Toronto is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, a place where international ideas intersect with Canadian culture. A center of rare openness, warmth, energy, and style, Toronto is enriched by the fusion of traditions, passions, and perspectives on life of more than 100 cultures found here.
A city of contrasts, Toronto's skyline includes the CN Tower, one of the Modern Wonders of the World and glass skyscrapers juxtaposed with historic limestone facades. Miles of waterfront, boardwalks, parks, and trails nestle together with urban delights like cafés, artisans' exhibits and one-of-a-kind shops.
Recent “starchitectural” enhancements to prominent art attractions have prompted pundits to refer to a “cultural renaissance” taking place in Toronto. Daniel Libeskind's addition to the Royal Ontario Museum, Frank Gehry's renewal of the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the wholly new Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, designed by Jack Diamond, are just a few of the remarkable additions to the cityscape.
Beyond the city limits are breathtaking attractions within bucolic countryside. Experience the wonder of Niagara Falls, a renowned wine region, outstanding theaters, and outdoor adventures – all within a short drive.
Nightlife abounds with some 200 dance and theater companies offering everything from mega-musicals to avant-garde works, Toronto rivals New York and London with its live theater offerings. Clubs offer enticing distractions including hot jazz, side-splitting comedy, acoustic artistry, and celebrities taking in the latest DJs.
This conference's unique and dynamic program includes a pre-course and two main conference days. The 6th National Spinal Cord Injury Conference: Bioinformatics Informs SCI Rehabilitation 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 how bioinformatics will influence SCI rehabilitation and service delivery in the coming decade. Dr. Amy K. Wagner, Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, has written a keynote article titled “A Rehabilomics Framework for Personalized and Translational Rehabilitation Research and Care for Individuals with Disabilities: Perspectives and Considerations for Spinal Cord Injury”. Dr Wagner reviews the novel opportunities rehabilomics research provides in evaluating the neurobiology of complex injury or chronic disease, and its translational use in examining methods and treatments for person-centered care among populations with disabilities.
A synopsis of Dr Serge Rossignol's biography and achievements is provided as he is the recipient of our 2014 Champion of Change Award. The Champion of 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 read about the Patti Dawson Scholarship Award and its Mission. The Patti Dawson Scholarship Award will identify, support, and reward outstanding individuals who have made a personal commitment to pursuing a career focused on SCI advocacy, either through advocacy research or promoting system change. This individual will be recognized, assisted, and rewarded for their humane efforts towards the betterment of others living with SCI. The former 2012 award winner will deliver a short presentation, and the 2014 award winner will be announced mid-day on Saturday, 24 October 2014.
You will find papers authored by keynote speakers, the abstract award winners, and Neural Engineering and Therapeutics Team scientists and professionals at our host institution, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network (UHN).
This wealth of information is supplemented by the conference abstracts for the interactive workshops and more than 65 poster presentations. Following the abstracts, you will find the names of the Scientific and Planning Committee members, without whom events of this nature are not feasible. A special thank you to the planning committee for their time, efforts, and energies in developing the conference theme and selecting worthy speakers and selecting abstracts.
This conference is a preeminent gathering of clinicians, researcher scientists, and consumers in Canada and North America where the focus is on understanding and achieving excellence in rehabilitation among the individuals with SCI. We are pleased to host 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, scientists, and their peers to exchange knowledge and dialog about the role of informatics in their practice setting. Participants will review new research, clinical perspectives, and clinical breakthroughs and innovative approaches to SCI rehabilitation.
We are pleased to host this event and thank The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine for partnering with us to disseminate the products of this event nationally and internationally.
Enjoy all that the city and this event have to offer. Plan to join us for the 7th National Spinal Cord Injury Conference in 2016.
Dr Catharine Craven Co-Chair
Dr Milos R. Popovic Co-Chair
Molly Verrier Co-Chair