March Liver Nurse News
Member Highlight - Michelle Pittman PTG Report Back
My presentation, The Power of Nursing: Driving Hepatitis C Micro-Elimination within New Brunswick’s Injectable Opioid Agonist Therapy Program, highlighted a nurse-led model developed at River Stone Recovery Centre (RSRC) now known as RECAP Health Services.
The model removes common barriers to HCV treatment by embedding screening, assessment, education, and treatment initiation directly into iOAT care. Licensed Practical Nurses lead HCV work using dried blood spot testing, on-site GeneXpert testing, and rapid case presentation to prescribers. This approach prioritizes timely treatment, trust-building, and reduced loss to follow-up. My clinic started with HCV prevalence of 79% and currently has active infection rate of 2% sustaining micro-
elimination in 2024.
The 2026 CAHN Annual General Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 CAHN AGM on Wednesday, March 4th. Three members were elected to the Board of Directors, and committee chairs will be appointed in April. Thank you as well to everyone who put their name forward to volunteer. Your time and support help make CAHN’s work and educational initiatives possible.
CAHNference 2026
We’re excited to announce that CAHNference will be held October 23–24, 2026, in Montreal, Quebec! Join us for another inspiring weekend of learning, connection, and celebration with hepatology nursing professionals from across Canada.
Stay tuned for event updates, registration details, and more in upcoming CAHN newsletters and at cahnference.com.
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
The Management of Chronic Hepatitis B: 2025 Guidelines Update
The 2025 chronic hepatitis B guidelines from the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL) and Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI) provide updated recommendations for universal adult HBV screening, vaccination, laboratory assessment, and treatment. These guidelines emphasize patient-centred care, early diagnosis, and expanded antiviral treatment.
CASL Webinar On The Management of Chronic Hepatitis B: 2025 HBV Guidelines Update
The webinar “Introduction to Updated HBV Guidelines 2025” provides a clear and practical overview of key recommendations from CASL and AMMI. It can be a helpful resource to better understand the guidelines and apply them to practice.
online resource for primary care providers on Hepatitis B Management
Guidance on hepatitis B management for primary care providers has been developed to offer simplified, practical support for prevention, diagnosis, and management of hepatitis B virus infection, including hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance.
Other News and Events
Future of Hepatitis B
The Future of Hepatitis B webinar featuring hepatologist Anna Lok will take place March 28, 2026, from 12:00-1:00 PM EST. The event will be held online via Zoom, with optional in-person attendance in Toronto at Toronto General Hospital. The session will be delivered in English with Cantonese and Mandarin interpretation available.
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.
INHSU 2026 Scholarship for Indigenous Nurses
INHSU 2026 is introducing new scholarships for Canada-based nurses and trainees who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis), including those currently studying or completing postdoctoral training.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!
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