Symposium Program
OPEN TO ALL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
This event will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 10am to 6pm Eastern Time.
Details are tentative and are subject to change, please visit this page for more up-to-date information.
Dr. Adrian Wagg
When They Say No: Assessing Patients and Caregivers who Refuse Testing
1. Discuss an approach to persons unwilling to participate in cognitive testing or caregiver interviews
2. Describe ways that cognition can be assessed without formal cognitive testing
Learning Objectives
Dr. Adrian Wagg is a specialist in Geriatric and General Medicine with expertise in health services research. He is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta, Professor of Continence Sciences at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden and is currently Scientific Director within the Provincial Seniors & Continuing Care portfolio. Dr. Wagg has significant front-line experience in healthcare administration and systems development, a strong knowledge of operational issues and an in-depth perspective of healthcare of older Albertans. His research interests involve improving care for people with urinary incontinence, community engagement and the quality of care for older people in nursing homes.
About Dr. Adrian Wagg
Dr. Justin Otis
Chronic Stress, Trauma, and Future Dementia
Describe the role of neuroinflammation as a link between chronic stress, trauma, and development of dementia
Discuss implications for future interventions
Learning Objectives
Dr. Otis is a neuropsychiatrist practicing at the Northern Light Mood & Memory Clinic in Bangor, Maine. His clinical interests include neuroimaging and neurodegenerative conditions. His professional interests including educating trainees, quality, and system design and implementation.
About Dr. Justin Otis
Dr. Carmela Tartaglia
Update on AD Blood-Based Biomarkers
Review AD blood-based biomarkers that are now commercially available in Canada
Discuss potential benefits and concerns with use of AD blood biomarkers in MINT Memory Clinics and in primary care
Learning Objectives
Dr. Tartaglia is a Professor at the University of Toronto and a cognitive-behavioral neurologist at the UHN Memory Clinic where she sees patients with neurodegenerative diseases and persistent symptoms of concussion. Her research interests lie in early detection of co-pathologies in patients with neurodegenerative disease. She holds the Marion and Gerald Soloway Chair in Brain Injury and Concussion Research.
About Dr. Carmela Tartaglia
Jen McKay (RPN)
Melanie Negru (RN)
Helping Individuals and Families with Transition into Long-Term Care
Describe common challenges that persons living with dementia and caregivers face in transitioning into long-term care
Discuss strategies to help persons living with dementia and their caregivers prepare for this transition
Learning Objectives
Jen graduated from Conestoga College’s Practical Nursing program in 2008. She worked as a Personal Support Worker at the Village of Winston Park, then transitioned to a lead nurse role there. Jen was instrumental in the opening of the dementia neighbourhood at University Gates LTC in 2015, as well as the MINT Regional Memory Clinic in 2012. Jen has helped organize and train MINT Memory Clinic teams across Canada. She has a special interest in changing the culture of aging, especially for those living with memory concerns, and aims to empower individuals with the knowledge of how to live well with dementia.
About Jen McKay
Melania Delia Negru is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience in Long-Term Care. She has dedicated her career to advancing dementia care and supporting individuals living with memory loss.
Over the years, Melania has worked in several memory care neighborhoods, where she developed a strong passion for understanding and responding to the unique needs of residents with dementia. She is certified in PIECES and Dementiability Methods and is also a Gentle Persuasive Approaches Coach.
For 12 years, Melania led the Behavior Supports Ontario (BSO) program at Chartwell Westmount LTC, focusing on meaningful interactions and personalized, compassionate care. She now contributes her expertise as part of the Plum Tree Memory Care team, delivering the Better Together dementia care course.
About Melanie Negru
Dr. David Tang-Wai
How Comorbidities Can Affect Cognitive Testing in AD
Learning Objectives
Describe common co-morbidities with AD and how these may affect cognitive testing
Discuss a practical approach to considering comorbidities in dementia diagnosis and management
Dr. David Tang-Wai is a behavioural neurologist and co-director of the UHN Memory Clinic. He is also the Department Division Director of Neurology and interim executive director of the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance for the University of Toronto. His academic interests include the atypical presentations of Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune encephalitis and normal pressure hydrocephalus.
About Dr. David Tang-Wai
Dr. Kate Dupuis
Engaging Persons Living with Dementia in Arts and Creativity
Describe evidence-based benefits of engaging in arts and creativity for individuals living with dementia and those who care for them
Describe practical strategies for engaging persons living with dementia in opportunities for arts and creativity
Learning Objectives
Dr. Kate Dupuis is the Schlegel Innovation Leader in Arts and Aging at the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research in Oakville, Ontario. Her work is supported by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA). Kate completed a PhD in Psychology at the University of Toronto, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Baycrest Health Sciences. Kate is a registered Clinical Neuropsychologist and a researcher whose work lies at the intersection of arts, health, and aging. Kate explores the potential personal and systemic barriers to participation in the arts, how we can facilitate arts engagement in older adults, and what the terms being creative or artistic mean to us as we age. Kate strives to understand how the arts can benefit all domains of health and well-being for older adults and their care partners.
About Dr. Kate Dupuis
Dr. Sara Mitchell
Update on Lifestyle Interventions that Reduce Risk of Dementia
Review evidence-based lifestyle interventions that can reduce risk of progression in subjective cognitive decline, MCI, and dementia
Discuss practical counseling tips on these lifestyle interventions in MINT Memory Clinics
Learning Objectives
Dr. Sara Mitchell is a cognitive neurologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where she holds dual appointments in the Division of Neurology and the Department of Psychiatry. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. Dr. Mitchell completed her neurology residency at the University of Toronto, followed by specialized fellowship training in cognitive and behavioural neurology and neuropsychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University along with a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Mitchell's clinical interest lies at the intersection of brain-related disciplines, with a focus on neurodegenerative disorders, including dementia, and neuropsychiatric conditions. She is the Director of the Brain Medicine Program at the University of Toronto, an innovative fellowship and research initiative that promotes interdisciplinarity among brain-related specialties. Dr. Mitchell is dedicated to improving the quality of care for patients with complex brain disorders and accelerating the pace of innovation in clinical care, medical training and knowledge translation.
About Dr. Sara Mitchell
Dr. Angela Golas
Severe Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) in Late Life Neurocognitive and Management Considerations
Understand the impact of aging with psychosis
Understand the impact of SPMI on cognition, differentiated from common dementia syndromes
Review principles of pharmacological management of psychotic illness in the elderly
Learning Objectives
Dr. Golas was appointed Medical Head, Geriatric Mental Health Outpatient Services at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in April, 2020. Dr. Golas is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto in the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Dr. Golas obtained her medical degree from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. She completed residency in General Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, where she also completed her Geriatric Psychiatry subspecialty training in the Clinician Scientist Stream. Dr. Golas works as a staff physician within the Geriatric Division at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where she also leads the Neuropsychiatry Clinic. Dr. Golas is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
About Dr. Angela Golas
Dr. Andrew Frank
Dr. Sandra Black
Dr. Howard Chertkow
Dr. Carmela Tartaglia
Panel: New Disease-Modifying Therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease
1. Describe insights on use of AD blood biomarkers and anti-amyloid therapies
2. Describe a practical approach to informing patients and families about potential benefits and risks of anti-amyloid therapies.
Learning Objectives
About Dr. Andrew Frank
Dr. Andrew Frank is a cognitive/behavioural neurologist and researcher at Bruyère Memory Program at the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. After finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Honours Biochemistry at the University of Calgary, Dr. Frank completed his M.D. at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He completed his residency in Neurology at the University of Ottawa. Following this, Dr. Frank undertook a subspecialty fellowship in Cognitive and Behavioural Neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Frank’s clinical practice is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. His clinical interest lies in the early detection of cognitive disorders, such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Dr. Frank’s research interest centers on investigating new pharmacologic treatments and technologies for Alzheimer’s disease.
About Dr. Sandra Black
Dr. Sandra E Black is a Professor of Medicine (Neurology Division) at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, and is an internationally known cognitive and stroke neurologist, actively engaged in > 70 pharma trials in the last 3 decades. She has published >650 peer publications in a research career bridging dementia and stroke, using standardized, cognitive, functional and behavioural measures, and neuropathology to study brain-behavior relationships. Career totals: peer-reviewed: 665 group: 85; invited: 74; abstracts: 924; lectures: 725; H-index: 109 (Scopus) 145 (Google Scholar); GS Citations: 90,541. She was a recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award of American Academy of Neurology's Society of Cognitive and Behavioural Neurology and also UBC’s 2022 Margolese Brain Disorders prize, recognizing Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to amelioration and treatment of brain disorders. She was also appointed Member of the Order of Ontario in 2011 and Officer in the Order of Canada in 2015 for her contributions to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and vascular dementia. She is ranked 8th nationally and 281 in the world of the top 1000 female scientists by Research.com, a leading academic platform for researchers (2024).
About Dr. Howard Chertkow
Dr. Chertkow is a cognitive neurologist at the Baycrest Health Sciences Centre. He is a Senior Scientist and Chair in Cognitive Neurology and Innovation at the Baycrest Academy for Research and Innovation. He is a Professor in the Dept. of Medicine (Neurology) at University of Toronto. At Baycrest he is also director of the new Bank Family Clinical Trials Research Unit and the Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health. His major areas of research interest include early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, and therapy of dementia using neuromodulation approaches such as transcranial direct current stimulation. Dr. Chertkow is Scientific Director for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), a national organization established by the Canadian government via CIHR and partners.
About Dr. Carmela Tartaglia
Dr. Tartaglia is a Professor at the University of Toronto and a cognitive-behavioral neurologist at the UHN Memory Clinic where she sees patients with neurodegenerative diseases and persistent symptoms of concussion. Her research interests lie in early detection of co-pathologies in patients with neurodegenerative disease. She holds the Marion and Gerald Soloway Chair in Brain Injury and Concussion Research.