About 1,100 experts from all sectors of stroke research and clinical care gathered in Calgary from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 for the third Canadian Stroke Congress. The meeting included pre-conference workshops, symposia, a busy exhibit hall and engaging plenary speakers. By all accounts, the Congress provided opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking as researchers probed advances, innovations and new approaches to preventing, treating and promoting recovery from stroke.
“I think the Congress reflects very well what a vital and expert stroke community we have in Canada — with just a bit of ‘international seasoning’!” said Montreal neurologist and McGill University professor Dr. Robert Côté.
Throughout the three-day meeting, Lori Beaver, patient experience strategist at the Foothills Medical Centre, said she “kept thinking about all of the brilliant minds that were at Congress . . . all with one common goal in mind: improved stroke care. As a stroke survivor, it was wonderful to see and hear.”
Dr. Pierre Boyle, chair of the Board of the CSN, said Congress co-chairs Dr. Michael Hill of the Calgary Stroke Program and Dr. Mark Bayley of Toronto Rehab and the Program Committee deserve huge thanks “an outstanding scientific/clinical/training program. It is obvious that this event has generated new heights of scientific and clinical interest this year and has become THE stroke event of the year.”
The 2013 Canadian Stroke Congress will take place in Montreal from Oct. 17 to 20. For one time, the meeting will be held in conjunction with four other congresses — organized in parallel by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Canadian Stroke Network, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and Hypertension Canada. Congresses will overlap for a one-day Vascular Summit, designed to expand understanding of disease prevention and common risk factors for chronic disease. Participants in each of the congresses will also have an opportunity to attend sessions at any of the four congresses.