If you are a nurse, physician, personal support worker, spiritual care worker, social worker, pharmacist or volunteer supporting those suffering from a life limiting illness our retreat is designed to help you learn, connect and recharge with colleagues.
We are passionate about creating a learning experience that will help you grow and will inspire you to keep providing compassionate care.
Join us September 25 & 26, 2025 for the 6th Bluewater Palliative Care Retreat.
Retreat Program
September 25, 2025
| 8:15 – 9:00 AM | Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00 – 9:25 AM | Welcome |
| 9:25 – 9:30 AM | Centering Meditation |
| 9:30 – 10:30AM | Dr. Patricia Strachan: Nursing Communication Approaches and Dynamic Relational Work in Caring for those with Life Limiting Illness |
| 10:30 – 10:45 AM | Break |
| 10:45 – 11:45 AM | Dr. Gillian Mount: Palliative Care in Hematologic Malignancies |
| 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Dr. Sheri Bergeron: Palliative Care for All: Persons Experiencing Homelessness |
| 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Dr. Julie Lebert: Immunotherapy Adverse Effects |
| 3:00 – 3:15 PM | Break |
| 3:15 – 4:45 PM | Dr. Joanna Laba: Radiation for Brain Metastases: Balancing Burden and Benefit |
| 5:15 PM | Cocktails, Dinner & Social Event |
September 26, 2025
| 8:30 – 9:10 AM | Continental Breakfast |
| 9:10 – 9:15 AM | Welcome |
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Dr. Sunita Puri: Saying What We Mean and Meaning What We Say: Finding the Right Words for Courageous Conversations about Living and Dying Well |
| 10:15 – 10:30AM | Break |
| 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Dr. Sunita Puri: Being The Witness: Writing as a Tool for Healing and Fulfillment |
| 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Lunch |
| 12:15 – 1:15 PM | Dr. Caroline McGuinty and Ms. Freya Kelly: Palliative Care in Patients with Heart Failure |
| 1:15 – 2:15 PM | Doug George: Culturally Safe Care for Indigenous People |
| 2:15 – 2:30 PM | Closing Remarks |
The in person portion of this program will take place at Oakwood Inn, Grand Bend and moderated by Dr. Evan Lilly and Dr. Allison Crombeen. For virtual attendees, please note the live feed will be paused during breaks and meal times.