Welcome to Toronto, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, a place where international ideas intersect with Canadian culture. A centre of rare openness, warmth, energy and style, Toronto is enriched by the fusion of traditions, passions and perspectives on life of the more than 100 cultures found here.
This conference's unique and dynamic program includes a pre-course and two main conference days. The 5th National Spinal Cord Injury Conference: Translating Neural Engineering and Novel Therapies provides exceptional learning and networking opportunities while spending time with friends and colleagues in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation in vibrant downtown Toronto.
This special issue of the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine is a salute to Neural Engineering and Therapeutics. In the following pages you will read about the iDAPT Centre for Rehabilitation Research at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Neural Engineering and Therapeutics Team (NET) that focuses on translational research. A synopsis of the four award-winning articles (categories: research, education, patient care, student) is followed by the biography of Dr. John Steeves, our guest editor and recipient of our 2012 Champion for Change Award. The Champion for Change Award acknowledges an outstanding individual who has changed the fabric of the SCI community by enhancing patient care and augmenting research production and implementation, through sustained and exemplary leadership.
You will also read about the Patti Dawson Scholarship Award and its Mission. You will find papers authored by our keynote speakers, Drs. Nash, Yang and Tansey, by the abstract award winners and by professionals at our host institution, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. This wealth of information is supplemented by the conference abstracts for the interactive workshops and more than 80 poster presentations. Following the abstracts, you will find the names of the hardworking Scientific and Planning Committee members. We thank these members along with the conference volunteers.
This conference is a pre-eminent gathering of clinicians, research scientists and consumers in Canada and North America where the focus is on understanding and achieving recovery among the SCI population. We are pleased to host numerous notable scientists who will highlight the exciting future of SCI rehabilitation. Rehabilitation professionals working in a hospital or community setting have the unique opportunity to gather with students, patients and their caregivers to exchange knowledge and dialogue about how rehabilitation interventions can enhance health and quality of life for individuals living with SCI. Participants will review new research, clinical breakthroughs and innovative approaches to, and methodologies in, SCI rehabilitation.
We are pleased to host each and every one of you and thank The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine for partnering with us to disseminate expertise and knowledge for conference delegates, national and international colleagues to share.
Enjoy all that the city and this event have to offer and plan to join us for the 6th National Spinal Cord Injury Conference in 2014.
Dr. Catharine Craven
Co-Chair
Dr. Milos Popovic
Co-Chair
Molly Verrier
Co-Chair