National Summit · March 24–25, 2026

A vital call to action

Join doctors, researchers, community leaders, and women's health advocates for this vital national conversation — and be part of the growing movement for better health for all women.

More than a gathering, Vitally Important: National Women's Health Summit is a call to action and a national platform for progress — a multi-day event convening leaders, voices, and allies shaping the future of women's health in Canada.

Co-hosted by Women's Health Collective Canada, the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health (CanWaCH), the Partnership for Women's Health Research Canada (PWHR), and the Pan-Canadian Women's Health Coalition, the event will unite experts, advocates, community leaders and women with lived experience to tackle the issues that most affect women's health — from prevention and diagnosis to care delivery and innovation — through panels, talks, and collaborative sessions that highlight the science, stories, and solutions driving progress.

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Why now

The time for change is now

Vitally Important: National Women's Health Summit 2026 will bring together health advocates, experts and allies for two days of dynamic presentations, research highlights, and bold conversations — spotlighting what's new in women's health research, innovation, and system-level change, and where we go from here.

It's a national platform to exchange ideas, accelerate progress, and chart new ways of working toward a healthier future for all women in Canada.

Location: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2G8 · Dates: March 24–25, 2026.

For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, please contact partnerships@whcc.ca. This event is not organized by the Toronto Public Library.

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Hosted in partnership with

Co-host organizations

Women's Health Collective Canada

A strategic alliance between Canada's leading women's health and hospital foundations driving research, awareness, and policy change.

CanWaCH

The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health connects organizations across Canada to advance global women's, children's, and adolescent health.

Partnership for Women's Health Research Canada

PWHR leads research excellence and collaboration across women's health institutions, bringing together more than 1,000 researchers nationwide.

Pan-Canadian Women's Health Coalition

Unites advocates working to advance equitable, evidence-based women's health policy and care across the country.

Schedule

Event Program

March 24

Day 1 — The economic, scientific & health imperative

The economic, scientific, and health imperative for women's health.

10:00–10:10 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Amy Flood, WHCC

10:10–10:30 AM

Opening Remarks from Partners & National Leaders

Caitlin Goggin, CanWaCH
Dr. Tamil Kendall, PWHR Canada
Dr. Angela Kaida, Institute of Gender and Health, CIHR

10:30–11:00 AM

Keynote: The Canadian Blueprint for Women's Health

A national roadmap for advancing women's health — grounded in evidence, economics, and opportunity.

Introduced by Marie-Hélène Laramée, MUHC Foundation

Dr. Marie-Renée B-Lajoie, McKinsey & Company

11:00–11:45 AM

Workplace Health, Productivity & the Economic Opportunity

How improving women's health unlocks productivity, participation, and long-term economic gains.

Moderated by Amy Flood, WHCC

Neda Nasseri, Desjardins Insurance
Dominic Bégin, Organon Canada
Julie Cafley, Catalyst Canada

11:45 AM–12:30 PM

Women's Cancers & Innovation — Presented by Novartis

How research, technology, and screening innovations are transforming prevention, diagnosis, and care.

Moderated by Cally Wesson, BC Women's Health Foundation

Dr. Gina Ogilvie, WHRI & UBC
Dr. Jean-Baptiste Michaud, Université de Sherbrooke
Ellyn Winters-Robinson, The Lyndall Project & AskEllyn

12:30–1:30 PM

Lunch

1:30–1:50 PM

Fireside Chat with the Honourable Danièle Henkel, Senator

Moderated by Amy Flood, WHCC

The Honourable Danièle Henkel, Senator

1:50–2:35 PM

Cardiovascular Health Across the Lifespan

Understanding sex-specific risks, outcomes, and opportunities for prevention and care.

Moderated by Kerri-Anne Mullen, U. of Ottawa Heart Institute & Canadian Women's Heart Health Alliance

Dr. Paula Harvey, Women's College Hospital & U. of Toronto
Jennifer Monaghan, Canadian Women's Heart Health Alliance
Dr. Natalie Dayan, MUHC

2:35–3:20 PM

Menopause, Health & Economic Participation

What science tells us about menopause — and why it matters for health systems and the workforce.

Moderated by Sharlene Rutherford, Alberta Women's Health Foundation

Dr. Lori Brotto, WHRI & UBC
Dr. Colleen Norris, WCHRI & U. of Alberta
Nneka Ezurike, Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada & Shoppers Foundation

3:20–3:35 PM

Break / Transition

3:35–4:20 PM

Precision Health, AI & Health Equity

How emerging technologies can either widen — or close — health gaps.

Introduced by Jennifer Gillivan, IWK Foundation

Dr. Aline Talhouk, WHRI & UBC

4:20–5:05 PM

Panel: Precision Health, AI, Tech & Innovation for Equity

From drug response to pregnancy outcomes — how AI is reshaping care.

Moderated by Jennifer Gillivan, IWK Foundation

Dr. Anick Bérard, CHU Sainte-Justine
Rachel Bartholomew, Femtech Canada
Kyle Bukowski, Hologic Canada
Louise Pichette, MaRS
Dr. Aline Talhouk, WHRI & UBC

5:05–5:15 PM

Closing Remarks

5:30–7:00 PM

Reception

Special guest: Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser

March 25

Day 2 — Closing evidence gaps across the lifespan

9:00–9:10 AM

Welcome to Day 2

Sandra Sualim, Women's College Hospital Foundation

9:10–10:25 AM

Plenary: Women's Mental and Brain Health Across the Lifespan

A science-driven look at the burden of disease, hormones, diagnosis, and care across life stages.

Moderated by Dr. Alexis Reeves, Women's College Hospital & U. of Toronto

Dr. Crystal Clark, Women's College Hospital & U. of Toronto
Cheyenne Scarlett, The Black Birth Project
Dr. Nicole Letourneau, AAVA Hub & U. of Calgary
Dr. Gillian Einstein, U. of Toronto

10:25–10:35 AM

Break / Transition to Concurrent Sessions

10:35–11:45 AM

Session A — Novel Diagnosis & Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis

Moderated by Dr. Lori Brotto, WHRI & UBC

Dr. Paul Yong, WHRI, SHAPE & UBC
Dr. Philippa Bridge-Cook, The Endometriosis Network Canada, SHAPE Hub
Dr. Linda McLean, U. of Ottawa

10:35–11:45 AM

Session B — Applying Technology to Improve Perinatal Supports

Moderated by Dr. Deborah Sloboda, McMaster U.

Dr. Justine Dol, IWK Health
Dr. Patti Johnston, U. of Calgary & Inuit Perinatal Health Hub
Dr. Anick Bérard, CHU Sainte-Justine & Healthy Pregnancy Hub

11:45 AM–12:45 PM

Lunch

12:45–2:00 PM

Session C — Chronic Pain & Autoimmune Conditions

Moderated by Dr. Britanny Rosenbloom, WCH & U. of Toronto

Dr. Rachael Bosma, WCH & U. of Toronto
Dr. Lihi Eder, WCH & U. of Toronto
Dr. Lisa Willis, WCHRI & U. of Alberta
Lindsay Wolfson, Centre of Excellence for Women's Health

12:45–2:00 PM

Session D — Closing Equity Gaps in Reproductive Health Outcomes

Moderated by Dr. Karen Lawford, McMaster U.

Dr. Saraswati Vedam, UBC & Justice and Equity in Perinatal Services Hub
Dr. Isabelle Malhamme, MUHC & GEM Hub
Dr. Mona Loutfy, WCH, U. of Toronto & WCHC Hub
Dr. Martha Paynter, UBC & IMPACT Hub

2:00–2:10 PM

Break / Transition

2:10–3:10 PM

Addressing Misinformation in Women's Health

Moderated by Dr. Jenny Blake, U. of Toronto

Dr. Amy Metcalfe, U. of Calgary & Alberta Sex, Gender & Women's Health Research Hub
Dr. Jamie Benham, Cumming School of Medicine
Dr. Jen Gunter, OBGYN & Author

3:10–3:30 PM