Speakers
Moderators
Dr. Angelina Loo was born and raised in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada. After graduating from the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Dentistry in 1985, she completed her general practice residency at the Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto, Ontario, in 1986, and the combined certification in the specialty of Orthodontics and Masters in Science at the University of Manitoba in 1989. Her clinical research interest is in the effect of Presurgical Nasoalveolar Moulding therapies on facial asymmetry in newborns with facial clefting.
In addition to an active private practice in Orthodontics for over 30 years, she is an Associate Clinical Professor at the UBC Faculty of Dentistry and the course coordinator for the graduate orthodontic and pediatric dentistry programs in cleft and craniofacial care. She has been an active orthodontist team member on the British Columbia Children’s Hospital Cleft and Craniofacial Team since 1991, where she continues to champion for the transitional care of children with craniofacial anomalies. She has lectured internationally on facial clefting, particularly on the inclusion of presurgical orthopedic therapy for cleft newborns, and feels privileged to participate in surgical cleft missions overseas.
Impassioned by her experiences, Dr. Loo advocates for children with facial differences with her active involvement in the education of affected families, the public and future practitioners. It had inspired her to form the Spring for Kids Foundation in 2011, where she currently serves as the foundation’s President.
Sessions: Dental Implications of Orofacial Clefting
& Orthodontic Considerations in the Surgical Rehabilitation of Patients with Orofacial Clefting
Dr. Anthony Li was born in Hong Kong and moved with his family to Tegucigalpa, Honduras as a child. There, he attended local public schools, honed his football skills, and became fluent in Spanish. As a teenager, he moved to Vancouver and attended the University of British Columbia, where he graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry before obtaining his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry.
For the past thirty years, Dr. Li has been actively involved in organized dentistry, earning awards from numerous associations for his community service. In recognition of his service, he was also accepted into the Fellowships of the American College of Dentist (ACD) and the International College of Dentists (ICD). He is a past president of both the International Association for Orthodontics-Western Canadian Section (IAO) and the Chinese Canadian Dental Society of British Columbia (CCDSBC).
Currently, Dr. Li is the longest-serving director of CCDSBC and remains very active, chairing annual fundraising events for community projects aimed at helping marginalized populations. Dr. Li played a crucial role in planning and bringing together dental and medical colleagues for this project and serves as one of the Co-Chairs of the Total Health Medical Dental Conference.
Moderator: Monday, August 12th, 2024 & Sunday, August 18th, 2024
Dr. Brandon Huang was born in Taiwan and spent his adolescent years in Vancouver. He earned his Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Toronto and Master of Science in Biochemistry from the University of British Columbia. Then, Brandon graduated from Columbia University School of Dental Medicine in New York.
After completing his post-graduate orthodontic training at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Huang became board certified in both Canada (Royal College of Dentists Canada) and the US (American Board of Orthodontics). Currently, Brandon practices as an orthodontist in Coquitlam, BC.
Moderator: Friday, August 23rd, 2024
Dr. Carla Cohn is a general dentist, devoted solely to the practice of dentistry for children. She graduated from the University of Manitoba and then went on to complete a post-graduate internship in Paediatric Dentistry. She has maintained a private practice since graduating.
Most recently she founded her private practice at Kids Sleep Dentistry Winnipeg in Winnipeg, Canada. Dr. Cohn is a partner, with surgical privileges at Western Surgery Centre, a private surgical clinic.
In addition to private practice, she is a part time clinical instructor, in Paediatric Dentistry at her alma mater, The Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry at the University of Manitoba.
She is a member of multiple dental organizations including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Canadian Dental Association, Canadian Dental Institute, Manitoba Dental Association, Manitoba Dental Alumni Association, Winnipeg Dental Society, and is cofounder of Winnipeg Women’s Dental Network. She has been invited to be a member of Pierre Fauchard Academy, and is a fellow if the International College of Dentists – both are in recognition of achievements in dentistry, and contribution to the art and sciences of dentistry, and involvement in community.
Dr. Cohn has been honoured to have been named as Dentistry Today’s Leader in Continuing Education top 100 Clinical Educators multiple years in a row, from 2015 until present and top 100 docs.
Dr. Cohn is very active with her provincial dental association and has served on multiple committees for Manitoba Dental Association and Manitoba Dental Foundation. Dr. Cohn has served as board member for Manitoba Dental Association for many years and was President of Manitoba Dental Association for the 2016-2017 term.
Dr. Cohn is a key opinion leader in the dental industry and has published many articles, and webinars and taught thousands of hours on Paediatric Dentistry for the General Practitioner, both nationally and internationally.
Sessions: Paediatric Dental Treatment: Crowns/Fillings/Extractions
& Paediatric Vital Pulpal Therapy for the Primary Dentition
Dr. Clifford Pau is a Clinical Associate Professor at UBC Dentistry, teaching pharmacology in the DMD and dental hygiene programs. He earned his DMD from UBC in 2004. Prior to that, he obtained his BSc and MSc degrees in pharmacology and therapeutics.
His graduate research focused on the mechanism of pain and therapeutic choices. His project involved the development of a model to evaluate pharmacologic treatments for chronic pain.
In recent years, Dr. Pau has collaborated with the BC Center for Disease Control, the authors of Bugs and Drugs, the ASPIRES team, and Vancouver Coastal Health to improve antibiotics use in dentistry.
He is the recipient of the prestigious Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) award for 2 consecutive years, nine Part-Time Faculty Teaching Awards from UBC Faculty of Dentistry in 2017-2023, and BCDA Merit Award in 2023.
He is also a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.
Session: Cure It All with Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Can You Rxist the Temptation? (With Fiona Kwong)
Dr. Collin Yong is a staff pediatrician at BC Children’s Hospital and a faculty member with the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Yong has extensive and varied experience in general and acute pediatrics as well as sub-specialty training in biochemical and kidney diseases. His clinical skills range from newborns to young children.
Over the years, Dr. Yong has also provided medical assistance in underserved areas throughout the world. He has worked extensively in Ethiopia, South America, Indian sub-continent, southeast Asia and China. Dr. Yong has also participated as a lead pediatrician for cleft lip and palate surgeries in Africa, South America and southeast Asia. His extensive experience has prepared him to work in the cleft palate team at BC Children’s Hospital.
With his accumulated international experience, Dr. Yong has affirmed a single theme in the care of children: it starts with the family. He is a firm believer in involving the family in medical decisions for the children. The care of children is not just about a medical condition; it also entails the cultural and social values of the family.
Sessions: ADHD and Autism in Our Changing World and Changing Attitude
& Cleft Lip and Palate: A Team Approach to a Worldwide Condition
& We Look After Our Patients, Who Looks After Us?
Moderator: Monday, August 12th, 2024 & Sunday, August 18th, 2024
Fiona Kwong is a Registered Pharmacist and a Dental Hygiene Practitioner in BC, Canada. She obtained her Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy at the University of British Columbia. She received her certification in administering injections, and in the Opioid Agonist Treatment Compliance and Management Program with BC Pharmacy Association. She has been trained in compounding medications and is authorized to prescribe medications for minor ailments and contraception. She provides clinical services to patients in a community setting.
Aside from practicing in the pharmacy, she has been an instructor in the UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences. She guides pharmacy students in developing their clinical and practical skills.
During the pandemic, she also worked with Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health as a Pharmacist Immunizer. Her role included educating the public, administering COVID-19 vaccinations, collaborating with other healthcare professionals in managing vaccine preparation, and assessing for adverse reactions.
Later, she was inspired to further her education and then completed a second licensure as a Dental Hygiene Practitioner in BC. She graduated with high honors, received the Hu Friedy Golden Scaler Award, and works in private practice.
Currently practicing as both a Pharmacist and a Dental Hygienist, she hopes to use her knowledge and expertise to align the two disciplines – Pharmacy and Dentistry.
Session: Cure It All with Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Can You Rxist the Temptation? (With Clifford Pau)
John Paul Volpe is a Research Professor at the University of Victoria, where he leads the Ecogastronomy Research Group. He is renowned for his contributions to ecology and environmental conservation, particularly the connections between ecological and social sustainability in food and wine production. With a career spanning three decades, Volpe is an internationally recognized scholar, speaker, and authority on sustainable food production, invasive species, and aquaculture.
Born and raised in Toronto, Volpe developed a fascination with the natural world early on. His professional journey began in the restaurant industry across North America and Europe. He later pursued academic studies, earning a BSc-Honours and MSc from the University of Guelph and a PhD from the University of Victoria in 2001.
Volpe started as an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta in 2001, focusing on conservation ecology and the impacts of invasive species. He moved to the University of Victoria in 2005, expanding his research to include the effects of human activity on boreal forest carnivores. Promoted to Full Professor, Volpe has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and five book chapters. His significant contributions include evaluating the impacts of salmon farms on native salmon and developing a global seafood sustainability tool.
Volpe’s current work in ‘Ecogastronomy’ makes explicit that ecological and human cultural contexts of where and how food/wine are produced define its identity. Through exploring these linkages, Volpe and his team seek to catalyze a future where collective efforts lead to thriving ecosystems, climate-friendly production, vibrant communities, and delicious, high-quality products. Volpe’s Ecogastronomy Research Group sits at the forefront of research and innovation, examining the intersections of environmental science, viticulture and agrology, culinary arts, sensory analysis, and social psychology using quantitative methods.
As an educator and mentor, Volpe has guided 9 PhD and 29 Master’s students, teaching courses in ecology, conservation biology, and viticulture. His teaching emphasizes experiential learning and fieldwork. Volpe has received numerous awards and honors, with his work featured in major media outlets such as CBC, BBC, ABC, Time Magazine, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Globe and Mail and many others. He serves on the editorial boards of three international journals and has testified before the Canadian Senate, Alaska State Senate, Washington State Senate, Superior Court of Washington State, Washington Supreme Court, and British Columbia Superior Court among others.
Outside of his professional life, Volpe is an avid outdoor enthusiast and traveler to the food and wine capitals of the world. He lives in Victoria, BC with his wife Sue and their two grown children also reside in Victoria.
Sessions (not accreditable for CE; open to non-medical and non-dental professionals):
Aug 12 – Rx: A glass of Total Health
Aug 12 – How to drink like a Greek god
Aug 14 – La Dolce Vita in three parts
Aug 18 – Visiting a Roman Senator’s wine cellar
Aug 23 – ¡Olé!: What is Hemingway drinking at the bullfight?
Dr. Kevin Zhang finished his Bachelor of Medical Science at the Australian National University and later on obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Melbourne. Dr. Kevin has since practiced dentistry in Australia and Canada including a few years in Alberta. He then made Vancouver his permanent home and obtained his Master of Business Administration from UBC Sauder School of Business.
Kevin practices dentistry in private practices in Tsawwassen and South Surrey, BC, with a focus in implants, surgery and community involvement. Kevin has been serving on the board of directors of Chinese Canadian Dental Society of British Columbia (CCDSBC) for over 6 years and is currently the president of CCDSBC.
Outside dentistry, Kevin’s diary is filled with travelling and sports, especially golf, tennis, motorsports and scuba diving.
Moderator: Wednesday, August 14th, 2024
Dr. Tsang studied Microbiology before she obtained her Doctorate in Dental Medicine at the University of British Columbia. After successfully completing her dental degree, Dr. Tsang entered a Pediatric Dental Residency Training Program at British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital. She then completed a pediatric dentist specialty training program at the University of California, Los Angeles. During her specialty training, she was also enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Dentist where she completed her PhD in oral biology. Her PhD thesis was focused on understanding the disease process of cavity-causing bacteria, Streptococcus mutans.
Outside of the office, Dr. Tsang has a passion for teaching. She is a clinical associate professor at UBC Faculty of Dentistry in recognition for her long term commitment for teaching. She teaches dental students at the University of British Columbia and pediatric dental graduate students at BC’s Children’s Hospital. She has pioneered a research project at Children’s hospital to improve access of care and dental experience for patients with autism and her research has been published in the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. She is also actively involved in various study clubs. You can find Dr. Tsang presenting at numerous continuing education courses for other dental and health care professionals.
Dr. Tsang was truly humbled by receiving the BCDA Merit award in recognition of her care for children, especially those who have special needs. She had the honour to be invited as members of the American College of Dentist (www.acd.org) and International College of Dentists (www.icd.org) which are two pivotal organizations for advancing excellence, ethics, professionalism and leadership in dentistry.
Dr. Phoebe Tsang has been a pediatric dentist in Fraser Valley for 15 years. She has extended her dedication for children dentistry in Metro Vancouver recently. She also has a satellite practice in Whitehorse which serves the needs of the remote communities in the North.
Dr. Tsang is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada in Pediatric Dentistry, a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a licensed Certified Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry in BC.
Session: Taming the Worry Dragon – Behaviour Guidance
Dr. Samson Ng is a Canadian and American Board Certified specialist in oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial pathology. He graduated from the University of British Columbia and completed a post-graduate hospital residency in the General Practice and Oral Medicine & Oral Pathology residency program at UBC/Vancouver General Hospital.
As a dual certified specialist, Dr. Ng actively pursues both medicine and pathology. Dr. Ng practices at the Opus Oral Health Centre and is also actively involved as:
- Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, UBC
- Attending staff, Oral Medicine Clinic, Department of Dentistry, VGH
- Associate Attending Staff, iTOP Clinic, Department of Otolaryngology, VGH
- Past President (2021), BC Dental Association
As well as Dr. Ng’s practice, he actively pursues research and education. Dr. Ng completed his Master of Science in Dental Science, focusing his thesis on the use of autofluorescence technology in the detection of oral premalignant lesions in high-risk populations. He is currently holding a research grant to establish BC Tele-OralHealth network; a real-time video consultation platform for remote dental/medical communities. Dr. Ng is also involved in researching the clinical treatment of Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), evaluation of adjunctive oral cancer screening tools, and utilization of photodynamic therapy against oral pathogens.
Dr. Ng’s clinical interests and research has lead to his participation in conferences and clinical seminars locally as well as abroad (Vancouver, Kelowna, Vancouver Island, Hawaii, California, New York, Boston, Puerto Rico, Vietnam, Korea, Prague, and England). He is actively involved in providing clinical courses and study clubs in advanced Oral Medicine and Pathology to oral care providers.
Session: Lumps & Bumps and Beyond: Mastering the Fundamentals
Dr. Kwan was a Commonwealth Scholar in 1983. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Medicine UBC. 1997-2016 She was a consultant respirologist to BC CDC. 1995-2022 She was the Head of ICU, Burnaby Hospital.
Since 1995 she is the Head of the Respirology, and pulmonary function lab, at Burnaby Hospital. Sleep Medicine specialist.
Dr. Kwan has served the Lower Mainland community in respiratory care and recently in sleep medicine. Expert in the treatment of asthma, COPD, ca lung, bronchiectasis, etc.
In community services, she was a founder member of Hong Kong Thoracic Society, has been for 6 years Director of the Chinese Canadian Medical Society, and 6 years Director of the Board of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. From 2006 -2011, She organized and chaired Health Fair for many years, a large-scale community medical education forum. She promoted, helped set up and conducted general public education in Palliative Care in Vancouver and Burnaby. In 2009 she chaired Transplant Give-Life Project enhancing awareness and encouraging organ donation. She participated in numerous public talks, radio programs, TV shows, and press interviews on health, medical and special issues including SARS, and COVID.
Internationally, Dr. Kwan has single-handedly carried out Medical Training Missions in China. For 19 continuous years, she provided training to over 5000 medical professionals in and with charity donations of medical equipment to 15 hospitals in over 10 China provinces.
Sessions: Pneumonia: Diagnosis and Management
& Sleep Medicine that You Need to Know
Dr. Wendy Lam is a hematologist and medical oncologist at the Burnaby Hospital Regional Cancer Centre.
She received her B.Sc (Pharmacy) at Dalhousie University and her MD from University of British Columbia. She then completed her Internal Medicine residency at UBC and Hematology fellowship at McMaster University.
She is the Founding Director of the British Columbia Community Oncology Trialists (BC Cot), which is a collaborative group of oncologists and hematologists involved in clinical research.
Her other interests include education of patients through meeting with patient groups. She has also been instrumental in organizing meetings for continued medical education.
She is past Director of the Society of Hematology and Oncology of BC at Doctors of BC.