Kids Brain Health Virtual Conference 2021

Are You Ready for #KBHNConf2021?

On November 8-9, 2021, Kids Brain Health Network will be hosting its second-ever virtual conference (#KBHNConf2021). The theme for this year’s conference is “Realizing Change through Partnerships and Research Innovation.” This virtual installment of the annual event is a celebration and exhibition of all of the achievements that Kids Brain Health Network and its partners have made to further ensure better outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

While traditionally an in-person conference, many adjustments have been made to maximize audience engagement and participation. There will be trivia, polls, games, and many opportunities to network with other attendees at the conference. In short, both days will be filled with events and presentations that promise to make this year’s conference will be the best yet.

In other exciting news, Dr. Jody Carrington has graciously accepted to be this year’s KBHNConf2021 host and emcee. She follows last year’s host, Award winning CBC radio host, Dr. Brian Goldman, in his role of guiding us through the conference, its sessions and all its activities. Over the past 15 years, Carrington has assessed, treated, educated and empowered some of our most vulnerable and precious children and youth. So, as we continue to prep for the conference, please give Dr. Carrington a warm KBHN Welcome.

We are delighted to award this year’s prestigious Fraser Mustard Lecture to Dr. Paige Church for her significant contributions to child development.. The Fraser Mustard Lecture tackles critical subjects within early child development and aims to bring more awareness to this vital topic. Through her lived experience and working in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Dr. Paige Church seeks to advance the knowledge and destigmatize the culture of medicine within that of childhood development.

This year we also premiere our newest session, #HowNotToDoPatientEngagement. This innovative new event features a contemporary spin on a classic problem: When patient and family engagement doesn’t go according to plan. The session features a panel discussion in which KBHN and CanChild’s Family Engagement Facilitator, Rachel Martens, will be moderating a group of people who are directly involved in understanding and overcoming the challenges and tensions of engagement. The panel members come from all walks of life to give a complete understanding of the topic. What’s more, the catchy name of the event isn’t just for show, as all attendees are encouraged to have their say by joining in on the discussion on Twitter for how we can create a positive future through #BuildingBackTrust.

Back by popular demand, the Poster Session will expand in interactivity. Presenters will share a video with the attendees before the scheduled poster session, allowing for more time to be spent on meaningful discussions of the presenter’s work. In addition, attendees will partake in a virtual networking environment to view these posters before the conference. Each presenter is then given time to present at their ‘booth’ discussing research results, community engagement activities, and knowledge mobilization initiatives during the event. Those who wish to attend are invited to visit the virtual KBHN2021 Networking space and the Virtual Poster Session along with other attendees, so they can interact with presenters.