keynote - marquee speakers & special guests

Cathy Ulrich became president and chief executive officer of Northern Health on June 15 2007.

Ms. Ulrich brings a wide range of experience and strong academic qualifications to the CEO’s position. She has spent the majority of her career in rural and northern locations where she gained a solid understanding of the nature of rural and northern communities, their health needs and concerns, and the unique approaches required to meet these needs.

Interim President of the BC Cancer Agency

Brian T. Schmidt is the Senior Vice President of Provincial Services, Population and Public Health for the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) in British Columbia and is also currently serving as the interim President of the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA).  

Past President of the BC Cancer Agency

Dr. Sutcliffe was President of the BC Cancer Agency, a position he held from October 2000 to March 2009.  Dr. Sutcliffe is currently the Vice-Chair, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer; Chair of the International Steering Committee for the 3rd International Cancer Control Congress; and a past member of various NCIC/CCS Committees. 

One of the World's Most Respected Humanitarians.

Stephen Lewis is a Professor in Global Health in the Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University.  He is Chair of the board of the Stephen Lewis Foundation (www.stephenlewisfoundation.org), which is dedicated to turning the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa.  And he is Co-Director of AIDS-Free World in the United States.

In 1990, Heinzl became one of Canada’s first volunteer doctors during a mission to Cambodia. As a founding member of Doctor’s Without Borders (Canada), Heinzl has treated patients in the mountains of Turkey, isolated towns of Cambodia and communities ringing the Iraqi desert.

Heinzl is fascinated by the implications the internet can have on medicine. Dr. Heinzl speaks of how the internet is going to lead to the “globalization of medicine”, and insists that Canada must play a central role in the globalization.

Dr. Fields is Vice President, Cancer Corridor, Alberta Health Services and Professor of Oncology of the University of Alberta.

In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he practices as a medical oncologist at the Cross Cancer Institute, specializing in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.  He has an extensive record of service to various professional, scientific and voluntary organizations at the provincial and national level.