Speakers / Panelists
-
Stroke related visual field defects
October 17, 2024 from 10:15am EST to 11:15am EST -
Osteoporosis Update: Reviewing the OC 2023 Clinical Practice
October 18, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 11:20am EST -
Medical Trivia
October 19, 2024 from 3:00pm EST to 4:00pm EST -
Prurigo Nodularis – A Multidisciplinary Disease
October 17, 2024 from 1:30pm EST to 2:30pm EST -
Lessons learned from international advocacy for the PA profession
October 18, 2024 from 8:30am EST to 10:00am EST -
Workshop: Rashes not to miss – Problem Based Learning
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Lessons learned from international advocacy for the PA profession
October 18, 2024 from 8:30am EST to 10:00am EST -
Lessons learned from international advocacy for the PA profession
October 18, 2024 from 8:30am EST to 10:00am EST -
Lightning Rounds
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Coast to Coast in Medical missions as a PA
October 18, 2024 from 1:40pm EST to 2:40pm EST -
Workshop: Suturing
October 19, 2024 from 1:20pm EST to 4:00pm EST -
Dual Diagnosis: Exploring Substance Use and Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Panel Discussion: PAs Innovating Healthcare
October 17, 2024 from 8:45am EST to 10:00am EST -
Workshop: Rashes not to miss – Problem Based Learning
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Calcaneal Avulsions, Fractures and Achille’s Tendon Rupture with a Unique Case
October 17, 2024 from 10:15am EST to 11:15am EST -
PAthways to Progress: Navigating the Evolution of Physician Associates in the UK
October 19, 2024 from 8:45am EST to 10:00am EST -
Empowering Primary Care: A Deep Dive into Buprenorphine/Naloxone Inductions
October 18, 2024 from 11:40am EST to 12:40pm EST -
Dual Diagnosis: Exploring Substance Use and Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Lightning Rounds
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Lightning Rounds
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Lessons learned from international advocacy for the PA profession
October 18, 2024 from 8:30am EST to 10:00am EST -
PAthways to Progress: Navigating the Evolution of Physician Associates in the UK
October 19, 2024 from 8:45am EST to 10:00am EST -
Lessons learned from international advocacy for the PA profession
October 18, 2024 from 8:30am EST to 10:00am EST -
Rare Case Cerebral Fat Embolism
October 18, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 11:20am EST -
All is Not Wells – Deep Dive on Pulmonary Embolisms
October 19, 2024 from 3:00pm EST to 4:00pm EST -
Understanding, Approaching, and Managing Obesity
October 17, 2024 from 11:30am EST to 12:30pm EST -
Tracheostomy 101
October 19, 2024 from 1:20pm EST to 1:40pm EST -
Human papilloma virus-related tonsil cancer – a primer on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
October 19, 2024 from 1:50pm EST to 2:10pm EST -
Lessons learned from international advocacy for the PA profession
October 18, 2024 from 8:30am EST to 10:00am EST -
Lightning Rounds
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Panel Discussion: PAs Innovating Healthcare
October 17, 2024 from 8:45am EST to 10:00am EST -
Death is NOT coming; getting comfortable wth DIC
October 17, 2024 from 11:30am EST to 12:30pm EST -
Medical Trivia
October 19, 2024 from 3:00pm EST to 4:00pm EST -
Panel Discussion: PAs Innovating Healthcare
October 17, 2024 from 8:45am EST to 10:00am EST -
Panel Discussion: PAs Innovating Healthcare
October 17, 2024 from 8:45am EST to 10:00am EST -
Intrauterine Contraception (IUC) Skills Workshop: A Practical Discussion with Hands-on Training
October 18, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:40pm EST -
From Prevention to Wound Management: Optimizing Outpatient Pediatric Burn Management
October 18, 2024 from 11:40am EST to 12:40pm EST -
At the Heart of Clinical Education: Tips and Techniques for PA Preceptors
October 18, 2024 from 1:40pm EST to 2:40pm EST -
Navigating a Thorough and Inclusive Sexual History
October 18, 2024 from 1:40pm EST to 2:40pm EST -
When going with the flow, is a no go. Approaches to abnormal uterine bleeding
October 19, 2024 from 1:20pm EST to 2:20pm EST -
Workshop: Rashes not to miss – Problem Based Learning
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Workshop: Rashes not to miss – Problem Based Learning
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST -
Lightning Rounds
October 19, 2024 from 10:20am EST to 12:20pm EST
Allen Szabon
Physician Assistant
Allen Szabon
Originally from Chilliwack BC, Allen has called Calgary home for the past decade. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1986 as a Combat Engineer recovering landmines and dismantling IEDs in Cyprus and Yugoslavia, and in 1994 he joined the medical branch as a medical technician. He served for 28 years with additional deployments to Rwanda, Israel, Syria, Turkey and three tours to Afghanistan. Allen graduated from the CAF PA program in 2007, and it was during his 3rd deployment to Afghanistan in 2011 when he completed his Master of PA studies from the University of Nebraska. Allen retired from the CAF in 2013 and accepted a position in Alberta’s PA Demonstration Project in Clinical Neurosciences at the Foothills Medical Centre in the city of Calgary where he currently works in stroke medicine.
Allen has been a proud member of CAPA in various capacities, serving as the “prairie region” chapter president in 2010/11, and he is an active member of the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC). In 2021, Allen graduated with a Doctorate in Medical Sciences from the University of Lynchburg, and in addition to this, Allen also holds a clinical teaching position with the University of Calgary where he is a professor for the MPAS program. When Allen is not in clinic or teaching, he likes to stay active through backpacking, flyfishing and spending time with friends and family.
Alison McIntyre
Physician Assistant
Alison McIntyre
Alison McIntyre is a dedicated physician assistant specializing in primary care at the Niagara Family Health Centre. Originally from London, Ontario, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Biological Science at the University of Guelph before graduating from McMaster University’s Physician Assistant Program in 2014. Her early experiences as a clinical preceptor ignited a deep passion for medical education, which led to her role as an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) in McMaster’s Department of Family Medicine. Within the McMaster Physician Assistant Education Program, she serves as a clinical skills instructor, family medicine tutor, and CRE coordinator.
In addition to her clinical and teaching roles, Alison is a board member of the Physician Assistants for Research, Scholarship, and Education in Canada (PARSEC), where she channels her enthusiasm into the professional development of physician assistants by contributing to CME content and fostering networking opportunities.
Beyond her professional life, Alison is an enthusiastic traveler, curler, and emerging tap dancer. She lives in St. Catharines, Ontario, with her husband, Ryan, and their beloved miniature dachshund, Rosy.
Andrew Baker
PA-C, MBA
Andrew Baker
Andrew graduated in 2012 from The University of Findlay PA program. Upon graduation, he worked in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at an academic hospital and was trained with Plastic Surgery residents. He has since accrued over 7 years of experience working in Dermatology. At his medical and surgical Dermatology clinic, Andrew manages patients with inflammatory skin diseases and utilizes the most innovative treatment options to maximize patient outcomes. Andrew speaks on a variety of dermatology and leadership topics. He has been published in multiple peer reviewed journals. Andrew is a current Director-at-Large for the Society of Dermatology PAs and looks forward to continuing to push the DermPA profession forward! He enjoys being part of his children's youth sports and traveling with his wife.
Aoife Sartini-Bhreathnach
PA-IC, Past president ISPA
Aoife Sartini-Bhreathnach
Commenced role of past President of Irish Society of Physician Associates (ISPA) in July 2024. Has held previous roles of President of ISPA in 2023.
Aurthi Muthukumaran
Physician Assistant
Aurthi Muthukumaran
Aurthi is a Physician Assistant practicing in emergency medicine and orthopaedic surgery at Scarborough Health Network (SHN). She also holds a faculty role at the University of Toronto as the Academic Coordinator.
Bart Ruiterkamp
Physician Assistant
Bart Ruiterkamp
Bart graduated as a physician assistant in 2010, working in haematology at the University Medical Center in Nijmegen. His clinical focus included stem cell transplantation, haemapheresis, and general malignant haematology.
Since October 1st, he has been a full-time lecturer at the HAN University of Applied Sciences in Nijmegen in the PA program.
Bart has been associated with the Dutch Association for Physician Assistants (NAPA) for a long time, first as a member of the members’ council and since 2020 as a general board member of NAPA
David Kuhns
PA-C Emeritus, CCPA Retired, MPH, DFAAPA
David Kuhns
David completed his PA education at Saint Louis University in 1980, and in 2001 he completed an MPH, concentrating on International Health, at Boston University.
With a career that has spanned more than 40 years, his clinical experience includes pioneering roles as one of the first PAs in an inner city emergency department, to working as a solo primary care provider for an island community on the coast of Maine.
David’s international journey began in 1994 when he became the first PA to work with Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières, where he served in Somalia (1994-5), and then in Afghanistan (1995-6). He returned to Afghanistan in 2003 with Merlin, a UK -based medical relief charity.
He was honored as the recipient of the AAPA’s Paragon Award as the International Humanitarian in 1999.
And in 2023 the CAPA recognized his advocacy work there with the appointment to the CAPA Honor Role.
In addition to teaching at several US PA programs, David served as the Associate Director at the University of Birmingham (U.K.) PA program in 2008-11. While there, he consulted on PA development at several other British and Scottish universities. He was also part of a team of experienced academics who consulted on the first PA program in Saudi Arabia. He was the Founding Director for the first Irish PA program at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2015-6).
Though now retired from clinical practice, he is currently advising Nova Scotia Health on the expansion of PAs into their workforce
Doris Hansen
Physician Assistant
Doris Hansen
Doris Hansen is a Physician Assistant who graduated in 2012 with a Master’s degree in PA Studies from the United States. For the past four years, Doris has been living and practicing in Toronto, where they recently joined the Trauma Neurosurgery team at St. Michael’s Hospital. This year marks Doris’s fourth time presenting at the CAPA conference, an event that continues to be a source of inspiration and professional growth. With over 12 years of experience with a wide variety of specialties and demographics, I’m excited to be presenting this year on the medical missions I have completed and how PAs can involved as well. Through years, Doris has connected with incredible PAs and remains passionate about advocating for the profession in Canada.
Drew Gould
Physician Assistant
Drew Gould
Drew Gould has been a dedicated primary care PA at Northeastern Ontario Medical Offices (NEOMO) in Sudbury, Ontario, since 2014, after graduating from the University of Toronto’s PA program. At NEOMO, Drew helped launch a PA-led same-day clinic to enhance patient access to urgent and acute care. He also played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic by creating an in-person care system where patients were safely assessed from their vehicles, a career milestone he is particularly proud of.
With a master's degree in Clinical/Applied Psychology, Drew has an interest in mental health care. As the mental health sub-lead for the Physician Assistant Primary Care Work Integration project, part of the Team Primary Care—Training for Transformation initiative, he developed a module to enhance the mental health care skills of primary care PAs across Canada in 2023/24.
Drew is also a faculty member at both the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) University, where he teaches Behavioural Medicine and PA Scholar Courses. His commitment to education is reflected in his role as a supervisor for 40+ second-year PA students.
Dr.Jeff Goliksy
MD
Dr.Jeff Goliksy
Dr. Jeff Golisky is the Director of the U of T Physician Assistant program. Dr. Golisky is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Chief of Family Medicine at Georgian Bay General Hospital. He is passionate about medical education and comprehensive rural medicine.
Franklin Marquez
Physician Assistant
Franklin Marquez
Frank is a graduate from University of Toronto PA Program; where he was involved in course improvement and the PA representative in the interprofessional group. His passion was emergency medicine and trauma. He worked from the east coast, overseas and eventually made his way west, in orthopedic surgery. He's taught at multiple universities and plans on being an active participant with the University of Calgary school. Frank has been a mentor to multiple PA students and assisted in resident teaching. He had a career in the military before deciding to become a PA. He served overseas in 2010. He is exploring future avenues in improving telemedicine and innovating the capacity of advanced care practioners in rural communities.
Frank pursues an athletic life as a 7 time Ironman, including the Ironman World Championships. He's never one to back down from a challenge and takes them on with zest! He has multiple top 10 finishes in running with a recent first place in age group tackling the Ottawa Marathon 59.2km challenge. When he’s not training, he’s cooking or taking care of his cats – Oscar and Stanley.
Jamie Saunders
Physician Associate (UK)
Jamie Saunders
Josh Noyce
Physician Assistant
Josh Noyce
Josh is a Physician Assistant specializing in primary care and substance use health. Josh is also a clinical Lecturer at NOSM University and currently works in Sudbury Ontario.
Kali Braun
Physician Assistant
Kali Braun
Kali Braun is the Manitoba Director for the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants. She is a graduate of the Manitoba MPAS program, and works as a PA in Internal Medicine at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
Kristen Stevens
Physician Assistant
Kristen Stevens
Kate Straughton
Physician Associate (UK)
Kate Straughton
Kirsten Luomala
Physician Assistant and CAPA President
Kirsten Luomala
Kirsten graduated in 2009 in the inaugural BSc in the Canadian Forces and went on to completed her MPAS in 2013 in ER/Education & in 2021 she completed her Doctorate of Medical Science in Neurosurgery from the University of Lynchburg.
She has worked in Edmonton in neurosurgery since 2014 as part of the AB demonstration project. She is a guest lecturer with the U of C MPAS program.
Kirsten has been involved with CAPA as the CAF Rep, Alberta director and is our current President.
Muqdas Shabir
Physician Assistant
Muqdas Shabir
Muqdas Shabir is an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. She is certified in point-of-care ultrasound (cPOCUS) and passionate about procedural skills and medical education. She is also a facilitator at the University of Toronto for the PA program. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from Toronto Metropolitan University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Physician Assistant degree from University of Toronto in 2021. Prior to becoming a PA, Muqdas worked in medical oncology research and contributed to multiple publications.
Meagan St Amour
Physician Assistant
Meagan St Amour
Biography - Meagan St. Amour, CCPA, BScPA, BMSc
Meagan St. Amour grew up in a small rural town on a horse farm, where she spent the majority of her life competitively training and showing horses. Meagan went on to complete her undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences at Brock University. She went straight into PA school at The University of Toronto Consortium of Education, Class of 2019.
She spent the first two years of her career in Community Family Medicine in Kingston, transitioned to inpatient Neurosurgery at Kingston Health Sciences for 1 year, and then has been in Bariatric and General Surgery since.
Meagan has developed a passion for advocating for this patient population and providing education on obesity as a chronic medical condition. Her role as a PA in this department involves both inpatient and outpatient care, and first assist in these laparoscopic surgical cases. She will see these patients from pre-op assessments, to consent, in the OR, during hospital stay and follow them through their post-operative care with the help of the bariatric clinic multidisciplinary team. Meagan sits on the Professional Practice Committee at KHSC on behalf of PAs and is the OPAA Union Steward.
In her free time, Meagan enjoys walking and training her dog, gardening, reading (especially mysteries and thrillers), and spending time with her friends and family.
Natalie Dies
Physician Assistant
Natalie Dies
I love being a PA because the opportunities are endless. I have enjoyed many different positions from head and neck surgery to geriatrics. Most of my free time is spent dancing, DJing, hiking with my dog or drinking bubble tea. I despise online dating and managing hyponatremia.
Orla Brett
Physician Associate
Orla Brett
Ohood Elzibak
Physician Assistant
Ohood Elzibak
Ohood Elzibak is an orthopaedic surgery Physician Assistant, with a focus on upper extremity/arthroscopic surgery. She graduated from McMaster University in the inaugural PA class (2010) and completed her Masters in PA Studies at the University of Nebraska (2012). Ohood is the Founder and Director of OrthoPA Network (orthopa.ca), a community hub for education and collaboration in orthopaedic surgery. As a Palestinian and visibly Muslim woman of colour, Ohood has encountered barriers in healthcare & academia that have motivated her to become a vocal advocate for justice and equity. She is an experienced clinical educator and develops & delivers curriculum on racism in medicine at McMaster University. In 2016, Ohood was the recipient of the PA Educator of the Year Award through the Canadian Physician Assistant Education Association. Ohood enjoys spending time with her husband & daughter and is an avid soccer player.
Parastoo Tashakorinia
Physician Assistant
Parastoo Tashakorinia
Parastoo Tashakorinia, BScPA, B.Sc, is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant, currently working in family medicine in Newmarket, Ontario. She graduated from the University of Toronto's Physician Assistant program in 2023 and holds a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in Psychology from York University. Originally from Iran, Parastoo moved to Canada at age 16, overcoming significant cultural and language barriers. This background has given her a profound understanding of and empathy for individuals facing similar challenges, driving her commitment to empathetic and inclusive healthcare. Passionate about primary care, Parastoo advocates for comprehensive, personalized patient care, aiming to make healthcare accessible and supportive for all. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and working out.
Patrick Lefaivre
Physician Assistant
Patrick Lefaivre
Patrick Lefaivre is a physician assistant (PA) practicing at The Ottawa Hospital, providing in-patient care within the Department of Malignant Hematology since 2015. Upon graduating from the University of Toronto PA Consortium Program in 2014, he worked at UHN and Princess Margaret Hospital in Surgical Oncology before transitioning into his current role. An Ottawa local, he earned his BSc (Hon) in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa before completing his Advanced-Emergency Medical Care Assistant (A-EMCA) training at La Cite College. He then worked as a Paramedic with the City of Ottawa for 10 years. During his paramedic career he worked at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) as a Research Coordinator in trauma and cardiac arrest studies with the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC). In 2006 he worked with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to help develop an EMT training program at Makassed University in Beirut, Lebanon and helped to develop their ambulance system. Patrick is keen to share his knowledge and has been a guest speaker at multiple conferences including the Trauma Association of Canada, the PanAmerican Trauma Society, and the Eastern Ontario Trauma conferences. He continues to share his knowledge within his PA role as a clinical preceptor for both UofT and McMaster PA students. He is a member of the CAPA Conference planning committee and a member of the PACCC Test Committee.
Sarah Flanagan
Physician Assistant
Sarah Flanagan
Physician Assistant Sarah Flanagan has been working in primary care and refugee health in southern Ontario since 2016. She is a graduate of the Consortium of PA Education program, based at the University of Toronto. Sarah specializes in prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric care, and runs the Maternal and Infant Health Program at CHCKW’s Refugee Health Centre in Kitchener, Ontario – the largest refugee health center in Canada. Sarah also teaches refugee health sessions at McMaster University and, starting this fall, at the University of Manitoba. Sarah’s passion lies in healthcare education and clinical approaches that focus on the social determinants of health and health equity.
Steven Piotrowski
Physician Assistant
Steven Piotrowski
PA. Steven Piotrowski graduated from the University of Manitoba's Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in 2016. He initially worked in rural Manitoba in primary care, emergency and hospitalist medicine. Following that, PA. Piotrowski took a position in Winnipeg, at Access Fort Garry Primary Care clinic where he continues to work one day a week. Recently, PA. Piotrowski accepted a full-time position as the Academic Lead for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program in the Department of Family Medicine at Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba. Outside of medicine, PA. Piotrowski enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his wife and kids.
Kylene O'Donnell
Physician Assistant
Kylene O'Donnell
Kylene O'Donnell is a graduate of the Consortium of PA Education program, based at the University of Toronto. She has been working as a Physician Assistant since 2017. Kylene started her career in Plastics specializing in skin cancers, reconstruction, and hand trauma. She later entered primary care in 2019 where she worked in a Family Health Team. She took a special interest in women's health care and pediatrics. Taking on the role of contraception expert and insertions and removal of LARC. She started her health care experience as a Registered Midwife and practiced for 10 years thus taking her knowledge and expertise in pregnancy and postpartum care to the Family Health Team.
Kristen Burrows
Physician Assistant
Kristen Burrows
Kristen is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant and the Assistant Dean of the PA Education Program at McMaster University. Kristen's clinical work has covered internal medicine, clinical dermatology, and most recently pediatric plastic surgery. Kristen's research focuses on health human resources (focus on physician extender roles), health policy, health professional regulation, and medical education.
Erin Unger
Physician Assistant
Erin Unger
Denver (born!) ➡ Pittsburgh (MS, PA-S) ➡ Los Angeles (PA-C!) ➡ Toronto (CCPA!)
10 years of sexual health, HIV prevention and gynecology. Now also teaching future CCPAs while trying to keep it fun and remember the medicine that happens above the umbilicus.
Peter Tzakas
Peter Tzakas
Melissa Vyvey
Melissa Vyvey
Gregory Richardson
Physician Assistant