Schedule

Session #1: Friday, October 24 – Sunday, November 2

Recording Link & Weekly Newsletter (Coming Soon!)

You will have between October 24 – November 2 to watch the session on-demand.
This is a recording of the Mini Med School live session held earlier in the week;
it is not in real-time. You won't be able to ask the presenters questions.  

Topic: Exploring Rare Diseases and Health (In)Equity

What makes rare diseases so difficult to diagnose and treat — and why do equity issues so often arise in their management? In this session, we will explore the complex challenges of diagnosing and treating rare diseases, including the emotional toll on patients, diagnostic delays, and the evolving role of genetic testing. We will also examine key health equity issues — such as limited access to care, socioeconomic and geographic barriers, bias in clinical research, and the lack of funding that often leaves rare disease communities underserved.
 
Speakers:

  • Dr. Catherine Biggs, Researcher and Pediatric Immunologist, BC Children's Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, UBC
     
  • Dr. Dzung Vo, Researcher and Adolescent Medicine Specialist, BC Children's Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UBC
Session #2: Friday, October 31 – Sunday, November 9

Recording Link & Weekly Newsletter (Coming Soon!)

You will have between October 31 – November 9 to watch the session on-demand.
This is a recording of the Mini Med School live session held earlier in the week;
it is not in real-time. You won't be able to ask the presenters questions.  

Topic: Technology in Rare Disease Diagnosis and Care

In this session, we will uncover how current and emerging technologies are reshaping the way we understand, diagnose, and treat rare diseases. We will explore how tools like genetic testing, biomarkers, and precision medicine are improving diagnosis, predicting treatment responses, and personalizing care. We’ll also look ahead to the future, examining how artificial intelligence and machine learning are being used to forecast disease progression and treatment outcomes, and what other new innovations may be on the horizon. 

Speakers:

  • Dr. Bruce Carleton, Researcher and Director, Pharmaceutical Outcomes Programme, BC Children's Hospital; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UBC
     
  • Dr. Anna Lehman, Researcher, BC Children's Hospital; Medical Director, Adult Metabolic Diseases Clinic, Vancouver General Hospital; Associate Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, UBC
Session #3: Friday, November 7 – Sunday, November 16

Recording Link & Weekly Newsletter (Coming Soon!)

You will have between November 7 – November 16 to watch the session on-demand.
This is a recording of the Mini Med School live session held earlier in the week;
it is not in real-time. You won't be able to ask the presenters questions.  

Topic: Collaboration in Science and Healthcare

Learn about the impact of interdisciplinary teamwork in tackling the complex challenges of rare diseases. You will discover why rare disease research and care demand collaboration across diverse fields and often require international partnerships to advance understanding and treatment. We will also take a closer look at the concept of shared decision-making, highlighting why involving patients, families, and healthcare professionals together in medical decisions is especially important in providing the best care. 

Speakers:

  • Dr. Kelly Brown, Researcher, BC Children's Hospital; Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UBC
     
  • Dr. Sarah Felton, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Dermatology, Department of Pediatrics, UBC
Session #4: Friday, November 14 – Sunday, November 23

Recording Link & Weekly Newsletter (Coming Soon!)

You will have between November 14 – November 23 to watch the session on-demand.
This is a recording of the Mini Med School live session held earlier in the week;
it is not in real-time. You won't be able to ask the presenters questions.  

Topic: Navigating the Future of Rare Disease Care

Investigate how cutting-edge research in rare diseases is driving global policy changes, and learn about the importance of preparing for scientific breakthroughs while ensuring fair access for all patients. We will explore the advances in precision medicine as well as the ethical challenges. We’ll also look on a global scale, discussing strategies on how to promote equitable access to rare disease treatments around the world. This session will highlight the crucial role of patient advocacy groups in influencing policy, provide an overview of regulatory processes such as Health Canada’s role in treatment approval, and discuss how governments and the private sector invest in rare disease initiatives.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Durhane Wong-Rieger, President and CEO, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders
     
  • Dr. Kelly Brown, Researcher, BC Children's Hospital; Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UBC
     
  • Dr. Bruce Carleton, Researcher and Director, Pharmaceutical Outcomes Programme, BC Children's Hospital; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UBC

Navigating Technology

After the live session, the recorded content will be available online. To get started: 

  • Click the recording link for your respective session (available in the weekly newsletter or posted in the drop-down menu above when available)
  • On the Zoom registration page, enter your full name, email and school name. This will be used to track your online participation
  • You will be able to watch the recording over any browser on computer, tablet or smartphone

Important: you need to watch the ENTIRE session for it to be counted towards your attendance, and your Zoom display name must match the name you used to register for Mini Med School.

Need technical support? Contact researchevents@phsa.ca. 

FAQ

Do you have additional questions about Mini Med School? Check out the FAQ page or contact researchevents@phsa.ca. 

How will you track my attendance? 
Zoom automatically tracks your attendance. To access the recording, you will see a Zoom registration page asking for your full name, email and school name. Please use the same name and email you used for your Mini Med School application to ensure we accurately track your participation.

The Mini Med School Team will use this data to confirm your participation in all four sessions — this includes your name, the time you joined, and your total watch time for each session. Please note: you need to watch the ENTIRE session for it to be counted towards your attendance.

How long do I have to watch each recording to have it count towards attendance? 
In order to be marked for attendance, you must watch the entire recording (the full 90 minutes) by the deadline of each session. Your attendance will not be reflected properly if you only watch part of the recording, or if you complete it after the respective deadline.

  • Session #1: Watch online between Friday, October 24 to Sunday, November 2
  • Session #2: Watch online between Friday, October 31 to Sunday, November 9
  • Session #3: Watch online between Friday, November 7 to Sunday, November 16
  • Session #4: Watch online between Friday, November 14 to Sunday, November 23

What do I do if my screen freezes or my audio is out of sync?
Try refreshing your webpage. If that doesn’t work, you can close and log back into the session, or try using a different device or internet browser. 

Do I need to watch the full 90-minute session in one sitting? 
No, you can break down the session into smaller periods over multiple days. Depending on your computer settings, you may be asked to register each time you click the link to view the recorded content.

How many sessions do I have to attend to receive a certificate of participation? 
You need to view all 4 sessions (and the complete 90 minutes for each session) to be eligible for the certificate of participation. Partial watch times will not count. Every time you login, your viewing participation will be tracked by the Mini Med School Team. 

How do I request a certificate of participation? 
At the end of the series, participants will be asked to complete an evaluation form in the weekly bulletin. On the evaluation form you will have the opportunity to request an electronic certificate of participation that will be emailed to you in mid-December.

Can Mini Med School be counted towards my work experience requirements?
Mini Med School could be classified as an unpaid career-related work experience that includes career investigation. We encourage you to verify this with your school or career counsellor. Forms can be sent to researchevents@phsa.ca for electronic signature before or after the event.

How do I apply for the Mini Med School Scholarship?
Details for applying for the Mini Med School Scholarship can be found here.