Speakers

Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Juthika Thakur (Toronto)

Dr. Juthika Thakur is a dermatologist practicing at the Canadian Dermatology Centre. She is a member of the Canadian Dermatology Association, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Board of Dermatology, and Ontario Medical Association.

Dr. Thakur completed her Bachelors of Medical Sciences degree from Western University and a business degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business in 2011 with honours. She then went on to graduate from Micheal G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University and completed her dermatology residency at the University of Toronto. Prior to that, she worked on the provincial-wide implementation of ConnectingOntario.

She has publications in the Ivey Business Review and has presented on various topics at several national and international conferences.

Social Media

Dr. Shereene Idriss (New York)

Shereene Idriss, M.D., founder of Idriss Dermatology in NYC, is an expert in facial rejuvenation who embraces spotlighting her patients’ unique facial features rather than morphing them into someone else. In a world amped up on filters, Dr. Idriss strives to combine a strong doctor-patient connection with her medical expertise and made a career of being honest and transparent with her patients, talking to them one-on-one about what they need (and what they don’t) and educating them about their skincare routines along the way. In 2018, she began posting informational videos from her bed to her Instagram account when she was spending more than half her time with patients correcting misinformation they heard online and calming fears that were unfounded. The world of skincare had become inundated with products making ridiculous claims that weren’t based on scientific fact. She’s always believed skincare should be an empowering form of self-care, but it felt like all that pleasure had vanished. She rose to organic fame through her #PillowtalkDerm series on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for candidly speaking about skincare, sharing the science-based truth behind it all. In doing so, she amassed a following of 2.4 million+ “skin nerds” across IG, YT and TikTok, who called on her to create her very own skincare line minus any of the B.S. and with that, Dr. Idriss was born. Dr. Shereene Idriss believes that subtle cosmetic changes can have dramatic results, and her goal is to help her patients and followers look—and feel—their best.

Dr. Régine Mydlarski (Calgary)

Dr. Régine Mydlarski is an Associate Professor of Medicine, and the Section Chief of Dermatology at the University of Calgary.

Upon completing her medical degree, Dr. Mydlarski received postgraduate training in Dermatology at the University of Toronto. She was granted board certifications in Dermatology by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Dermatology. Under the aegis of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), she then completed a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in medical genetics and immunodermatology.

Dr. Mydlarski was the founding program director for the University of Calgary’s Dermatology Training Program. In 2018, she was appointed Chair, Specialty Committee in Dermatology for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Under her leadership, an In-Depth Review of Dermatology in Canada was conducted.

As a Clinician-Scientist, Dr. Mydlarski leads the University of Calgary’s precision medicine and translational research program in skin disease. She is recognized internationally for her work on autoimmune blistering disorders and has expertise in immunodermatology, transplant dermatology, and the skin microbiome.

Kerri Purdy (Halifax)

Dr. Kerri Purdy is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Division Head in the Division of Dermatology & Cutaneous Science at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dr. Purdy has a full-time academic practice in Halifax.

After receiving her medical degree, Dr. Purdy completed her residency training in internal medicine, followed by dermatology, at Dalhousie University. Additionally, she has completed fellowship examinations in both specialties.

Dr. Purdy is a past president of the Canadian Dermatology Association and host of “Dermalogues,” the popular CDA residents’ podcast.

Dr. Lisa Kellett (Toronto)

Dr. Lisa Kellett is a board certified dermatologist in both Canada and the United States who specializes in surgical, medical, laser and cosmetic dermatology at her clinic, DLK On Avenue in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. She provides customized treatments that combine the best of dermatological medicine with the latest technology to deliver safe and effective results.

As a highly respected and sought after media personality in the area of cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Kellett is a frequent guest expert in television, print and internet media channels to educate the public on dermatologic issues including the prevention of skin cancer.

Dr. Kellett is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, a Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology, a member of the Canadian Dermatology Association, the Canadian Laser Aesthetic Surgery Society, and the Toronto Dermatological Society. A graduate of the University of Toronto’s Medical School, Dr. Lisa Kellett received training in Internal Medicine and then specialized in Dermatology. She has acted as President of the Canadian Laser Aesthetic Specialists Society and as a director of the Canadian Society of Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Michele Ramien (Calgary)

Dr. Michele Ramien is the current President of the Canadian Dermatology Association.

She graduated from McGill Medical School in 2008. She then completed Dermatology residency at the University of Toronto and University of Ottawa. Dr. Ramien has been board-certified in Dermatology by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Dermatology since 2013, with Pediatric Dermatology certification since 2018.
In 2013-2014, she completed a Pediatric Dermatology fellowship at CHU Sainte-Justine, in Montréal, Québec funded by the University of Ottawa Fellowship for New Faculty and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario’s Popham Fellowship. Dr. Ramien is currently a Clinician-Investigator at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. Her practice is focused on clinical care of medically or dermatologically complex children.

Dr. Elissa Gurman (Toronto)

Elissa Gurman is a Principal at MacPhie, a boutique management consultancy based in Toronto, where she specializes in organizational development, strategic facilitation, and inclusive communication.

Elissa earned her PhD in English literature from the University of Toronto, her Diversity, Equity and Inclusion certificate from Cornell University, and her Change Management Practitioner Certification from Prosci.

When she’s not working with leaders on their complex business challenges, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two young children.

Dr. Sheila Au (Vancouver)

Dr. Sheila Au is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. She is a hospital-based medical dermatologist at St. Paul’s Hospital with a special interest in cutaneous manifestations of rheumatic disease (DART Clinic), transplant-associated skin disorders (SCREEN Clinic), severe cutaneous drug eruptions (MedSafe Clinic) and emergency dermatology.

Dr. Au was the Head of the St. Paul’s Hospital Division of Dermatology from 2009 to 2019 and co-led the development and opening of the new PHC Dermatology Centre at St. Paul’s in 2021.

She is an active member of the CDA’s Canadian Rheumatology and Dermatology Working Group (CARD) and past Associate Editor of the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Au received the 2019 Practitioner of the Year Award from the Dermatology Society of British Columbia.

Dr. Julia Carroll (Toronto)

Dr. Carroll is an award-winning board-certified dermatologist known for her designer approach to beauty. As a sought-after media personality in the area of cosmetic dermatology and skin care, Dr. Carroll travels worldwide, both lecturing and learning, to bring the latest results-oriented treatments to her patients.

Dr. Carroll is the co-founder of Compass Dermatology in downtown Toronto and a faculty member at the University of Toronto, Division of Dermatology. In addition to her busy dermatology practice, she is on the board of Melanoma Canada and the Canadian Association of Aesthetic Medicine.

Dr. Carroll completed her dermatology residency at the University of Toronto and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Prior to her dermatology training, she completed medical school at Dalhousie University, graduating Alpha Omega Alpha. She also holds a Bachelor of Science from Acadia University.

Dr. Carroll is a proud Maritimer, avid sailor, and mom. She and her family love exploring the world and spending time on the East Coast.

Dr. Ashley Sutherland (Halifax)

Dr. Ashley Sutherland is an academic dermatologist working in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She practices medical dermatology in clinics at the VG hospital as well as a pediatric dermatology clinic at the IWK hospital. She completed medical school and dermatology residency at Dalhousie University, as well as a Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Calgary. She is currently the Program Director of the Dalhousie Dermatology residency training program.

Dr. Judy Croon (Toronto)

Judy is Canada’s Keynote Humourist. She is a comedian, motivational speaker (including Ted Talks), radio host, Second City stand up coach and author.

She has worked with many celebrities including; John Cleese, Jon Stewart and Joan Rivers.

Her specials have appeared on NBC, CBS, CTV and The Comedy Network.
Judy draws from her stand up and coaching experience to entertain, inform and inspire in her dynamic presentation entitled; ‘Relieving Work-Related Stress with Humour’.

Judy is the creator/host of ‘Laughlines’ and ‘Stand Up for The Girls’ which have both helped raise over $650,000 for breast cancer research.