The 21st Annual BRI Symposium
The Bloorview Research Institute is pleased to host its 21st Annual BRI Symposium on Thursday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, 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 | |
| 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Registration and Networking Breakfast |
9:00 – 9:10 AM
| Meeting Opening Co-Hosts: Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Vice President, Research and Director, Bloorview Research Institute Juliana Farias Contreras, Youth Advisor Mukti Reddy, Family Advocate |
| 9:10 – 9:15 AM | Welcome Remarks Presented by: Bruce Squires, President and CEO, Holland Bloorview |
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Keynote Presentation: Mickey Milner International Professorship Lecture Theme: Brain Injury Presented by: Dr. Isabelle Gagnon, Professor, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Associate Member Division of Pediatric; Emergency Medicine Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University |
| 10:15 – 10:30 AM | Refreshment and Networking Break |
| 10:30 – 11:20 AM | Welcome Remarks and Introduction to Trainee Research Talks Introduced by: Dr. Yana Yunusova, Professor, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto Each year, more than 100 graduate and doctoral students join the Bloorview Research Institute to train alongside internationally recognized scientists and contribute to cutting-edge research in childhood disability. The annual BRI Symposium provides an opportunity for these trainees to showcase their work and connect with colleagues, collaborators and community partners. BRI Trainee Research Talks (4 trainees) |
11:20 AM – 12:00 PM
| Research Family Engagement Committee Update This session will highlight the notable accomplishments of Holland Bloorview’s Research Family Engagement Committee and the work underway to boldly reimagine the role of the committee in advancing research for all children with disabilities. Dr. Tim Ross, Senior Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute, Co-Chair, Research Family Engagement Committee |
| 12:00 – 1:15 PM | Networking Lunch, Poster and Exhibit Showcase |
| 1:15 – 2:15 PM | Breakout Sessions
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| 2:15 – 3:15 PM | Research Talks Engaged and person-centred listening in rehabilitation and healthcare conversations Presented by: Dr. Gillian King, Distinguished Senior Scientist; Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Optimal Care for Children with Disabilities, Bloorview Research Institute A Framework for Transforming Care in Rare Disease: Lessons from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Presented by: Dr. Laura McAdam, Clinician Investigator; Physician Director, Ambulatory Care; pediatrician, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital |
| 3:15 – 3:25 PM | Refreshment and Networking Break |
| 3:25 – 4:00 PM | Research Family Engagement Committee Awards Presentation |
| 4:00 – 4:10 PM | Closing Remarks and Adjournment to Evening Reception Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Vice President, Research and Director, Bloorview Research Institute |
| 4:10 – 6:00 PM | Evening Reception |
The symposium is generously sponsored by
Gold sponsors
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Kye is a growing speciality pharmaceutical company that identifies areas of significant clinical unmet need and seeks to provide innovative high-value medicines to improve or extend the lives of patients across Canada. | 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 sponsor
Kids Brain Health (KBH+) is a national platform with a mission to scale practical, evidence-based programs, products, and services—proven solutions that improve the lives of children, youth, and families living with neurodisabilities.
Bronze sponsors
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Empowered Kids Ontario represents organizations providing developmental healthcare to 200,000+ kids with disabilities and developmental needs every year. We promote smart investments, policies, and innovative approaches grounded in evidence and based on the best research and thought leadership from around the world, so kids with disabilities and developmental needs and their families live their best lives. | The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Its mission is to fund breakthrough research that will improve the lives of people with autism. To learn more about the Autism Science Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.autismsciencefoundation.org.
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