Jeff Bazarian, MD MPH (Clinical Investigation)

Professor, Departments of Emergency Medicine & Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry

Dr. Jeff Bazarian is tenured Professor of Emergency Medicine and Neurology at the University of Rochester. He is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. His research uses advanced brain imaging, helmet sensors and blood sampling to investigate the effects of concussion and repetitive head hits on the brain. Dr. Bazarian was the lead author on the 2018 Lancet Neurology publication detailing the results of the multi-national study that was used to support FDA approval for the first blood-based biomarkers of traumatic brain injury in the US. He currently sees concussion patients in URMCs Child Neurology Clinic.

Click here for presentation slides

Jeffrey Kutcher, MD, FAAN

Sports Neurologist, Global Director, The Kutcher Clinic

The Kutcher Clinic (formerly known as The Sports Neurology Clinic) is led by Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, an internationally recognized expert and sports neurology pioneer, specializing in the diagnosis and management of concussion, post-concussion syndrome and neurological conditions in athletes. Dr. Kutcher was a member and co-author of the International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport in Zurich (2012) and Berlin (2016.)

Prior to launching the Kutcher Clinic, Dr. Kutcher founded and directed the University of Michigan NeuroSport Program where he established the first fellowship in Sports Neurology in 2012.

Dr. Kutcher founded the Sports Neurology Section of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), serving as the section's first chair, and established and co-directed the annual Sports Concussion Conference for the American Academy of Neurology.

Dr. Kutcher is a Team Physician for US Ski and Snowboard and served as the Team Neurologist for the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2014 (Sochi), 2018 (PyeongChang) and 2022 (Beijing) Winter Games.

Dr. Kutcher also serves as the Director of the NBA concussion program and has helped develop the concussion policies of the NCAA as well as several college athletic programs and conferences.

Additionally, Dr. Kutcher works as an advisor to the National Football League (NFL) Players' Association and National Hockey League (NHL) Players' Association.

Dr. Kutcher frequently speaks, both nationally and internationally, on sports concussion and athlete brain health, and has been directly involved in the development of educational materials for coaches, athletes and parents. He recently co-authored a book titled Back In The Game: Why Concussion Doesn't Have To End Your Athletic Career that provides a real-world discussion of what science and medicine know, and what coaches and parents need to understand about concussion.

Jonathan Gladstone, MD, FRCPC

Director, Gladstone Headache Clinic, Consultant Neurologist, Headache Clinic, Hospital for Sick Children, Consultant Staff, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Consultant Neurologist Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays, Raptors 905

Dr. Gladstone is a consultant neurologist with a practice dedicated to Headache Medicine and Head Injury Medicine.

Dr. Gladstone completed both his Doctor of Medicine degree and the Neurology Residency Program at the University of Toronto. He completed a one-year Headache Medicine Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Gladstone is the Director of the Gladstone Headache Clinic in Toronto. For more than a decade, Dr. Gladstone was a consultant neurologist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute in the WSIB Neurology Specialty Program and he led the neurological assessments for the Complex Injury Outpatient Rehabilitation Program (assessing and guiding the multidisciplinary rehabilitation and medical management of individuals who had sustained, or had been queried to have sustained, traumatic brain injuries in workplace or motor vehicle accidents).

Dr. Gladstone is also a Headache Specialist at The Hospital for Sick Children and Cleveland Clinic Canada. Dr. Gladstone is the Consultant Neurologist for the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays, and Toronto Raptors 905.

Dr. Gladstone has authored more than 100 refereed publications, invited reviews, abstracts, and textbook chapters. Dr. Gladstone has delivered more than 200 invited lectures nationally and internationally. He has been chair of the Headache Therapy course at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting and the Headache course at the annual Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences meeting.

Dr. Gladstone is a past president of the Canadian Headache Society. He has been involved in the guideline creation for the Canadian Headache Society (acute, prophylactic, and Emergency Department Management), the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (approach to persisting symptoms following cerebral concussion/mild traumatic brain injury), the Ontario Ministry of Health (expert panel on neuroimaging for chronic headaches), and for the United States Department of Defense (guidelines for the management of persisting headaches following concussion/traumatic brain injury).

Dr. Gladstone has a particular interest in persisting symptoms following concussion/traumatic brain injury and he performs IMEs in these areas for a wide range of referral sources. Dr. Gladstone also has a particular interest in headache-related and head-injury-related disability assessments.

Click here for presentation slides

Catherine Wiseman-Hakes, PhD

Assistant Clinical Professor, McMaster University, School of Rehabilitation Science; Scientist, Hull Ellis Concussion and Research Clinic Toronto Rehab Institute

Dr. Catherine Wiseman-Hakes is a clinical neuroscientist and registered speech-language pathologist. Catherine has dedicated over 20 years to the development and provision of evidence-based care for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), across the spectrum of severity from concussion to those with moderate-severe injuries. She has two intersecting research and clinical foci which include the investigation of sleep following injury, its' role in neuroplasticity and impact on recovery, and, the second, Development and evaluation of interventions to address cognitive and communication impairments associated with concussion/TBI. Catherine is an affiliate scientist with the Hull Ellis Concussion and Research Clinic at UHN-Toronto Rehab Institute, and professor (Clinical adjunct) in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and is a contributing author to the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation Guidelines for the Management of Concussion/mTBI and Persistent Symptoms (3rd ed.) and the INCOG clinical practice guidelines series for rehabilitation of cognition and communication post TBI.

Click here for presentation slides

Dr. George Mochizuki, PhD

Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University; Affiliate Scientist, KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network

Dr. George Mochizuki earned his PhD in Neuroscience at Western University. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, he was a Scientist with the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program at the Sunnybrook Research Institute. He has been an Assistant Professor in Human Disorders of Neurological Motor Control since 2019.

Dr. Mochizuki's research program aims to advance understanding of the changes in balance and mobility that occur following neurologic injury. In addition, the research aims to better understand the characteristics and modifiers of brain-behaviour relationships for balance and mobility in healthy young and old adults using neuroimaging and neurophysiological techniques. The overarching goal of the research program is to optimize the assessment of balance and mobility and to characterize their underlying physiologic processes to inform the development and implementation of strategies to mitigate balance problems associated with aging and brain injury.

Click here for presentation slides

Tharshini Chandra, B. Sc. Hon

Clinical Research Manager, The Hull-Ellis Concussion and Research Clinic;
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute; University Health Network

Tharshini Chandra is a Psychometrist by training and has been assessing cognition of patients with brain injury for over 20 years. She is currently the Clinical Research Manager for the Hull-Ellis Concussion and Research Clinic and the Movement Disorders Clinic at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network. Tharshini has both Clinical and research experience for the past 28 years. She been overseeing both Research and clinical activities at The Hull-Ellis since its inception in 2015.

Click here for presentation slides

Michael Hutchison, MSc, PhD

Associate Professor University of Toronto; Director, Centre of Sport-Related Concussion, Innovation, and Knowledge; Scientist, National Hockey League Players' Association NHLPA

Professor Hutchison is Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Sport-Related Concussion, Innovation, and Knowledge at the University of Toronto, where he oversees an interdisciplinary clinical research team of health professionals for sport or physical activity related concussion. He holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Science and is a Registered Kinesiologist, and present research focus is in the areas neuroscience, kinesiology, and rehabilitation. He also holds scientist positions Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA).

Michael's research productivity is internationally recognized with over 75 peer-reviewed publications and has received over $6 million in funding, including principal investigator grants across all Tri-Council Funding bodies (CIHR, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research [NSERC], Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council [SSHRC]), as well as received funding from the Canadian Institute For Military & Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR), University of Toronto Connaught Innovation Grant and Award, interdisciplinary University of Toronto grants (XSeed), and philanthropic funds to support his research program.

Michael is also the founder Rhea Health Inc, a digital rehabilitation platform that uses evidence-based physical movements tailored to assist in the recovery of concussion and mental health conditions.

Click here for presentation slides

Jeffrey Kutcher, MD, FAAN

Sports Neurologist, Global Director, The Kutcher Clinic

The Kutcher Clinic (formerly known as The Sports Neurology Clinic) is led by Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, an internationally recognized expert and sports neurology pioneer, specializing in the diagnosis and management of concussion, post-concussion syndrome and neurological conditions in athletes. Dr. Kutcher was a member and co-author of the International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport in Zurich (2012) and Berlin (2016.)

Prior to launching the Kutcher Clinic, Dr. Kutcher founded and directed the University of Michigan NeuroSport Program where he established the first fellowship in Sports Neurology in 2012.

Dr. Kutcher founded the Sports Neurology Section of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), serving as the section's first chair, and established and co-directed the annual Sports Concussion Conference for the American Academy of Neurology.

Dr. Kutcher is a Team Physician for US Ski and Snowboard and served as the Team Neurologist for the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2014 (Sochi), 2018 (PyeongChang) and 2022 (Beijing) Winter Games.

Dr. Kutcher also serves as the Director of the NBA concussion program and has helped develop the concussion policies of the NCAA as well as several college athletic programs and conferences.

Additionally, Dr. Kutcher works as an advisor to the National Football League (NFL) Players' Association and National Hockey League (NHL) Players' Association.

Dr. Kutcher frequently speaks, both nationally and internationally, on sports concussion and athlete brain health, and has been directly involved in the development of educational materials for coaches, athletes and parents. He recently co-authored a book titled Back In The Game: Why Concussion Doesn't Have To End Your Athletic Career that provides a real-world discussion of what science and medicine know, and what coaches and parents need to understand about concussion.

Alexandra Young, PT, MSc (PT), MSc (Kin)

Physiotherapist, Brain Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

Alexandra Young completed her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo prior to completing her Master of Science in Physiotherapy in 2018 at McMaster University. She has completed postgraduate courses in Neurodevelopmental Theory, the McKenzie Method, and vestibular rehabilitation. Alex has valued experience in vestibular assessment and treatment of individuals with mTBI through her previous role in Altum Health's Neurology Specialty Program. She continues to implement and share her passion for dizziness rehabilitation in both ABI and stroke survivors within her current role at TRI.

Click here for presentation slides

Brian Williams

Retired Sportscaster, TSN

Brian Williams has covered just about every sport imaginable over his remarkable sportscasting career. The Olympics and the CFL were two of his mainstays as a principal studio anchor and longtime host with CBC and later CTV and TSN.

Heavily involved in CFL ON TSN broadcasts, Williams was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Football Reporters Wing in honour of his contributions to the CFL over the years. Additionally, at the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto in 2012, Williams was recognized with the Commissioner's Award for more than 40 years of contributions to the game.

As host of CTV and TSN's coverage of figure skating and horse racing, Williams shared with fans his vast knowledge of the biggest events in both sports. His resume also includes work with the NHL, Major League Baseball, PGA TOUR, Canadian and World Figure Skating Championships, World Cup Skiing, men's and women's Rogers Cup events in Toronto and Montréal, Formula One, IndyCar Series, Breeders' Cup, Pan Am Games, and Commonwealth Games.

Considered the dean of Olympic sports broadcasting in Canada, Williams covered his first Olympic Games in 1976 in Montréal. Williams also anchored CTV's primetime Olympic coverage of both the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, playing a leading role in shaping and delivering the network's award-winning coverage.

Williams won eight Gemini Awards, two Foster Hewitt Awards and one Canadian Screen Award.

The Winnipeg native was named to the Order of Canada in 2011 for his broadcasting career and community and volunteer work.

Brian Williams announced his retirement from broadcasting in December 2021 after a distinguished 50-year career.

No slides will be available for this presentation.

James L. Vigmond

Oatley Vigmond Personal Injury Lawyers Ontario

Former president of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, Jim Vigmond continues to be a leading figure of Ontario's personal injury trial bar. At Oatley Vigmond, Jim leads a team of lawyers and support staff with broad expertise in spinal cord, brain injury and serious orthopedic cases. Frequently called upon to help further the education of other trial lawyers, he has travelled across the country, speaking on matters of trial advocacy and trial practice. Jim designed the course ‘Personal Injury Advocacy' which he teaches at Queen's University Law School along with Insurance Law. His students have twice awarded him the Queen's Law School Teaching Excellence Award. He has been voted by his peers as among The Best Lawyers in Canada annually from 2006 to present, is a Certified Litigation Specialist by the Law Society of Upper Canada, a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. In 2016 and 2022, Jim was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. For Jim, the clients' right to fair compensation is the pillar of his deep commitment to improving the lives of injured persons and their families.

Stacey Stevens

Partner, Thomson Rogers Law

Stacey Stevens is a Partner with Thomson Rogers. She has dedicated her legal career to working with people and their families who have been seriously injured in what has often been described as one of life's most traumatic and life altering experiences.

Stacey's core belief is that her clients not only deserve justice following a serious car accident but also every opportunity to recover and build resilience as they adapt to what for many of her catastrophically injured clients is a brand new way of life.

Stacey's belief in the power of resilience comes from her own life changing events that followed her decision to leave home at the age of 15. Over the next 20 years Stacey realized that forging her own path was both the best and hardest thing she had ever done. It was only through sheer grit and determination was she able to achieve her ultimate reward.

For Stacey that reward was realizing her life long goal to become a lawyer. At the age of 36, she went from being an entrepreneur and mother to a 10 and 15 year old sons to a law student at Osgood Hall Law School. Over the next 3 years, Stacey successfully managed her family and school responsibilities before being called to the Bar in 2005.

Since that time, she has built a strong reputation within the legal, insurance and rehabilitation community. She has a client centred practice that works collaboratively with her clients and their rehabilitation team to navigate through the complex and stressful world of statutory accident benefits and litigation.

She has argued cases at before the Superior Court of Justice, various Tribunals as well as the Ontario Court of Appeal

Her efforts have not only been recognized by her clients but also her peers. She has earned the highest peer rating of AV Pre-eminent in Martindale Hubble and is recognized by L'Expert and Best Lawyers Canada as well as being sought out in interviews on Canada AM, the Business News Network and CFRB Radio and in newspapers and magazines including the Lawyer's Weekly, Law Times, The Litigator, and The Globe and Mail.

Joseph Cescon, Partner

McLeish Orlando LLP Lawyers

Joseph is a partner of McLeish Orlando Lawyers and has dedicated his practice exclusively to working for injured clients and their families. He has handled a wide variety of personal injury cases, for people of all ages, and has the experience and dedication required to achieve a successful outcome, no matter how complex the case. A passionate advocate, Joseph strives to assist his clients in their recovery and in the pursuit of their goals

In addition to cases arising from negligence relating to the operation of vehicles, Joseph acts for plaintiffs injured as a result of the negligence of: commercial and social hosts, sports facilities and instructors, medical professionals, corporations, and municipalities. Joseph regularly represents clients before the Licence Appeal Tribunal regarding Statutory Accident Benefits disputes.

Joseph is a Board Member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. He has lectured at conferences held by The Law Society of Ontario, The Ontario Bar Association and The Medicolegal Society of Toronto, among others. He is a co-author of the The Oatley – McLeish Guide to Personal Injury Practice in Motor Vehicle Cases. Joseph is a long time Board member of the Brain Injury Association of Waterloo Wellington.

Practicing Law since 2009, after graduating from Kings College, Dalhousie and Western Universities, Joseph has been recognized as one to watch by Lexpert Rising Stars 2020: Leading Lawyers Under 40 Awards and by Best Lawyers in 2022.

Known for his ability to empathize with his clients and their family members, Joseph will patiently guide you through the legal process with efficiency and compassion. He will work with you and your rehabilitation team to secure your future. When your case is resolved, Joseph will remain available to answer any questions you may have.

Outside of the office, Joseph and his wife's world revolves around their daughter and son. He is an avid cyclist, an outdoors enthusiast, and a frequent volunteer.

Mark Bayley, MD, FRCPC

Program Medical Director and Physiatrist-in-Chief, UHN-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute; Professor, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Mark Bayley is Program Medical Director and Physiatrist-in-Chief at UHN-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. He is a Professor at the University of Toronto in the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Bayley has held a number of health system leadership roles including Chair of the Stroke Evaluation Committee at Corhealth Ontario, Brain injury committee at Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, the Canadian Stroke Best Practices Committee, and the Vice Chair of the GTA Rehab Network. His work has helped redesign rehabilitation systems in Canada. He has led large randomized controlled trials including the Stroke Canada Optimization of Rehabilitation by evidence (SCORE), Fluoxetine to open the Window of Stroke Recovery (FLOW) study, the Getting on with Life after stroke and the EVREST (Efficacy of Virtual Reality Exercises using Wii gaming technology in STroke Rehabilitation). He has been very interested in implementing evidence at a health system level in the areas of stroke and brain injury, initially through the development of stroke rehabilitation guidelines, then through a leadership role in the development of the Canadian Stroke strategy, a smartphone app to determine post-stroke arm rehabilitation and guidelines for concussion and traumatic brain injury. He is also actively involved in research to promote neurological recovery.

Click here for presentation slides