2026 WOUNDS CANADA
NATIONAL HYBRID CONFERENCE
October 22 – 24, 2026

Dr. Albak has been practising Family Medicine since 1985. He has been the medical director for PRIME clinic at Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg since 2009. This is an out-patient, multidisciplinary clinic for frail elderly clients who wish to remain in the community and avoid facility-based living. He has witnessed the immense value of early detection and team-based approach in the prevention and early evidence-based intervention of wound care to promote optimal outcomes and prevent hospitalization. Dr. Albak is the Chief Medical Officer of Riverview Health Centre (RHC) in Winnipeg since 2022. He has gleaned considerable knowledge and respect for the team-based wound care approach that RHC delivers for the optimization of care for the residents and patients residing at RHC. Dr. Albak was a member of the Manitoba Government Senior Strategy Implementation Steering Committee, Minister’s Advisory Council.

Dr. Archibald is a former President of Wounds Canada 2013 to 2016 and Professor of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He held the position of Head, Department of Family Medicine from 2010 to 2018, at Dalhousie University. He currently holds a post-retirement university appointment and works clinically part-time and continues undergraduate administrative and teaching duties. Regional, National and International wound care leadership, education and clinical care are a significant part of his career experiences. Promoting and consulting to medical and government agencies have defined the last decade of practice. Long term care advocacy for better wound care systems in Nova Scotia has been a notable contribution since 2018. Educating medical students and family medicine residents has also defined the last decade.

Helen Arputhanathan, MSc Wound Care (Australia), BScN, RN, IIWCC, NSWOC, WOCC(C) is a Patient Services Manager and Wound Care Lead with Ontario Health atHome, providing regional leadership in complex wound management, clinical practice development, and system navigation and integration across home and community care.

With over 30 years of international experience in medical-surgical, cardiology, and wound care nursing, Helen brings a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and health system improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Nursing) from Victoria University, Australia, completed the International Interprofessional Wound Care Course, and earned a Master’s degree in Wound Care from Monash University, Australia. She is also a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence and a CNA-certified professional.

Helen is actively engaged in advancing clinical practice through education, research, and mentorship. She supports ongoing professional development for nurses and Care Coordinators through her involvement with the ECHO Skin and Wound program and has contributed as a co-author to the Canadian Consensus Statement on the Management of Venous Leg Ulcers. She is the author of The Patient Navigation Model to Improve Complex Wound Care Outcomes and has contributed to Wound Bed Preparation 2024: Delphi Consensus on Foot Ulcer Management in Resource-Limited Settings.

She is also involved in Ontario Health’s Lower Limb Preservation Initiative, focused on reducing avoidable lower-limb amputations through early screening, integrated wound care pathways, and equitable access to best practices. Her work emphasizes system navigation, equity in access to care, and practical, patient-centered solutions for managing complex wounds. Helen is recognized for her commitment to mentoring clinicians, strengthening interdisciplinary partnerships, and supporting sustainable wound care models that improve outcomes for patients and caregivers.

Dr. Irmajean Bajnok is currently working at Wounds Canada as the Education and Policy Director and Director of the Wounds Canada Institute. She previously worked as Director of Senior Policy Analyst at the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO). Irmajean has also held leadership positions at RNAO including Director of the International Affairs and Best Practice Guideline Program and the Centre for Professional Nursing Excellence, as well as in practice settings and international portfolios. Much of her career has been in academia where she has worked in administrative and professional roles at Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Toronto, and Western University. Dr. Bajnok is recognized internationally as a knowledgeable and engaging speaker and consultant focusing on evidence-based practice and education, healthy work environments, leadership and change management.

Dee O'Sullivan-Drombolis has been a physiotherapist for 25 years. During that time she has worked in many various settings in North Western Ontario, including acute care, home care, LTC, and out patients. She has always had a passion for enabling everyone to participate in meaningful movement and activity.

In 2007 she was a part of the inaugural class of Western University's Clinical Masters in Wound Healing program and from that time on, she has worked hard to bring client centred and evidence based wound care to her home area, and to continue to maximize healthy lifestyle for those who suffer from wounds. She has been a part of Wounds Canada for many years, being a past member of the Board, part of many educational offerings and co-authoring many of Wounds Canada's Best Practice Guidelines. She also continues to be Adjunct Faculty at the University of Western Wound Healing Program and has published many articles around physical activity and wound healing. Dee continues to teach wound care courses and skills in North Western Ontario as well as being co chair of the Regional Wound Advisory Committee for her area.

Dee's current role at Giishkaandago'Ikwe Health Services has given her the gift of truly working within a community based framework together with client's, family's and communities to build mino ayawin or good health in a holistic manner.

Dr. Robyn Evans is actively involved in research and teaching in her role as Medical Director of the Wound Healing Clinic at Women’s College Hospital. She also maintains a full-time family medicine practice in the community.

Education has become an increasing focus of her work. She serves as Co-Director of the Wound Care Champion Program through Wounds Canada, where she contributes to program development, student evaluation, and the delivery of workshops. Dr. Evans is also Co-Chair of the Diabetic Task Force and serves on the Board of Directors at Wounds Canada. She has co-chaired the Wounds Canada National Conference for the past five years and now serves on its Scientific Planning Committee.

Joumana Fawaz has been a nurse for over 25 years, with more than 20 years of experience in nursing education. Her passion for wound care has driven her involvement in numerous initiatives, projects, and professional associations in the field. She currently serves as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Wound Care and Head of the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Service at the Montreal University Health Center, where she leads and oversees multiple wound care projects. Her contributions to nursing practice have been recognized through several awards, including excellence awards for a quality improvement project. She is also the current President of the Regroupement Québécois en soins de plaies.

-Bachelor of Nursing 2006, Memorial University in NL.

-Joined the development and implementation of Nova Scotia’s Provincial Wound Program in 2021.

-Completed SHARP program by Wounds Canada in 2022.

-Completed IIWCC in 2022.

-Currently employed as the Wound Management Consultant for the Western Zone with Health Association Nova Scotia (Provincial Wound Program). The role developed into Provincial

Professional Development Coordinator and Consultant in April 2023.

-MSc of Skin Integrity and Wound Management at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. Completion 2024.

-Currently enrolled in courses at the University of Calgary focusing on Adult Education.

Rosemary Hill has devoted over 35 years to nursing, becoming a respected figure in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence care. She served as the President of Nurses Specialized in Wound Ostomy and Continence Canada from 2016-2018.

She continues to play a key role in shaping healthcare policies and practices as Chair of the British Columbia Provincial Nursing Ostomy Committee, and a member of British Columbia Provincial Skin and Wound committee.

Rosemary’s contributions include an international focus where she has been a participant for both the 2019 and 2025 International Pressure Ulcer/Injury Guidelines. As a frequent speaker at national and international conferences, she has won several awards, and continues to share her knowledge and insights with a wide audience, inspiring professionals and enriching the quality of care provided globally.

Sheri is a member of the Nova Scotia Provincial Wound Program serving the Eastern Zone. Sheri has a diverse nursing background with experience in acute care, critical care, community and long-term care. Sheri describes herself as a “lifelong learner”, she has continued her education throughout her nursing career. In addition to her BScN she has obtained a Master’s in Education, completed the NSWOC program with CNA certification and recently completed the MSc Skin Integrity and Wound Management through the University of Hertfordshire UK.

Sheri lives in Glace Bay with her husband and three children. In her spare time, Sheri enjoys Cross-fit and spending time outdoors.

Dr. Douglas Queen, an international wound care consultant and researcher, co-founded the International Wound Journal alongside Dr. Keith Harding in 2004. Dr. Queen brings over 40 years of international expertise in commercial development, market access and med-tech R&D. Dr. Queen is one of the industry’s foremost experts in wound care and brings a unique combination of clinical knowledge and business acumen to the broader healthcare arena.

Douglas received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering studying Wound Care Dressings in 1986 from University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK, and also earned his MBA from Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK in 1996.

After completing his education, Douglas spent the initial part of his career working for ConvaTec, a medical device company focused on delivering products and services in the areas of skin, wound and ostomy care. His tenure at ConvaTec included roles in Research & Development and Sales and Marketing, spanning European and North American markets.

Douglas has also worked as an independent medical device consultant specializing in the wound care field, for the past 26 years. During this time, he has advised key opinion leaders, large, multinational companies, and smaller start-up companies in the areas of education, research, development, commercial development and market access.

Dr.Helen Rees, BSc (Hons) Podiatry, (University of Southampton, England,) has been serving the Canadian Public in Ontario, PEI and New Brunswick for over 14 years. A licensed New Brunswick Podiatrist, with specialisms in Diabetes, soft tissue surgery and plantar warts. Helen is the sole proprietor of Atlantic Podiatry and is the High Risk Diabetes Foot Clinic Team Podiatrist for Horizon Health in Fredericton Hospital. Helen’s professional experience injects sector specific insight into decision-making at the forefront of the development and innovation of both public and private branches of podiatric medicine. As past President of the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine, Helen has hosted and presented at numerous international conferences and is a staunch promoter for her field of Podiatry.

Dr. Graham Roche-Nagle is a native of Waterford, Ireland. He is the Head, Division of Vascular Surgery, R. Fraser Elliott Chair in Vascular Surgery at University Health Network and Associate Professor at University of Toronto. He received his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1998 and finished his clinical training on the Irish Senior Registrar Training Program. He then completed a 2-year fellowship in vascular surgery at Toronto General Hospital and St. Michaels Hospital Toronto. He is certified in general vascular surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and also holds certification from the European Board for Vascular Surgery. In addition, Dr Roche-Nagle has been awarded an MBA in Healthcare Management (University College Dublin) and a Masters in Medical Education (Queens University, Belfast). He served as Medical Director of the Canadian Vascular Quality Initiative for 10 years, has served in leadership roles at the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery. He has published over 130 articles in peer-reviewed journals and is the recipient of numerous teaching awards.

For Anne Shantz, the nursing journey was a second career opportunity following a profession in social services. While completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Western University, one of her first clinical experiences ignited a passion for caring for patients with wounds and ostomies. After graduating, Anne went on to become an Enterostomal Therapist and then several years later returned to Western University to complete a Master’s in the Clinical Science of Wound Healing.

Anne has practiced in a variety of roles supporting wound and ostomy expertise as a front-line clinician, as an educator and in program lead positions. Anne is employed with the South West Home and Community Care as the Clinical Lead for the South West Regional Wound Care Program. In this role, Anne supports patient consultation, cross-sectorial wound care education and regional wound program development.

Dr. Kathleen Stevens is an Assistant Professor at Memorial University Faculty of Nursing and an advanced foot care nurse. Dr. Stevens is a mixed-methods and patient-oriented researcher with expertise in quantitative and qualitative methods. Her program of research is focused on preventative foot health and foot self-management interventions, and diabetes with the goal of preventing skin breakdown and devastating complications such as foot ulceration and amputation. Through her research and service she endeavors to impact health policy and implement knowledge translation initiatives that reduce diabetic foot complications. Dr. Stevens is a leader in foot health and diabetes at the provincial and national level. She is a member of the executive of the Newfoundland and Labrador Advanced Foot Care Nurses Special Interest Group. She has been involved with the Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses Association as a Board Member for six years. Dr. Stevens is involved in multi-disciplinary work and research as a member of Wounds Canada.

Tara is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Riverview Health Centre and also works in an Out-Patient Infectious Disease, Complex Wound and Diabetic Foot Clinic in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She completed the IIWCC in 2021, in what was the first virtual class.

Within her roles she practices in acute and Long Term Care; addresses complex wounds; provides education support to colleagues throughout the province; and is a member of the WRHA Skin and Wound Committee, a body of wound care clinicians and physicians that review and recommend evidence-informed approaches, and practice guidelines.