Dr. Cassidy is an Assistant Professor in Geriatric Psychiatry at Dalhousie University. Her academic interests include late life mood and anxiety disorders, the neurobiology of healthy aging, and the application of cognitive behavioural therapy in late life and resilience across the lifespan. Dr. Cassidy pursued her undergraduate degree in neurobiology at Yale University, received her psychiatric training at McGill University, and completed 2 year fellowship at the University of Toronto with a focus on attachment affect regulation and mood disorders.  She has been actively involved in the Fountain of Health™ Initiative for Optimal Aging for the past five years, and currently spearheads a provincial effort to bring healthy aging tools to primary care clinicians to jumpstart health behavior change in brief 10 minute office visits. She is part of the Fountain of Health™ App development team and co-ordinates the Fountain of Health™'s National Speakers' Bureau, having presented on the initiative both provincially and internationally.

Dr. Cindy Forbes, MD, CCFP, FCFP is the 2015-2016 President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is passionate about health promotion and dedicated to leading healthcare system improvement. Dr. Forbes is a family physician practicing in Nova Scotia and a graduate of Dalhousie Medical School. She was  also the recipient of the Dalhousie University Medal for Academic Achievement. Dr. Forbes was the Past President of Doctors Nova Scotia, Member of British Columbia’s Medical Association Council on Health Care and Promotion, Past Chair of the Canadian Medical Association’s Committee on Health Care and Promotion and Member of the CMA’s Political Action Committee. In her current role as CMA President she has overseen the CMA’s National Seniors Strategy and “Demand a Plan,” the largest and most successful public engagement campaign in the history of the CMA.

Dr. Petal S. Abdool is a Geriatric Staff Psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Medical Head of the Outpatient Geriatric Psychiatry Services at CAMH. She is also a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist at Providence Healthcare. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry. The overarching goal of her research work is to improve our understanding of the development and implementation of Integrated Care Pathways in Psychiatry and provide strong evidence to support their efficacy in enhancing the quality of care. Another area of interest lies in Psychiatric Education with a particular focus on simulation methodologies and how they can improve learner and patient outcomes.

Dr. David Conn is the Vice-President of Education and Director of the Centre for Education & Knowledge Exchange at Baycrest. He is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. He is founding Co-Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health and Past President of the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 publications and co-editor of three textbooks. He received the 2005 Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry Award for Outstanding Contributions to Geriatric Psychiatry in Canada and a Distinguished Service Award from the International Psychogeriatric Association in 2009. In 2010 he was co-recipient of the CIHR Institute of Aging Betty Havens Award for Knowledge Translation in Aging.

Dr. Chris Frank MD, FCFP (Care of Elderly); is the Chair of the Health Care of the Elderly Program at the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

He is also an Associate Professor in Department of Medicine at Queen’s University and the Clinical Leader of Specialized Geriatric Services at Providence Care. His clinical interests are palliative care and geriatric rehabilitation.

Dr. Gobessi is affiliated with the Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa and is a consulting Geriatric Psychiatrist to Bruyere Continuing Care.  She obtained her Medical Degree at the University of Toronto, her residency at McGill University and her fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa.  Currently she teaches, supervises and works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team that provides outreach services to the elderly in their homes.  She is also a clinical supervisor and lecturer at the University of Ottawa. Her professional interests include psychotherapy with the elderly and providing care for people with dementia and their families.

Dr. Cindy Grief, MD, FRCPC is a Geriatric Psychiatrist at Baycrest Health Sciences in Toronto, where she is the Medical Director for Mental Health Services. Her clinical roles include inpatient and outpatient psychiatry. She is also the consultant to Baycrest’s palliative care unit. Bereavement is a particular area of interest, which prompted her to complete a Master’s of Science degree in Medical Anthropology. Dr. Grief is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. She is also a graduate of the Centre for Faculty Development’s Education Scholars program (UofT), and has been active in postgraduate and continuing education. Dr. Grief is currently developing a national education program in geriatric mental health (GeMH) for health care professionals using varied education technologies including videoconferencing, webinars and simulation.

Kiran is a Full Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa. In 2014, he was certified as a subspecialist in Geriatric Psychiatry by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Currently at The Ottawa Hospital, he serves as Medical Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry and ECT Program, and the Behavioral Support Team.  Kiran has been passionate and committed to serving the elderly throughout his career. He is recognized nationally and internationally as a Founder of the subspecialty of Geriatric Psychiatry. He is the recipient of Outstanding Achievements in Geriatric Psychiatry in Canada award by the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (CAGP). Kiran has served as President of the CAGP and the Board of the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) for four years. Currently he serves on the OMA’s General Council and the OMA Health Policy Seniors Care Working Group. 

Vanessa Thoo has recently completed her subspecialty training in geriatric psychiatry at the University of Toronto. She is a University of Calgary medical school graduate who did her psychiatry training at Dalhousie University. During her residency, she also completed a Masters of Medical Education at Acadia University. She will be joining the Seniors’ Mental Health team at the University Health Network. Vanessa has been involved in a number of geriatric psychiatry initiatives, including the Fountain of Health™, a national program for primary mental health prevention in seniors, and has won the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry Resident Award for her work with this project. More recently, she has also received the CAGP Training Award for her scholarly endeavours in Competence by Design and its implications for geriatric psychiatry training.

Physician Leader at St. Joseph’s Health Care, Parkwood Institute, Mental Health Care Building, Geriatric Psychiatry Program and a geriatric psychiatrist with the Regional Psychogeriatic Program, St. Joseph’s Health Care, London and associate professor the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario.  Her clinical focus is on capacity development in regional communities and enhancing local psychogeriatric expertise and services.  Dr. Lisa Van Bussel has received the Ontario Psychogeriatric Association award in 2009 for Excellence and Advocacy with regarding to older adults with mental health disorders and The Association for Academic Psychiatry Teaching Award 2008.  She was Chair of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry from 2008-2013 and was a nominee for the St. Joseph's Health Care/ Canadian Mental Health Association Breakfast of Champions Award for 2010-2012.