WW Interdisciplinary HPC Conferences
These conferences are sponsored jointly by the Physicians’ Palliative Education Funds and the
WW Interdisciplinary Palliative Education Funds
Fall 2026 Palliative Education Evening
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (5-8pm) – Registration 4-5pm
Register Now – Registration Deadline: Sep 17th
Bingemans Site Map
Printable Flyer
Breakout Presentations
Walking with Suffering: When a Client Discloses a Historical Trauma – This workshop will present practical ways of supporting a client that has disclosed historical trauma. Helpful tools and insightful practices will be discussed to assist the client during this difficult time. This can be an overwhelming situation for care providers, so informative practices of debriefing and support will be highlighted as well.
Eugene Dufour, MA, BA – Hospice Palliative Care Consultant, Bereavement and Trauma Specialist, Compassion Fatigue Educator
Every Question Matters: Supporting Grieving Children Through Rights-Based Communication –Whether you provide care to pediatric clients, or you provide support to children in a professional or personal capacity, this presentation introduces a child-centred, rights-based approach to understanding and supporting children’s grief across range of practice settings. Drawing on analysis of over 700 questions from bereaved young people, participants will explore common themes in children’s concerns.
Ceilidh Eaton Russell, PhD, CCLS – Certified Child Life Specialistm Grief Counsellor and Educator
Applying Cultural Intelligence to Healthcare Practice – Faith and spirituality can play an important role in a person’s healthcare journey. This session explores how faith-based beliefs, values, and traditions can shape healthcare experiences and care preferences. We will explore the care needs and considerations associated with Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and other faith traditions, with practical strategies for applying cultural intelligence to deliver inclusive, respectful, and culturally responsive care.
Uma Maharaj, MDes, MBA, BSc – Manager, Diversity, Equity & Belonging, WRHN
Spring 2026 Palliative Education Evening
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (5-8pm)
Registration 4-5pm
Bingemans site map
Flyer and Registration
Guest Presentation
Jest for the Health of It
Kenneth Ashley Shonk, MD CCFP; Motivation Speaker, on Humour and Wellness; Book Author, Laughter from Womb to Tomb
Learn what science has discovered about the benefits of Laughter, Play and Joy; how we can use our sense of humour to counterbalance the intense and difficult work that palliative care workers do; and clues to stimulate and improve our own sense of humour.
Breakout Presentations
- Adult Clinical
When Pain Doesn’t Go Away, Think Nociplastic Mechanisms
Andrea Furlan, MD PhD, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Staff physician and Senior Scientist, UHN
- Adult General
When Care Harms: Moral Distress and the Ethical Call to Self-Care
Mahoganie Hines BScN, RN, MHSc, CHPCN(C), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Palliative Care Unit, St. Peter’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences
- Pediatric
The Provincial Pediatric Model of Care: Children Receiving Care in All Settings and a Proposed Family Advisory Collective for South Central Ontario’s Pediatric Palliative Care
Cindy van Halderen, MSW, RSW, APHSW-C, Manager, Psychosocial, Grief and Bereavement, Care Kemp Care Network; Clinical Co-Lead, Palliative Care, Ontario West Region, Ontario Health
