2026 Palliative Care Conference Booster
Registration Now Open!
About the Conference
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Eastern Time
Location: Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Format: Hybrid — in person and virtual attendance available
Registration: Special rates for students, hospice volunteers and virtual groups!
The Palliative Care Booster Conference brings together health and social care providers, volunteers, students, educators, community partners, and leaders to strengthen knowledge, skills, and connections in palliative care.
This one-day hybrid conference will offer practical learning, meaningful discussion, and opportunities to reflect on how we can continue improving palliative care across care settings and communities.
Our theme this year The Common Thread: Weaving a Palliative Approach Across Care Settings emphasizes that a palliative approach to care may be provided in any setting. As individuals and families move between care settings throughout their journey, these transitions and ‘forks in the road’ can present challenges to continuity of care.
Opening speaker, Dr. Erin Gallagher, will set the stage with her keynote presentation “Dying is Forking Hard: Supporting a Palliative Approach Across Care Settings.”
Participants may attend virtually or in person at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay.
Opening Keynote
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Erin Gallagher, palliative care physician, as our opening keynote speaker.
Dr. Erin Gallagher (MD, CCFP (PC) MPH) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University. She is a Family Physician and Clinical Supervisor at Stonechurch Family Health Centre in Hamilton and a Palliative Care Consultant for the McMaster Family Health Team and Hamilton Health Sciences Hospitals. She sits on Palliative Care educational committees for the Department of Family Medicine and Department of Medicine and its subspecialties. Erin is the Medical Director at Emmanuel House hospice in Hamilton and the Ontario Health West Physician Clinical Co-Lead for Palliative Care. Her academic interests include public health approaches to palliative care, building capacity and competencies for palliative care in primary care and leadership development of medical trainees.
You can find our Agenda-at-a-Glace here! More details coming very soon!
*Program is subject to change without notice.
Registration
(HST is included)
| In-Person Registration | Virtual Registration | |
| Full Delegate | $225.00 | $150.00 |
| Student* | $110.00 | $110.00 |
| Hospice Volunteer** | $110.00 | $110.00 |
| Virtual Hub *** | N/A | $400.00 |
* Students must provide proof of full-time enrolment to receive the student rate. “Student” refers to any individual who is currently enrolled in an academic program or who has graduated from a program within the past two years.
** Hospice volunteers must register through their volunteer organization to receive the volunteer rate.
***A Hub registration is intended for groups participating in the conference virtually from a shared location. Each Hub registration covers 3–10 participants. If your group exceeds 10 participants, an additional Hub registration is required.
In-person registration closes on September 25th! Don’t wait!
Who Should Attend
This conference is intended for health and social care providers, volunteers, students, educators, administrators, community partners, and anyone interested in strengthening palliative care knowledge and practice.
More Information
Our theme this year, The Common Thread: Weaving a Palliative Approach Across Care Settings, emphasizes that a palliative approach to care can be provided in any setting. As individuals and families move between care settings throughout their journey, transitions can present challenges to continuity of care.
Our opening keynote speaker, Dr. Erin Gallagher, will set the stage by exploring what high-quality palliative care looks like across care settings and how seamless transitions can be supported.
Throughout the day, we will showcase and celebrate regional innovations in palliative care through four lightning talks, offer a choice of clinical or psychosocial breakout sessions, and explore unique self-care practices that support personal well-being and resilience.
With ample opportunities for networking and connecting with exhibitors, this conference will bring health and social care providers together from across Northwestern Ontario to share resources, learn from innovative practices, strengthen connections, and leave feeling inspired and rejuvenated.
Accommodations
Attendees are responsible for booking and paying for their own travel. Call 1 (800) 964-1121 and use our Guestroom Block Code ‘LAKE100126’ to book your hotel room at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre or book online by clicking here.
The last day to book under our room block is September 1st, 2026.
Exhibitor Booths
Be part of the Palliative Care Booster!
Our Exhibitors hall will gives you the chance to stand out and make connections with professionals, community members, other agencies, researchers, students and many more!
| Type | Cost |
| For Profit Organization | $250.00 |
| Non-Profit Organization or Educational Institution | FREE |
Please Note: Booth spaces are limited. Selection of booths will be at the discretion of the organizers.
Acquiring a booth DOES NOT include the conference registration. You must have at least 1 staff member register for the conference. For more information on booths and related investment, please click HERE.
Register Now!