April Liver Nurse News

Message From Elizabeth Martin, CAHN’s new President!

Dear CAHN Members,

It is a true honour to step into the role of President of the Canadian Association of Hepatology Nurses. I am incredibly proud to be part of such a dedicated and passionate community of nurses and allied health professionals who are committed to advancing liver health across Canada.

As I begin this role, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Lindsay Myles for her outstanding leadership and commitment during her time as President. Lindsay’s dedication, vision, and tireless efforts have helped strengthen CAHN in meaningful ways, and we are grateful for the strong foundation she has built. I look forward to continuing the important work she has led.

Over the coming year, I am excited about the opportunities ahead to continue fostering connection, supporting education, and advocating for excellence in hepatology care. I also look forward to bringing everyone together at our annual CAHNference held this October in Montreal

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to CAHN and to the patients and communities we serve.

Message From Lindsay Myles, CAHN’s Past President

As I conclude my term as President of this remarkable organization, I do so with a strong sense of pride and optimism. Over the past year, we marked 25 years of CAHN and developed a strategic plan to guide our future direction. I look forward to supporting the incoming executive team and continuing to work alongside our members to ensure we remain a leading voice in partnership, innovation, and advocacy for liver health.

World Liver Day

In recognition of World Liver Day, we were proud to have Lindsay Myles and Elizabeth Martin representing the Canadian Association of Hepatology Nurses at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at Queen’s Park. During the event, they connected with several MPPs, including Sylvia Jones, to discuss the growing prevalence and impact of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

We were honoured to participate in these important conversations advocating for the removal of structural barriers that limit timely liver disease detection and care. Key discussions focused on improving access to evidence-based screening and diagnostic tools, including universal OHIP coverage for AST testing as part of the FIB-4 assessment when ordered in primary care, as well as the broader integration of non-invasive liver diagnostics into primary care settings to support earlier identification of fibrosis and improved patient outcomes.

CAHNference 2026

CAHNference is back this fall, and we’re excited to invite you to join us October 23–24, 2026, in Montreal, Quebec. This year’s theme, Across the Liver Spectrum, highlights the breadth of hepatology nursing.

The weekend will begin with a Friday evening of networking, dinner, and keynote presentation, followed by the CAHN Awards Ceremony. Saturday features a full day of sessions covering topics across the spectrum, including fatty liver, PBC, viral hepatitis, models of care, AI tools in hepatology nursing, and lab interpretation. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in multiple hands-on skills sessions to support practical learning and clinical application.

CAHNference 2026 is an opportunity to connect with colleagues, expand your knowledge, and strengthen your skills alongside a community committed to advancing liver care.

Registration opens in early May, so mark your calendars and get ready to secure your spot!

CAHNference Preliminary Agenda

Friday, Oct 23, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

17:30 – 18:30 Networking Event

18:30 – 19:15 Dinner

19:15 – 20:15 Keynote Speaker: Fatty Liver

20:15 – 20:30 CAHN Award Ceremony

Saturday, Oct 24, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast

8:30 – 8:35 Opening remarks

8:35 – 9:05 Fatty Liver Update

9:05 – 9:35 PBC Update

9:35 – 10:05 Fatty Liver Models of Care

10:05 – 10:20 Coffee Break

10:20 – 10:50 Sponsored Symposium

10:50 – 11:50 Viral Hepatitis Models of Care

11:50 – 12:10 Abstract Presentation

12:10 – 13:05 Lunch

13:05 – 14:05 Hands on Skills

14:05 – 14:35 Sponsored Symposium

14:35 – 14:50 Break

14:50 – 15:20 AI Tools in Hepatology Nursing

15:20 – 15:50 Lab Interpretation in Hepatology

15:50 – 16:20 Fatty Liver Transplant & Transitional Care

16:20 – 16:30 Final Remarks

Announcing the new CAHN Member Directory!

We’re excited to introduce the new CAHN Member Directory. This new space is designed to support connection, networking, and community-building across our membership.

The directory allows members to explore shared areas of expertise, connect with colleagues across provinces and practice settings, and strengthen professional relationships within the CAHN community.

Other News and Events

National Nursing Week 2026

National Nursing Week will be held from May 11–17, 2026, and this year’s theme is The Power of Nurses to Transform Health.

This theme highlights the incredible impact nurses have in shaping health care, driving innovation, and advocating for patient-centred care. Individuals are encouraged to explore available resources, events, and commemorative pages for more information on how the contributions and dedication of nurses across Canada will be recognized.

National Nursing Week is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work and commitment of nurses not only across Canada, but around the world.

We are honoured to celebrate alongside you and invite everyone to help shine a spotlight on the vital role nurses play in health care. To join the conversation, follow along on social media and use the hashtags #CNA2026 #NursingWeek2026 #NationalNursingWeek #IND2026 #Nurses2026 #ThePowerofNurses

Asia-Pacific HBV Cure Workshop

The 1st Asia-Pacific Workshop on HBV Cure will take place in person on June 10, 2026, in Seoul, South Korea. This inaugural meeting brings together researchers and experts from across the region to share emerging data, explore challenges, and advance conversations around achieving a functional cure for hepatitis B.

Enter the code HBVCUREEND25 for a 25% discount during registration.

12th International Viral Hepatitis Elimination Meeting (IVHEM)

The 12th International Viral Hepatitis Elimination Meeting (IVHEM) will take place September 3–4, 2026, in Hiroshima, Japan. This global forum brings together experts to share practical strategies for translating advances in hepatitis research into real-world policy and practice.

2026 CNA Conference

The Canadian Nurses Association will host its first national conference in eight years from September 21–23, 2026, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The theme, “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health — Our Expertise, Our Impacts,” will bring nurses from across Canada together to explore the profession’s impact on health systems and care.

2026 VISTA Conference

The HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Health Science of Implementation Conference (VISTA) will take place September 21–23, 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa. The conference will bring together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore how advances in infectious disease prevention and treatment can be translated into practical, community-centred solutions within evolving health systems.

INHSU 2026

INHSU 2026, the 14th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users, will take place in Prague from October 6 to 9, 2026. This global conference brings together research, policy, practice, and lived experience to advance the health and rights of people who use drugs.

Digestive Health Centre Forum 2026

The Digestive Health Centre Forum 2026 will take place November 22–23, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The forum brings together clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals to discuss developments in GI, IBD, and liver health.