Confirmed nightly rates for each room type during the event block ( to ).
Room
Single/Double
Triple
Quad
Traditional King/Double
$325.00
$345.00
$365.00
Traditional Accessible
$325.00
$345.00
$365.00
Premium Accessible
$325.00
$345.00
$365.00
Studio Suite
$325.00
$345.00
$365.00
View Room Availability
CSCI-RA has reserved 150 rooms for our attendees on the following dates.
These rooms fill up fast—book as soon as possible to ensure your preferred room type is available.
Date
Traditional King/Double
Traditional Accessible
Premium Accessible
Studio Suite
Total
5
0
0
0
5
9
8
0
2
19
38
8
10
2
58
38
8
10
2
58
5
5
0
0
10
Total Available Rooms: 150 rooms
Reservations must be received by .
After this date, unreserved rooms may be released for general sale at the hotel's discretion.
Late-Breaking Abstracts Now Open!
Do you have exciting new research or emerging data in spinal cord injury rehabilitation? Submit your late-breaking abstract for the 11th National CSCI-RA Conference: Emerging Trends, taking place November 13–15, 2025, in Toronto.
Submission Deadline: August 8, 2025
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of SCI rehabilitation.
Still in Toronto After CSCI RA? Enjoy These Nov 15 Events!
If you’re in Toronto on Saturday, November 15, here are great options to round out your trip—choose from theatre, tribute concerts, hockey, and comedy:
The Lion King – Broadway in Toronto
Experience Disney’s stunning The Lion King at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
Alison Bonnyman is a physiotherapist with over 40 years experience. Aquatic therapy was integrated early into her practice and pursuit of further skills required coursework in the USA, Switzerland and St.Maarten. Alison is 1 of only 2 therapists in Canada who have completed the Comprehensive 12-day Aquatix Therapy course in Switzerland. Her MSc research was on aquatic exercise and bone geometry in women with vertebral fractures. She has presented research at international conferences. Canadian Aquatic Rehab was founded in 2011 to provide aquatic therapy courses in Canada. Alison is a member of the International Aquatic Therapy Faculty and maintains a practice in Mississauga working out of the community-based therapy pools. She is the co-organizer of the International Conference on Evidence-Based Aquatic Therapy to be held in Toronto April 2026.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): Association of International Aquatic Therapy Faculty, Canadian Aquatic RehabDescription of relationship(s): Associate member and co-organizer of IATF conference in Toronto April 2026, Teaching aquatic therapy courses across Canada. I am the Founder of Canadian Aquatic Rehab.
Amr Hassanein is a pharmacist by training and currently serves as the Territory Manager for Coloplast in the Greater Toronto Area, representing the Continence Care portfolio. He is passionate about improving clinical standards of care through innovative technologies and brings over 12 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
Dr. Andréane Richard-Denis is a physiatrist, clinician-scientist, and Full Professor in the Department of Medicine at Université de Montréal. She is Head of the Physiatry Department at Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, a Level 1 trauma center recognized for its expertise in spinal cord injury (SCI). Her research, supported by the FRQS and international networks, focuses on improving early diagnosis and prognosis after SCI. She has developed point-of-care electrophysiological methods, including the ElectroSacroGram (ESG), to provide objective neuro-sacral assessment. She also advances early rehabilitation strategies, such as activity-based therapy, to optimize neurological recovery and quality of life for individuals living with SCI.
I am a registered Physiotherapist with expertise in neurorehabilitation and aquatic therapy, currently working at St. John's Rehab Research Program – Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre with clients living after stroke, traumatic injuries, and limb loss. During my CIHR-funded doctoral program in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute – University of Toronto, I deep dived into the analysis of postural control in the aquatic environment, studying individuals living with a spinal cord injury or disorder (SCID). My doctoral degree was followed by 5 years exploring aquatic therapy practice post-SCID among rehabilitation professionals and co-designing with end-users the Stroke Toolkit for Aquatic Rehabilitation and Recreation Therapy (STARRT) to increase aquatic therapy uptake post-stroke. Now, as I re-enter the clinical world as a Physiotherapist, I aim to continue developing optimal and feasible clinical approaches and education tools for people experiencing a disability.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): St. Jonh's Rehab Hospital - Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreDescription of relationship(s): Employee
Angela Mei is a practicing pharmacist with a keen interest in improving the clinical outcomes and improving healthcare access for individuals with needs in the community. Graduated from University of Toronto with a Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, Angela further pursued training at Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University Toronto with a Masters of Science in Community Health. The focus of her Master's research project is on the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines for individuals with spinal cord injury and disease in the community setting and exploring the potential factors impacting accessibility to the COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Anita Kaiser is a Scientific Associate with the Neural Engineering and Therapeutics Team at KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network. She is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto and Applied Disability Studies at Brock University. Dr. Kaiser completed a BSc in Applied Chemistry and Biology at Toronto Metropolitan University, followed by a MSc and PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Toronto. Her research interests are focused in neurorehabilitation and activity-based therapy in individuals living with spinal cord injury. Dr. Kaiser is the Co-Chair of the Canadian Activity-based Therapy Community of Practice, Research Chair of the Canadian Spinal Research Organization, and founding member of the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium. She has been living with a spinal cord injury for nearly 30 years and has mentored over 80 individuals with spinal cord injury through SCI Ontario.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): Canadian Activity-based Therapy Community of Practice, Canadian Spinal Research OrganizationDescription of relationship(s): Co-Chair, Research Chair
Assistant Professor at Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw and Affiliate Scientist at KITE Research Institute in Canada. She coordinates Aquatic Therapy course for physiotherapy students and conduct research. She is the coordinator of the Aquatic Therapy, Exercise and Swimming Lab which aims to improve the use of aquatic setting for rehabilitation and health, and connect researchers around the world. She conducted seminars and workshops on aquatic therapy in national and international master's programs and conferences. She has published chapters in books and articles in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on the use of aquatic therapy in different populations. She is now conducting research on creating aquatic reactive balance training to prevent falls.
Dr. Arrani Senthinathan is a health services researcher and educator with expertise in spinal cord injury, health administrative data, and population health. She has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Toronto, examining healthcare utilization and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations. Dr. Senthinathan's work integrates data-driven insights to inform clinical practice, policy, and equitable healthcare interventions. She currently is an Assistant Professor at Niagara University and the University of Toronto.
Barry Munro is the Chief Development Officer of the Canadian/American Spinal Research Organization, which was established in 1984 to fund targeted research to maximize functional recovery and cure paralysis caused by spinal cord injury. Barry also currently holds the position of Treasurer for the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium, a community led organization which has the mission to bring about unified achievements in research, care, cure, and policy by supporting collaborative efforts across the spinal cord injury community.
Dr. Chan Gao is currently a Clinical Associate Professor at University of Michigan. He completed his PhD at McGill University, residency at Vanderbilt University, and fellowship at Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His research focuses on preclinical model of spinal cord injury-induced heterotopic ossification.
Damian M. Manzone is a Postdoctoral Researcher under the supervision of José Zariffa at KITE - Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - UHN. Damian completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, his master's degree at the University of British Columbia, and his doctoral degree at the University of Toronto, all in kinesiology and focusing on fundamental sensorimotor control. For his postdoctoral work, Damian has focused on developing augmented reality applications as rehabilitation tools for individuals with cervical spinal cord injury. This includes combining augmented reality technologies with functional electrical stimulation and conducting interviews with individuals with cervical spinal cord injury to assess the perceived meaningfulness and feasibility of these systems.
Dr. Allison is a Scientist at Parkwood Institute Research / Lawson Research Institute as well as an adjunct professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario. His research in the field of psychophysiology explores neuroendoimmune interactions that contribute to depression and chronic pain.
Fraser MacRae is a physical therapy student, PhD candidate, and Canada Graduate Scholar at Western University. His research bridges basic and clinical neuroscience, using tools such as non-invasive brain stimulation and imaging to study how brain function changes after injury. As both a clinician and a scientist, Fraser is driven to translate neurophysiological insights into more effective, individualized rehabilitation strategies for people recovering from neurological injury.
COI:
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Pacira BioSciences, Inc.Description of relationship(s) : Travel support for conference attendance., Co-Investigator on an investigator-initiated trial grant from Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
Garrison Lin, BScN, RN, is a Master of Science in Nursing student at Western University and a practicing registered nurse. His research focuses on neuro-rehabilitation and spasticity management in long-term care, with particular interest in improving how evidence is generated and translated into clinical practice. He is currently part of a research team investigating transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) for individuals with spinal cord injury and recently participated in a scoping review examining the current reporting practices in this field.Alongside his academic work, Garrison has clinical experience in general surgery, complex continuing care, and is transitioning into emergency and critical care nursing. He is passionate about advancing rehabilitation research, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and developing innovative approaches to improve care for individuals living with spinal cord injuries and other complex neurological conditions.
Dr. Kainth is a physiatrist and associate clinical professor in the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Alberta. He completed a Spinal Cord Injury Medicine fellowship at the University of Washington and is additionally board certified in Wound Medicine. Dr. Kainth's clinical practice includes spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and spasticity. He is the medical lead of the Spinal Cord Injury and General Neurology Rehabilitation program for the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and Edmonton Zone. His research interests include the prophylaxis and treatment of heterotopic ossification, acute spinal cord injury management and improving care for patients with pressure injuries. His passion is to elevate the standards of SCI management throughout the continuum of care.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): Abbvie, MerzDescription of relationship(s): Speaker, Advisor
Dr. Heather Hong is a research associate at the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, where she drives research to improve care and outcomes for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Her work focuses on translating evidence into practice, analyzing national registry data from the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR), and shaping standardized protocols that enhance recovery and equity in SCI care.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): Praxis Spinal Cord InstituteDescription of relationship(s): Employee
Heather Scott is a National Clinical Liaison at Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, where she combines her clinical expertise as a Registered Nurse with her personal experience of spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D) to advance SCI care across Canada. Based near Edmonton, Alberta, Heather is instrumental in Praxis's support of the nationwide implementation of the new SCI Standard at RHSCIR sites.Heather's leadership bridges clinical practice, operational strategy, and advocacy. Committed to equity and excellence, she works to ensure every Canadian living with SCI has access to standardized, evidence-based care. Her philosophy centers on innovation and equal opportunity, fostering improvements in SCI research and care, and inspiring communities through her dedication and lived experience.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): Praxis Spinal Cord Institute
*Description of relationship(s): ** Employed as a National Clinical Liaison
Dr. Hope Jervis-Rademeyer is an Assistant Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a physical therapist. She obtained a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Toronto in 2022 and a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Saskatchewan in 2017. Her research interest is in the clinical translation of neurorestorative approaches (i.e., brain-computer interface, epidural stimulation, exoskeleton, activity-based therapy) to rehabilitate individuals with neurological conditions, with a focus on spinal cord injury (SCI). Currently, her research also develops processes (i.e., clinical practice guidelines, national SCI model of care) to facilitate implementation of these approaches. Dr. Jervis-Rademeyer is the creator and co-host of the podcast Spinal Moves: Canadian conversations about ABT. She has also produced other videos and podcasts designed to improved people's understanding about topics related to SCI.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): St. Jonh's Rehab Hospital - Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreDescription of relationship(s): Employee
Jan Schwab, MD PhD is a physician-scientist and board-certified Neurologist specialized on spinal cord injury (SCI). His main interest is focused on deciphering the underlying pathomechanisms of the maladaptive immune response after SCI. In addition, he has an interest to develop and apply tools to improve prediction of animal models for clinical trials, reduce inherent bias and increase experimental value in SCIresearch.
eff Conway lives with a T12 SCI in Newfoundland and Labrador. He advocates for enhanced health outcomes of persons with SCI using a collaborative, evidence-based approach.
Dr. José Zariffa is the KITE Chair in Spinal Cord Injury Research, a Senior Scientist and the Associate Director, Scientific at the KITE Research Institute - Toronto Rehab - University Health Network. He is also an Associate Professor at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto. His research interests focus on neuroprosthetics and technology for upper limb neurorehabilitation, encompassing work in wearable sensors, neural interfaces, electrophysiology, and machine learning. Dr. Zariffa's team was awarded the Grand Prize in the Spinal Cord Rehab Innovation Challenge, a national competition focused on new tools to measure rehab activities and their impact.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation, University Health NetworkDescription of relationship(s): Funded grant for the work described, Inventor on a pending patent related to the work described
Julio C. Furlan, MD, LLB, MBA, PhD, MSc, FRCPC, FAAN, FASIA is a staff neurologist and a Clinician Investigator in the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the SCI Rehabilitation Program at the Lyndhurst Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Toronto. He is a trained head and neck surgeon from Brazil, who holds a MBA degree in Health Administration, an MSc degree in Clinical Epidemiology, and a PhD degree in Neuroanatomy.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): Craig H Neilsen Foundation, Cervical Spine Research SocietyDescription of relationship(s): PI in research grants
Kei Masani is a Senior Scientist at the KITE Research Institute and an Associate Professor in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto. His research interests are in understanding human movement and movement variability, from the view of neuro-mechanical interaction and sensory-motor integration. Particularly, he focuses on developing accurate assessments and therapeutic tools using functional electrical stimulation for standing, walking and adapted exercise. He received a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. in physical education from the University of Tokyo, and a Ph.D. in physical and health education from the University of Tokyo.
Kristen Walden is currently the Associate Director, Clinical Programs for the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute and a physiotherapist at Vancouver Coastal Health. The focus of her research involvement and clinical practice has been in the area of spinal cord injury (SCI). Clinically, she has practiced in the area of SCI for over 20 years, working with individuals in intensive care, acute care, as well as both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings. At Praxis Kristen works on a number of research and best practice initiatives including the Standing and Walking Assessment Tool, the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR), and the Canadian Activity Based Therapy Community of Practice. She has provided ISNCSCI training for over 200 clinicians and leads the development of a freely available ISNCSCI algorithm and is a member of the American Spinal Cord Injury Associations International Standards Committee.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, American Spinal Injury AssociationDescription of relationship(s): Employee, Member of International Standards Commitee
Kirstin Yuzwa is a Research Associate at the St. John's Rehab Research Program at the Sunnybrook Research Institute (Toronto, Ontario) and is the Project Manager for the Home Accessibility Tool-kit Study. Kirstin is a registered Occupational Therapist with clinical experience working in rehabilitation and expertise in executing qualitative and quantitative health and rehabilitation research.
Mr Manish Desai is currently working as a consultant in SCI and Trauma Rehabilitation at London SCIC, Stanmore, UK. He treats approximately 575-600 spinal patients annually together in the NHS and private facilities. His workload includes Traumatic Spinal cord injuries, Spinal tumours causing cord dysfunction and cauda equina syndrome patients.Mr Desai have developed integrated multidisciplinary specialist spinal rehabilitation in-patient services for Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) and MSCC (Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression) patients. He has been currently involved in SCI related research including ImPRESS,DISCUS,and Neuralink trials.He has been appointed as an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, at University College London. He also has been appointed as a regional specialty advisor for rehabilitation medicine, by the Royal College of Physicians, London.
Dr. Merna Seliman is a postdoctoral researcher at Western University. Merna completed her PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University. Her doctoral work focused on exploring the sexual lived experiences and recommendations for intervention design and development for among women with Spinal Cord Injuries using Participatory action research.Merna's research interests include women's health, sexual health, and chronic pain. She's also interested in emotional and psychological well-being in different populations and interventions to promote well-being such as mindfulness-based interventions.
Natasha is a recent PhD graduate from the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto and is currently a postdoctoral fellow within the Grey Centre at Parkwood Institute in London. Her research explores mobility outcomes and interventions for persons with neurological injuries.
Sander L. Hitzig is a the Program Research Director and a Senior Scientist at the St. John's Rehab Research Program (Sunnybrook Research Institute). He holds the John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Chair in Rehabilitation Research, and is an Associate Professor and Affiliated Scientist in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (University of Toronto) and in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (University of Toronto).Dr. Hitzig's program of rehabilitation, aging and disability research examines the long-term outcomes of persons aging with a disability and/or other vulnerabilities, which includes: (1) evaluating the impact of disability on health and quality of life; (2) identifying factors that promote health and social wellbeing in the community; and (3) developing evidence-based strategies to optimize the delivery of integrated models of care.
COI:
For-profit or not-for-profit organization(s): Sunnybrook Research Institute, International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics Canada, CIHR; AFP Innovation; AGE-WELL NCE; Craig H. Neilsen Foundation; Sunnybrook Hospital; War Amps; AMS Healthcare, University Health Network / University of TorontoDescription of relationship(s): Employer, Principal investigator or co-investigator, Functional Electrical Stimulation Method, Use and Apparatus for Mood Alteration. Granted, Filing Date: 2013 Mar. Patent #: US9259576B2 & Patent #: US20140277309A1
Sandra Mills is the Patient Education and Engagement Lead from University Health Network, Toronto Rehab, Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Rehab Centre. She develops and maintains the spinal cord specific patient education resource – Spinal Cord Essentials, teaches health care providers how to teach and actively engages people with SCI in program initiatives to ensure their voice is represented. Sandra co-leads the Teach-back SCI: Patient Oriented Discharge Strategy. Sandra has a Master of Education in Adult Education and Community Development from University of Toronto and is part of the Program leadership team at Lyndhurst.
Shannon is an occupational therapist (BC) and works both clinically and as the BC Regional Clinical Liaison at Praxis Spinal Cord Institute. Her experience includes 25 years of clinical practice focused in SCI rehab. She has comprehensive knowledge in the areas of pressure injury management, complex seating, specialized equipment and management of secondary complications of SCI. Shannon is an educator and has worked extensively providing SCI workshops to clinicians throughout BC and more recently, in Ukraine. Shannon plans to continue to share knowledge with clinicians both nationally and internationally, to enable regional clinicians to meet the complex needs of people living with SCI within their local communities.
Dr. Kalsi-Ryan is a Clinician Scientist in the field of neurological rehabilitation with a special interest in upper limb assessment, recovery, neuro-restoration and spine pathology. Her research is oriented to establishing methods to quantify neurological change after injury and studying neuro-restorative methods to enhance and optimize function for those with neurological impairment. She provides education and mentorship across a few University of Toronto undergraduate and graduate programs and serves as a member on a number of National and International Boards. Dr. Kalsi-Ryan is the founder of her own company, which manufactures the GRASSP and she herself, acts as a consultant to device and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
COI:
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Neural Outcomes, Canadian Physiotherapy Association, GRASSPDescription of relationship(s) : CEO/CSO, Director - volunteer, Inventor
Dr. Jaglal is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto with cross appointments to the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute and the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. She is a Senior Scientist at KITE Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network. She was Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy from 2019 to 2023. Prof. Jaglal is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and a recipient of the Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Service Award. She is the recipient of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine Graduate Teaching Award for Sustained Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship. Dr. Jaglal's research interests include osteoporosis, spinal cord injury and rehabilitation health services with emphasis on utilization, appropriateness, self-management and knowledge translation. She has published approximately 300 peer-reviewed journal articles
Thuvaraha Jeyakumaran is a Research Associate and Knowledge Mobilization Specialist at Lawson Research Institute, Parkwood Institute. She leads and supports projects focused on best practice implementation in SCI rehabilitation, knowledge mobilization, and improving access to assistive technologies for persons living with disabilities. Her work applies co-design and integrated knowledge translation approaches to meaningfully engage persons with lived experience, clinicians, and researchers in the development of resources, training programs, and implementation strategies.Thuvaraha holds a Master of Management of Applied Science (MMASc) in Global Health Systems from Western University, where she focused on engaging persons with lived experience to inform health interventions. She has presented at multiple national and international conferences, earning recognition for her contributions to knowledge mobilization and the application of health equity frameworks.
Dr. Vanessa Noonan is currently is the Director of Research and Best Practice Implementation at the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute where she oversees the Research and Care Program. She is a physical therapist and practiced clinically in SCI before joining Praxis. During her doctoral degree, she helped initiate the Canadian SCI Registry (RHSCIR) and continues to work internationally to help develop SCI data standards and data sets. At Praxis, Vanessa collaborates with members of the SCI community and Praxis Team to support the development and translation of neuro-restorative therapies and best practices to improve care, health and wellness for people living with SCI.
Yinghe (Arthur) Sun is currently a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at University of Toronto. His currently research focuses on selective peripheral nerve interfaces (PNIs) for improved neuroprosthetic control and neuromodulation interventions. Specifically, he is driven to improve the selectivity of PNIs in neural recordings through deep learning algorithms to facilitate closed-loop stimulations. Yinghe received his Master's degree in biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University. His Master's research topic focused on multisensory prosthesis training in virtual/augmented reality
Although lesion size is widely considered to be the most reliable predictor of outcome after CNS
injury, lesions of comparable size can produce vastly different magnitudes of functional impairment and subsequent recovery. This neuroanatomical-functional paradox is likely to contribute to the many failed attempts to independently replicate findings from animal models of neurotrauma. In humans, the analogous clinical-radiological paradox could explain why individuals with similar injuries can respond differently to rehabilitation. I describe the neuroanatomical-functional paradox in the context of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and discuss the underlying mechanisms of the paradox.
Heterotopic Ossification: Point counter point (clinician panel)
The incidence of Heterotopic Ossification with Acute presentation in Spinal cord Injury (SCI) is 20%-30%.
There is no consensus on prevention in high risk patients and first line diagnosis (Radiology and blood markers) and treatment modalities for early active HO.
We share variable UK practice and have come with a most evidence based algorithm or a protocol to treat HO in early phase after the radiological diagnosis.We would like to have consensus guidance, so the agreed and amended protocol could be used in centres treating SCI patients.
Add Tag to Ans
Session Objectives:
Understand prevention of HO in high risk individuals with SCI
The evidence based best practice – London SCIC protocol following MDT discussions literature review on early diagnosis, Investigations, Treatment and Prevention of HO
HO treatment
Active HO in early SCI
Target:
Physiatrist
SCI Specialist / Scientist
Medical Student/Trainee
Spinal surgeons, Spinal nurse specialists
CanMEDS:
Medical Expert (the integrating role)
Collaborator
Health Advocate
Professional
Networking Break
Refresh
Frontenac Foyer
Workshop 1A: How to build and deliver a peer-led professional health coaching service for people living with SCI
Background/Objectives: The housing needs of the spinal cord injury / dysfunction (SCI/D) community are not being adequately met due to a lack of accessible housing stock and lack of finances to modify homes, challenges in communicating with housing providers about their needs or obtaining information about available housing units.
Methods/Overview: This workshop will provide an overview of a Canada wide national study to inform the co-design of an accessible SCI/D housing tool-kit, which includes results of: a) a scoping review on housing post-SCI/D (n=36 studies); b) a qualitative study on the housing needs and priorities of the SCI/D community (n=74 people with SCI/D; n=5 family caregivers; n=19 professionals); and c) a national cross-sectional survey (N=78 persons with SCI/D) on the influence of housing on the health and wellbeing of persons with SCI/D.
Results: The scoping review reported on studies that examined housing issues related to accessibility (n=33), acceptability of housing (n=32), availability (n=25), adequacy (n=24), affordability (n=14), and awareness (n=13). The qualitative study highlights several challenges persons with SCI/D encounter with obtaining appropriate housing, whereby those who are unable to locate homes experience 'hidden' homeless or rely significantly on family members to navigate access to spaces in their homes. The majority of survey respondents (63%) reported an accessible housing need.
Conclusions: Following the presentation of the results (30 minutes), workshop attendees will participate in a 30-minute facilitated discussion on key findings and to provide feedback on what should be included in an SCI/D accessible housing tool-kit.
Session Objectives:
Describe the state of the literature regarding accessible housing and spinal cord injury / dysfunction.
Identify the accessible housing needs of Canadians with spinal cord injury / dysfunction.
Describe the process of co-designing a toolkit to provide information and support decision making on housing for people with spinal cord injury / dysfunction.
Target:
Physiatrist
SCI Specialist / Scientist
Medical Student/Trainee
People with lived experience; policy-makers; allied health; community advocates
CanMEDS:
Scholar
Workshop 2B: Integrating ISNCSCI into clinical care using innovative tools, advanced technologies, and interactive learning
This interactive workshop combines expert presentations with audience engagement through live polling and discussion. It begins with an overview of ISNCSCI's clinical relevance across SCI populations, followed by a presentation of national data from the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR) on current ISNCSCI use in Canadian clinical settings.
Participants will then explore new tools and resources, including:
The ElectroSacroGram (ESG) for advanced neuro-sacral assessment
Validated computerized ISNCSCI algorithms and the new ISNCSCI Algorithm App
New educational resources from ASIA that support clinician training and patient education
Abbreviated exams including the revised E-ISNCSCI Exam (Version 2)
The session concludes with an interactive Q&A, where attendees will discuss implementation challenges and contribute ideas for future tool development.
Session Objectives:
Identify tools and technologies available to help support ISNCSCI use
Describe the clinical utility of the ISNCSCI exam and its current Canadian use
Through use of Toronto Rehab's clinical best practice process and ongoing QI cycles, PODS has remained a standard of care in our program, evolving with changes such as new models of care, the COVID-19 pandemic, patient flow pressures and staffing changes. Over this 10-year period, Teach-back SCI PODS has been completed with over 3000 inpatients with SCI during the last week of their inpatient rehabilitation admission. Completion rates have ranged from 90-98% throughout this 10-year period. Reasons for not completing PODS are regularly monitored and addressed. Our key challenges for sustaining PODS have included new staff orientation, neutral facilitator recruitment, PODS scheduling processes, transition from paper to electronic health record and managing complex discharge issues. The workshop will provide examples of strategies used, changes made, and ongoing areas of focus going forward.
Session Objectives:
Describe key learnings and reflections of the Teach-back SCI PODS process
Target:
Physiatrist
SCI Specialist
Scientist
Medical Student
Trainee
People with lived experience
CanMEDS:
Professional
Workshop 3B: Analysis of the topographic physiology of the mechanisms of action of functional electrical stimulation therapy: What we know about its mechanisms of action
This workshop will (1) describe the guiding principles for how functional electrical stimulation can be combined with motor training to promote motor recovery; and (2) discuss the potential mechanisms of FEST when applied for rehabilitation of upper or lower extremity in individuals with SCI/D.
Session Objectives:
Describe the guiding principles for how functional electrical stimulation can be combined with motor training to promote motor recovery.
Discuss the potential mechanisms of functional electrical stimulation therapy (FEST) when applied for rehabilitation of upper or lower extremity in individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D).
Highlight key knowledge gaps in the literature regarding the mechanism of action of FEST.
Workshop 4A: Task-specific training and why it should be the guiding approach to walking rehabilitation after spinal cord injury: a reminder of how the nervous system learns, re-learns and recovers
A new Canadian Standard for accrediting facilities that provide SCI care was finalized in February 2024. Developed through a rigorous process with significant input from persons with lived experience (PLEX) of SCI, it aims to improve patient experiences, enhance functional recovery, and ensure optimal health outcomes through evidence-based care strategies.
The People-Centred Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitation Program Standard ("the Standard") is a comprehensive framework for delivering safe, effective care throughout the care continuum. It differs from previous SCI Acute and Rehab Standards by:
Focusing on a holistic interdisciplinary team approach to deliver person-centred care
Employing a dynamic care plan to provide transitional support, and
Supporting return to the community
After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:
Identify the new requirements in the Standard
Discover examples of how person-centred care is being delivered in Canada
Identify resources available/needed to support implementation at their facility
Methods/Overview:
The workshop will feature knowledgeable speakers who will highlight key changes in the Standard and showcase initiatives that align. Active participation will be achieved by polling the audience, question-and-answer periods and a facilitated large group interactive knowledge-sharing session.
Participants:
This workshop is for PLEX and SCI healthcare providers/administrators.
Results:
This workshop will provide participants with ideas on how to champion use of the new Standard and provide examples on how to change practice and improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion:
The Standard is ready for use, and implementation will help SCI Programs transform care through an integrated, people-centred approach.
Session Objectives:
Identify the new requirements in the SCI Standard
Cite examples of how person-centred care is being delivered in Canada
Identify resources available/needed to support implementation at their facility
Target:
Physiatrist
SCI Specialist
Scientist
Medical Student
Trainee
People living with SCI and those who support them
CanMEDS:
Medical Expert (the integrating role)
Communicator
Collaborator
Leader
Health Advocate
Professional
Workshop 4C: From simple podcast to comprehensive training course: developing accessible evidence-based educational resources using new media technologies
Clinicians across Canada must manage shorter patient stays, competing priorities, and growing caseloads, all of which limit the time available to review research evidence. This may be one reason why activity-based therapy (ABT), a newer approach targeting neurorecovery for spinal cord injury (SCI), may have limited implementation within Canada. This participatory workshop will describe the process of creating a series of educational resources using evidence-based new media technologies (e.g., podcasts, videos) with ABT as a case example.
Design/Overview: This interactive workshop is geared towards clinicians, individuals living with SCI, caregivers, researchers, and others interested in exploring new media technologies for evidence-based education. Using the Kern's approach to curriculum development we will introduce the ABT educational series. This series is conceptualized as an evolution from the initial podcast to video series to education modules, as part of an inclusive and accessible training course.
Results/Findings: The expected outcomes from the workshop are: 1) introduce various new media technologies as part of evidence-based practice, 2) understand how new media technologies can enhance accessibility, sustainability, inclusion, and evidence-based practice, 3) identify the Kern's framework steps for developing an educational series, and 4) learn the benefits and limitations of various new media technologies, and how to pick the most appropriate one through open discussion.
Conclusion: The ultimate goal of this workshop is for participants to explore new media technologies and to understand how they can be purposefully adapted to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and inclusion for an educational series curriculum.
Session Objectives:
Identify various new media technologies as part of evidence-based practice
Understand how new media technologies can enhance accessibility, sustainability, inclusion, and evidence-based practice
Describe the Kern's framework steps for developing an educational series
Learn the benefits and limitations of various new media technologies
Target:
Physiatrist
SCI Specialist / Scientist
Medical Student/Trainee
People living with spinal cord injury, care supports
We will explore the potential mechanism of HO formation and review the literature for prophylaxis and treatment of HO. We will also be discussing potential treatment options.
Session Objectives:
Identify potential treatment options
Assess the current literature for HO treatment and prophylaxis
Consider the potential mechanism of HO formation
Target:
Physiatrist
SCI Specialist
Scientist
Medical Student
Trainee
CanMEDS:
Medical Expert (the integrating role)
Communicator
Collaborator
Leader
Health Advocate
Scholar
Workshop 5B: Effective communication strategies for complex clinical settings
This evidence-informed workshop will highlight components of clinician-patient encounters that can be challenging for both parties. Participants will explore health literacy, plain language, teach-back, context-sensitive communication, and needs-based learning assessment in a fun, interactive environment.
Session Objectives:
Develop a foundational understanding of health literacy principles and their influence on patient experience and clinical outcomes
Apply plain language techniques to ensure clarity in patient-provider interactions
Target:
Physiatrist
SCI Specialist
Scientist
Medical Student
Trainee all attendees
CanMEDS:
Communicator
Networking break with Vendors
Time with exhibitors
Frontenac Foyer
Workshop 6A: Aquatic therapy for spinal cord injury/disease rehabilitation: An approach for the recovery of mobility and function
Background/objectives: Aquatic therapy is a holistic and effective therapeutic approach that addresses the goals of people living with a spinal cord injury or disease (SCID) who have difficulty functioning on land. The hydrodynamics of the aquatic environment offload body weight with buoyancy while the viscosity resists movement in all planes. The hydrostatic pressure aids in blood circulation and supports the body, providing a sense of safety for individuals with SCID. Although aquatic therapy post-SCID has shown preliminary promising clinical benefits, there is a lack of aquatic therapy uptake/practice for this population.
Methods/overview: This workshop will combine lecture-style knowledge dissemination with video examples and interactive group discussions. It will explore the scientific rationale, clinical applications, and practical considerations for implementing aquatic therapy for individuals post-SCID. We will examine how the aquatic environment can facilitate safe, high-quality practice of aquatic therapy and demonstrate how aquatic therapy is a feasible approach through clinical cases and evidence-based research.
Results: By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: 1) Understand how to apply hydrodynamics in practice to restore function and mobility in individuals post- SCID; 2) Identify barriers and facilitators to aquatic therapy implementation in the SCID continuum of care; 3) Learn about traditional and novel aquatic therapy methodologies that can aid in SCID rehabilitation.
Conclusion: As the field of rehabilitation continues to embrace evidence-based treatment strategies post-SCID, incorporating aquatic therapy in clinical practice and research studies offers an opportunity for people with to enhance the living experience of people with SCID. Aquatic therapy is a valuable rehabilitation tool that enhances mobility and function.
Session Objectives:
Understand how to apply hydrodynamics in practice to restore function and mobility in individuals post- SCID
Identify barriers and facilitators to aquatic therapy implementation in the SCID continuum of care
Learn about traditional and novel aquatic therapy methodologies that can aid in SCID rehabilitation
Target:
SCI Specialist
Scientist
Medical Student
Trainee
CanMEDS:
Communicator
Collaborator
Leader
Health Advocate
Scholar
Professional
COI:
Name of for-profit or not-for-profit organization(s) : Association of International Aquatic Therapy Faculty, Canadian Aquatic Rehab
Description of relationship(s) : Associate member and co-organizer of IATF conference in Toronto April 2026, Teaching aquatic therapy courses across Canada. I am the Founder of Canadian Aquatic Rehab.
Workshop 6B: Transitions in SCI care from inpatient rehabilitation to community - lessons from Alberta and opportunities across Canada
1 - Viet Vu - Shackleton C, Samejima S, Miller T, Sachdeva R, Parr A, Samadani U, Netoff T, Hocaloski S, Elliott S, Walter M, Darrow D, Krassioukov A. Effect of epidural spinal cord stimulation on female sexual function after spinal cord injury. Front Neurosci. 2023 Apr 5;17:1155796. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1155796. PMID: 37179555; PMCID: PMC10167769.
2 - Chesteer - Ho - Intensive Task-Specific Training Following Recent Spinal Cord Injury to Promote Neurological Recovery. A Randomised Phase 3 Superiority Trial - 24 Pages Posted: 8 Oct 2025
3 - Teresita Risopatron - Fasinella MR, Benato A, Creatura D, Morgado A, Barrey CY. Degenerative cervical myelopathy: timing of surgery. EFORT Open Rev. 2025 Jun 2;10(6):403-415. doi: 10.1530/EOR-2025-0070. PMID: 40459154; PMCID: PMC12139713.
4 - Brandon Lieu - Safety and Efficacy of Riluzole in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (RISCIS): A Multi-Center, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded Trial, Pub med Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37279301/
5 -
Poster Viewing
Even # Posters
Bay(Even numbers are presenting their posters)
Networking Break with Vendors
Exhibit Hall
Frontenac Foyer
Workshop 7A: Meaningfully engaging people with lived experience in research
Workshop 7B: Reimagining Rehabilitation: Current Practices and Considerations Following Peripheral Nerve Transfer Surgery in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
