Keynote Speakers

Dr. Meaghan Thumath

Dr. Meaghan Thumath is a public health clinician, researcher, and Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia whose career bridges front-line nursing and global health diplomacy. For over a decade, she has provided technical assistance to UNAIDS, WHO, the Global Fund to End AIDS, TB and Malaria, and the World Bank—supporting HIV and substance use programs in more than 20 countries. In Canada, she has served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Senior Practice Leader for HIV and Harm Reduction at the BC Centre for Disease Control, and Executive Director of Public Health at the BC Ministry of Health.

Dr. Thumath continues her practice as Director of Strategy in the Office of the Chief Medical Health Officer for Vancouver Coastal Health and as a casual outreach nurse in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Her research focuses on disinformation during public health emergencies and the intersections of addiction, equity, and human rights.

A registered nurse with advanced practice certifications in addiction medicine and reproductive health, Dr. Thumath holds a DPhil in Social Intervention and Policy from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. In 2025, she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her leadership in advancing health equity in Canada and abroad.

Michelle Byron

With over 20 years of experience in healthcare and 13 years as a dedicated nursing professional, Michelle Byron serves as the Director of Nursing at Community Medical Services. In this role, she oversees a dynamic team of over 200 nurses across more than 70 outpatient clinics, focusing on providing compassionate care to individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to trauma-informed care, believing that holistic approaches are essential for effective treatment and recovery.

A significant achievement in her career includes the successful development and implementation of a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) screening and treatment program, which has cured over 1,000 patients. This initiative highlights her dedication to improving healthcare outcomes and exemplifies her innovative approach to nursing.

As a passionate advocate for addiction recovery and patient-centered care, Michelle is excited to share insights and strategies at the International Nurses Society on Addiction Conference. She aims to inspire fellow healthcare professionals to reexamine the vital role of License Practical Nurses in addiction space and leadership roles to foster supportive environments for patients with substance use disorders.

Dr. John Furman

Dr. Furman worked for the state of Washington for 45 years as a recreation therapist, psychiatric childcare counselor, and registered nurse. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Washington and a PhD in health administration from Western Kennedy University – along with national certifications in psychiatric nursing, infection control, and occupational health nursing. Service positions include the boards of the Washington State Public Health Association, Washington State Healthcare Safety Council, Washington State Association of Occupational Health Nursing, and the Northwest Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

In his role with the Washington State OSHA program, he has been a major driver of occupational safety and health policy – authoring state regulation on violence in healthcare, protection of personal healthcare information, outdoor heat exposure, and exposure to hazardous medications – just to name a few. Prior to retiring from state service Dr. Furman served as the director of the Washington State Health Professionals Program – the state approved substance use monitoring program for nurses. He was a long-time board member of the National Organization of Alternative Programs and chaired its research committee, helping to connect nursing with addiction science.