Let’s discuss concussion, brain injury and dementia

Canada
Wed, Mar 22, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (Eastern)

Join us to chat with leading Canadian researchers and advocates on what we know about concussion, brain injury and dementia. We'll also talk about how to make strides on prevention, where possible.

A woman holds a brain prop and uses it to show something to a patient, who is an older man

Did you know that traumatic brain injury in midlife can increase a person’s lifetime risk for dementia by an average of 80 per cent? And at any age, traumatic brain injury and/or concussion can have a wide range of effects and impacts. 

The March 2023 edition of Dementia Talks! Canada — “Let's discuss concussion, brain injury and dementia” — will feature researchers and advocates on this urgent reality.

One thing we hope to talk about is prevention: How to reduce the number of people in Canada affected by concussion and brain injury each year. We'll also chat about how to identify and help those who may be most vulnerable or most at risk for associated dementias.

This conversation will feature speakers with combined research and advocacy expertise around this topic as relates to intimate partner violence, athletic injuries, military veterans, provincial mitigation strategies, knowledge mobilization and more. 

This talk will take place in English with live French interpretation provided.

Register now on Zoom to reserve your spot.

Dementia Talks! Canada is produced in partnership by Alzheimer Society of Canada and Brain Canada, two of Canada’s leading brain-health organizations. To view previous editions of these talks, visit alzheimer.ca/talks or youtube.com/alzheimercanada

Learn more about the speakers

A midlife woman smiling

Dr. Shelina Babul, Associate Director, BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit, BC Children's Hospital; Investigator, Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, UBC 

Dr. Shelina Babul is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia, having completed her PhD in Exercise Physiology (UBC, 2001). As the Associate Director and Sports Injury Specialist with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, BC Children’s Hospital, she is the lead for sport and recreational evidence-based research and knowledge implementation, specializing in concussion recognition and management. Her research focus includes: identifying critical gaps in injury prevention; concussion research and strategies to promote uptake of effective interventions; and coordination of provincial, national, and international concussion efforts. Dr. Babul developed the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT), with eLearning modules for medical professionals, coaches, athletes, and other audiences. Her awards include the Seventh International Safety Media Awards, 2021 WEBSITE Gold Award for CATT. 

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Tim Fleiszer, Executive Director, Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada; Former Canadian Football League Player 

Tim Fleiszer is the first player in Canadian Football League history to win four Grey Cup championships with four different teams. Selected 1st overall in the 1998 CFL Draft, Tim was a team captain on three teams (Montreal, Ottawa and Edmonton) and a CFL Players Association representative for four years. 

Throughout his 10-year career, Fleiszer was passionate about his involvement in community-building initiatives. He was twice nominated for the Tom Pate Award, given to the CFL player who reflects outstanding community service. Today, he continues to serve the community through his work as the Executive Director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada. 

A cum laude graduate of Harvard University (B.A. '98), Fleiszer was a Partner with Gil Scott Sports Management for more than a decade. He has also worked as a consultant for Xenith, Gravitas Financial, All-American Games, SportsLab NYC and STACK Media. Tim resides in Montreal, Quebec with his wife, Lori, and their three sons Douglas, Solomon and Abraham. He also works as a sports business consultant and a sports agent, as the Principal of Fleiszer Consulting Inc.  

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Dr. Carmela Tartaglia, Marion and Gerald Soloway Chair in Brain Injury and Concussion Research, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network; Associate Professor, Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto 

Dr. Tartaglia is a clinician-scientist at the University Health Network and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. She is a cognitive neurologist at the UHN Memory Clinic where she sees patients with neurodegenerative diseases and those with concussions who have persisting symptoms. She holds the Marion and Gerald Soloway Chair in Brain Injury and Concussion Research. She uses a multi-modal approach that combines imaging and biofluid biomarkers to better diagnose and understand the pathological substrates that cause cognitive, behavioral and motoric dysfunction. The goal of her research program is to develop biomarkers for early detection of disease to bring precision medicine and targeted, early treatments to her patients.  

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Moderator: Anneliese Poetz, Senior Program Manager, Knowledge Mobilization (for Social Innovation), Brain Canada 

Anneliese has a PhD in Social Sciences (Health Geography) from McMaster University and brings over 12 years of experience in stakeholder engagement for opportunity identification and co-creation of solutions. Anneliese has experience in knowledge mobilization, program management and change management within organizations specializing in child and youth brain and mental health. Anneliese has authored guides, book chapters, and an online course on topics related to knowledge mobilization and research impact. As Senior Program Manager, Knowledge Mobilization (for Social Innovation) at Brain Canada, Anneliese utilizes her skills in expert facilitation, relationship building and project management to support researchers in all areas of brain health towards innovations that create real and positive changes for people.