Day in Psychiatry Conference

Bingemans Embassy Room

425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener, ON

8:00 A.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Up to 6.25 CME Credits pending approval

Join us for the 2026 Day in Psychiatry Conference, an engaging and informative full-day educational event designed for primary care and other healthcare professionals with an interest in mental health and psychiatry. Hosted by the Department of Psychiatry and the Mental Health & Addictions Program at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN), this conference brings together leading experts to explore emerging evidence, current best practices, and practical approaches to the assessment and treatment of common and complex mental health conditions.

This conference will explore current advances in psychiatric assessment, treatment, and emerging research. Sessions will highlight the latest evidence on GLP-1 receptor agonists and psychiatric care, trauma-related disorders, psychosis, ADHD, perimenopausal mental health, borderline personality disorder, and innovative approaches that are shaping the future of psychiatric practice.

Attendees will also learn more about innovative initiatives and services within the WRHN Mental Health & Addictions Program.

Early Bird only available until Sept. 30, 2026. Registration includes: Conference access, lunch, and snacks.

Registration includes: Conference access, lunch, and snacks.

What to expect

Whether you are a physician, nurse, allied health professional, learner, or mental health practitioner, the Day in Psychiatry Conference offers an opportunity to expand your knowledge, connect with colleagues, and enhance your ability to provide compassionate, evidence-informed care to individuals experiencing mental illness.

Full-day agenda

8:00 a.m.

Registration, Refreshments, Displays

8:30 a.m.

Opening Address

8:45 a.m.

Our GLP1 Receptor Agonists, Psychiatric Drugs: A Review of the Science and Clinical Research Opportunities - Dr. Roger McIntyre

9:45 a.m.

Trauma & Stress Related Disorders - Dr. Olusola Awoniyi

10:30 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m.

Severe and Persistent Mental Illness: Psychosis - Dr. Sukhmeet Bedi

11:30 a.m.

ADHD Assessment & Management - Dr. Jay Kothari

12:15 p.m.

Lunch

1:00 p.m.

Mental Health Disorders in Perimenopause Population - Dr. Leanne Martin

2:00 p.m.

WRHN Mental Health and Addictions Program Information

2:30 p.m.

Break (Snacks)

2:45 p.m.

Borderline Personality Disorder - Dr. Andrew Ekblad

3:45 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Speakers

Dr. Roger McIntyre: Our GLP1 Receptor Agonists, Psychiatric Drugs: A Review of the Science and Clinical Research Opportunities.

Dr. Roger McIntyre is currently a Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto. Dr. McIntyre was named by Clarivate Analytics in for a decade as one of “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds”. This distinction is given by publishing the largest number of articles that rank among those most frequently cited by researchers globally in 21 broad fields of science and social science during the previous decade. Dr. McIntyre has authored/co-authored more than 1200 articles/manuscripts and has edited and/or co-edited several textbooks on mood disorders.

Dr. McIntyre is involved in multiple research endeavours which primarily aim to characterize the phenomenology, neurobiology, and novel therapeutics of mood disorders. Dr. McIntyre has been especially interested in identifying innovative, rapid acting psychotropic treatments for mood disorders. Dr. McIntyre’s research has also extended into public health and implementation research at the population-based level.

Dr. McIntyre is extensively involved in medical education. He is a highly sought-after speaker at both national and international meetings. He has received several teaching awards from the University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry and has been a recipient of the joint Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) / Council of Psychiatric Continuing Education Award for the Most Outstanding Continuing Education Activity in Psychiatry in Canada. Additionally, Dr. McIntyre was awarded the Colvin Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Mood Disorders Research from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation in 2023.

Dr. McIntyre has also contributed extensively to clinical practice guidelines. For example, Dr. McIntyre is the lead author the Florida Best Practice Psychotherapeutic Medication Guidelines for Adults with Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. In addition, Dr. McIntyre is also the lead author of the International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation of Ketamine and Esketamine in Mood Disorders. Dr. McIntyre is also a contributor to the CANMAT guidelines for the treatment of Depressive Disorders and Bipolar Disorders as well as the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mood Disorders.

Dr. McIntyre completed his medical degree at Dalhousie University. He received his Psychiatry residency training and Fellowship in Psychiatric Pharmacology at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Jay Kothari: ADHD Assessment & Management

Dr. Kothari was born in Mumbai, India, and earned his medical degree in Russia before completing his Psychiatry residency at Yale University in the US, where he specialized in Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and ketamine therapies.

He pursued further training through a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, integrating these practices into his work.

Dr. Kothari made significant contributions to the field at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where he was instrumental in establishing the first ketamine clinic dedicated to treating treatment-resistant suicidality, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Currently working at WRHN-Midtown Hospital, he also continues to teach child psychopharmacology to OHSU fellows.

Dr. Leanne Martin: Mental Health Disorders in Perimenopause Population

Dr. Martin is originally from St. John’s, NL and completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours), Master of Science degree and completed her medical training at Memorial University in Newfoundland.

She began her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology before discovering her passion for mental health and then completed her residency in psychiatry at Memorial University in 2018. She practiced at Cambridge Memorial hospital for one year before joining a private practice in Waterloo, ON.

Previously, she has also worked in a shared care practice in Cambridge at the Waterloo Region NP led clinic as well as having experiencing with ketamine treatment in patients with mood disorders.

She currently focuses on general adult outpatient psychiatry.

Dr. Sukhmeet Bedi: Severe and Persistent Mental Illness: Psychosis

Dr. Sukhmeet Bedi is a psychiatrist with WRHN. His roles include inpatient addiction consultation service and adult outpatient psychiatry, including COTT, Hazelglen, concurrent clinic, and CDS injection clinic.

He completed his psychiatry residency at Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma, and Addiction Psychiatry subspecialty at UTSW in Dallas, Texas.

He has a special interest in helping the vulnerable population in our community.

Dr. Andrew Ekblad: Borderline Personality Disorder

Andrew Ekblad, Ph.D., C.Psych. is the Founder and Director of Broadleaf Health, a multi-disciplinary emotional and behavioural care clinic.

He has over 20 years of clinical and research experience in the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) through Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). He also has extensive experience in the application of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Based Therapies (MBT) for trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders. He is a Certified Clinician with the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC). Broadleaf Health is one of two DBT-LBC Certified Programs in Canada.

Dr. Ekblad leads educational seminars and workshops for hospital, university, and community mental health practitioners throughout Canada. Dr. Ekblad has presented original research at international conferences and published academic articles on DBT, BPD, emergency department care of suicidal patients, substance abuse, mindfulness and mentoring.

A related interest in emotional skill use for developing resilience in first responders has led him to join standing committees with the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Association of Ontario.

He is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and the Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board. He is an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at McMaster University. Dr. Ekblad received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Duke University. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Dr. Olusola Awoniyi: Trauma & Stress Related Disorder

Dr Olusola Awoniyi graduated from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria, before relocating to the United Kingdom, where she completed specialist training in Old Age Psychiatry. She moved to Canada 8 years ago and has provided psychiatric care across a diverse populations in both rural and urban settings.

Dr Awoniyi currently works at Midtown WRHN as a general psychiatrist with special interest in geriatric psychiatry, with a focus on improving the mental health and quality of life of older adults. She is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care and working collaboratively with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Awoniyi is passionate about medical education and is dedicated to fostering engaging, practical learning experiences and is delighted to share her knowledge and expertise.

Dr. Cletus Okonkwo

Certified General & Geriatric Psychiatrist. A fellow of Royal College of Physicians of Canada & American Psychiatric Association, Member of Royal College of Psychiatrists United Kingdom. Has Certification in Medicolegal Expertise CAPDA. Motivated and enthusiastic doctor that likes teamwork but also uses his own initiative. Main interests are in clinical psychiatry & pragmatic care. Mission is to be of help to you and your patients and help them to heal with holistic approach to recovery. He moved to Canada 8 years ago and has provided psychiatric care across a diverse populations in both rural and urban settings.

As per sub-specialty training, the main special interest is in geriatric psychiatry. As a general psychiatrist, have extensive experience in both acute care & Community care and have enjoyed interests in: Severe Mental illnesses, Psychoses, Affective Disorders, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders; Borderline Personality Disorders, Intellectual Disability Mental Health etc.

Currently Psychiatrist at Waterloo Regional Health Network (formerly Grand River Hospital), Independent Medical Practice at the Boardwalk Medical Centre and Long-term care homes geriatric outreach program.

Previously Psychiatrist at:

KBRH & Kootenay Boundary Area Mental Health BC Canada: 2009-2015; Consultant Psychiatrist Limerick Mental Health Services Ireland: 2009; Consultant Gen Psychiatrist Learning Disability, St Ita’s Hospital, Ireland: 2007-2009 Registrar in Adult psychiatric, St Ita’s Hospital, Ireland: 2005-2007.

Assistant Clinical Professor McMaster University, Clinical Instructor University of British Columbia; Senior Lecturer University of Limerick Med School.

Formerly Head of Department of Psychiatry & Chair of Psychiatry Kootenay Boundary Region 2010-2015; Co-Chair Mental Health Management Team Kootenay Boundary Area 2010-2015;

A family man with a wife and three children, who loves soccer, basketball & hockey.