Presenting:
MECHANICAL VENTILATION UPDATES

Dr. Laurent Brochard is the Interdepartmental Division Director, Critical Care, at the University of Toronto. He is a full professor and clinician-scientist in the Division of Critical Care at St. Michael’s Hospital. He was previously working in Geneva as head of the Intensive Care Unit of the Geneva University Hospital, in Switzerland for three years. Most of his career took place at Henri Mondor Hospital, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, and at Paris EST University, France. He has a strong involvement in research, and especially clinical research about mechanical ventilation. He has been editor-in-chief of the journal, Intensive Care Medicine, from 2001 to 2007 and is currently serving as deputy editor for the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. He is leading a European Research Network dedicated to clinical studies in mechanical ventilation called REVA.

Presenting, with Carole Hamp:
DEFINING OUR BOUNDARIES: A COLLABORATIVE RT SCOPE OF PRACTICE REVIEW

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.

Presenting, with Yvonne Drasovean:
DEFINING OUR BOUNDARIES: A COLLABORATIVE RT SCOPE OF PRACTICE REVIEW

Carole has been a proud RT for 40 years, having graduated from the Toronto Institute of Medical Technology (now The Michener Institute) in 1985. Carole worked clinically at Sick Kids, Guelph General and Groves Memorial Hospitals and served as a Committee and Council Member for the CRTO prior to joining the College staff in 2007. At the CRTO, she has held the positions of Professional Practice Advisor, Manager of Quality Practice and Deputy Registrar; becoming the Registrar & CEO in 2022. Carole earned her honours degree at Western University and her Masters degree in the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Guelph.

Presenting:
THE OXYGENATION WORKHORSE: PRESERVE THE LUNG IN BRAIN DEAD ORGAN DONORS

Jiaxiao Li (Tommy) is a respiratory therapist and research coordinator at Brockville General Hospital, with a focus on critical care, airway management, and POCUS. He is pursuing undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa to expand his academic foundation, with interests in bridging clinical care and research to improve outcomes in acute settings.

Presenting, with Martha Williams:
PRESCRIBING PRIVILEGES FOR RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS

Andrea is in the twilight of her career as an RT. She has had the privilege to work during the early days of the profession of what was then respiratory technology and witnessed its growth in size, scope and esteem. As she contemplates hanging up her stethoscope and devoting more time to alleviating the burdens of poverty in her community, Andrea looks forward to the continued evolution of this best of professions.

Presenting:
BREATHING ROOM: FINDING PURPOSE IN OXYGEN, OUTRAGE AND GLOBAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

Dr. Nickerson is the Humanitarian Representative to Canada for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), based in Ottawa. He leads MSF’s humanitarian diplomacy in Canada and provides advice on humanitarian operations, medical policy and programming, and access to medicines for MSF’s operations in more than 70 countries affected by crises. Jason spent more than a decade working clinically as a respiratory therapist in adult critical care and anesthesia and has worked extensively in global public health response in Canada and internationally. He has worked in humanitarian health responses during armed conflicts, disease epidemics, and sudden onset disasters including in Afghanistan, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic.

Presenting:
SCHOLARLY PRACTICE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF A DIVERSE TEAM

Dr. Nonoyama is a respiratory therapist with a PhD in the Rehabilitation Sciences. She is currently an associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University and has positions at the Hospital for Sick Children and the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto.

Presenting:

FROM SKATEBOARDS AND PUNK ROCK TO SCHOLARSHIP: THE UNLIKELY EVOLUTION OF BECOMING A SCHOLARLY RT

Thomas Piraino is Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), FCSRT, FAARC, educator, and consultant. He serves as an Adjunct Lecturer for the Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Health Sciences, at McMaster University. Thomas has authored 61 peer-reviewed publications, including research papers, editorials, and textbook chapters. He is also a recognized speaker, having presented at over 60 conferences internationally, serves as the editor of The Centre of Excellence in Mechanical Ventilation Blog, and is on the editorial board for Respiratory Care.

Presenting, with Andrea White-Markham:
PRESCRIBING PRIVILEGES FOR RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS

Martha is currently faculty at the Michener Institute of Education at UHN. She has been practicing in the profession for over three decades across a variety of roles, environments, and patient ages. She has a passion for patient education and for promoting what Respiratory Therapists have to offer to health care.

Her recent thesis topic for an MSc in Respiratory Medicine was related to exploring non-medical prescribing and the potential for Respiratory Therapists to take on this role.