2026 Symposium Event Program

World of Acoustic Neuroma Symposium
Event Program

Saturday, May 9, 2026

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All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Program is subject to change

 

  • 8:00 AM

    Registration & Breakfast

  • 9:00 AM

    Opening Remarks

    Rebecca Raghubeer, President
    Dr. Farshad Nassiri, Medical Advsiory Committee Chair
    Michelle Gillespie, National Operations Director
    Bryce Rudland, Vice-President & Master of Ceremonies

  • 9:10 AM

    Session 1

    Understanding Acoustic Neuroma: Physiology, Symptoms & Treatment Pathways
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    Ivan Radovanovic, MD, PhD, FMH
    Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
    Neurovascular/Skull Base Neurosurgeon, Toronto Western Hospital (UHN)
    Senior Scientist, Krembil Research Institute

  • 9:45 AM

    Session 2

    Real-World Decisions in Acoustic Neuroma: A Case-Based Discussion
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    Case Presenter & Moderator:

    Farshad Nassiri, MD, PhD, FRCSC
    Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
    Skull Base & Brain Tumour Neurosurgeon, Toronto Western Hospital (UHN)
    Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

    Panelists: 

    Seamus Boyle, MB, BCh, BAO, BSc (Pharm), MCh, FRCSI
    Fellow, Medical & Surgical Otology/Neurotology, Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto

    Ivan Radovanovic, MD, PhD, FMH
    Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
    Neurovascular/Skull Base Neurosurgeon, Toronto Western Hospital (UHN)
    Senior Scientist, Krembil Research Institute

    David Roberge, MD, FRCPC
    Full Professor, Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology & Nuclear Medicine, University of Montreal
    Adjunct Professor, Department of Oncology, McGill University
    Clinician Researcher, Radiation Oncology, CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM)

    Suganth Suppiah, MD, PhD, FRCSC
    Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
    Suregon-Scientist & Complex Peripheral Nerve & Spine Surgeon, Toronto Western Hospital (UHN)

    Derek Tsang, MD, MSc, FRCPC
    Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
    Radiation Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre & Toronto Western Hospital (UHN), The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

    Michelle Gillespie (Patient Advocate)
    National Operations Director, ANAC
  • 10:45 AM

    Refreshment Break, Networking & Poster Viewing

  • 11:05 AM

    Session 3

    Hearing Restoration in Acoustic Neuroma: Cochlear Implants, Auditory Brainstem Implants & Emerging Therapeutic Interventions
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    Trung Le, MD, PhD, FRCSC
    Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto
    Associate Scientist, Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute

  • 11:40 AM

    Session 4

    Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2): Diagnosis, Treatment Pathways & Emerging Options
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    Suganth Suppiah, MD, PhD, FRCSC
    Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
    Suregon-Scientist & Complex Peripheral Nerve & Spine Surgeon, Toronto Western Hospital (UHN)

  • 12:15 AM

    Session 5

    Radiosurgery Demystified: Understanding the Differences in Technologies & Treatment Approaches for Acoustic Neuroma
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    Derek Tsang, MD, MSc, FRCPC
    Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
    Radiation Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre & Toronto Western Hospital (UHN), The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

  • 12:50 PM

    Lunch Break, Networking & Poster Viewing

  • 1:50 PM

    Session 6

    Research Advancements in Patient-Centred Acoustic Neuroma Care
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    Leo Yefet, MD
    Neurosurgery Resident & PhD Candidate, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto

  • 2:25 PM

    Session 7

    Understanding Vestibular Dysfunction in Acoustic Neuroma
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    Seamus Boyle, MB, BCh, BAO, BSc (Pharm), MCh, FRCSI
    Fellow, Medical & Surgical Otology/Neurotology, Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto

  • 3:00 PM

    Session 8

    Facial Reanimation in Acoustic Neuroma: Timing, Options & Outcomes
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    Heather Baltzer, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS
    Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
    Chief of Plastic Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital (UHN)
    Clinician Investigator, Krembil Research Institute

  • 3:35 PM

    Refreshment Break, Networking & Poster Viewing

  • 3:55 PM

    Session 9

    Headaches & Pain in Acoustic Neuroma: Understanding Causes & Management
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    Ioana Medrea, MD, MSc, FRCPC
    Assistant Professor & Clinician Investigator, Department of Neurology, University of Toronto
    Neurologist & Headache Specialist, Women's College Hospital Centre for Headache

  • 4:30 PM

    Session 10

    Navigating Life After Acoustic Neuroma: Cognitive, Emotional & Functional Impacts
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    Lori Bernstein, PhD, CPsych
    Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
    Neuropsychologist & Clinician Investigator, Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (UHN)

  • 5:05 PM

    Closing Remarks

    Bryce Rudland, Vice-President & Master of Ceremonies
    Michelle Gillespie, National Operations Director

 

Poster Boards: Acoustic Neuroma Symptom Management
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Educational poster boards will be displayed and available throughout the event for attendees to view at their leisure. Presenters will be available to answer questions during designated networking times. Our poster board presenters are as follows:

Management of Hearing Loss due to Acoustic Neuroma

Jessica Banh, MSc, Reg CASLPO
Johane Rakotoarimanana, MPA, Reg CASLPO
Lecturers, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Toronto
Audiologists, Cochlear Implant Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy and Acoustic Neuroma

Elizabeth Crawford, BPHE, MA, MScPT, PT, Certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation
Co-Director & Physiotherapist, Vestibular Health, located at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network (UHN) & Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, Sinai Health System

Facial Neuromuscular Retraining

Beth Kroetsch, BSc, PT
Facial Physiotherapist, Facial Rehabilitation Program, Therapy Visions Inc., located at S.L. Hunter Speech Works (Burlington, ON)

Navigating Tinnitus: Effective Management Strategies for Acoustic Neuroma Patients

Dario Coletta, MSc, AuD, Reg CASLPO
Doctor of Audiology, Port Credit Audiology & Hearing Aid Clinic (Mississauga, ON)

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