The 20th Annual BRI Symposium
The Bloorview Research Institute is pleased to host its 20th Annual BRI Symposium on Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Conference Centre. This year's symposium will be offered in a hybrid format, with opportunities to participate either in person or online.
The theme is From Ideas to Action: Advancing Transformational Care and Support in Childhood-Onset Disability.
This two-day event will feature:
- Keynote presentations
- Student trainee oral and poster competitions
- The Pursuit Award competition
- Research talks and breakout sessions
- Exhibits showcasing innovation
- Networking opportunities, including a reception
- Awards recognizing excellence in research and impact
Join researchers, clinicians, industry, trainees, and families as we share new knowledge and strengthen collaborations in childhood disability research.
| From Ideas to Action: Advancing Transformational Care and Support in Childhood-Onset Disability | |
| 8:00 – 8:30 AM | Registration and Networking Breakfast |
| 8:30 – 8:40 AM | Meeting Opening Co-Hosts:
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| 8:40 – 9:00 AM | Welcome Remarks Presented by: Julia Hanigsberg, President and CEO, Holland Bloorview |
| 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Keynote Presentation: Mickey Milner International Professorship Lecture From the lab to the pediatrician’s office: How biomechanics research can change clinical practice Presented by: Dr. Mark D. Geil, Professor of Biomechanics, MOVE Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering, Kennesaw State University, and Research Investigator, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta |
| 10:00 – 10:20 AM | Refreshment and Networking Break |
| 10:20 – 11:10 AM | Welcome Remarks and Introduction to Spotlight Presentations |
Introduced by: Dr. Yana Yunusova, Professor, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto Spotlight Presentations Use of robotic-assisted gait training in an in-patient physiotherapy program for children with subacute acquired brain injury: insights from children and their parents Presented by: Jessie Strong
TeachABI-Caregiver: developing a return to school resource for caregivers of children with ABI Presented by: Hussain Syed
Promoting participation in pre-school aged children with cerebral palsy through coaching parents using solution-focused coaching methods Presented by: Daniela Testani
Examining caregiver motivation and engagement in Move&Connect-Caregivers: A multi-source exploration Presented by: Sophie Madge-Nyren | |
| 11:10 AM – 12:00 PM | Research Poster Presentations and Exhibits |
| 12:00 – 1:15 PM | Lunch, Networking and Exhibits |
| 1:15 – 2:15 PM | Keynote Presentation Building the Path for Equity for Genetics/Genomics research and health care with Indigenous Peoples of Canada Presented by: Dr. Laura Arbour, Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia |
| 2:15 – 3:15 PM | Breakout Sessions Session 1: Big data and artificial intelligence: opportunities and challenges Session 2: Inter-institutional opportunities to advance family engagement in research Session 3: Democratizing health care through technology Session 4: Engaging community partners on developing research opportunities |
| 3:15 – 3:45 PM | Networking and Exhibits |
| 3:45 – 4:45 PM | BRI Research Talks Walking with my robot’ and other steps along a technology-woven path: Research partnership reflections of a pediatric physiotherapist scientist Presented by: Dr. Virginia Wright, Senior Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute
Employment as a social determinant of health for young people with disabilities Presented by: Dr. Sally Lindsay, Senior Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute |
| 4:45 – 5:10 PM | Advancing Family Engagement in Research at Holland Bloorview: Consultation, Recommendations, and Actions Presented by: Dr. Tim Ross, Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute, Co-Chair, Research Family Engagement Committee and Suzanne Jorisch, Family Leader Co-Chair, Research Family Engagement Committee Presentation of Research Family Engagement Committee Awards
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| 5:10 – 5:15 PM | Closing Remarks Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Vice President, Research and Director, Bloorview Research Institute |
| 5:15 – 6:15 PM | Evening Reception |
Breakout Session #1 - Big data and artificial intelligence: opportunities and challenges (Note: this session will be live streamed. Venue: Conference centre)
- Facilitator: Dr. Azadeh Kushki, Associate Chief of Data Science, Senior Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute
- Panelists:
- Mary Jane Dykeman, Partner, INQ Law
- Dr. Danielle Baribeau, Clinician Scientist, Psychiatrist, Bloorview Research Institute
- Dolly Menna-Dack, Senior Bioethicist, Vice-Chair (Interim), Research Ethics Board, Manager, Bioethics & Spiritual Care, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Alfredo Arias, Parent, Patient/Patient Advisory Committee, Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders Network (POND)
Breakout Session #2 - Inter-institutional opportunities to advance family engagement in research (Note: this session will not be live streamed. Venue: Room 0W225 on Level 0)
- Facilitator(s): Dr. Tim Ross, Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute, Co-chair, Research Family Engagement Committee and Dr. Sarah Munce, Implementation Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute
- Dalya Kablawi, Program Coordinator, Research Engagements, Centre for Innovation & Excellence in Child & Family Centred Care, The Hospital for Sick Children
- Ping Du Mont, Youth Advisory Council Member, Canadian Institute for Health Research, Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health
- Caroline W Bennett-AbuAyyash, Senior Knowledge Translation Specialist, Ontario Brain Institute
- Kimberly Courtney, Family Engagement in Research Facilitator, CHEO Research Institute
Breakout Session #3 – Democratizing health care through technology (Note: this session will not be live streamed. Venue: Room 2W625 on Level 2)
- Facilitator: Dr. Elaine Biddiss, Senior Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute, Bloorview Childrens Hospital Foundation Chair in Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Panelists:
- Matt Cohen, CEO, Playspace
- Stephanie Vasiliou, Vice President, Programs, Equity & Innovation Implementation, Kids Help Phone
- Alifa Khan, Family Leader, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
- Dr. Jan Andrysek, Senior Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute
- Shilpa Sharma, Senior Manager, Health Equity Innovation, MaRS Discovery District
Breakout Session #4 - Engaging community partners on developing research opportunities (Note: this session will not be live streamed. Venue: Room 5E045 on on Level 5)
- Facilitator: Sharon Wong, Director, Research Partnerships & Impact
- Panelists:
- Geoffrey Pradella, Chief Executive Officer, Kids Brain Health Network
- Caitlin Siu, Program Specialist, Business Development & Partnerships, Ontario Brain Institute
- Shaina Latner, Manager, Strategic Partnerships, GreenShield
- Panelists:
You can watch the livestream by clicking on this link: BRI Symposium Livestream Link
Please note the booklet's content reflects the information available at time of printing. Please refer to the BRI Symposium event webpage for the latest updates.
Government leaders congratulates the 20th annual BRI Symposium
The Honourable Rob Oliphant congratulates the 20th annual BRI Symposium
The Honourable Doug Ford congratulates 20th annual BRI Symposium
The Honourable Sylvia Jones congratulates the 20th annual BRI Symposium
Minister Nolan Quinn congratulates the 20th annual BRI Symposium
MPP Stephanie Bowman congratulates the 20th annual BRI Symposium
The symposium is generously sponsored by
Gold sponsor
Acadia Pharmaceuticals is advancing breakthroughs in neuroscience and rare disease to improve quality of life. With more than 600 employees based in San Diego, CA, Princeton, NJ, and around the world, Acadia is dedicated to fighting diseases and helping brighter moments shine through for patients and their loved ones.
Silver sponsors
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Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) is a Canada-wide network that invests in and supports the spread, scale, implementation and expansion of access to proven solutions for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. KBHN’s vision is for all children to enjoy a good quality of life, participate in every aspect of society, and reach their full potential. | The Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) is a provincially funded, not-for-profit organization that accelerates brain health research and innovation to improve outcomes for the 1 in 3 Ontarians living with a brain disorder. Through an integrated 'team science' approach, OBI connects researchers, clinicians, industry, patients, and advocates to foster discovery and deliver innovative products and services that improve the lives of those living with brain disorders. |
Bronze sponsor
PlaySpace is a digital therapeutic ecosystem that empowers mental health professionals to deliver more engaging and effective care. Its mission is to improve care for vulnerable and underserved populations by making providers more accessible and better equipped to connect with those who need them.
