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This monthly Community of Practice meeting is hosted by the Dr. Peter Centre. 

Join a compelling conversation with International Drug Policy Specialist, Matt Bonn, who will share his personal journey through various substance use treatment models and the development of key life skills. Drawing from his lived experience, Matt provides meaningful insights into the complexities of care and the critical role of person-centered approaches. The event will also include a screening of his video, The Sky’s the Limit.

This webinar is presented by CASCADES Canada.

Pharmacies are accessible healthcare hubs, trusted by communities daily. Their teams don’t just dispense medication; they assess well-being, identify non-medical needs, and offer guidance. Yet, pharmacies remain overlooked in social prescribing pathways connecting patients to community services for holistic health.

Join CASCADES for a one-hour webinar to explore:

• How pharmacies can expand social prescribing’s reach, especially for underserved populations
• Insights from the Canadian Institute of Social Prescribing (CISP) and Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC)

Actionable strategies to leverage pharmacies as health equity engines

The North American Refugee Health Conferenece (NARHC) was founded by Dr. Anna Banerji in 2009 as the Canadian Refugee Health Conference;  in 2012, the name changed to NARHC. 

NAHRC is the longest standing and only Canadian-based refugee meeting with global perspectives to promote the best outcomes in refugee populations through research, education and advocacy. The conference includes a broad range of topics from pre-migration risk to flight, time in refugee camps, and settlement/resettlement, and covers many aspects of refugee health, including social determinants of health. 

Topics range from mental health, settlement issues, infectious and chronic disease, interpretation, racism, detention, climate change, women’s health, human rights, and more.  We anticipate about 500 or more attendees from Canada and Globally. 

Some of this year's keynote speakers:  

• Payam Akhavan, International Criminal Court, Human Rights
• Dr. Rageshri Dhaiyawan HIV specialist,  London, England, on racism in the healthcare
• Dr. Barri Phatafod, Doctors for Refugees, Sydney Australia, Detention
• Dr. Paul Caulford, Toronto, the health needs of the uninsured
• Umashanie Reddy and Fairiborz Birjandian, lessons from the Afghan resettlement program
• Gabriel Schriver on LGBTIQ+ policies from IOM
• Dr. Poonam Dhavan, Director, Migration Health Division IOM
• Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur in occupied Palestinian
• Dr. Rachel Kronick, Montreal, the mental health of children
• Dr. Micael Ryan, ED WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (TBC)
• Dr. Allan Maina, UNHCR, Chief of Public Health (TBC)

In addition to other speakers, NAHRC 2025 will include workshops and oral abstracts profiling the important refugee health issues in Canada and globally. There will also be ample time for for discussion and opportunities for those who work in the health and settlement sectors to network, learn from one another, discuss barriers and possible solutions, learn new skills and develop guidelines in refugee health. The preliminary program can be found here.

One-day early bird prices range from $260 for Residents, Fellows, and people working in the Settlement Sector, to $399.00 for the general public. Full-conference early bird prices range from $650 for Residents, Fellows, and people working in the Settlement Sector, to $935 for the general public. Prices go up starting August 1. See full rate details here. 

This online workshop is presented by the Center for Implementation.

# Let's take some time to reset

We’ll use the implementation science principles we know so well—and a supportive investigative lens—to help us make sense of the changes we’re facing. 

You’ll have the opportunity to vent, reflect, and connect with others navigating similar struggles in a safe space. 

While this won't be an instructional learning event (meaning we won’t be introducing you to a new tool or teaching new content), we'll connect through our common challenges, inspire one another, and exchange ideas for how we’re currently navigating uncertainty during this difficult time. 

Together, we’ll uncover what's within our control, explore how to respond with intention, and leave with small but meaningful steps forward to make showing up to our jobs a little easier.

# What we’ll explore

We'll look at how implementation science principles and approaches can help us:

• Understand changing contexts: We’ll acknowledge the shifts around us and how we’re feeling—and try to make sense of what it all means.​

• Identify barriers and select strategies to support action: We’ll unpack what’s getting in the way and explore how tangible tools (like StrategEase) can help us respond.​

• Reclaim our power within and connect with others: We’ll reflect on our Jewels of Power and discuss the importance of connection.

Plus, there will be lots of opportunities for engagement. (Just keep in mind that this is an opportunity to collectively recenter ourselves, not a learning event.)

# ​Notes on the recording 

The main content will be recorded but none of the interactive activities or participant contributions will be recorded to ensure a safe space for open, honest sharing.

The recording will be available for 2 months, and will only be provided to those who register in advance.