The Inside Affair 2019

The Inside Affair networking events in Vancouver and Toronto this fall allowed business, healthcare, and patient communities to come together to show support for the Gastrointestinal Society’s charitable work. For these events, we focused on honouring the past, considering the present, and looking to the future of gastrointestinal research, science, and healthcare.

The high point of the event in Vancouver was a heartfelt thanks to Dr. James R. Gray, including a video showcasing his 27 years of support of the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR) and the Gastrointestinal Society.

Serving as Chairperson for our Medical Advisory Council since 1992, Dr. Gray co-founded the Gastrointestinal Society in 2008, with the late Dr. Frank Anderson and our CEO, Gail Attara. Dr. Gray has continued to serve both the CSIR and the GI Society throughout the past years, generously providing his medical knowledge and connections. He is also the vice president of the CSIR board of directors.

Dr. Gray volunteers his time to review our quarterly Inside Tract® newsletters, all patient information pamphlets, our BadGut® lectures, and video scripts for medical accuracy. He has also delivered more than 30 of our BadGut® Lectures and is the voice of our educational videos.

Gail Attara recognized Dr. Gray’s tremendous contributions with an award, but jokingly presented him a poop emoji award at first. This was paired with a scrumptious and creative fondant cake. Guests not only enjoyed eating the cake, but they also expressed admiration for its detail and artwork.

Ron Goetz, chair of our Board of Directors, emceed our first Inside Affair of the year on November 5 at the Delta Hotels Conference Centre in Burnaby, right on the Vancouver border.

We were fortunate to have Mitch Moneo, Assistant Deputy Minister, Pharmaceutical Services Division in the BC Ministry of Health speak at this event.  He reflected on the rigorous and vital work of the GI Society in providing input and collaboration on a number of issues and highlighted the challenges the Pharmaceutical Services Division has grappled with over the years. He noted how the Society placed access to treatments and patient-focused care at the forefront, with a value of inclusion in bringing various patient groups to the table. In many ways, he acclaimed, it has made a remarkable transformation in partnerships between the government and patient communities.

Attendees enjoyed music from the Reid Jamieson Band, Vancouver’s very own singer and song-writing duo. Reid Jamieson performed with his wife and creative song-writing partner, Carolyn Victoria Mill.

On November 18, in Toronto we had our second Inside Affair networking event at the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District, where we have held many Inside Affairs over the years. Robert Kulik, a director on the GI Society Board was the emcee at this event. The night featured a talk by Nicole Mittmann, MSc PhD, Chief Scientist and Vice-President of Evidence Standards, CADTH, about the current challenges in the area of health technology assessment and management to ensure patient access to valuable medications and devices. Entertainment was by musician Vincent Soars and renowned comedian Evan Carter.

Guests received a GI Society digestive tract themed pen (either in the shape of intestines or a stomach), and a range of delectable goodies to take home. Toronto guests also enjoyed our own rendition of mousse brownie poop emojis. All of these treats demonstrated that we can talk freely about digestive functions; it doesn’t have to stay quietly in the shadows, causing those with digestive diseases to suffer in silence.

Both Inside Affairs were powerful events, where old friends connected, new friendships were forged, and networking occurred naturally throughout the evening.

We thank all of our speakers and appreciate them taking the time to share vital knowledge and insights with the attendees. We are also grateful for the organizations and individuals who recognized the work of the GI Society by sponsoring these events, purchasing tickets, or volunteering. We could not have done it without you! Our major event sponsors were AbbVie, Allergan, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, the Dr. Rogers Prize, Gilead, Innovative Medicines Canada, Janssen, LifeScan, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Takeda. Special thanks to amazing volunteer Laurie Middleton-Crump.