Interested in attending CMA Health Summit2025 ? deadline for sponsorship nearing- Nov 30th

[Donna Rubenstein]

The Canadian Medical Association Health Summit 2025 – a premier health event – is scheduled for March 27-28 in Ottawa, with the option to join virtually. The two-day national conference will bring together physicians, health care workers, policy makers, patient advocates and people with lived experience, to examine the politics of change and how to ensure health system reform remains top of mind for decision-makers.

Sponsored Patient Program
Through our Sponsored Patient Program, the CMA is happy to support 40 representatives to attend the Health Summit in person. We are offering:
· Twenty-five full sponsorships, which includes free registration, accommodation, travel and the possibility of other expenses being reimbursed on a case-by-case basis.
· Fifteen partial sponsorships (for those in the Ottawa area) including free registration and a $100 stipend.
Anyone with lived experience – a patient, an unpaid caregiver, a loved one to a patient, or a person who feels excluded from health care, for example – and who is interested in health care discussions at the national level is invited to apply.
Applications for the Sponsored Patient Program are due by Nov. 30, 2024.
English application form here and
French application form here

Feel free to share this opportunity with your networks. If you know someone looking to get involved in patient advocacy, the Sponsored Patient Program could be what they’ve been looking for!

[Deb Baranec]

I can seem to open the whole article. Why?

[Chris Johnston]

@Donna-Rubenstein Hi Donna, info on the summit seems sparse as yet - can't find anything on the main CMA website, or the summit holding page.

In the application form preamble, it says: General registration will open in early January 2025. You may wish to register to attend the Health Summit virtually, as spaces are limited and will be first come, first served.

But it doesn't state whether the application form covers virtual registration, or if (hopefully) virtual registration is free. So I just wondered if you might know, or know who to ask?

I don't want to use the application form if it's just for in-person since I can't travel, but also don't want to miss the chance to apply for virtual attendance either

[Donna Rubenstein]

@Deb-Baranec - @Chris-Johnston . I learned about this through an email sent to people who attended past CMA events or are involved with their patient committees. It included the suggestion to broadcast to the wider patient community .
as you both indicate - the Patient community communication has some 'room for improvement "... I am sure they would welcome feedback
@Chris-Johnston - I have not attended before , so not sure if it was offered virtually .I recall there was a fairly large number of unperson scholarships last year (compared to other conferences) .
PAN members @Amy-Ma @Annette-McKinnondo you know if it is offered virtually ?.. regardless- I encourage you to write CMA with your question and feedback
from the original email
...If you have any questions, please contact yourquestions@cma.ca

[Pierrette Leonard]

Hi there,
How can I get more information about applying to attend the CMA Health Summit? Thanks.
Pierrette Leonard

[Chris Johnston]

@Donna-Rubenstein Many thanks Donna, I’ve sent them an email asking about virtual attendance.

I signed up with CMA several years ago to be informed about patient partnership opportunities and all I’ve ever received from them is political lobbying materials, so I must be on the wrong mailing list

[Donna Rubenstein]

@Pierrette-Leonard
Link to application form
application

[Donna Rubenstein]

@Chris-Johnston
Hmm disappointing..not sure if their comms have improved ..current website has a page on the Patient Voices Group -15 PPs
web page link

It suggests queries be sent to :(perhaps new one ).At minimum -send an email sharing lack of need to hear that .
patientvoice@cma.ca
My CMA experience is a one off event -the cross canada community consultation they conducted last year .I attended through connection to a community group…

[Pierrette Leonard]

@Donna-Rubenstein . Thank you Donna. Have submitted my application. Pierrette L.

[Chris Johnston]

@Donna-Rubenstein I finally got a response from Audrey Grandmaison, Senior Public & Patient Engagement Manager. She says virtual registration won’t open until mid-January and the cost will be “about $50”. She says there won’t be any waivers or sponsorship because she thinks that’s so low that it won’t be an issue for anyone which I think demonstrates a remarkable lack of awareness for anyone in an ‘engagement’ role. So I won’t be attending, but will look forward to hearing from anyone who does

[Donna Rubenstein]

@Chris-Johnston yikes , that is a disappointing reply from CMA- who claim a leadership position on patient engagement ( at least I thought they did) .
perhaps some thing for PPs on their advisory group to table - maybe a separate post on the forum