Agenda & Learning Objectives

Participants in this program will:

  • Understand the current status of the GEM and PACE studies
  • Explore the role of cancer and IBD from basic science to clinical interventions
  • Explore the basic science of fibrosis in IBD and current and future treatment options
  • Integrate basic science and clinical practice by participating in a choice of workshops:
    • By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to consider the non-bacterial microbiome and its potential application to therapy in the future
    • By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to discuss the current vaccination recommendations for IBD
    • By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to consider pediatric and adult surgery in IBD
    • By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to discuss transgender issues related to IBD
  • Explore the pathophysiology and treatment options for pain management in IBD

NOTE: Junior Investigator Award – Please go to the Call for Abstracts page on the registration site

Time Title/Topic Speakers
08:30

0.1 Welcome 
Awards

 Josh Berman, CEO, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
08:50 0.2 Opening Remarks – Welcome, program objectives 
CO-CHAIRS:
Remo Panaccione & Hillary Steinhart
09:00 0.3 Genetic, Environmental, Microbial (GEM) Project Update​

Kenneth Croitoru
09:25 0.4 Promoting Access and Care through Centres of Excellence (PACE) Update
Geoffrey Nhuyen
Eric Benchimol

Session I: Malignancies and IBD 
SESSION CHAIR:
Sharyle Fowler
09:50

1.1 Plenary Presentation
Malignancies and IBD: Basic Science

 Bhupesh Thakur
10:10

1.2 Plenary Presentation
Malignancies and IBD: Translational Science to Clinical Applications

 Sanjay Murthy
10:30

1.3 Ask-the Expert Panel Session

 MODERATOR: Sharyle Fowler
PANEL: Charles Bernstein, Sanjay Murthy, Bhupesh Thakur
10:50


Refreshment Break (15 minutes)

  
11:05 1.4 Junior Investigator Award & Presentation TBD

Session II: Fibrosis and IBD

 SESSION CHAIR:
Jean-Eric Ghia
11:25

2.1 Plenary Presentation
Fibrosis and IBD: Basic Science

 Simon Hirota
11:45

2.2 Plenary Presentation
Fibrosis and IBD:Translational Science to Clinical Applications

 Cathy Lu
12:05 2.3 Ask-the Expert Panel Session MODERATOR: Jean-Eric Ghia
PANEL: Simon Hirota, Cathy Lu, Jeff McCurdy
12:25 Lunch Break (60 minutes)  

Session III: Workshops – Hot Topics from Bench to Policy
13:25 Placement into Workshops  
13:30

3.1 Workshop
The Impact of Helminths on Gut Health and Disease

 Derek McKay
Lisa Reynolds

3.2 Workshop
Vaccines and IBD 2026

 Eric Benchimol
Gilaad Kaplan

3.3 Workshop
New Advances in Surgery in IBD

 Paulo Kotze
Joshua Ramjist

3.4 Workshop
Transgender Issues and IBD

 Whitney Bryant
Laura Targownik
14:15 Grab and Go Break (10 minutes)  
14:25 4.0 Rising Star Award & Presenation TBA

Session IV: Pain Management and IBD

 SESSION CHAIR:
Eric Benchimol
14:45

4.1 Plenary Presentation
Pathophysiology of Pain in IBD

 Yasmin Nasser
15:05

4.2 Plenary Presentation
Clinical Management of Pain in IBD

 Matthew Sheppard
15:25 4.3 Ask-the Expert Panel Session MODERATOR: Eric Benchimol
PANEL: Yasmin Nasser, Keith Sharkey, Matthew Sheppard
15:45 Closing Remarks and Program Evaluation CO-CHAIRS: 
Remo Panaccione & Hillary Steinhart

  • Canada has among the highest incidence rates of Crohn's and colitis in the world.
  • 1 in 140 Canadians lives with Crohn’s or colitis.
  • Families new to Canada are developing these diseases for the first time.
  • Incidence of Crohn’s in Canadian kids under 10 has doubled since 1995.
  • People are most commonly diagnosed before age 30.