Ask the Experts Series

COVID-19 AND CYSTIC FIBROSIS ASK THE EXPERT SERIES

Do you have questions about COVID-19 and cystic fibrosis? If you live with CF or care for someone with CF, we invite you to join us for a special “Ask the Experts” Question and Answer webinar series.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada will be hosting a webinar series during this uncertain time, to help you get the information you need.  Each webinar will feature different CF clinicians who will answer questions from the CF community about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting their lives. Submit your questions to hello@cysticfibrosis.ca. NOTE: we will do our best to accommodate everyone who wants to attend the live session, but there may be restrictions on teleconferencing lines. All sessions will be recorded and shared for future viewing and information.

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS to: hello@cysticfibrosis.ca

Session One: April 1, 2020

The series kicked off on April 1st with Dr. Valerie Waters from SickKids Hospital and Dr. Anne Stephenson from St. Michael’s Hospital. 

SESSION TWO: APRIL 8, 2020

The physicians:

• Dr. Ranjani Somayaji, Adult CF Clinic, University of Calgary, AB
• Dr. Mark Chilvers, Paediatric CF Clinic, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver

SESSION THREE: APRIL 15, 2020 - mental health and employment/ financial support

The two expert social workers were:

• Annie Thomas-Diceman from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto
• Pat MacDiarmid from St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver

SESSION FOUR: JUNE 3, 2020 - Reintegration

The Experts:

• Annie Thomas-Diceman (CF Social Worker, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto)
• Mark Chilvers (CF Clinic Director, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver)

SESSION Five: AUGUST 19, 2020 - BACK TO SCHOOL/ WORK

The Experts:

• Annie Thomas-Diceman (CF Social Worker, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto)
• Dr. Melinda Solomon (CF Clinic Director, The Hospital for Sick Children)

SESSION Six: February 2, 2021

In this webinar from February 2, 2021 experts answer community questions about the COVID-19 vaccines in Canada, prioritization and information specific to Canadians living with cystic fibrosis.

Experts include:
Dr. Larry Lands, CF Physician at McGill University Health Centre
Dr. Anne Pham-Huy, Chair of Immunize Canada
Dr. Valerie Waters, CF Physician, SickKids Hospital
Dr. John Wallenburg, Chief Scientific Officer at Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Hosted by Jeff Beach, Chief of Corporate Services & Strategic Initiatives at Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

SESSION Seven: June 7, 2021

In this webinar from June 7, 2021 experts answer community questions about COVID-19; vaccines, mental health, and what comes next. With COVID-19 vaccine rollouts taking place across all provinces, it brings new questions of what the future will hold; what will happen with return to work or return to school and when second vaccine doses will be distributed. These unknowns or questions, along with the prolonged lockdowns we have experienced can have a toll on our mental health. 

Experts include:

• Dr. Kristi Wright, Registered Doctoral Psychologist, University of Regina
• Dr. Ranjani Somayaji, Infectious Disease Specialist and CF physician at the adult CF clinic in Calgary.
• Hosted by Jeff Beach, Chief of Corporate Services & Strategic Initiatives at Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

For more information on COVID-19 and the CF community please refer to the COVID-19 and CF information section of our website. Cystic Fibrosis Canada is here for you. If you need help or information during the pandemic, please reach out to us via email: helpline@cysticfibrosis.ca or call us at 1-800-378-2233 ext. 403, and we will do our best to help and/or find the information you are looking for.