BBDC Members Shine at Diabetes Canada/CSEM Professional Conference
January 3, 2023
By Krista Lamb
In November, Diabetes Canada and CSEM held their annual Professional Conference in Calgary, Alberta. Professionals in diabetes research and care from across Canada and around the world participated, and members of the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre were well-represented.
Dr. Bruce Perkins, Director of the Clinical Research Unit at the Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, received the Gerald S. Wong Service Award. This award recognizes a physician who is an advocate for the highest standard in diabetes care and education, and who has made a significant contribution to the diabetes community. Congratulations to Dr. Perkins!
Dr. Bruce Perkins with Dr. Alice Cheng (All photos by Kelly Mulner on behalf of Diabetes Canada)
The event had several exciting plenary talks, including one from our own Dr. Daniel Drucker of the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Drucker spoke about the Future of Obesity Medicines, a topic of great interest to the diabetes community.
Dr. Daniel Drucker
In addition, the BBDC was well-represented at the ULTRA Scientists Day (Ultimate Trainee Retreat to Advance Scientists Day), which was a day of learning for trainees interested in pursuing a career in diabetes research. Developed by The Diabetes Action Canada (DAC) Training and Mentoring Program and Diabetes Canada in collaboration with The Canadian Islet Research and Training Network (CIRTN), The Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (CCHCSP), the Empowering Next-generation Researchers in perinatal and Child Health (ENRICH) and the Maximize your Research on Obesity and Diabetes (myROaD) training platforms, the event brought together trainees from around the country to network, learn and share.
Other BBDC members who were involved in the conference include Leigh Caplan, Barbara Cleave, and Drs. Ilana Halperin, Jeremy Gilbert, Catherine Yu, Iliana Lega, Julie Lovshin, Lorraine Lipscombe, Caroline Kramer, Jon Rocheleau, Jeanette Goguen, Kim Connelly, Jon Rocheleau and Amira Klip, all of whom were speakers or moderated panels.
Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe
Of particular interest to BBDC members, Diabetes Canada announced updates to its Clinical Practice Guidelines, including those in the areas of type 2 diabetes remission and DIY technology for type 1 diabetes. Dr. Ilana Halperin, a BBDC member, spoke about the new position paper on DIY AID and reviewed evidence about how DIY AID use could improve A1C, time in range and quality of life. She also spoke about the legal and ethical issues related to DIY technology.
 Dr. Ilana Halperin |  Dr. Caroline Kramer |
The next Diabetes Canada/CSEM Professional Conference will take place October 25 to 29, 2023 in Montreal.