

Delta Grand Okanagan
1310 Water St, Kelowna, BC
Immerse yourself in a lakeside ambiance at Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort. Set on Okanagan Lake and surrounded by picturesque mountains, their urban resort offers stylish hotel rooms and suites with deluxe amenities.
Experience the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort at our event, May 26-27, 2023.


Coming Together.
Building Connections.
Challenging our Differences.
Our Speakers

Dr. Tim Ayas
MD FRCPC CCFP MPH BSc
A Clinical Associate Professor with the University of Calgary Department of Psychiatry. He has a number of educational and administrative roles; but his passion is teaching students, residents, psychiatrists, family physicians, and multidisciplinary teams across Canada and internationally. He serves on the executive board for the Department of Psychiatry as the Section Chief responsible for Addictions, Rural Psychiatry, and the Claresholm Centre for Mental Health and Addictions. He has an educational administrative role as the Clerkship Director of Psychiatry at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine. He is a member of the board of the Alberta Psychiatric Association as the Scientific Co-Chair and additionally is on the board for the Alberta Medical Association Section of Addiction Medicine. He primarily works at the Claresholm Centre and Edgewood Health Networks Sandstone Facility as a psychiatrist with a focus on addictions and psychosis. He has provided expert consultation for a number of organizations including Calgary City Hall, Global Television, CTV, CBC National Radio, and the House of Commons. He is the proud recipient of the 2021 Canadian Organization of Undergraduate Psychiatric Educators COUPE award recognized at the annual Canadian Psychiatric Association Scientific Conference.

Dr. Charissa Patricelli
MD CCFP(AM) FCFP dipABAM FASAM
A family physician with a Fellowship in Addiction Medicine. She is the Director of Perinatal Addictions at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre and Medical Director of the Families in Recovery (FIR) program. FIR is a leader in providing obstetrical, medical, harm reduction, stabilization and recovery oriented care for pregnant and newly delivered women in a mother baby dyad togetherness model. Dr. Patricelli has been a leader in the development and integration of the FIR research program, and an enhanced model of care for mothers and newborns impacted by substance use disorder. She is passionate about learning together with interprofessional teams and enhancing our healthcare system to deliver patient and family centred compassionate care.
Those who help us make a difference
Our Exhibitors

The Western Canada Addiction Forum was built on introducing addiction medicine providers to novel clinical practices that promote positive change in your practice for Monday.
For over 10 years, WCAF has honored our humble provincial beginnings as we have grown to reach all of Western Canada and beyond.
Our strong foundation consists of open, honest, and inclusive dialogue that fosters innovation in not only treatment methods, but in the lenses we use when engaging with those experiencing substance use disorders.
Our Planning Committee

Dr. Rob Tanguay
Conference Co-Chair
BSc (Hons), MD, FRCPC, CISAM, CCSAM
Calgary, Alberta

Dr. Annabel Mead
Conference Co-Chair
MBBS, DipABAM
Vancouver, British Columbia

Dr. George Budd
PharmD, FBCCSU, B.Sc.(Pharm), RPEBC, R.Ph
Vancouver, British Columbia

Robert De Clark
MSW
Victoria, British Columbia

Joan Hollihan
B.Comm
Calgary, Alberta

Dr. Morris Markentin
MD, CCFP (AM), FCFP
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Sylvia Vespa
CMP Certified Event Manager
Girasole Events
Calgary, Alberta

Trauma Therapy: Advancing Access
Emotional Intelligence and Addiction Services
Interdisciplinary Care for Addiction
Methamphetamine: Where are We Headed?
Lived Experience Perspectives
Youth in the Opioid Crisis
Supported Mandated Treatment
Provincial Approaches to the Opioid Crisis and Outcomes
Hot Topics: Decriminalization and Public Supply of Addictive Drugs
WCAF explores novel transitions and initiations of opioid agonist therapy for individuals suffering with fentanyl addiction. We will gain perspective on how to use psychosocial protocols to support those suffering from addiction and address methamphetamine addiction from a pharmaceutical and psychosocial perspective. We discuss some concerns stemming from people with lived experience and their family members.
Topics we're Covering
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Not for Profit

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Not for Profit

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Reconciliation Comes First
The Western Canada Addiction Forum would like to acknowledge the land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples. The Syilx Okanagan and Secwepemc peoples have taken care of their homelands for thousands of years.
WCAF is respectful of the Syilx Okanagan and Secwepemc peoples, their knowledge, language, and history, as well as their ongoing relationship to the land and natural world.
Our Exhibitor Brochure
Explore presentation topics from our incredible exhibitors, conference booth schedules, our networking events, and more!

Contact Us

Recovery Redefined