APC 2025

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Atlantic Pathology Conference 2025

Posted by Pathology on November 21, 2025 in Events
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SESSION I — Chaired by Dr. David Conrad

1. PROFYLE: Precision Oncology for Young People — Dr. Meghan Pike

Objectives: Describe PROFYLE; path from tissue to target; specimen requirements; real patient examples.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • Medical Expert — Understanding precision oncology workflow; integrating molecular findings into patient care.
  • Scholar — Understanding sequencing requirements and evidence-based precision oncology.
  • Communicator — Explaining molecular pathways and patient experiences; discussing results with interdisciplinary teams.
  • Collaborator — Working with oncologists, surgeons, and molecular labs to coordinate care pathways.
  • Health Advocate — Improving access to precision medicine for Maritime patients.

2. Building a Share-Ready Clinical Genomic Data Infrastructure — Dr. Victor Martinez

Objectives: Rationale for data sharing; governance and architecture; outcomes and integration path.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • Leader — Governance, interoperability planning, infrastructure design.
  • Health Advocate — Enabling equitable access to genomic diagnostics across regions.
  • Collaborator — Supporting shared data use across institutions.
  • Scholar — Applying evidence-based frameworks for clinical genomic data stewardship.

3. Prenatal Screening in the Maritimes — Dr. Lori Beach

Objectives: Define serum screening; evaluate NIPT; examine expanded screening.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • Medical Expert — Applying prenatal screening modalities in practice.
  • Health Advocate — Supporting safe, equitable access to maternal screening programs.
  • Communicator — Explaining screening options and limitations.
  • Scholar — Evaluating emerging evidence on NIPT and expanded markers.
  • Leader — Guiding system-level adoption of improved screening pathways.

SESSION II — Chaired by Dr. Tom Arnason

4. IWK Maritime Centre for Precision Medicine — Lee Anne Boutilier

Objectives: Precision medicine strategy; cloud analytics; data security; workforce development; mainstreaming genomics.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • ·         Leader — Transformation strategy, system redesign, data infrastructure.
  • ·         Health Advocate — Improving patient access and reducing diagnostic delays.
  • ·         Scholar — Training and workforce capacity building in genomics/bioinformatics.
  • ·         Collaborator — Working across clinical, research, and governance domains.
  • ·         Medical Expert — Understanding genomic integration into clinical pathways.

5. Flow Cytometry-Based ABO Antibody Titration — Dr. Robert Liwski

Objectives: Principles of compatibility testing; limitations of current methods; potential of flow-based titration.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • ·         Medical Expert — Mastery of transfusion compatibility and novel titration technologies.
  • ·         Scholar — Evaluating analytical validity of new methods.
  • ·         Leader — Implementing improved laboratory methodology.
  • ·         Collaborator — Working with transplant teams to interpret titer results.

6. Targeted Therapy for RET-Mutant Breast Cancer — Dr. Michael Carter

Objectives: Neuroendocrine differentiation; RET mutations; precision oncology in metastatic disease.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • ·         Medical Expert — Understanding mutations, tumor biology, and targeted therapies.
  • ·         Scholar — Applying evidence on RET inhibitors.
  • ·         Communicator — Translating molecular findings into therapeutic plans.
  • ·         Health Advocate — Supporting access to emerging targeted therapies.
  • ·         Collaborator — Integrating pathology insights with oncology decision-making.

SESSION III — Chaired by Dr. Heleen Arts

7. Transcriptomic & Genomic Data Integration — Dr. Lianna Kyriakopoulou

Objectives: Rationale for integrated omics; resources; advancing genomic medicine.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • ·         Medical Expert — Applying integrated data to improve diagnostic accuracy.
  • ·         Scholar — Utilizing resources to improve interpretation of genomic tests.
  • ·         Leader — Supporting system adoption of integrated diagnostic models.
  • ·         Health Advocate — Improving patient outcomes through advanced testing strategies.

8. Using CGP to Navigate Germline vs Somatic Variants in Lynch — Dr. Doha Itani

Objectives: Advantages; limitations; integrating results.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • ·         Medical Expert — Interpreting tumor and germline variant data accurately.
  • ·         Communicator — Conveying complex risk information to clinicians and possibly patients.
  • ·         Collaborator — Working with genetics, oncology, and counselling teams.
  • ·         Scholar — Understanding strengths and limits of comprehensive genomic panels.

SESSION IV — Chaired by Dr. Shashi Gujar

9. Translating Molecular Discovery Through Tumor Analysis — Dr. Paola Marcato

Objectives: Use RNAseq/multiplex IF to identify biomarkers; highlight collaborative initiatives.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • ·         Medical Expert — Applying advanced molecular technologies.
  • ·         Collaborator — Multi-institutional teamwork, Marathon of Hope context.
  • ·         Scholar — Evaluating and applying new biomarker discovery platforms.
  • ·         Leader — Supporting research-to-clinic translation.

10. Genetic Testing & Multidisciplinary Collaboration in Death Investigation — Dr. Erik Mont

Objectives: Appropriate genetic tests; types of relevant deaths; effective collaboration and communication.

CanMEDS Roles:

  • ·         Medical Expert — Applying molecular and genetic tools in forensic contexts.
  • ·         Communicator — Conveying results to families, clinicians, and investigators.
  • ·         Collaborator — Working with pathologists, genetic counsellors, coroners.
  • ·         Health Advocate — Ensuring families receive appropriate testing and explanations.
  • ·         Scholar — Understanding evidence-based indications for testing.

CONFERENCE-LEVEL OBJECTIVES — Global CanMEDS Mapping

Using the overall program objectives (page 3)

2025 Atlantic Pathology Conference:

1. Analyze advances in molecular diagnostics and integrate into practice.

→ Medical Expert, Scholar, Leader.

2. Evaluate strategies for test stewardship and equitable access.

→ Leader, Health Advocate, Collaborator.

3. Interpret complex molecular cases using variant classification and multidisciplinary communication.

→ Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Scholar.