/R E P E A T -- Media advisory - Canadian Nurses Association's National Biennial Convention - Monday, June 18 - Wednesday, June 20, 2012/

OTTAWA, June 12, 2012 /CNW/ - The largest group of health-care professionals is convening in Vancouver next week at the Canadian Nurses Association's (CNA) national biennial convention. Immediately before the convention, CNA will also hold official annual meeting business and welcome in a new president. After completing the two-year elected term with CNA, Judith Shamian, president and CEO of the Victorian Order of Nurses, will pass the chain of office to Barb Mildon, vice-president of professional practice and research and chief nurse executive at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby, Ontario.

During the three-day event, more than 800 nurses from across Canada will gather to explore some of nursing's and health care's biggest challenges — and get down to work on the solutions. Such solutions will be found in a report being delivered by CNA's independent National Expert Commission. Chaired by Maureen McTeer and Marlene Smadu, the Commission has been working since May 2011 on generating policy solutions to help transform the Canadian health-care system beyond its current focus on acute and hospital care to a more patient-centred, community-based primary care system where nurses play a key role. Nurses will also participate in master classes, learning cafés and networking sessions on a range of topics such as health human resources, public opinion and trends, social media, aboriginal issues, palliative care, and much more.

CNA is pleased to welcome distinguished guests and convention speakers Gina Browne of McMaster University, best-selling author Margaret Trudeau, Arlene Dickinson, CEO of Venture Communications and co-star of CBC's Gemini award-winning Dragons' Den, and Dave Williams, one of the most accomplished astronauts ever to participate in the NASA space program.

What:	CNA National Biennial Convention and Annual General Meeting
When:	Monday, June 18 - Wednesday, June 20, 2012 Highlights include: (All times are Pacific Time)
	Monday, June 18
	8:45 a.m.	Annual meeting report from the president, Judith Shamian and CEO, Rachel Bard (live webcast available)
	9:30 a.m.	National Expert Commission report from commission co-chairs Maureen McTeer and Marlene Smadu (live webcast available)
	4:30 p.m.	Election of 2014-16 president
	7:00 p.m.	Judith Shamian's outgoing speech (live webcast available)
	Tuesday, June 19
	8:10 a.m.	Opening keynote speaker: Gina Browne, McMaster University — Transforming health care for the next generation (live webcast available)
	8:45 a.m.	Experts debate — Who's Providing Care?: Moderated by Evan Solomon, CBC television broadcaster, journalist and author. Debate will feature experts from a range of health, policy and administrative backgrounds, as well as public representatives.
	1:30 p.m.	Keynote speaker: Margaret Trudeau —  A patient's discovery
	6:00 p.m.	Awards banquet
	Wednesday, June 20
	8:30 a.m.	Keynote speaker: Arlene Dickinson — Driving change, inspiring success
	1:00 p.m.	Media panel debate on health care featuring Andrew Coyne of Maclean's, Chantal Hébert of the Toronto Star and Jeffrey Simpson of The Globe and Mail
	2:45 p.m.	Closing keynote speaker: Dave Williams — Don't take chances, manage risks
	3:30 p.m.	Closing ceremonies and welcoming of incoming president, Barb Mildon (live webcast available)
Where:	The Westin Bayshore 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
Media attendance & interviews:	Members of the media are welcome to attend annual meeting and convention components. Any interview requests for members of CNA's leadership, speakers or convention attendees must be made through Kate Headley. Interviews with Margaret Trudeau, Arlene Dickinson or Dave Williams must be made by Monday, June 18, 2012. Components of the annual meeting and the convention are available through live webcast at http://www.cna-aiic.ca.

CNA is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada. A federation of 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges representing 146,788 registered nurses, CNA advances the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada's publicly funded, not-for-profit health system.

or interview requests, please contact:

Kate Headley, External Communications Coordinator
Canadian Nurses Association
Telephone: [phone], ext. 561
Cell: 613-697-7507
E-mail: [email protected]

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