Pan Northern Geriatric Care Conference Great Success

On October 24 – 26, 2007, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) hosted the first annual Pan Northern Geriatric Care Conference in partnership with First Link; Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin; North East Mental Health Centre; City of Greater Sudbury; Northeastern Ontario Dementia Assessment and Consultation Services; and, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, and in collaboration with Réseau de santé en français du Moyen-Nord de l’Ontario.

Drs. Joanne Clark and Maurice St. Martin, co-chairs of the event, welcomed more than 125 participants to the first conference of its kind in Northern Ontario. An array of notable health-care professionals, including Drs. Clark and St. Martin, presented plenary sessions on a variety of topics aimed at increasing physicians, nurses, social workers and other health professionals’ knowledge of dementia treatment, falls prevention, nutrition, assessment, healing differences, stroke prevention and pain management.

Access to care for the elderly and the importance of geriatric care to address changing demographics were discussed by Greater Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez during his welcoming remarks. Mayor Rodriguez also thanked those in attendance that work with seniors and the elderly, commenting that it is an opportunity to repay seniors for all they have done in our community.

“The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is proud to have co-hosted this exciting conference,” said Dr. Marc Blayney, NOSM Vice Dean, Professional Activities. “The first annual Pan Northern Geriatric Care Conference is a result of the hard work and dedication of a variety of health professionals and educators who have come together to participate in workshops that focus on important issues affecting seniors in Northern Ontario.” Dr. Blayney also acknowledged the presence of NOSM students as conference participants, and speculated that “the students’ interest in this important area of medicine is a result of the innovative curriculum offered by the School.”

The Pan Northern Geriatric Care Conference was well attended and an occasion for all participants to network and draw upon the expertise and experience of geriatric specialists.