Click on a session title for more information.
Session Descriptions
Canadian HIV and Viral Hepatitis Pharmacists Network (CHAP) Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The Canadian HIV and Viral Hepatitis Pharmacists Network (CHAP) annual general meeting (AGM) is a full-day meeting that provides an opportunity for approximately 30 specialized pharmacists in HIV and Viral Hepatitis from across the country to collaborate and to discuss clinical issues, research initiatives, regional activities, conference updates, and to plan and conduct ongoing CHAP business. Guest speakers for breakfast and lunch plenary sessions are also invited to bring an external educational aspect targeted to the learning needs of all CHAP members.
- Date: WEDNESDAY – April 30, 2025
- Time: 08:00 – 17:00
- Room Location: Room 501 & 502
- Host(s): Canadian HIV and Viral Hepatitis Pharmacists Network (CHAP)
- Plenary speakers:
- Morning: Greg Richard, Kyle Wilby and Tasha Ramsey
- Lunch: Patricia Pecora Fulco
- Moderator:
- Sharan Lail
- Participation: Canadian HIV and Viral Hepatitis Pharmacists Network (CHAP) members only. Industry sponsors are permitted to send up to 3 delegates to attend breakfast and lunch plenary sessions.
- Registration: CHAP members may register by emailing Erin Ready at eready1@providencehealth.bc.ca.
Co-creating a National Call to Action to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV across research, policy and practice
We invite women living with HIV, clinicians, researchers, service providers, funders, policymakers, WHO representatives and everyone interested to convene at this event to co-create a National Call to Action (C2A) to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women living with HIV in Canada.
The session will include:
– Networking breakfast.
– Panel discussion on components, priorities and opportunities for a C2A for diverse interest groups.
– World Café-style small working groups to review and refine drafted C2A for clinical, policy, research and programming settings; and discussions on accountability, ownership and support.
Over the past seven years of national consultation and activism, including ancillary events at CAHR 2018/23, feedback has been received on how to advance the SRHR of women living with HIV. These findings have been published in the 2022 “Key Recommendations for developing a national action plan to advance the SRHR of women living with HIV in Canada” (journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17455057221090829) and the 2025 “Meaningful engagement as a cornerstone for implementation of the key recommendations to advance the SRHR of women living with HIV across policy, practice, and research in Canada” (journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23259582241302773). The C2A is rooted in these learnings, and this ancillary event will be an opportunity to review, refine and finalize a national C2A.
- Date: THURSDAY – May 1, 2025
- Time: 08:00 – 11:00
- Room Location: Room 501 & 502
- Host(s): Simon Fraser University
- Speakers/Moderators: A diverse range of panelists will present, including women living with HIV, Indigenous leaders, HIV clinicians, staff from AIDS service organizations and researchers from across the country.
- Participation: Open to all CAHR 2025 attendees. Pre-registration required.
- Registration: Participants will pre-register through this link: surveymonkey.ca/r/YFFDT6H
MyLifeMyMind, an evidence-based personalized program to protect brain health and improve quality of life in persons aging with HIV
The goals of this event are to present MyLifeMyMind, an evidence-based personalized program to protect brain health and improve quality of life (QOL) in persons aging with HIV (PLWH) and obtain feedback from attendees on various aspects of the program.
The MyLifeMyMind program empowers PLWH interested in taking charge of their health by providing evidence-based information about modifiable contributors to cognition and QOL, personalized self-management recommendations, and information to bring to their clinician when medical intervention is appropriate. Additionally, a companion Toolkit for community organization-led group sessions to support those engaged in the MyLifeMyMind program has been developed. The content is adapted for delivery in three modalities: in-person groups; virtual groups; and in dyads with the help of a partner.
As part of the ancillary event, we will introduce the program to attendees and gather feedback. We will present the website, self-assessment questions and report, self-management resources and group-session materials (including vignette character portraits, session outline and activities, participant manual and facilitator manual with evaluation logbook). Attendance is limited at 50 participants, to include PLWH, community service providers, HIV clinicians and funders.
Attendees are asked to register ahead of time. Please note we are seeking representation from various groups in the HIV community. In order to have balanced representation of these groups, we will review sign-ups and allocate spots accordingly, with attendance capped at 50 participants. Your attendance will be confirmed one week before the event. Breakfast will be provided and 5 gift cards will be raffled to attendees.
- Date: THURSDAY – May 1, 2025
- Time: 08:30 – 11:30
- Room Location: Room 608 & 609
- Host(s): Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre
- Speakers/Moderators:
- Marie-Josée Brouillette
- Shari Margolese
- Al McNutt
- Participation: Open to all CAHR 2025 attendees. We are seeking participation from persons living with HIV, community organizations and care providers. Pre-registration required.
- Registration: As we aim for balanced representation of different groups within the community, your attendance will be confirmed one week before the event. Participants must apply here: eventbrite.ca/e/mylifemymind-cahr-2025-ancillary-event-tickets-1200381265679?aff=oddtdtcreator. Email contact is adamo.ghezzo@muhc.mcgill.ca.
Putting the Kids First: Building a Canadian Research Agenda for Children HIV-Exposed Uninfected
One of the greatest success stories of the HIV epidemic has been the dramatic reduction in perinatal transmission of HIV to children. This success has been achieved through global public health initiatives to provide HIV antiretroviral treatment to women with HIV. Children who are born HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) are the fastest growing HIV-affected population, numbering at over 16 million children globally and ~6,000 in Canada. Data on the health and developmental outcomes of older CHEU are limited but emerging data show that these children are more likely to fall behind their HIV unexposed peers.
This event will include presentations from two invited international experts, updates from ongoing research by Canadian researchers, and presentations from young investigators. These presentations will be followed by round table discussion with Community and Knowledge Users.
By bringing together International and Canadian experts, Knowledge Users, and Community Representatives we aim to:
- improve knowledge and awareness of the needs and priorities for optimizing health outcomes for children who are HEU
- identify research priorities for children who are HEU in Canada
- identify study opportunities and form new collaborations to facilitate this research
- Date: THURSDAY – May 1, 2025
- Time: 09:00 – 16:00
- Room Location: Room 612 & 613
- Host(s): University Health Network
- Speakers:
- Kate Powis
- Catherine Wedderburn
- Moderators:
- Jason Brophy
- Lena Serghides
- Participation: Open to all CAHR 2025 attendees. Pre-registration required.
- Registration: redcap.cheori.org/surveys/?s=HJ4H849YJHPAW847
CanCURE 3.0
The objective of this meeting is for investigators and collaborators of the Canadian HIV Cure Enterprise (CanCURE) to discuss their latest results, ongoing research projects, and future strategies. As we transition into CanCURE 3.0, this meeting will provide an opportunity for our team to reaffirm our research program and community priorities. We will also have the chance to discuss our current research progress and collectively share ideas and insights for future initiatives.
- Date: THURSDAY – May 1, 2025
- Time: 12:00 – 16:00
- Room Location: Room 501 & 502
- Host(s): CHUM Research Center
- Speakers/Moderators: Nicolas Chomont
- Participation: CanCURE members only
- Registration: By invitation, CanCURE members only
Empowering Change: Transforming HIV Care Through PAN’s Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle
This interactive session will highlight PAN’s Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle (OSAC) Project, a transformative framework designed to identify and address stigma within HIV-related services.
The Objectives of the session are:
(1) Introduce the OSAC project, emphasizing its evidence-based approach and significance in reducing organizational stigma.
(2) Share insights from the project, including tools, resources, and case studies, to support stigma reduction in diverse settings.
(3) Foster collaboration among researchers, service providers, and community members to encourage the adoption of OSAC.
The format will include Opening Remarks (Introduction to OSAC and its importance), OSAC Overview (Explanation of its history, participatory research methods, community engagement, and practical tools), Interactive Workshop (Participants complete a condensed stigma assessment based on their organization or service), Q&A and Open Discussion (Space for questions and sharing perspectives), and Closing & Networking (Recap and resource sharing to promote partnerships and implementation). As a result of this session, attendees will gain awareness of OSAC’s benefits, tools, and strategies, strengthen partnerships, and enhance their commitment to reducing stigma in HIV services across Canada.
- Date: THURSDAY – May 1, 2025
- Time: 12:00 – 14:00
- Room Location: Room 503
- Host(s): PAN (Pacific AIDS Network)
- Speakers/Moderators:
- Jennifer Demchuk, PAN
- Jennifer Hoy, CINHS
- Leanne Zubowski, PAN
- Participation: Open to all CAHR 2025 attendees. Pre-registration required.
- Registration: https://paninbc.ca/empowering-change-osac-cahr-2025/
Re-Imagining Community-Based Research
This workshop will explore the evolving role of Community-Based Research (CBR) in addressing systemic inequalities and fostering social justice. Participants will learn how to reimagine CBR by integrating principles of decolonization, equity, and activism. The workshop will emphasize collaborative and participatory approaches as well as highlight the transformative power of community involvement as co-researchers to address social inequities and empower marginalized groups.
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking session exploring the transformative potential of CBR in advancing equity, social justice, and systemic change. This workshop will bring together researchers, community leaders, and people with lived experience to reimagine CBR as a tool for empowerment—not just inquiry.
The session will open with a keynote presentation by an accomplished leader in HIV research, advocacy, and community engagement, whose work has boldly addressed systemic barriers affecting Black communities disproportionately impacted by HIV in Canada. This will be followed by a dynamic panel discussion featuring a diverse group of respected and accomplished CBR researchers and transformative changemakers, representing academia, healthcare, social services, activism, and lived experience. The workshop will conclude with small group discussions focused on reimagining the future and sustainability of CBR in today’s shifting health, social, and political landscape. Participants will explore how to strengthen ethical, community-led research practices, ensure continued leadership by people living with HIV, and advance CBR as a force for equity, decolonization, and systemic change.
We hope you’ll join us in this critical conversation and collective visioning for the future of CBR. This meeting is supported by the Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) and REACH Nexus.
- Date: THURSDAY – May 1, 2025
- Time: 13:00 – 16:00
- Room Location: Room 608 & 609
- Host(s): Maureen Owino and team
- Speakers: Winston Husbands, Sarah Flicker, Alex McClelland, Ciro Bisignano, Catherine Ruto
- Moderators: Muluba Habanyama, Lucy Nyarwai, Maureen Owino
- Participation: Open to all CAHR 2025 attendees. Pre-registration required.
- Registration: Participants must apply here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CanadianAssociationForHIVResearch/ReImaginingCommunityBasedResearch
Canadian AIDS Society: Supporting People Living with HIV in the Workforce
Does your organization see the value of living experience in your programs and leadership? The Canadian AIDS Society is developing an online training program for organizations like yours.
This is an opportunity to give your insights into what employers need to know, and give your input into our core messaging.
We will also be facilitating a conversation about our findings from two years of consultations across Canada. Subject matter will include:
– discrimination in the workforce
– providing a supportive environment
– GIPA/MEPA principles
– understanding U=U
– priority populations in HIV
- Date: THURSDAY – May 1, 2025
- Time: 14:30 – 15:30
- Room Location: Room 503
- Host(s): Canadian AIDS Society
- Speakers/Moderators:
- Christopher Weiss
- Chris Mallais
- Participation: Open to all CAHR 2025 attendees. Pre-registration required.
- Registration: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8TK6o1BroEqDWv83X-16WTI96p1YgNlPniSSKFz0HmBUNjVEV09JTzlJQzNLMkhZTEROSDJPTFEySi4u. If you have issues with the registration, please email: chris.mallais@cdnaids.ca
