranged in advance or during the conference 

About Diabetes Canada’s Professional Conference
The 23rd annual Diabetes Canada and Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Professional Conference brings together diabetes clinicians, researchers and educators from across Canada and around the world to share their knowledge, ideas and innovations in diabetes. Although the conference will be virtual this year, attendees will still participate in provocative and engaging exchanges with leading diabetes experts. Learn more and register at diabetes.ca/professionalconference and join the conversation on social media using #DCAN2020.

About Diabetes Canada
Diabetes Canada is the registered national charitable organization that is making the invisible epidemic of diabetes visible and urgent. Diabetes Canada partners with Canadians to End Diabetes through:

•    Resources for health-care professionals on best practices to care for people with diabetes;
•    Advocacy to governments, schools, and workplaces; and
•    Funding world-leading Canadian research to improve treatments and find a cure.

For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).