Dr. Patrick Loisel

Topic: From evidence to community practice in work rehabilitation: The Quebec experience

Bio: Professor Loisel is recognized as an international leader in work disability prevention and work rehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders. He has developed, tested and applied in the community an evidence-based work disability management program, linking clinical and workplace interventions. [more]

Dr. Renée-Louise Franche

Topic: Results of the literature review on workplace-based return to work interventions.

Bio: Dr. Renée-Louise Franche is a scientist at the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Franche's research focuses on developing a better understanding of how organizational, individual and healthcare factors contribute to safe, sustainable, and healthy return to work following injury or ill health. [more]

John Perry

Topic: The Way Ahead - Organizational Quality and Wellness focus for Health Care Institutions

Bio: John Perry is the Senior Advisor to the National Quality Institute of Canada and chaired the design committees for various NQI private and public sector national Excellence/ Quality and Healthy Workplace Criteria. Mr. Perry led the development of the NQI Organizational Quality & Wellness Criteria – Health Care Sector. [more]

Dr. Joseph A. Leutzinger

Topic: Health and Productivity Management: The New Paradigm for Addressing Employee Health

Bio: Dr. Leutzinger is the President of the Academy for Health and Productivity Management, the teaching division of the Institute for Health and Productivity Management. Dr. Leutzinger is also the founder and Principal of Health Improvement Solutions, Inc. The focus of this organization is to develop strategic and evaluation plans, as well as integrate human capital-related functions for organizations. [more]

Dr. Benjamin C. Amick III

Topic: Organizations, Health and Productivity: Missing Links or Links Missing?

Bio: Dr. Amick is an Associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences and Epidemiology at the University of Texas School of Public Health and a Scientist at the Institute for Work and Health in Toronto. He is a leader in how to measure health-related productivity and the types of organizational policies and practices important in sustaining health and preventing injuries in workplaces. [more]

Dr. Andrew Clarke

Topic: Practical Aspects of moving research into practice.

Bio: Dr. Andrew Clarke is an occupational health physician whose interests include the development of information systems for disability case management, and the application of organizational helping theory in disability. He has been the leader of the Employee Health Management team at GlaxoSmithKline (Canada) Inc. for the past 13 years. [more]

Panelist: Psychologically Healthy Workplaces - Case Presentations

Bio: Horace Armoogum began his career with Petro-Canada's predecessor Gulf Canada in 1969. His extensive knowledge and understanding of petroleum processing, terminalling and distribution has led to his present leadership role as Manager Burrard Products Terminal in Port Moody, B.C. [more]

Panelist: Early Recognition Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Abuse

Bio: Tom Beasley is a senior associate counsel at Coutts & Pulver where he advises and represents clients in all aspects of labour relations and employment law, with a focus on human rights, employment standards, wrongful dismissals and judicial reviews. [more]

Workshop Presenter: Managing Absenteeism – An Integrated Approach to Addressing Non-culpable Absenteeism, Workers Compensation Claims, Sick Leave and Ability Management

Bio: Laurence’s professional background includes 10 years with the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia, 4 years as a Director of the disability management arm of a major health care firm and 5 years as Western Canadian Attendance Management Practice Head. Laurence has spent considerable time working in unionized environments and recognizes the importance of addressing collective agreement issues. The ability to recognize the unique needs of all stakeholders has enabled him to develop durable solutions that reduce the human and financial costs of absenteeism. [more]

Topic: Creating a Healthy Culture

Bio: John Beckett is a manager with the Vancouver International Airport Authority. He is well known for his work with progressive employers where he designed and implemented many successful occupational health and safety and human resources programs. John is responsible for providing leadership and direction of the Airport Authority’s health and safety systems for employees, tenants, construction and the public. [more]

Moderator: Societal Trends: Forecasting from Insurance Data

Topic: Demographic effects: Implications for the workplace?

Topic: Early Recognition Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Abuse, Moderator

Bio: Paula Cayley is a senior business leader and change management professional who understands the issues and challenges that organizations face.  She has been President & CEO Of Interlock since 1999.  Ms. Cayley has worked extensively in the health care industry, and held the position of Chief Social Worker at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in the Mood and Anxiety division.  [more]

Session Chair

Bio: Peter Coleridge is a Senior Advisor, BC Mental Health & Addiction Services, Provincial Health Services Authority in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He has over 15 years of experience at the provincial, national and international levels in health promotion, planning, public policy, educational resource material development and training, and marketing and strategic communications.   [more]

Topic: Moving Research into Training: Best Practices in Leadership Training for Labour, Business, and Education

Bio: Dr. Angela Downey, an Associate Professor of accounting at the University of Lethbridge, has been involved in health care research for nearly 15 years focusing on employee wellness programs as well as prevention in the health care system. [more]

Panelist: Societal Trends: Forecasting from Insurance Data

Bio: Roberta Ellis was appointed Vice President Policy, Investigations and Review Divisions in 2004 at WorkSafeBC. She was Vice President of Prevention at WorkSafeBC since 1999 responsible for consultative, educational, and compliance programs to eliminate occupational injury and disease. [more]

Topic: Good communication is associated with good medicine as well as good business

Bio: Dr. Farnan completed additional training in Occupational Medicine as well as achieving certification in Family Practice and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Farnan’s medical practice has always included occupational medicine and addiction medicine. He has lectured extensively on these and related topics over the years. [more]

Panelist: Societal Trends: Forecasting from Insurance Data

Bio: In his current position at Great-West Life as Assistant Vice-President, Group Strategic Initiatives, Brad is responsible for the business strategy and development of all Group-related IT systems, including eBusiness Services. This area has focus on systems priorities to support Great-West's vision to develop innovative products and services, customer service leadership, and operational efficiency. [more]

Moderator: Early Recognition Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Abuse

Presenter: Pre-conference workshop: Prevention, early identification and effective management of mental health disorders and disabilities in the workplace

Bio: Merv Gilbert has worked as a leader and psychologist in the health care industry for over twenty years. He has worked in both private and institutional health care settings providing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, program development, research and teaching. Merv has served in leadership roles at regional, provincial and international levels. He has published in national and international professional journals and has presented in a diverse array of forums on the importance of workplace mental health and productivity issues for individuals and organizations. [more]

Topic: Opening Address

Bio: Andy King is the National Health, Safety, and Environment Co-ordinator and Department Leader for the United Steelworkers. Andy is a member of the Canadian Labour Congress' health and safety and environment committees, a member of the Provincial Council on Cancer Prevention and Screening in Ontario, and a Board member of the National Institute for Disability Management and Research. [more]

Session Chair

Bio: Mieke Koehoorn is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Health Care and Epidemiology at the University of British Columbia and the recipient of a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar award. She is also the President of the Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health. [more]

Topic: Create competitive advantage through investment in our employees

Bio: As a Director in Purolator's Human Resources department Mr. Kube has responsibility for environment, health, safety, disability management, employee engagement and continuous improvement. [more]

Topic: Societal Trends: forecasting from Insurance Data

Bio: Ken was appointed President and CEO of Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) in January 2003. He is also President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of British Columbia Life & Casualty Company, a director of Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada, a director of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, a Trustee of the Western Conference of Prepaid Medical Plans and a member of the CEO Forum of the International Federation of Health Plans. [more]

Topic: Case Study: Making OHS Work

Bio: Bill Meechan is the Vice President Health, Safety and Environment for the Washington Marine Group. Bill has a degree in environmental health and safety and a Masters degree in occupational health. He believes strongly in the concept of fitness and conditioning in injury prevention and that there is a strong link between wellness, safety, the workplace, the community and the families of employees. [more]

Topic: Highlights of Watson Wyatt’s “Staying at Work” Survey

Bio:Colleen McKinnell is the Group Benefits and Health Care Practice Leader for the Western Canadian Region of Watson Wyatt Worldwide. Colleen is responsible for guiding the performance of the practice in the Western provinces and providing expertise to clients in designing and implementing a broad range of health and productivity and general group benefits initiatives. [more]

Topic: A Healthier Workplace = A Healthier Bottom Line

Bio: Dr. Millar is the Executive Director, Population Health Surveillance for the Provincial Health Services Authority in British Columbia Canada. Previously he served as VP, Research & Population Health for the Canadian Institute for Health Information in Ottawa; and as the Provincial Medical Health Officer in BC. [more]

Session Chair

Bio: For the past 13 years, Jan has worked as a prevention and health promotion consultant for the Healthcare Benefits Trust. Jan consults with a variety of health care and community social service organizations on developing healthy workplace practices that support the physical and mental health of employees. [more]

Topic: Using an Integrative Model to Manage Chronic Disease in the Workplace

Bio: Dr. Myette is an Occupational Medical Consultant in the healthcare industry in British Columbia and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. His interests include strategic workplace health management, integrated chronic disease management, and particularly the prevention and management of depression in the workplace. [more]

Case Presentations: Psychologically Healthy Workplaces

Bio: Dr. Jennifer Newman is a partner with Newman & Grigg Psychological and Consulting Services Ltd. She is chair of the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Collaborative in conjunction with the British Columbia Psychological Association. [more]

Presenter: Prevention, early identification and effective management of mental health disorders and disabilities in the workplace

Bio: Dr. Le Page is a Registered Psychologist, with over thirty years of experience, who has worked in the area of pain and disability management in both hospitals and private pain clinics for the past 20 years. His previous positions include Clinic Director of the Vancouver Pain Clinic and Director of Psychology at the B.C. Children’s Hospital. In addition to working for an Occupational Rehabilitation program Dr. Le Page maintains a private practice and also works with Employee and Family Assistance Programs. His recent work has focused on stress related disability within the workforce. [more]

Topic: Highlights of the Towers Perrin "Global Engagement Study"

Bio: Jane Petruniak is a senior consultant in Towers Perrin’s Health & Welfare practice in Vancouver as well as Group Leader for the Western Canadian Health & Welfare practice. She brings more than twenty years of experience in group reinsurance and consulting to a number of prominent private and public sector clients on a comprehensive range of benefit issues. [more]

Panelist: Academia Meets Popular Press: An Uneasy Truce or Match Made In Heaven?

Bio: André Picard is the public health reporter at The Globe and Mail. He is also the author of the best-selling books CRITICAL CARE: Canadian Nurses Speak For Change and THE GIFT OF DEATH: Confronting Canada's Tainted Blood Tragedy. He lives in Montreal.

Topic: Early Recognition Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Abuse

Bio: Elayne Preston has over 25 years of experience as an occupational health nurse, having attained national occupational health nursing certification in both Canada and the USA. [more]

Scientific Conference Chair

Bio: Dr. Reddoch is past President of the Canadian Medical Association and championed the adoption of the CMA Policy on Return to Work. He has lived and worked in the Yukon for over 30 years. He has served as the Chief Medical Consultant to the Yukon Workers Compensation Health and Safety Board for 25 years. He believes that preventing and managing disability is a key component of any physician’s practice. [more]

Panelist: Societal Trends: Forecasting from Insurance Data

Bio:Sue is currently the Vice President of the Canadian Group Life and Disability operation at Manulife Financial. Sue joined Manulife in 1994 and held positions of increased accountability until assuming the role of Controller for the Canadian Individual Insurance Division. [more]

Topic: How to Link Disability Management to the Bottomline and Disability Management Programs: Costs, Trends and Solutions

Bio: Liz Scott, Principal, Organizational Solutions is an accomplished Disability Management professional recognized for award winning cost reduction results, “best practice” program designs, and ability to solve a complex variety of internal and external workers’ compensation, disability, and insurance concerns. Clients are from all industry sectors and consistently experience reduced duration of time lost from work by employees and decreased cost in the disability area. [more]

Panelist: Labour Management Partnerships

Bio: Gerry Smith has spent seventeen years as a staff representative with the former IWA Canada and now United Steelworkers. He worked in Prince George IWA Local 1-424 from 1989 through to 1998 and has been with the national office of the former IWA and with the recent merger is Staff Representative on national staff with USW. Gerry has worked extensively in WCB advocacy, disability management and employee benefits.

Panelist: Early Recognition Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Abuse

Bio: As Manager of the Mental Health Works program for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Margaret Tebbutt delivers presentations to help employees become aware of mental health in the workplace, and workshops to help managers develop the knowledge and skills to more effectively discuss mental health issues with employees and create accommodation strategies that work. [more]

Panelist: Labour Management Partnerships

Bio: Dr. Annalee Yassi is the Founding Executive Director of the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare (OHSAH) in BC. She is also the Director of the Institute of Health Promotion Research at the University of British Columbia, and a Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences in the UBC Faculty of Medicine.

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