Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00pm EST
Dated at Toronto, ON this 12th day of June, 2025 by the order of the Board of
Directors of Hydrocephalus Canada.
If you would like to nominate someone for the Board of Directors of Hydrocephalus Canada, download, fill in and return the completed Nomination Form to HC at [email protected] by September 6, 2025
If you cannot attend the meeting, you can have your say by downloading, completing and emailing the Proxy Form to HC at [email protected] by September 18, 2025
Collaboration Through A Multicentered Approach: The Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network as a Case Study
Dr. Jay Riva-Cambrin, MD, Msc, FRCS(C) – Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Bio – After graduating from medical school in June 1998, Dr. Riva-Cambrin completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Toronto, Canada. He obtained a Masters of Science in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Toronto under the direction of Dr. James Drake. Dr. Riva-Cambrin completed a postgraduate fellowship in pediatric neurological surgery at The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto.
Dr. Riva-Cambrin’s clinical interest is pediatric neurosurgery specifically including the treatment of hydrocephalus, craniofacial surgery, endoscopy, and clinical epidemiology. He is the Scientific Director of the Canadian Pediatric Neurosurgery Study Group (CPNSG). He is also a Principal Investigator within the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN). Recent research interests include comparing the outcomes between ETV+CPC and shunts in the infant hydrocephalus population, predicting success in ETV+CPC treated infants, and exploring the relationship between ventricle size and neuropsychological outcomes in older children treated for hydrocephalus. He has been a Principal Investigator or co-investigator on seventeen grants and has over 150 peer-reviewed publications mostly focused on pediatric hydrocephalus.
Dr. Riva-Cambrin has joined the faculty at the University of Calgary in 2015 from his previous role at the University of Utah. He is a Professor of Neurosurgery, the Residency Program Director for the neurosurgery training program, the Co-Educational Director of ACHRI and the largest grant in the history of Alberta “One Child Every Child”. Lastly, he has just been awarded the Kinsmen Chair of Pediatric Neurosciences at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Dr. Riva-Cambrin has also recently taken on the role of Chair, of Hydrocephalus Canada’s Medical Advisory Board.
Accessibility of Pediatric Health Care to Parents with Disabilities
Bio – Hilary Brown, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and an Adjunct Scientist at Women’s College Hospital. Dr. Brown holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Disability & Reproductive Health. Her research program examines maternal and child health across the life course, with a focus on disability, equity, and the social determinants of health.
Navigating Sexuality with Spina Bifida: Co-Creating Resources with Youth, Families and Care Teams
Bio – Dr. Amy McPherson is a Senior Scientist at the Bloorview Research Institute and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on addressing health inequities experienced by youth with disabilities, particularly in under-discussed areas such as mental health, sexuality, eating disorders, and body image. She works in close partnership with youth, families, clinicians, educators, and disability organizations to ensure her research has real-world impact. Amy is also a Registered Psychotherapist supporting adults, particularly those navigating caregiving, identity, and emotional wellbeing. Her work—both academic and clinical—is grounded in a commitment to inclusion, collaboration, and compassionate care.
Morgan Cathcart, Disability Support Worker, Peer Support, Program Assistant, Public Speaker
Bio – I am a recent Disability Studies Diploma graduate from NorQuest College. I have many years of work experience working with individuals with diagnoses/disabilities and diverse needs across the lifespan. I also have knowledge and experience with program planning, event planning, adapted fitness, public speaking and teaching. I most commonly speak on accessibility, adaptive fitness and sports, inclusive practices, and my lived disability experience. I am passionate about creating equitable, diverse and inclusive spaces where all can feel a sense of belonging, and providing individuals with disabilities the tools they need to be able to utilize and share their talents to the fullest.
Funding for this website provided by Ontario Trillium Foundation
