The Acute Stroke Care Pathway, spanning from rural to tertiary care, is intended to increase access to stroke-limiting treatment and increase appropriate rapid access to advanced acute stroke treatment. This pathway has the potential to impact a significant number of patients and reduce the burden of disability for patients and families. There are national guidelines and this pathway aligns with the provincially developed stroke strategy. Nurses, physicians and system leaders were unanimous in supporting the development of this pathway in 2013 -14.

The Stroke Care Pathway, along with the Lower Extremity Wound Care Pathway, is the first of six new clinical pathways that the province’s health system has committed to developing by 2017. Pathway concepts not selected for immediate development may be selected for development in 2014 or 2015.

The development of these pathways will be led by clinicians and health system partners and facilitated by the Ministry of Health. More detailed information about next steps, and requests for expressions of interest in developing these pathways, will be available in the weeks to come.

The CSNTA Webinar Series has arrived!

The debut presentation in this series is scheduled for May 29^th at 9am PST (Noon EST). This presentation will feature data and videos highlighting current research and techniques examining the cortical neurophysiology of individuals with chronic stroke from CSN Investigator Dr. Lara Boyd’s Brain Behavior Laboratory at the University of British Columbia. Specific topics will include:

1. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS): Rate of motor sequence acquisition is associated with contralesional glutamate concentration in chronic stroke
2. Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI): Spherical Deconvolution-Based Tractography is associated with motor function in chronic stroke
3. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI): Assessing the relationship between motor function and transcallosal status through two neuroimaging techniques in chronic stroke
4. New methodologies: (1) TMS and EEG (video) and (2) Genetic Testing (BDNF) and TMS in chronic stroke

This webinar will be presented via Google Hangout. All trainees interested in viewing this webinar presentation, please send an email to CSNTA@canadianstrokenetwork.ca with the subject line Boyd Webinar and an invitation will be sent to that email address for you to join the Google Hangout at the time of the presentation.

Special thanks to Brain Behaviour Laboratory Members for creating this debut webinar presentation!

A preliminary program will be available soon, so don’t forget to submit an application for your chance to be a part of this exciting training opportunity (see below for application information).

Application Information

The Canadian Stroke Network Trainee Association (CSNTA) will be hosting the 2013 SPiN (Special Program in Neuroscience) course in Montreal on October 15 and 16 — just prior to the 2013 Canadian Stroke Congress.

An important objective of SPiN is to create opportunities for graduate students involved in stroke research to expand their stroke knowledge in the areas of basic sciences and clinical stroke research. The two-day program will feature expert speakers in the field of stroke and will cover relevant topics in basic and clinical research. It will include lectures, site visits, case studies, surgical insights and the latest techniques used in rehabilitation. Successful applicants will receive airfare and shared hotel accommodation to attend the course. Preference will be given to those who have not previously attended SPiN and who have submitted an abstract for the Canadian Stroke Congress meeting, which takes place from October 17 – 20^th in Montreal. All trainee members (MSc, PhD and Post-doc) of the CSNTA are invited to complete the application form.

Membership in the CSNTA is open to any trainee involved in stroke research at a Canadian university.

Applications can be found by clicking here. Please submit your application and a copy of your Canadian Stroke Congress abstract to CSNTA@canadianstrokenetwork.ca by the application deadline of June 1^st, 2013.

Do you use social media as a way to communicate or access information? Are you interested in network-related information, stroke news, events or announcements?
If so, we’d like to hear from you.

We’re using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram to reach network members and the public, and we want your advice on where we can improve and where you would like to find us.

Please take a minute to complete our short Social Media survey. The information you provide will improve the way we communicate with network members and Stroke Congress attendees, to distribute the information, updates, and resources you want and need.

Click here to take the survey.

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If you’d like to receive the most up-to-date CSN news and updates, follow us on Twitter!

You can find us at: @StrokeNetwork

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Get updates on special events, presentations and the latest additions to the Canadian Stroke Congress program by following the Congress on Twitter.

Get Updates at: @StrokeCongres

Stay up to date on all Vascular 2013 news by following hashtag #Vascular2013.

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Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook too!

• Like the Canadian Stroke Network here!
• Like the Canadian Stroke Congress here!

OTTAWA, May 9, 2013 – More than 20 national and provincial health and scientific organizations have joined together in advance of Canada Health Day 2013 in support of a policy statement calling for a restriction on marketing of foods and beverages high in fats, added sugars or sodium targeted to children under the age of 13.

Developed by a national group of health organizations led by Dr. Norm Campbell, Professor of Medicine at the University of Calgary and Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Heart and Stroke Foundation Chair in Hypertension Prevention and Control, the statement advocates for policies to restrict the marketing to children of unhealthy food and beverages and calls on food companies to immediately stop such marketing to children.
“It is expected that the current generation of Canadian children may live shorter, less healthy lives as a result of unhealthy behaviours, including poor diets,” said Bobbe Wood, President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “Implementing policies that restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children has been proven as a cost-effective way to reduce some chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke.”

In May 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a set of recommendations on the marketing of food and beverages to children and called on governments worldwide to reduce the exposure of children to advertising and to reduce the use of powerful marketing techniques employed by the manufacturers of foods and beverages high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free (added) sugars or sodium. Canada has yet to act upon these recommendations.

“Food companies in Canada, with the exception of Quebec, are not required by law to restrict unhealthy food and beverage marketing to children,” stated Dr. Lynn McIntyre, Chair of the Canadian Public Health Association. “Studies show that up to 80% of food and beverage products currently marketed to children in some parts of Canada are for “non-core” foods. We can and must do better for our children.”

“Diet is the leading risk for death, life years lost and disability in Canada,” said Dr. Campbell, “and yet there are no effective regulations to protect Canadians, especially the most vulnerable.”

A 2012 Environics survey indicated that the vast majority of Canadian parents (85%) support restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children.

“Canadians expect governments to be their partner in protecting children,” said Dr. Anna Reid, President of the Canadian Medical Association. “Young children are easily influenced by commercial claims and have no way of knowing whether they are true. Meanwhile, children in Canada are subjected to ads for unhealthy foods up to six times an hour during children’s television programs.”

In 1989, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that “advertisers should not be able to capitalize upon children’s credulity” and “advertising directed at young children is per se manipulative”. Unhealthy food and beverage advertising influences children’s food preferences, purchase requests and consumption patterns and has been shown to be a probable cause of childhood overweight and obesity by the WHO.

“The industry’s current voluntary and self-regulated system of restricting the marketing of foods and beverages is not sufficient to protect Canadian children,” said Judi Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of Hypertension Canada. “Strong federal government leadership and nationwide action from all levels of government and other key stakeholders are needed. Regulation restricting unhealthy food and beverage advertising is internationally supported.”

“We applaud Canadian governments for their 2011 commitments to address childhood obesity and chronic disease prevention in Canada,” said Dr. Marie-Dominique Beaulieu, President of the CFPC. “We believe that the Policy Consensus Statement on Restricting Marketing of Unhealthy Food and Beverages to Children and Youth in Canada offers an integrated, pragmatic and timely response to their stated priorities of childhood obesity and chronic disease prevention in Canada.”

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For more information contact:
Canadian Hypertension Advisory Committee
Marta Cyperling
Telephone: 403.210.3835
E-mail: marta.cyperling@ucalgary.ca

Heart and Stroke Foundation
Leslie Wood
Telephone: 416.489.7111, ext 316
E-mail: lwood@hsf.on.ca

Canadian Public Health Association
Ian Culbert
Telephone: 613.725.3769, ext. 142
Mobile: 613.894.2957
E-mail: iculbert@cpha.ca

Canadian Medical Association
Lucie Boileau
Telephone: 613.731.8610
800.663.7336, ext. 1266
Mobile: 613.447.0866
E-mail: lucie.boileau@cma.ca

Hypertension Canada
Judi Farrell
Telephone: 905.943.9400
E-mail: judi.farrell@hypertension.ca

College of Family Physicians of Canada
Jayne Johnston
Telephone: 905.629.0900, ext 303
E-mail: jjohnston@cfpc.ca

About the Canadian Hypertension Advisory Committee
The Hypertension Advisory Committee represents a range of national health care, public health and not-for-profit organizations formed to systemically guide the development and implementation of policies and advocacy efforts to reduce Hypertension in Canada. The Advisory committee is lead by the CIHR HSFC Chair in Hypertension Prevention and Control.

About the Heart and Stroke Foundation
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke, reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy. Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen. Heartandstroke.ca

About the Canadian Public Health Association
Founded in 1910, the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) is the independent voice for public health in Canada with links to the international community. As the only Canadian non-governmental organization focused exclusively on public health, CPHA is uniquely positioned to advise decision-makers about public health system reform and to guide initiatives to help safeguard the personal and community health of Canadians and people around the world. cpha.ca

About the Canadian Medical Association
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 77,000 of Canada’s physicians and comprising 12
provincial and territorial medical associations and 51 national medical organizations. CMA’s mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care. cma.ca
About the College of Family Physicians of Canada
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is the voice of family medicine in Canada. Representing over 28,000 members across the country, it is the professional organization responsible for establishing standards for the training, certification and lifelong education of family physicians and for advocating on behalf of the specialty of family medicine, family physicians and their patients. The CFPC accredits postgraduate family medicine training in Canada’s 17 medical schools. cfpc.ca

About Hypertension Canada
Hypertension Canada is the country’s authoritative voice on the management of high blood pressure. Committed to working closely with like-minded partner organizations to deliver positive benefits to the 7.3 million Canadians living with high blood pressure on a daily basis as well as to empower Canadians to make healthy lifestyles choices in order to prevent the occurrence of high blood pressure. Hypertension Canada is an influential collaboration of researchers, multi-disciplinary clinicians, and policy makers dedicated to advancing health through the prevention and control of high blood pressure and its complications. hypertension.ca

About Canada Health Day
Canada Health Day is celebrated in honour of the birthday of Florence Nightingale, an innovator and reformer in public health and has been celebrated on May 12 since 1921. Originally known as National Hospital Day, the name was changed in 1981 to Canada Health Day to reflect the importance of public health initiatives to the well-being of Canadians. The Canadian Healthcare Association and the Canadian Public Health Association are pleased to have sponsored Canada Health Day for more than 30 years.

CSN Scientific Director and CEO, Antoine Hakim, was inducted into Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in Halifax on March 2^nd for his “visionary” work in creating the Canadian Stroke Network.

With Thursday’s induction, he joins the ranks of inductees who have pushed the boundaries of discovery and innovation beyond the realm of possibility to make the world a better place.

Click on the viewer below to watch the tribute video prepared by the Medical Hall of Fame for the induction ceremony.

Permanent Full Time

The Employer

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is a leader in improving the lives of Canadians.  We are a volunteer based (130,000 volunteers! Thank you!) Health charity that leads in the elimination of heart disease and stroke, reducing their impact with over $1 billion invested in research, advocacy, the promotion of healthy living and a national stroke strategy.

The Position

Reporting to the Director, Best Practices and Performance, Stroke, this position plays a significant role for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada in ensuring the relevance and accuracy of stroke-related information products and service by:

•  monitoring and analyzing developments in stroke-related research and evidence, specifically relevant to best practice guidelines and recommendations;   synthesizing research findings for use by internal and external partners in a range of stroke-related initiatives;
• coordinating the process to develop and update the Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care;
• contributing to the development  of performance measurement tools, indicators, and resources relating to best practices and other stroke initiatives; and
• working collaboratively with other Foundation staff across the country in the creation of new and enhanced mission content relating to stroke, including professional education and public awareness materials.
  

The Candidate

If you have a passion for our mission and possess the following skills, we encourage you to apply:

• A graduate university degree in a related discipline is preferred, with a broad understanding of cerebrovascular, epidemiological and other relevant science and research.
• Superior analytical skills, on-line literature and information databases search skills.
• 5 – 8 years of previous work experience in an academic or other research environment is required, with evidence of an ability to combine science, data and health policy expertise.
• Work experience within the non-governmental, charity sector is an asset.
• Clinical background with experience with neurological and cerebrovascular clients and settings is an asset.
• Experience in the development and evaluation of clinical practice is an asset.
• An equivalent combination of education, skills and knowledge, and job related experience will be considered.
• An ability to work in both official languages is preferred.

Location:               Ottawa or Toronto

Check us out at:  www.heartandstroke.ca

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your cover letter, résumé and salary expectations to hr-rh@hsf.ca ….. before 4:30pm EST May13, 2013.

The Bill, which will be voted on in parliament on May 8, 2013, would require the federal government to introduce regulations for nutrition labeling on prepackaged foods, menu labeling at chain restaurants and advertising to children.

Unless Canadians vocalize their support to MPs and to the media, there is a chance the bill could be voted-down on May 8th.  The CSN, along with the other supporting organizations are asking the public to voice their support for Bill C-460 by emailing and/or phoning their local MPs.

For more information click here.

The Canadian Stroke Network Trainee Association (CSNTA) will be hosting the 2013 SPiN (Special Program in Neuroscience) course at McGill University in Montreal on October 15th and 16^th, leading into the Canadian Stroke Congress annual meeting.

An important objective of SPiN is to create opportunities for graduate students involved in stroke research to expand their stroke knowledge in the areas of basic sciences and rehabilitation. The two-day program will feature the best speakers in the field of stroke and will cover relevant research models. It will include lectures, site visits, case studies, surgical insights and the latest techniques used in rehabilitation.

Successful applicants will receive airfare and shared hotel accommodation to attend the course. Preference will be given to those who have not previously attended SPiN and who have submitted an abstract for the 4th Canadian Stroke Congress, which takes place from October 17-20, 2013 in Montreal. All trainee members (MSc, PhD and Post-doc) of the CSNTA are invited to complete the application form here. Membership in the CSNTA is open to any trainee involved in stroke research at a Canadian university. Membership applications can be found by clicking here and should be submitted by email to CSNTA@canadianstrokenetwork.ca.

Deadline for application is June 1, 2013.

Investigators whose projects receiving grants include:

Norm Campbell, University of Calgary
Health effects of dietary sodium – knowledge synthesis and communication

Mary L’Abbe, University of Toronto
Sodium dietary assessment tools to enable consumers and health practitioners to rapidly and accurately assess sodium intakes.

Marilyn MacKay-Lyons, Dalhousie University
Non-pharmacological Interventions for Secondary Stroke Prevention: Knowledge Mobilization Workshop, Meta-analysis & Clinical Guideline Development

Rosemary Martino, University of Toronto
Dysphagia Screening in Stroke Patients: TOR-BSST© Translation

Christian Naus, University of British Columbia
Emerging concepts in stroke and neuroprotection

Robert Teasell, University of Western Ontario
Knowledge Mobilization for the Stroke Rehabilitation Evidence-Based Review

David Gladstone, Sunnybrook Research Institute
EMBRACE: Knowledge to Action

Janusz Kaczorowski, Université de Montréal
Introducing CHAP in Québec: A Knowledge Mobilization Strategy

Aura Kagan, Aphasia Institute
Completing the process of reviewing and disseminating the existing evidence base for social approaches to aphasia

Moira Kapral, University of Toronto
Dissemination of Research on Stroke Care and Outcomes: Publications Committee of the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network/Ontario Stroke Registry

Nicol Korner-Bitensky, McGill University
Innovative knowledge mobilization strategies for post stroke arm recovery

Theresa Liu-Ambrose, University of British Columbia
Physical activity to promote functional independence among adults with VCI

The 13^th Annual Stroke Review Course for Neurology Residents was held this past weekend (Friday, April 12^th – Sunday, April 14^th) at the Marriott Hotel in Ottawa.

The meeting brought together over 90 residents from across the country to take part in lectures and group interactive workshops covering a range of topics from risk factors for stroke to diagnostic approaches and treatment options for the management of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.  More than 20 faculty members were on hand for the two and a half day course.

In their place, Kevin Willis becomes the CSN’s  Executive Director and Lori Barron assumes Cathy’s communications role.

We would like to thank Katie and Cathy for 12 years of devoted service to the Network, and wish them the greatest success in their new roles.

Submit your abstracts now for the 4^th Canadian Stroke Congress until May 3, 2013. Accepted abstracts will be published in the journal Stroke online at the time of the Congress. Please click here to access the online abstract submission system.

The Congress draws people from across Canada and around the world to share ideas, collaborate and learn about new approaches to research, clinical care and policymaking.
Visit www.strokecongress.ca for more information.

Data collection is now underway for the CSN’s NCE Reporting.  All CSN Investigators who have received Network funding over the past fiscal year from research grants OR awards are required to complete the online data reporting.

As in the previous three years, the NCE Reporting system has been streamlined, and takes less than 20 minutes to complete.

Deadline for completion is April 30th.  As this is the final year of reporting, it is critical that data is collected from ALL qualified investigators.  Failure to complete reporting will result in an interruption/discontinuation of funding.

If you have any questions regarding your NCE Reporting submission please contact Lori Barron or Kevin Willis at CSN Headquarters.

The NCE Reporting sub-site can be accessed at http://www.canadianstrokenetwork.ca/index.php/tools/nce-reporting/

Keep an eye on Brainwaves for an announcement for this webinar event!

Since November 2003 a national effort has been underway to ensure that a coordinated and integrated approach to stroke prevention, treatment and rehabilitation exists in every province and territory in Canada by the year 2010. This initiative, the “Canadian Stroke Strategy” involved the development of national platforms in professional development, best practices, public awareness, and information and evaluation. In turn, these national platforms helped support the development of provincial and territorial strategies to implement best practices in stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reengagement.

In support of these provincial and national initiatives, the Canadian Stroke Network (CSN) commissioned a report in September 2012 entitled “Expanding Telestroke in Canada”. This report called for wider adoption of telestroke services across Canada using a regional implementation model. It also called for additional support at a national level to enable forums to share information and lessons learned about telestroke across provinces. In response, the CSN is sponsoring a national telestroke forum in New Brunswick in May 2013 and is developing a telestroke “toolkit” for those considering telestroke implementation. In addition, the CSN recognizes that catalytic funding may be required to enable regions or provinces to adopt, expand, or evaluate telestroke services. This call for proposals is aimed at providing such stimulus funding.

Funding Specifics

The funding period will be from June 30, 2013 through to June 30, 2014. The CSN will provide funding for specific activities that might significantly help decision-makers move towards the adoption, expansion, or evaluation of telestroke services (used across the continuum of care) within a province, health region, or health facility. It should be noted that the funds will not be forwarded to applicants, but rather held in reserve at the CSN. The CSN will pay invoices submitted for the proposed work directly. Examples of potential catalytic support include:

• Equipment, infrastructure, or personnel costs associated with pilot telestroke implementation.
• Consulting costs associated with making a compelling case for telestroke services (e.g. economic analyses or business case creation).
• Data gathering or analysis costs that focus on compiling the necessary evaluation data to influence decision-makers and encourage telestroke expansion.
• Travel expenses to support site visits or a visit by a telestroke expert to learn more about telestroke implementation.
• Meeting expenses to support meetings of key champions and decision-makers in developing a plan for telestroke adoption, expansion or evaluation.
• Telestroke training expenses.

It should be noted that requests for research funding are not eligible. In total, the CSN has set aside $500,000 towards this initiative, but more funds may be available depending on the demand. The CSN would like to fund several requests, and as such, it is advised that no one request exceed $100,000. Proposals are due Friday, May 31, 2013. Please submit questions and proposals by e-mail to Kevin Willis, CSN Executive Director at kevin@canadianstrokenetwork.ca.

CSN Management and Board of Directors will review all proposals. Funding decisions will be made based upon the strength of the rationale presented and the availability of funds. The CSN Board of Directors will make funding decisions in June 2013. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by Friday, June 28, 2013. Successful applicants will be required to provide a brief progress report in June 2014.

For more information, please click here to download the full guidelines.

The CSNTA Executive Committee has already confirmed several engaging speakers for this event and is also planning demonstrations of innovative new techniques. Trainees will not want to miss the opportunity to attend this event. Information on the application process is coming soon.