Program

Event:
2026 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Symposium
Date:
November 18-19, 2026
Venue:
Hyatt Regency Toronto

Program at a Glance

Through keynote presentations, expert panels, and multidisciplinary discussions, the program will explore the critical role of laboratories in AMR prevention, advances in rapid diagnostics, antimicrobial stewardship, and strategies to optimize patient care. Sessions will highlight national surveillance initiatives, emerging research, One Health approaches, and innovative technologies, while addressing diagnostic uncertainty and the long-term impacts of AMR and sepsis. The program will conclude with an interactive panel discussion exploring the future of AMR prevention and management, providing participants with practical insights and actionable strategies for application across laboratory, clinical, public health, and healthcare settings.
November 18
November 19
DETAILS
Morning / Daytime Activities
  • Poster Set Up
  • Registration
  • Partner and Collaborator led Private Workshops
    ‍

Contact info@amrsymposium.com for more details about these pre-Symposium activities.

6:00 - 8:30pm

AMR Symposium Official Opening with Welcome Remarks and Reception

Featuring:

  • Ms Chiara Broveo, Vice President & General Manager, bioMérieux Canada, Inc.
  • Chief Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
  • Dr. Natasha Christie-Holmes, EPIC
  • Dr. Herman Barkema, CAN-AMR-Net and AMR One Health Consortium
  • M. Michael Sherar, President and Chief Executive Officer at Public Health Ontario
  • and other distinguished guests
Session
Speaker(s)
Details
7:30–8:30 AM

Breakfast

8:30–8:45 AM

bioMérieux Opening Remarks and Welcome

8:45 – 9:05 AM

Hon. Dr. Joss Reimer

Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Address

9:05 – 9:45 AM

Dr. Marthe Charles - Vancouver General Hospital

KEYNOTE PRESENTER: Laboratory innovation and optimization as a facilitator of AMR prevention, mitigation and diagnostic readiness.

9:45 – 10:30 AM

Sepsis Canada

  • Dr. Kali Barrett
  • Dr. Fatima Sheikh
  • Dr. Alison Fox-Robichaud

Sepsis in Context: From Canadian Data to Coordinated Action

10:30 – 11:00 AM

Coffee Break and Poster Viewing

11:00 – 11:30 AM

Dr. Sumit Raybardhan - North York General

Using existing resources and clinical decision-support technology to expand antimicrobial stewardship impact.

11:30 – 12:00 PM

Dr. Dithi Banerjee - Children’s Mercy Kansas City Hospital

Impact of implementing rapid molecular testing for respiratory virus detection at a pediatric hospital in Kansas City.

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Sponsored by Emerging Pandemic and Infections Consortium (EPIC) at University of Toronto / CAN-AMR-Net

Lunch and Poster Session

1:00 - 1:30 PM

Dr. Wallis Rudnick - PHAC/NML

From laboratory results to national insight: Lessons learned from AMRNet.

1:30 - 2:00 PM

Dr. Nick Daneman - CAN-AMR-Net

BALANCE-ing the benefits and harms of antibiotics for bloodstream infection.

2:00 - 2:30 PM

Coffee Break and Poster Viewing

2:30 - 3:00 PM

Dr. Kevin Afra - AMMI Canada

Diagnostic stewardship and its role in supporting antimicrobial stewardship.

3:00 - 3:30 PM

Dr. Bryan Coburn - Sepsis Canada

Risk associations with anti-anaerobic antibiotics.

3:30 - 4:00 PM

Drs. David Goldfarb and Marek Smieja - CFID - Supported by Pfizer

Prevention strategies and approaches to reducing antimicrobial resistance.

4:00 - 4:30 PM

Dr. Tristan Ferry - Universite de Lyon - Supported by Phage Canada

New Therapeutics: Phage therapy to treat bone and joint infections.

4:30 - 5:00 PM

Moderator: Dr. Rupeena Purewal - Canadian Breakpoint Podcast

Panel discussion bringing together the day’s speakers and key themes with Drs. Marthe Charles, Kali Barrett, Kevin Afra, Herman Barkema.

5:00–5:30 PM

bioMérieux Closing Remarks and Awards

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