Conference
Speakers

James Downar is a Critical Care and Palliative Care physician in Ottawa. He graduated from McGill Medical School and completed residency training in Internal Medicine, Critical Care and Palliative Care at the University of Toronto. He has a Master’s degree in Bioethics from the Joint Centre for Bioethics at the University of Toronto. He is currently the Head of the Division of Palliative Care at the University of Ottawa, and holds a Clinical Research Chair in Palliative and End of Life Care. He is the co-chair of the Pan-Canadian Palliative Care Research Collaborative and the Secretary of the Canadian Critical Care Society. He has authored more than 85 peer-reviewed publications, has been principal investigator on 18 peer-reviewed grants, and is a former Associated Medical Services Phoenix Fellow. His research interests include communication and decision-making for seriously ill patients and their families; Palliative Care for the Critically Ill; and Palliative Care for Noncancer Illnesses.

Director, Health Service 360 | Honorary Professor of Leadership in Healthcare | School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Salford, Manchester | Honorary President AGILE: The network of Chartered Physiotherapists working with Older People | Honorary Adjunct Professor of Innovation in Healthcare, Bond University, Queensland

Brian has a 30 plus year career in various nursing, leadership, academic and consulting roles focusing on system redesign, culture change and patient flow.

He is Director of Health Service 360, which was founded in 2001 with fellow nurse Lynda Holt to change and improve health systems and develop leaders.

He is also one of the people behind social movements like the Last 1000 Days and End PJ Paralysis, and in 2019 got the Queen’s attention for his services to nursing and emergency care and was awarded an OBE.

Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki & Ngāti Porou
Senior Research Fellow. Co-Director Te Ārai Palliative Care and End of Life Research Group, School of Nursing, University of Auckland
Tess Moeke-Maxwell is a descendant of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Porou. She is aSenior Research Fellow and co-director of the Te Ārai Palliative Care and End of Life Research Group at the School of Nursing, University of Auckland. Tess leads Kaupapa Māori qualitative “lived Indigenous experience.” Improving end-of-life, palliative care and assisted dying experiences for Māori whānau (family, including extended family) are her research interests. Currently, she leads the Health Research Council (HRC) funded ‘Waerea study’ on Māori whānau experiences using Assisted Dying services and is a co-lead investigator on the (HRC) Pae Herenga, Paediatric Palliative Care study. Tess is an advisory member of the National Palliative Care Work Programme for Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand. In 2022, the Royal Society of NZ awarded Tess and Te Ārai Kāhui the NZ Health Research Council’s Te Tohu Rapuora Medal for research excellence with Māori communities. She was selected as one of New Zealand’s 100 Māori Leaders as part of the Henry Rongomau Bennett Foundation Leadership Strategy based on her contributions to Indigenous end-of-life care research.

Richard Egan is an Associate Professor in Public Health at the Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago. He co-directs the Social and Behavioural Research Unit and is a former director of the Cancer Society Research Collaboration. Richard's research focuses on spirituality, health and end-of-life care, supportive care in cancer, and assisted dying. He has over 80 peer-reviewed publications and has held leadership roles in public health organisations. Richard is an Honorary Research Consultant for Meaningful Aging Australia, a member of the Global Network for Spirituality & Health, collaborates with Hospice NZ on spirituality matters, and works with interfaith partners, including the Religious Diversity Centre Aotearoa New Zealand, on spiritual care in healthcare.

Dr Waikaremoana Waitoki is a clinical psychologist with work and research interests in Kaupapa Māori psychology, adult, child and adolescent mental health, supervision, accreditation, and curriculum development. She is a Professor and Associate Dean Research in Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies at Waikato University, as well as the immediate past president of the New Zealand Psychological Society.

Luke Bird is an award-winning vocalist and entertainer known for his charisma, versatility, and sharp comedic flair. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts, he has built a dynamic career across musical theatre, opera, television, and live events. Trained by renowned NZ Opera Diva Joan Kennaway QSM, Luke has performed at prestigious operatic events and alongside leading artists, while also appearing in major musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Hairspray, and Cabaret. His screen credits include Shortland Street, Power Rangers, and work with Whakaata Māori (Māori Television), including hosting Lucky Dip and appearing on Sidewalk Karaoke.

Luke is the founder of Luke Bird Entertainment and an original member of comedy troupe The DG NOFNOFS. In 2021, he became a celebrant!