37th Annual CANO/ACIO Conference

From the bedside, in clinical practice, to leaders who seek improvements in care delivery, oncology nurses are pushing the limits for the best patient outcomes all while promoting diversity and equality as they go. In this time of learning, we seek to empower those who dare to be excellent.

The 37th Annual CANO/ACIO Annual Conference

The CANO/ACIO Annual Conference is an opportunity for oncology nurses to connect with their peers and improve their professional knowledge in the areas of oncology nursing, patient engagement and interdisciplinary practice. This year’s conference will include a workshop day, keynote presentations, joint symposia, concurrent oral sessions, posters, networking opportunities and more! This year’s conference objectives are to:

• Recognize and highlight oncology nursing excellence in clinical practice, research and leadership throughout Canada.
• Facilitate and support ongoing professional development of nurses in oncology by providing a diverse novice to expert scientific program conducive to individual learning needs.
• Provide an environment which allows for reflection on one’s own passion for Oncology Nursing Excellence.
• Create a collegial learning environment that facilitates networking, engagement, and knowledge sharing with national oncology nursing colleagues.
• Identify innovative practice changes and trends impacting oncology nursing to improve patient care.
• Demonstrate a commitment to leading the advancement of oncology nursing practice.
• Support and promote excellence and passion in oncology nursing leadership growth and development.

Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence in Oncology Nursing

For four decades, CANO/ACIO has been at the forefront of advancing oncology nursing in Canada. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we honor the dedication, innovation, and leadership of oncology nurses who continue to push the boundaries of excellence in patient care.

From the bedside to clinical practice, and from frontline care to leadership roles, oncology nurses are striving for the summit—driving improvements in care delivery while championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. This year’s conference is not just a time for learning, but a celebration of those who dare to be excellent.

Join us as we reflect on our past, celebrate the present, and shape the future of oncology nursing together. Let’s strive for the summit—together!

Important Dates

Call for abstracts

The 2025 Conference Planning Steering Committee invites you to submit an abstract for the presentation at the 37th Annual CANO/ ACIO conference, themed: “Striving for the Summit: Empowering Oncology Nurses Towards Excellence”. Conference attendees range from the novice oncology nurses to experienced researchers; therefore, we ask you to consider this audience when developing your abstract.

CANO/ACIO WILL ACCEPT ABSTRACTS IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

• Clinical Practice
• Education
• Leadership
• Quality Initiatives
• Research
Please see below a definition of the types of sessions.

Oral: is an oral presentation to take place during a specific time slot. Oral sessions are 20 minutes and will be grouped with other oral presentations with similar themes, where possible.

Poster: is a visual display. Author(s) or delegate(s) must be present at the conference. Posters will be displayed in a designated area. Poster presentation times will be included within the program. Poster authors will be required to present their poster during their assigned time.

Workshop: is a comprehensive and interactive oral session that takes place during a 90- or 180-minute time slot. Workshops are encouraged to include interactive or small group work facilitated by the presenter(s).

CANO/ACIO LECTURESHIP

CANO/ACIO members in good standing for the last two years, may apply for lectureship awards. Please note that CANO/ACIO’s conflict of interest policy will be referenced in the selection process. The speakers for these lectureships are chosen from among those individuals who have self-nominated for the lectureship, and whose abstracts have been accepted for oral presentation. The successful candidates will be requested to submit detailed curriculum vitae and will be invited to conduct a 50-minute presentation during a plenary session.
The successful candidates will also be required to submit a manuscript which will be published in the Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal (CONJ) and/or on the CANO/ACIO website. Abstract summaries will be circulated in CANO ACIO e-blasts.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Professor Timothy Caulfield is an unrivalled communicator who debunks myths and assumptions about innovation in the health sector.
He is a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, a professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and the Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta.

Ila Edgar, Founder and Principal of Big Change Inc., is a seasoned Leadership Coach, Facilitator, and Trust Builder with over 25 years of experience in leadership and team development. Known for her dynamic and engaging approach, Ila helps organizations and teams build stronger trust to achieve remarkable outcomes together.