In November, the DAC team was in Halifax to attend the Diabetes Canada/Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Professional Conference. The event, which takes place over four days, was full of highlights.
On Wednesday, November 20, our Knowledge Mobilization Team, led by Dr. Monika Kastner and supported by Research Assistant, Isabella Herrington, hosted a workshop aimed at helping participants build capacity and capability in knowledge mobilization and implementation science.
DAC team members, including Director of Patient Engagement Linxi Mytkolli, participated in the MyRoad training day on Wednesday. All of our Research to Action Fellows were invited to attend this full day training and education session and Linxi was a guest speaker. In addition, a number of DAC trainees took part in the day.
Thursday morning kicked off bright and early with our first ever DAC breakfast at the conference. Our members and partners joined us for an hour of networking, program updates and a meal. Scientific co-lead Gary Lewis offered welcome remarks, Executive Director, Tracy McQuire introduced new DAC resources, and Linxi updated attendees on the Fellowship and our KM program.
Here’s a quick recap of the updates we shared:
- Patient Engagement: A new streamlined recruitment form lets you request patient partners in minutes, with tailored one-on-one support for your projects.
- Knowledge Mobilization: Improved five-minute request form for one-on-one consultations to amplify your research impact.
- Digital Health: Diabetes Research Connect, launched with CPCSSN, connects patients and providers through innovative solutions.
- Community Hub: The DAC Hub, a global first, is a comprehensive database of diabetes organizations, support groups, and online communities offering peer support and connection.
- DAC Member Presentations: Explore the full list of DAC-affiliated sessions at the conference.
Click here to access all updates and resources!
See photos from our time at the conference on Instagram!
Throughout Thursday, DAC members were speakers at the sessions. Two of many highlights? Peter Senior participated in a plenary talk on islet transplants and Diane Wherrett provided an update on the CANScreen program, which aims to screen children across Canada for type 1 diabetes antibodies.
On Friday, DAC members Sonia Butalia and Baju Shah were featured speakers on a session highlighting updates to the Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines. As part of the updates, the T1D leads also referenced a DKA awareness project led by Bruce Perkins and Patient Partner Wajeeha Cheema.
A major highlight of Friday was the session, Implementation and Knowledge Translation in Diabetes: From Research to Community to Lived Experience, where our eight Research to Action Fellows presented their projects for the first time. The panel, which was attended by hundreds of conference participants, was noted as a highlight for many – and there were more than a few tears shed by those moved by the lived experience perspectives.
Women with diabetes was a major focus of Friday’s sessions, with DAC’s Lorraine Lipscombe discussing gestational diabetes – including a DAC-supported program aimed at reducing type 2 diabetes risk in women with the condition – and Iliana Lega presenting on diabetes and menopause. Kaberi Dasgupta also presented an oral abstract on gestational diabetes as part of the scientific oral presentation.
On Friday evening, the conference hosted a poster session and several DAC members and trainees presented, many of them discussing DAC-supported projects. Presenters included Linxi, Jamie Boisvenue, Saania Tariq, Jim Bowen and Valeria Rac.
Saturday, Calvin Ke and Jacqueline Beaudry were the featured speakers at the Innovators and Emerging Leaders in Canadian Research session. Both researchers are DAC members, including patient partnership at the heart of their work. In a concurrent session, Bruce Perkins presented the latest on T1D and exercise, including tips for how healthcare teams can better support people living with the condition.
Saturday was also a big day for our Indigenous partners and colleagues with Celeste Theriault, Executive Director of the National Indigenous Diabetes Association presenting Forging Ahead: A distinctions-based pathways approach for Indigenous Diabetes Management. Rosylnn Baird and Autumn Watson also presented Examining the Model of Care and Impact of the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle on Indigenous Communities: A Case Study Using Ethnographic Approach as part of the Indigenous Science & Content Oral Abstract Presentations. We hope that moving forward these conferences continue to host a wealth of Indigenous voices.
It was a wonderful week of engaging with colleagues and partners from across Canada and beyond. Our team could not be prouder of how much patient-oriented research has become a part of this meeting and the diabetes research and care community overall.
We’re already looking forward to next year.
