INSPIRE CONFERENCE 2026
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WELCOME FROM THE RTSO

Yvonne began her career with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Western University (2000) and an Advanced Diploma in Respiratory Therapy from Fanshawe College (2003). She worked as a Respiratory Therapist and Professional Practice Leader at St. Joseph’s Healthcare London from 2003 to 2015 and has been actively involved in clinical practice at London Health Sciences Centre since 2003.

In 2010, Yvonne transitioned into academia, teaching at Conestoga College before joining Fanshawe College in 2013, where she is now a full-time faculty member. She holds a Master’s in Adult Education from Yorkville University (2016) and incorporates innovative teaching methods like Extended Reality into her curriculum.

Yvonne also serves as Past President of the Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario.

Topic: Many Roles, One Purpose

Jake Tran is the President & CEO at the Toronto Grace Health Centre since 2018. Jake brings over 28 years of experience as a clinical respiratory therapist in acute care and community settings. He has experience in complex continuing care, transitional care, long term care, wound care and prevention, respiratory care, mental health, and aging in place.

Jake Tran holds a master’s degree in science in Community Health from the University of Toronto. He completed his Advanced Health Leadership Program and International Interprofessional Wound Care from the University of Toronto, and a Ph.D. from Queens University with interests in Wound Prevention/Care and “Transitions in Care, Aging in Place”.

Recently, he implemented an “integrated transitional care program” using technology for older adults living with frailty.

Topic: inhaled sedation in ICU

Dr. Marat Slessarev is an Associate Professor of Critical Care Medicine at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Medical Director of the Medical-Surgical ICU at London Health Sciences Centre. As a clinician-scientist with the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, he leads an interdisciplinary research program at the intersection of neurosciences, critical care, ethics, and organ donation.

Dr. Slessarev co-leads multi-site research programs in organ donation (NeuPaRT and CONCLUDE), ICU sedation (SAVE-ICU and ABOVE RCTs), and the implementation of Normothermic Regional Perfusion across Ontario and Canada. He also serves as Regional Medical Lead for Donation with Ontario Health’s Trillium Gift of Life Network and Secretary of the Canadian Critical Care Society.

Topic: What does the next 5 years for RTs look like?

Paul Cameron is an Intensivist at London Health Sciences Centre and the Program Director for Adult Critical Care Medicine Subspecialty Residency Training Program at Western University in London, Canada. Clinically he provides service in Medical Surgical and Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Units along with the Critical Illness Recovery Program and Home Respiratory and Ventilatory Clinic at LHSC as part of the Provincial Long Term Ventilation Strategy Hub.

Topic: Absolut Respiratory, improving CPAP success

Lyndsey Ross graduated from the Respiratory Therapy Program at Conestoga College as part of their first class, finishing in December of 2008. Lyndsey previously graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University in the spring of 2006. Lyndsey has spent her entire career working in community respiratory therapy. After 2 years of working in West Brantford, she returned to her hometown of Simcoe to open her own business, Absolute Respiratory in May of 2011. In July 2013, she expanded to a second location in Tillsonburg. In January of 2025, Lyndsey expanded her company’s services to include full-service home healthcare, including nursing, PSW, exercise and foot care.

Lyndsey is a single mom to her 7-year-old son, Matt, whom she enjoys spending her free time with, supporting him by being an active volunteer at his school. Lyndsey loves to be active in her community by hosting local health expos and professional development days. Lyndsey has been on many local community groups such as CIBC Run for the Cure, Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, Lawn Summer Nights, as well as professional organizations such as the board of directors for the Ontario Home Respiratory Services Association.

Topic: Update on the Respiratory Management of TTN and RDS

Anthony is a graduate of the University of Toronto (1994) and the Michener Institute (1999). He has been a practicing Respiratory Therapist for over 25 years. He is now a senior member of the Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS) team at SickKids with over two decades on the team and one of few in the profession to hold a certificate of subspecialty certification in Neonatal / Paediatric Transport. ACTS is the largest and busiest transport team, completing roughly half of the province’s transports. The management of TTN and RDS comprises a significant number of transport cases for ACTS.

Topic: Wound care related to tracheostomy

Dr. Kevin Woo is a Full Professor at Queen’s University, Faculty of Health Sciences in Kingston, Canada . He also holds an academic appointment at Western University (Canada) and Curtin University CRC Australia).

He is known as an established Canadian researcher and educator in the fields of wound management and chronic disease management. Dr. Woo’s research focuses on developing innovative solutions and technologies to promote chronic disease management and wound care. Dr. Woo has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and best practice guidelines that have shaped the delivery of care in Canada and internationally.

Dr. Woo is inaugural president of the Canadian Pressure Injury Advisory Panel and an affiliate scientist at the Institute for Education Research (TIER) , University Health Network . He is the Chief Research Officer, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Canada to advance wound care research and knowledge translation .

Topic: empowering RTs new to research

Julie Brown is currently the Coordinator of the Fanshawe College Respiratory Therapy Program and has been a professor there for over 20 years; she also works Part-time as a staff Respiratory Therapist at London Health Science Centre and has for over 25 years. Julie has spent numerous years within the RT profession as a board member including director and president of the RTSO, president of the CBRC/HPTC Board of Directors, CRTO executive and working groups, CSRT scientific planning committee and is a CJRT peer reviewer. Julie is passionate about research and advocating for the RT profession and works to inspire the next generation to have those same passions.

Topic: Duty to Self, Protecting the Well Being of RTs

Julia Dharma Long is a Canadian author, founder, and resilience educator whose work blends trauma‑informed science, nervous system regulation, and practical tools for high‑stress professions. Her bestselling book Duty to Self provides accessible strategies for boundary‑setting, self-awareness, advanced breathwork, and internal regulation for those exposed to chronic stress and trauma — including firefighters, paramedics, police, dispatchers, doctors, nurses, …and respiratory therapists.

Her mission is to elevate the baseline wellbeing of high-stress trauma-exposed individuals and organizations through evidence‑based, actionable frameworks.

Topic: Tankless Nitric Oxide Delivery: The LungFit PH Approach

Mark Rimkus is a Professional Engineer and Registered Respiratory Therapist who has been an RRT since 1992. He currently is the Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Beyond Air. Mark brings extensive expertise in nitric oxide inhalation therapies, having designed and overseen numerous clinical studies evaluating high-dose nitric oxide for treating bronchiolitis in infants, COVID-19, and refractory nontuberculous mycobacterium.

Blending his clinical experience with his medical device engineering background, he also manages the international technical and clinical support for the LungFit PH Tankless Nitric Oxide System. Having worked extensively in PICU, NICU, and transport settings at facilities like the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Mark looks forward to sharing his latest clinical and technical insights on tankless nitric oxide generation and delivery with his fellow colleagues.

Topic:Vaping, what do we know about short term affects?

Jody Saarvala is a Professor at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN. Jody has previously co-presented a workshop at the CSRT conference in 2021. She presented this past May at the CSRT conference in Whistler. Jody recently completed her MSc in Respiratory Medicine at the University of South Wales. In her down time she is an avid Raptors fan from day 1. Jody enjoys watching many other professional sports and loves to attend games when she can. Her dissertation focused on a literature review on the short term effects of vaping on the cardiorespiratory system. Jody is here today to share her findings from her literature review.

Topic: Diagnosis and Research of Lung Injury/ARDS

Dr. Lee received his M.D. from the University of Toronto and was awarded the Cody Gold Medal. He did residencies in Internal Medicine, Respirology, and Critical Care Medicine in Toronto. He completed a PhD in the Program in Cell Biology (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto) and postdoctoral training in Microbiology and Immunology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University (New York).

Dr. Lee is a full Professor in the Department of Medicine and an attending physician in the Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit of St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto). He runs a vascular biology research lab that focuses on the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for diseases like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). His work has led to 3 patents, of which one is the subject of an ongoing phase IIa clinical trial in ARDS. Dr. Lee’s work has appeared in journals such as the The Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine, and the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. He holds a Canada Research Chair in Mechanisms of Endothelial Permeability.