2025 Conference Speakers

Brittany Waller, MD

Presenting on dermatology practice in primary care

Dr. Brittany Waller is a board-certified dermatologist in both Canada and the United States, currently practicing in Regina, Saskatchewan. She serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Director for the University of Saskatchewan’s Dermatology Residency Program. Dr. Waller is also active at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons level, serving as a member of the Specialty Committee in Dermatology and is a past Royal College examiner. In addition to outpatient practice and academic responsibilities, Dr. Waller provides inpatient dermatology consultation services for Southern Saskatchewan’s most severe dermatologic cases, including severe drug reactions and skin toxicities of cancer therapy.

Growing up in the prairies, Dr. Waller obtained both a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology with Great Distinction and a Medical Degree at the University of Saskatchewan. She completed her 5-year dermatology residency and a subspecialty fellowship in Laser Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine through the University of Toronto Dermatology Program. She is an experienced clinical trialist, has numerous publications in scientific journals and has given presentations at scientific conferences both locally and abroad.

Doria Melville, MN, RN(NP)-Pediatric

Presentation: Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Clinical Pearls

Doria has been a Registered Nurse for 21 years & a pediatric NP for 9 years. She did her Master's NP studies through the University of Toronto & her undergraduate RN degree at the U of S. Doria's clinical experience is varied, from pediatric ward nursing, to emergency medicine, to remote/rural nursing in Northern Saskatchewan, Outback Australia & South Sudan, Africa. Her passion & expertise for pediatrics has been seen throughout her varied career, but most recently with jobs as a Pediatric NP in NICU, Northern Saskatchewan & at time of writing this bio, a specialist in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Doria worked strictly with IBD kids in the province for 2+ years & completed a U of T GI fellowship in the area. She currently works as the Baby Bridge NP at West Winds Primary Health Center.

Greg Peters, BSc (Med), MD, FRCPC (Adult Respirology, and Clinical Immunology/Allergy)

Presentation: Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine

Dr. Greg Peters spent all of his early years in Saskatoon. He graduated Medical school at the U of S in 1999. Dr. Peters worked as a family physician in Rosthern SK for 5 years before returning to residency to do Internal Medicine, Respirology, (both at the U of S) and Allergy/Clinical Immunology (at the U of M). He has been in private practice in Saskatoon for the last 12 years.

Dr. Gudrun Caspar-Bell

Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

Presentation: Managing Metabolic Risk in Primary Care - An Update for Nurse Practitioners

Dr. Gudrun Caspar-Bell is an Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, FRCP. She received all of her medical and specialist training in Germany. Dr Caspar-Bell came to Canada in November 2006 and was appointed Head of Division of Endocrinology in December 2006 until March 2018. She has been appointed Head of Division of Endocrinology (interim) since September 2024.

Jocelyn Jelsma, RM (Registered Midwife)

Saskatchewan Health Authority

Presentation: Prenatal Pearls for Practice

For the last 18 years, Jocelyn has enjoyed providing midwifery care both in Canadian and international contexts, among diverse populations. Her and her family lived in Rwanda for 10 years, where she trained and mentored Rwandan midwives and midwifery students to open Rwanda’s first midwifery led birth centre, while leading a community based prenatal and postpartum care program. Jocelyn completed her MSc in International Midwifery in 2018 through Edge Hill University in the UK. Her dissertation was a mixed methods service evaluation of their community based prenatal care program, comparing the 2016 WHO Antenatal Recommendations for a Positive Pregnancy Experience with their clients’ outcomes and lived experiences. After completing the International Midwifery Preregistration Program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2019, Jocelyn joined the SHA Saskatoon Midwifery Program. She enjoys providing full scope midwifery care, training multidisciplinary teams in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), facilitating the Emergency Skills Workshop (ESW) for Midwives across the province and participating on the executive team for the Midwives Association of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Keltie Anderson, MD, FRCPC

Program Director, Rheumatology Subspecialty Program & Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Saskatchewan

Presentation: What is New in Biologic for Inflammatory Disease

Dr. Anderson completed school at the University of Victoria. She did internal medicine and rheumatology training at the U of S. She is currently a clinical assistant professor and Program Director of the Rheumatology Subspecialty Program at the University of Saskatchewan. She practices locally in Saskatoon with a focus on clinical rheumatology and teaching/mentorship.

Dr. Kishore Visvanathan, MD, FRCSC

Presentation: Urology Tips for Primary Care

Kishore Visvanathan is in his 33rd year of Urology practice as part of Saskatoon Urology Associates. He attended medical school at the University of Saskatchewan, and completed an urology residency at the University of Ottawa. He is Clinical Professor of Surgery (Urology).

For over 20 years, Kishore has lead his group’s initiative to improve patient access to urology care in Saskatoon, including centralized referral intake and clinical practice guidelines for primary care. He is provincial chair of the Prostate Assessment Program, a pathway that allows expedited access to diagnosis and treatment for men with prostate cancer.

Leland Sommer, MN, NP

NP Clinical Lead, SHA Opioid Stewardship Program, Saskatchewan Health Authority

Presentation: Beyond Prescriptions - How Nurse Practitioners Can Curb Addiction & Opioid Use

Leland is a dedicated advanced practice nurse whose career spans two decades, integrating expertise in clinical care, leadership, and regulatory consultation. He earned his graduate degree in Advanced Nursing Practice from Athabasca University in 2011, building upon a registered nurse foundation established in 2004.

His diverse nursing journey has encompassed care for patients across all ages in both rural and urban settings, with a particular focus on older adult care and executive leadership. His graduate studies opened doors to influential roles, including serving as a consultant for advanced nursing regulation within the Prescription Review Program at CRNS and contributing as contract faculty in the Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Saskatchewan.

Currently, Leland serves as the Clinical Lead for the SHA Opioid Stewardship Program, applying knowledge gained from his completion of the Clinical Quality Improvement Program Certificate in 2020, and numerous pain and opioid continuing education opportunities. In this role, he provides expert consultations on acute, chronic, and mixed pain cases, offering evidence informed patient-focused recommendations for care teams. Many of these cases involve concurrent disorders, such as mental health challenges and addiction, which complicate the pain experience. His clinical experience also includes geriatrics and rural primary health care.

A committed advocate for nurse practitioners, Leland rejoined the SANP executive through midterm appointment as treasurer in 2023, bringing invaluable historical insight from his tenure as president-elect in

Lisa Plank, NP

Presentation: An Approach to Neurodevelopment Assessment in Primary Care

Lisa graduated from the COUPN NP program in 2003, and completed her masters degree in 2010. She has spent most of her career as a rural NP, after several years as an ER nurse in downtown Detroit. She has been involved in a variety of shared care mental health models in primary care, primary care for people with serious mental illness, shared care tele psychiatry program, a pilot project for NP pediatric mental health, and a travelling nurse practitioner virtual specialist research study with Dr Petryk. She competed Can-Reach in 2019, and is currently enrolled in the first cohort autism diagnostics for primary care.

Lisa has two grown children and one grand baby who is the best thing ever. She likes kayaking, gardening and birdwatching.

Meg Vossen-Anweiler, NP

Heart Failure Clinic (RUH)

Presentation: Where's Cardio When You Need It? Heart Failure Recognition & Management

Meg is the heart failure NP in Saskatoon, working out of RUH under Cardiology in the Heart Function Clinic. She is originally from Saskatoon and completed her undergrad BScN in the NEPS program there. Meg worked in Acute Care Pediatrics and Adult ICU for several years before taking her MN-NP at Dalhousie University in Halifax. She graduated in 2016 and started her NP career in Edmonton, AB at the Royal Alexandria Hospital as a critical care NP. She returned to Saskatoon and started working at the inner city COVID test center, health bus, street & sexual health, as well as flight nursing with Saskatchewan Air Ambulance. Meg now works as one of the four outpatient cardio clinics (also has the Women's Heart Health Clinic, Atrial Fibrillation Clinic, Rapid Access Clinic). Heart Function operates in both Saskatoon and Regina with plans to eventually expand across the province.

Zack Dumont, Pharmacist

RxFiles Academic Detailing

Presentation: RxFiles Updates - Balancing Considerations in Using Medications for Weight Loss

Zack is an RxFiles clinical pharmacist serving near the Regina area and locations along the Trans-Canada Highway east to the Manitoba border. He has been involved with the RxFiles since 2008, with experience in academic detailing, content development of RxFiles’ evidence-based drug therapy comparison tools, and as a training facilitator for academic detailing courses.

Zack graduated as a pharmacist in 2008. Following graduation, he completed a hospital pharmacy residency with the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, where he currently serves as the clinical pharmacy manager for the Regina area of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Zack is certified in website design and development, has participated in evidence-based medicine training programs, and formally studied pharmacy leadership with various institutions. Zack holds a Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan (2008) and Master Degree in Pharmacy Leadership from the University of Cincinnati (2018).

Kimia Kazemi

USask College of Dentistry Research Team

Presentation: Promoting Earlier Diagnosis of Oral Premalignant Lesions and Oral Cancer in Rural and Remote Areas of Saskatchewan

Dr. Felipe Fornias Sperandio, DDS, MSc, PhD, Cert. OMOP, FRCDC, Assistant Professor, College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan

Dr. Felipe Fornias Sperandio is a Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist and Oral Medicine Specialist, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Sperandio graduated from the University of Sao Paulo College of Dentistry and subsequently completed his MSc Dental Sciences (Thesis) at the University of Sao Paulo, followed by a PhD at the same University combined with a one-year “sandwich” period at Harvard University under the supervision of Dr. Michael Hamblin. In 2022, Dr. Sperandio completed a four-year, hospital-based residency through the University of British Columbia, becoming a Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist and Board-Certified Oral Medicine Specialist. Currently, Dr. Sperandio is a tenure-track Assistant Professor and course coordinator for Basic Pathology and Oral Pathology courses, teaching and supervising undergraduate dental students at the College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Sperandio also works part time as an Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist with the Saskatchewan Health Authority at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. His research focuses on oral premalignant diseases, oral cancer, and photodynamic therapy. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers, serves as a reviewer for numerous journals, and has an h-index of 22 with more than 1,900 citations.

Dr. Amrinderbir Singh, Assistant Professor, College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan

Dr. Amrinderbir Singh is President of the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry (CAPHD). Dr. Singh is an Assistant Professor of Dental Public Health at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Dentistry. With a background in clinical dentistry and a Master of Public Health, Dr. Singh brings a wealth of experience in health equity, access to care, interdisciplinary and patient-centered care, and oral health for priority populations to his roles at USask and with CAPHD. At USask, his research focuses on innovative community outreach and holistic strategies to improve oral health in underserved communities, while his teaching develops the interpersonal skills of the next generation of dentists to provide exemplary patient-centered care. He also serves as the Interim Associate Dean Academic, and Director of Community Outreach for the College of Dentistry. Prior to joining USask, his dedication to improving the health of priority populations began with his previous leadership roles in Northern Saskatchewan, including Director of Primary Health Care with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Regional Intersectoral Coordinator with the Northern Human Services Partnership.

Dr. Marcella Ogenchuk, Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan

Marcella Ogenchuk RN PhD is a registered nurse and has work experience in a variety of settings in Saskatchewan. She is also an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan. She has extensive pediatric nursing experience and is engaged in interdisciplinary work and research with: Indigenous communities about pediatric oral health; and, school communities around substance use education and early intervention.

Kimia Kazemi, Research Assistant, Masters Candidate, College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan

Kimia Sadat Kazemi, DDS, DMD, MPH, is a Master's student at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Felipe Fornias Sperandio. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms and early detection of oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer, integrating bioinformatics, pathology, and public health approaches. Kimia’s work aims to bridge laboratory and population-level insights to advance prevention, diagnosis, and outcomes in oral oncology.

Anum Nooruddin, Research Assistant, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

Anum Nooruddin, PharmD, MPH, is a Research Assistant at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy and a Master of Public Health, with research focused on health equity, community engagement, and ethical research practices. Anum's work focuses on Indigenous-focused and community-engaged research projects that aim to enhance access to care and promote early detection and prevention initiatives.

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SANP respectfully acknowledges that our offices and members reside on Treaty 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 territories and the traditional homelands of the Métis. These treaties serve to govern our relationship with Indigenous people. We recognize the enduring presence and resilience of Indigenous peoples on this land, and we commit to working towards reconciliation and building respectful relationships with Indigenous communities. We pay respect to the keepers of the land and the land itself.