By Tracey Duguay
MEDNorth, an innovative heath-care conference and trade show geared toward the medical community in Northern Ontario, will take place in Greater Sudbury April 20.
"We are so proud the City of Greater Sudbury is going to host this inaugural event," said Patricia Mills, publisher of Northern Ontario Business, which is hosting the conference. "This is unique to Northern Ontario."
At a news conference Monday, Mills explained the goal of MEDNorth is to give health-care professionals across Northern Ontario an opportunity to learn more about new technologies and products, leverage and share successes and stories, and find ways to improve work-life balance.
The conference and trade show will feature two keynote speakers, starting with Dr. David Posen, a family physician and leading authority on lifestyle management, who will speak on work-life balance for health professionals in the morning. Closing the day's event will be comedian Rick Mercer, who will appear at the gala dinner.
The conference component of MEDNorth offers a series of sessions presented throughout the day by nationally and internationally recognized experts. The topics range from telemedicine, cardiovascular-care developments, traditional Anishnaabe teachings, financial planning on physician incorporation, developments in neuroscience research and an update on the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
There will also be a Regional Hospitals Best Practices: Patient Care Panel with representatives from hospitals in Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timmins.
New technologies, products and other medical-related innovations and services will be featured at one of the 20 booths on display at the trade show, which will run from 10 am to 5 pm.
"The timing is right," said Greater Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez at the news conference. "It's putting the spotlight on heath care in Sudbury."
Citing the city's bad statistics when it comes to high rates of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes, Rodriguez said he's very supportive of this type of endeavour.
There's an open invitation extended to health-care professionals, educators, consultants, health-care organizations and associations, pharmaceutical professions, government employees and students who are interested in attending.
Tickets are $200 per delegate or $100 for students, which includes the gala dinner. Those interesting in just attending the dinner with Rick Mercer can purchase tickets for $100.
As well, there are still booths available at the trade show. For ticket information or trade show booth information, phone 673-5705, ext. 351.
Organizations, businesses or individuals interested in becoming a sponsor for the event can phone 673-5705, ext. 320.
People can also visit www.mednorth.ca
