2026 Agenda

Friday, April 10, 2026

 

16:30–18:00
Lung DST Meeting / Provincial Guidelines (members only)

 

18:00–19:00
Registration

 

18:00–22:00
Buffet Dinner and Networking

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Saturday, April 11, 2026

The AI Revolution in Diagnostics and Treatment

 

07:30–08:25
Registration and Breakfast

 

08:30–08:45
Opening Remarks
Sara Kuruvilla, Swati Kulkarni, and Richard Malthaner

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Session 1: Radiology

Moderator: Dr. Yee Ung

 

08:45–09:00
Lung Cancer Screening in Canada: Current State and the Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Christian Finley

 

09:00–09:15
New Frontiers in Thoracic Oncology Imaging Using Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Narinder Paul

 

09:15–09:30
What’s Hot and Cool in Neuroendocrine Theranostics?
Dr. David Laidley

 

09:30–09:45
Panel Discussion, Question and Answer

 

09:45–10:15
Human Brilliance, Augmented: The Future of AI-Powered Cancer Care
Dr. Mathew Cecchini

 

10:15–10:30
Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall and Poster Viewing

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Session 2: Precision in Thoracic Surgery: Innovation and Fundamentals

Moderator: Dr. Richard Malthaner

 

10:30–10:50
Advances in Robotic Thoracic Cancer Surgery and Artificial Intelligence: Merging Precision and Technology in the Operating Room—Southwestern Ontario and the Mayo Experience
Dr. Rahul Nayak and Dr. Vaibhav Gupta

 

10:50–11:00
Precision Resection: Defining the Optimal Margin for Stage IA
Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku

 

11:00–11:10
Panel Discussion, Question and Answer

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Session 3: Precision in Practice: Transforming Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Care

Moderator: Dr. Mathew Cecchini

 

11:10–11:30
The Molecular Blitz: What’s New, What’s Next in NSCLC
Dr. Dan Breadner

 

11:30–12:00
From Tissue to Treatment: Navigating Complex Multidisciplinary Cases
Dr. Cady Zeman, Dr. Dan Breadner, Dr. David Palma, Dr. Richard Malthaner

 

12:00–12:10
Panel Discussion, Question and Answer

 

12:10–13:10
Lunch, Poster and Exhibitor Viewing

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Session 4: Abstract Presentations

Moderator: Dr. Andrew Robinson and Dr. Edward Yu

 

13:10–13:50
Oral Presentations (4)

 

13:50–14:00
Commentary on Poster Presentation and Audience Question and Answer

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Session 5: NSCLC: The Pressing and Unaddressed

Moderator: Dr. Peter Ellis

 

14:00–14:20
The Borderline Battlefield: Can Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Turn the Tide Against Definitive Chemoradiotherapy?
Dr. Houda Bahig vs. Dr. Hamid Mithoowani

 

14:20–14:40
The Oligo-Odyssey: To Ablate or Palliate? That Is the Question
Dr. Melody Qu vs. Dr. Saurav Verma

 

14:40–14:50
Panel Discussion, Question and Answer

 

14:50–15:05
Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall and Poster Viewing

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Session 6: Rethinking Standard Pathways in Esophageal Cancer

Moderator: Dr. Ronald Burkes

 

15:05–15:15
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Esophageal Cancer: Advancing Minimally Invasive Treatments and Redefining Patient Outcomes
Dr. Mehdi Qiabi

 

15:15–15:35
To Beam or Not to Beam: Is Radiation Necessary in the Era of Modern Triplets?
Dr. Brian Yaremko vs. Dr. Jacques Raphael

 

15:35–15:45
The Blueprint for Precision: A Molecularly Driven Algorithm for Advanced Esophageal Disease
Dr. Mark Vincent

 

15:45–15:55
Panel Discussion

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Session 7: Small Cell, Big Strides: Fireside Chat Redefining Systemic and Radiation Standards in a Recalcitrant Cancer

Moderator SCLC: Dr. Geoffrey Liu

 

15:55–16:05
Beyond Platinum–Etoposide: Where Are We Now in Systemic Therapy for Small Cell?
Dr. Jawaid Younus

 

16:05–16:15
Rewriting the Playbook: The Evolving Role of Radiation in Small Cell Lung Cancer
TBD

 

16:15–16:30
Panel Discussion, Question and Answer

 

16:30–16:45
Wrap-Up and Day 1 Reflections; Resident Awards
Dr. Sara Kuruvilla / Dr. Swati Kulkarni

 

18:00–19:00
Reception

 

19:00–23:30
Dinner with Entertainment

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Sunday, April 12, 2026

Management, Equity, and the AI Attack

 

07:30–08:25
Breakfast

 

08:25–08:30
Opening Remarks
Dr. Sara Kuruvilla / Dr. Swati Kulkarni

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Session 8: Equity and Access to Thoracic Cancer Care

Moderator: Dr. Paul Wheatley-Price

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08:30–08:40
The Patient Voice at the Centre: Advancing Equity in Thoracic Cancer Care
Dr. Rosalyn Juergens

 

08:40–08:50
From Pilot to Powerhouse: The Evolution of Windsor’s Clinical Trial Navigator Program
Dr. Caroline Hamm

 

08:50–09:00
MDT 2.0: Leveraging Algorithms to Improve Efficiencies
Dr. Yuchen Li

 

09:00–09:10
Bringing the Trial to the Patient: A Roadmap for Decentralized Clinical Trials in Ontario
Dr. Natascha Kozlowski

 

09:10–09:20
Panel Discussion
Panel

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Session 9: The Local Lens: Showcasing Research in Southwest Ontario

Moderator: Dr. Parneet Cheema

 

09:20–09:30
CAPRI and the Centre for Translational Cancer Research: The Southwest’s Lab-to-Life Pipeline
Dr. David Palma

 

09:30–10:40
Bridging the Gap: Integrating Research into Clinical Excellence

 

Block 1: The High-Impact Pipeline – Investigator-Initiated Trials and Local Infrastructure
Panel Q&A – 5 mins
Dr. Melody Qu

 

Block 2: Precision Frontiers - Personalized Medicine and the Thoracic Paradox
Panel Q&A – 5 mins
Dr. Saurav Verma
Dr. Michael Sanatani

 

Block 3: Evidence in Action: The Real-World and the Roadmap
Panel Q&A – 5 mins
Dr. Richard Malthaner and Dr. Kuruvilla

Panel Discussion and Polling

 

10:40–11:00
Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall and Poster Viewing

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Session 10: The AI Frontier: Harnessing the Power, Enhancing Performance, Managing the Pitfalls

Moderator: Dr. Richard Malthaner

 

11:00–11:40
The AI Toolkit: Enhancing Team Performance and Daily Practice
Panel Q&A
Dr. Chris Goodman and Dr. Matthew Cecchini

 

11:40–12:20
The Cyber Apocalypse in Thoracic Cancer: When the Algorithm Is Wrong
Panel Q&A and Polling
Moderator: Dr. Richard Malthaner
Panellists: Dr. Swati Kulkarni; Dr. David Palma; Dr. Rahul Nayak; Dr. Sara Kuruvilla

 

12:20–12:30
Closing Remarks
Sara Kuruvilla, Swati Kulkarni, and Richard Malthaner

 

12:30–13:30
Lunch

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Interactive learning formats were incorporated throughout the program, including moderated panel discussions, case-based audience polling, facilitated reflection, and question-and-answer periods, accounting for approximately 25–30% of total educational time.