BrainTrust Canada’s 2024 conference to shine light on change-makers in brain injury and public health

Amanda McFarlane, Executive Director of BrainTrust Canada, sat down with KelownaNow to discuss the upcoming Pushor Mitchell LLP West Coast Brain Injury Conference (WCBIC).

BrainTrust Canada is a registered charity whose focus is to improve the lives of those affected by brain injury. Their work includes raising awareness as well as offering services, programs and educational resources to the community.

Their annual conference takes place on June 11 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort Conference Centre. The 2024 event will bring together inspiring change-makers and leading minds in the field of brain injury, public health and politics for a full day.

This year’s theme is “Brain Injury Breakthroughs: Current Issues and Emerging Solutions.” The focus will be on exploring the topic of brain injury within crucial frameworks such as health, governance, and societal fairness and inclusion.

Keynote speakers at this years event include Dr. Angela Colantonio, who will present on the highlights of a major research program focused on traumatic brain injury in underserved populations in Canada.

Dr. Jade Witten will discuss the complications and long-term impacts of acquired brain injury (ABI), including changes to personality, mental health, and cognition.

You’ll also hear from Michelle McDonald on traumatic brain injury (TBI) being a growing health crisis, and Janelle Breese Biagioni on the necessity for collaboration among all levels of government to address the challenges faced by individuals affected by brain injury.

Last but not least, Dr. Brittany Dennis will provide an overview of the Road to Recovery Initiative, an innovative model of care being implemented within Providence Health Care, which seeks to address two aspects of BC’s substance use crisis.

For more information on WCBIC, click here. To purchase tickets, click here.