Brain Tumour Think Tanks

2011 Brain Tumour Think Tank

(37 health care professionals in the neuroscience community at the 2011 Brain Tumour Think Tank)

On April 2nd, 2011, the second Brain Tumour Think Tank brought together a diversity of health care professionals with expertise in brain tumours in Banff, Alberta. Attendees included a variety of professionals who work with brain tumour patients including: Neurosurgeons, Oncologists, Hematologists, Nurses, Social Workers etc. Each participant offered valuable contributions leading to a very successful day.

Discussion was focused on topics of specific interest to the brain tumour community and was based on inquiries made to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Topics included emerging treatments, drugs at various stages of development, research, cell phones as well as programs and services provided by Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

These experts shared their opinions, thoughts, ideas and suggestions on the various topics present Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada constructive action items on which to move forward. The next step is to move ahead with some of these exciting opportunities.

As these projects are more clearly defined, they will be shared with the entire brain tumour community. The participants will be engaged in their fields of expertise and we will move to be further engaged nationally with all the professions and organizations who work with the 55,000 Canadians affected by a brain tumour. 

Thank you again to all of the participants for your continued support and encouragement, you are helping to reach every person in Canada affected by a brain tumour with support, education and information and research.

What is a Think Tank?

Unlike standard meetings that focus on lectures, this gathering is focused on participants' engagement with one another, including with representatives of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. 

The goal of the Brain Tumour Think Tanks is to provide an opportunity for participants to develop collaborations which will inspire future directions for brain tumour management. Outcomes from the 2008 Brain Tumour Think Tank include the development of the Fellowship Program in order to further encourage young researchers to enter the field of brain tumour research. 

2008 Brain Tumour Think Tank

In January 2008, brain tumour specialists from across Canada came together for a Think Tank event  to discuss the future of research and the direction patient treatment and support programs should take to benefit Canadians affected by a brain tumour 

Attendees included prominent individuals in the fields of research, neurosurgery, oncology, social work, and social psychology from across Canada.

These health care and research professionals spoke candidly on a range of topics with the Board of Directors and staff of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

 A changing landscape of clinical trials, drug therapies, and greater focus on individualized treatment created a need for people in the field to exchange ideas and share advancements. The Think Tank discussions have helped to shape the direction for future innovation, investigation and research funding including the development of the fellowship program; which all work together towards an overall improvement of care and support for patients including the development of the fellowship program. 
 

(Pictured Left to Right): Dr. Joseph Megyesi, Dr. Penny Costello, Dr. Jeff Cao, Linda Clarke, Dr. David Macdonald, Dr. Rolando Del Maestro, Maureen Parkinson, Maureen Daniels, Dr. Norm Laperriere, Pam Del Maestro, Dr. Dan McNeely, Dr. James Perry, Dr. Glenn Bauman, Meredith Morrison, Dr. Kevin Petrecca, and Dr. Ab Guha

For more information about Brain Tumour Think Tanks, please contact:

Sue Ruypers
Research and Education Specialist
sruypers@braintumour.ca
1-800-265-5106 ext 240