About
BC Cancer’s interdisciplinary summit provides education, professional development and unique relationship-building opportunities for oncology professionals from all specialties and disciplines. The 2023 Summit is a hybrid event, held in-person at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver and online via a virtual platform.
The Summit will feature keynotes, plenary sessions, collaborative sessions with this year’s theme of “Lifting our Spirits and Rising to Challenges”. In addition we will host virtual poster sessions and awards.
Colleen Foran
Colleen Foran is a patient diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2010, and again in 2019 with stage 4 breast cancer metastasized to liver and bones. Colleen has been involved in numerous engagements with the Peer Program through the Canadian Cancer Society and the BC Cancer Patient and Family Partner Network.
Key Dates
- August 18: Poster Abstract submission opens
- September 1: Summit registration opens
- September 29: Early Bird Registration deadline
- October 5: Poster Abstract submission closes
- November 1: Summit guestroom block and rate deadline
- November 13: Virtual Platform access
- November 16: Summit opens with Sessions
- November 17: Summit Plenary, Bright Spots, Sessions and Awards Dinner
- November 18: Summit Bright Spots, Sessions and Summit closes

The University of British Columbia Division of Continuing Professional Development (UBC CPD) is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education (CACME) to provide study credits for continuing medical education for physicians. This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and has been approved by UBC CPD for up to 16.75 MOC Section 1 Group Learning credits. Each physician should claim only those credits accrued through participation in the activity.
Summit Faculty

Ruby Gidda, RN
- Co-chair, BC Cancer Summit
- Executive Director, BC Cancer Abbotsford
- Provincial Professional Practice (Nursing & Allied Health)

Christine Simmons, MD, MSc, FRCPC
- Co-chair, BC Cancer Summit
- Medical Oncologist, BC Cancer
- Program Director, Medical Oncology Training Program
- Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Faculty of Medicine

Heena Vadgama
- Co-Chair, BC Cancer Summit
- Project Manager
- BC Cancer