“Together...we can prevent sudden cardiac death in the young”

Join us to learn about cardiac rhythm diseases that affect children and young adults and how recognizing the “The Warning Signs” for these conditions can save a life.

Overview: 

The Coaches Association of Ontario and the RBC First Office for Injury Prevention at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre are pleased to jointly offer the "Return to Play Series".

Format:

The webinar will be 60 minutes long and will include a 30-40 minute presentation by the sport and medical panel experts followed by a 20-30 minute question and answer period. 

Recommended audience: coaches, parents, athletes, managers, volunteers, sport administrators, healthcare professionals.

To attend online: 

Please register as a "webinar participant".  You will receive a confirmation email of your registration which will contain a link for the webinar. Please retain this email for future reference.  On the date and time of the webinar, just click on that link and you will be directed tot he webinar location on the internet. 

To attend in person: 

Please register as an "in-person participant".  There will be 100 seats available at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to participate in person.  The session will take place in McLaughlin Lecture Theatre EG-61(E wing, Ground Floor, room 61).  Paid visitor parking is available at Sunnybrook.  The facility is also serviced by two TTC routes - #11 from Davisville Station and #124 from Lawrence Station.

** Confirmed Speakers **

Pam Husband, President & Executive Director, The Canadian SADS Foundation

Pam Husband is the Executive Director of The Canadian SADS Foundation, a national charity, completely volunteer managed, and the only organization in Canada dedicated to supporting families affected by inherited cardiac rhythm disorders.  Her son, Greg, died unexpectedly at the age of 16 on Sept 11, 1990.  Pam’s daughter, Leigh, was diagnosed 15 months later with Long QT Syndrome and today lives a healthy life as a daughter, a student, an artist, and a friend to many.  The Canadian SADS Foundation was established in the fall of 1995 by Pam and a group of parents whose goal was to support others who had suffered from the agony of losing a loved one to a sudden cardiac death due to an inherited cardiac rhythm disorder.  Funding for the organization for the last 15 years has been sourced mostly from private donations and supplemented by some corporate grants. In 2010, the Foundation also received a grant from The Ontario Trillium Foundation. This funding was awarded specifically for the purpose of promoting “The Warning Signs” of inherited cardiac rhythm disorders to Coaches, Trainers, Teachers and to all those who work with our young people.  Pam lives in Mississauga, ON with her husband David Eddy who is a staunch supporter of The Canadian SADS Foundation.  In her younger years, Pam earned a university education and completed a CMA designation. She ran her own business as a computer accounting consultant for 15 years before her retirement 4 years ago.  When Pam is not managing The Canadian SADS Foundation, she enjoys gardening in the summer and playing duplicate bridge all year round.

Alison Clelland, Director, The Canadian SADS Foundation

Click here to read Alison's story

Dr. Robert Hamilton, Hospital for Sick Children

Dr. Hamilton was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he did his undergraduate degree, medical degree, pediatric training and initial training in children’s heart disorders. He then underwent fellowships to complete his cardiology training, spending a year each in Alberta Children’s Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston. While training in Toronto in 1987, Dr. Robert Freedom requested that he join the staff and complete his training in children’s heart rhythm disorders. This was completed in 1988-89 under Dr. Arthur (Tim) Garson Jr., following which he joined the Sick Kid’s staff.

Dr. Hamilton became Section Head of the Heart Station/Electrophysiology Service in 1998 and went on to recruit 3 additional partners and a core group of trained technicians who provide expert invasive and non-invasive care of children’s arrhythmias and prevention of sudden death. He acted as acting division chief from 2000 to 2001 and was promoted to full professor in 2004.

Dr. Hamilton is cross-appointed to the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute as an Associate Scientist, and runs research programs in the basic science of congenital heart block (CIHR funded) and the diagnosis and mechanisms of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (Caitlyn Morris Memorial Fund of the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation).

Dr. Hamilton was the founding scientific advisor to the SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes) Canada patient support group and organizes or contributes to annual patient support events. He also has completed a Masters in Health Policy and Management from the University of Toronto, and is a member of the Expert Advisory Committee on the Vigilance of Health Products (Health Canada). He is completing a term as the Medical director of the Sickkids Telemedicine program.