9:00 – 9:30 AM: No psychological health without diversity, equity and inclusion (Pinnacle Ballroom)

Employers can support workers’ mental health by promoting a psychologically safe workplace, a concept that complements and supports a company’s wider diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. This session will increase employers’ understanding of the concepts of DEI and psychological safety by demonstrating how they relate and interact with one another, while illustrating strategies that support diverse and inclusive workplaces.

Speaker:

Paola Ardiles Gamboa, senior lecturer and special projects advisor to the vice-president, people, equity and inclusion, Simon Fraser University

9:30 – 10:00 AM: Paramedical and drug claims: Understanding employees’ behavioural shifts

Leveraging original research, this presentation will look at paramedical and drug claims trends over the last several years. This session will dive deeper into insights around chronic disease, comorbidities, mental health and women’s health. Attendees will learn about solutions available to better support their workforces.

Speaker:

Sylvana Leclerc, organizational health consultant, integrated health solutions, Sun Life

10:00 – 10:30 AM: Obesity management: A benefits consultant's perspective

This session will cover benefits plan sponsor considerations surrounding obesity medications. It will explore angles that benefits consultants need to know in order to advise clients and review issues that employers should understand to help support plan members living with obesity, including why Health Canada-approved medications are reimbursed and under what conditions, as well as potential costs and benefits of available therapies and a case study illustrating potential impacts.

Speaker:

Philippe Laplante, principal, pension and benefits, Eckler

This session has been made possible by Novo Nordisk.

10:30 – 11:00 AM: Networking break (Pinnacle Foyer)

11:00 – 11:30 AM: A healthy workplace is a vaccinated workplace 

Current public health estimates show that only three per cent of Canadian adults are up to date on their age and risk-based vaccinations. Many of these important recommended adult vaccinations aren’t reimbursed under publicly funded programs. This session will inform attendees on how plan sponsors can improve vaccination rates to contribute to a healthier and more productive workplace.

Speaker:

Ajit Johal, community pharmacist, clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia and founder, immunize.io

This session has been made possible by GSK.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Diabetes connected care: An essential response to employees’ chronic care needs

This session will explore the latest trends in diabetes care and the need for accessible and scalable connected care solutions, integrating and leveraging digital-health technologies to support and empower plan members to adhere to self-management behaviours.

Panellists:

Dr. Jeff Alfonsi, specialist in internal medicine, clinical pharmacology and toxicology; physician; assistant professor, University of Toronto

Sarah Blunden, senior medical affairs manager, Dexcom Canada

Dr. Brendan Byrne, physician, digital pioneer and chief medical officer, LifestyleRx

Moderator:

Chris Goguen, lead, access and partnership, Dexcom Canada

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch (Pinnacle Foyer)

1:00 – 1:30 PM: Disability management: Rehabilitation as a tool

Absenteeism represents a major cost in Canada and disability management remains a key point in addressing the concerns of employees and employers. This session will explore the issues surrounding chronic pain, mental health, illness representation and the role of the rehabilitation advisor.

Speaker:

Francis Marois, manager, rehabilitation team, iA Financial Group

1:30 – 2:00 PM: Bridging the gap: Building flexible solutions for a new era of employee

With millennials and generation Z now dominating the workforce, employee needs have shifted. Advisors and their employer clients need new solutions for mental health and wellness support and flexible options that employees can tailor. This session will explore alternative benefits that can help employers meet the demands of today's workforce.

Speaker:

Andrew Brandsma, director of sales, new business development, National HealthClaim