.png)
.png)
Be a part of shaping the future of CF care
In 2025, Cystic Fibrosis NZ will be proudly hosting a New Zealand Cystic Fibrosis Symposium. The symposium aims to create a platform for sharing knowledge, discussing advancements, and building partnerships to enhance the quality of life for individuals with cystic fibrosis.
This event will embrace a multidisciplinary approach, fostering valuable networking and collaboration across all fields to drive improved health outcomes for Kiwis living with cystic fibrosis.
Join us for this important event to contribute to the collective effort of shaping the future of CF care.
Our speakers.
We are excited to bring you a great line up of global and local experts who are at the forefront of cystic fibrosis care, research, and innovation.
Our speakers come from diverse disciplines, bringing a wealth of knowledge and insights that will shape the future of CF treatment and care. From clinical trials to cutting-edge research, these thought leaders will share their expertise, explore emerging challenges, and offer insights so we can improve health outcomes and quality of life for those living with cystic fibrosis.
​
Stay tuned as we unveil our full speaker lineup and the impactful sessions they’ll be leading at this not to be missed event.
.png)
Dr Elizabeth Tullis
MD, FRCPC
Professor Scott Bell
MBBS MD FRACP FAHMS FThorSoc GAICD
Maggie Harrigan
Dr Yelizaveta Sher
MD, FACLP
Director of the Toronto Adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Clinic at St. Michael's Hospital
Senior Thoracic Physician
The Prince Charles Hospital
Social Worker, UWA Doctoral researcher and IRH Honorary Research Fellow
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Deputy Chief of Division of Medical Psychiatry at Stanford.
Dr Mark O'Carroll
MB ChB 1995; FRACP 2003
Adult Respiratory Consultant and Transplant Consultant
Te Toka Tumai Auckland
Te Whatu Ora
Professor Cass Byrnes
MBChB, FRACP, MD
CFNZ Clinical Advisory Panel Chair, Professor Paediatric Population Health, Department of Paediatrics: Child & Youth Health. Faculty of Medical and Health sciences, University of Auckland. Paediatric Respiratory Specialist, Starship Children’s Health, Te Toka Tumai, Auckland & Kidz First Hospital
Te Whatu Ora, Counties Manukau
A/Prof Tonia Douglas
MBChB, FRACP, MD
Co-Director Cystic Fibrosis Services, Senior Staff Specialist, Queensland Children's Hospital Clinical Associate Professor,
The University of Queensland
.png)
Dr Julianna Bailey
PhD, RD
Senior Dietitian, PhD
Cystic Fibrosis and Respiratory Lead Nutrition Department
Jenny Hauser
Senior Physiotherapist
Tasmanian Health Service – Tasmanian Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit
Jane Willis
Clinical Nurse Consultant Coordinator at Monash Health
Lisa Burns
Chief Executive, Cystic Fibrosis NZ
_edited.png)
Dame Pieter Stewart
DNZM
Board Chair, Cystic Fibrosis NZ
Programme
The below programme outline is an indication of the agenda, it may change as we finalise speakers and guests.
💙 Important Note: Due to cross-infection risks, we kindly ask that no one with cystic fibrosis attend in person. Rest assured, sessions will be recorded and made accessible after the event.
THURSDAY 8 MAY 2025
6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM
Welcome Function - invitation only
Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, Promenade Room
Join us as we kick off the start of the symposium.
DAY ONE
FRIDAY 9 MAY 2025
CLINICAL DAY
7:30 AM
REGISTRATION OPENS
9:00 AM
Karakia and opening address
-
Welcome and presentation on the New Zealand context post modulators becoming available in April 2023.
-
Launch of the CF Digital Village
Lisa Burns, Chief Executive CFNZ
Professor Cass Byrnes
9:30 AM
Opening plenary | keynote:
-
Life and models of care in the post modulator era
Dr Elizabeth Tullis
10:00 AM
Panel session
The evolving / changing role of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)
Facilitator - Dr Mark O'Carroll
Panel will include:
-
CF Adult Consultant - Dr Elizabeth Tullis
-
CF Paediatric Consultant - Assoc. Prof Tonia Douglas
-
CF Adult Nurse Specialist - Cath Lamont
-
Clinical Nurse Consultant Coordinator - Jane Willis
-
Physiotherapist - Jenny Hauser
-
Dietician - Dr Julianna Bailey
-
Social Worker - Maggie Harrigan
-
Psychiatrist - Dr Yelizaveta Sher
10:30 AM
MORNING TEA
11:00 AM
Plenary 2 | keynote:
Psychosocial and mental health in cystic fibrosis in the modern era of care: time to evolve
Presentation of co-authored paper
Maggie Harrigan and Assoc. Prof Tonia Douglas
12:00 PM
Plenary 3 | keynote:
Advances in CF Research and Emerging Therapies
-
What are we doing for those where modulators are not an option?
-
Looking down the road with new treatments, therapies, and clinical trials.
Professor Scott Bell
-
What are we doing to make life better and ease the burden of CF treatments?
Dr Elizabeth Tullis
Followed by Q&A
1:00 PM
LUNCH
2:00 PM
CONCURRENT WORKSHOP SESSIONS
PART 1
You can select your workshop preference when you register.
Workshop 1:
Transition: age and stage
Facilitator - Maggie Harrigan
Workshop 2:
Changing and future models of care including the role of primary health providers.
Facilitator - Dr Elizabeth Tullis
Workshop 3:
Using technology in responding to changing care models with a focus on remote monitoring.
Facilitator - To be confirmed
3:00 PM
AFTERNOON TEA
3:30 PM
CONCURRENT WORKSHOP SESSIONS
PART 2
Workshop 1:
Paediatrics
Facilitators - Professor Cass Byrnes and
Assoc. Prof Tonia Douglas
This session is for:
-
CF Paediatric Consultants
-
Respiratory Physicians
-
Registrars
-
House Officers
Workshop 2:
Adults and Transplants
Facilitators - Dr Elizabeth Tullis and
Dr Mark O'Carroll
This session is for:
-
CF Adults Consultants
-
Respiratory Physicians
-
Transplant Physicians
-
Transplant Coordinators
-
Registrars
-
House Officers
Workshop 3:
Nursing
Facilitators - Cath Lamont, Dee Campbell, and Jane Willis
This session is for:
-
CF Nurse Specialists
-
CF Nurses
-
Respiratory Nurses
-
Ward Nurses
Workshop 4:
Psychosocial
Facilitators - Maggie Harrigan and Dr Yelizaveta Sher
This session is for:
-
CF Nurse Specialists
-
CF Nurses
-
Respiratory Nurses
-
Ward Nurses
Workshop 5:
Dieticians
Facilitators - Dr Julianna Bailey and Emily Sycamore
This session is for:
-
Dieticians
Workshop 6:
Physiotherapists
Facilitator - Jenny Hauser
This session is for:
-
Physiotherapists
4:30 PM
Plenary Three | keynote
DAY TWO
SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025
COMMUNITY DAY
7:30 AM
Registration opens
9:00 AM
Karakia and opening address
-
Welcome and launch of the CF Digital Village
Lisa Burns, Chief Executive CFNZ
Professor Cass Byrnes
9:30 AM
Opening plenary | keynote
-
Living well with CF, a focus on psychosocial and mental health.
Maggie Harrigan
10:00 AM
Plenary 2 | keynote
Life in the post-modulator era, what have we learnt so far?
Dr Elizabeth Tullis
10:30 AM
MORNING TEA
11:00 AM
Panel session
The Lived Experience
Facilitator - Maggie Harrigan
Panel will include members of the CF community including one person with CF who will give their perspective on their lived experiences.
11:45 AM
Plenary 3 | keynote
Advances in CF Research and Emerging Therapies
-
What are we doing for those where modulators are not an option?
-
What are we doing to make life better and ease the burden of CF treatments?
Dr Elizabeth Tullis
12:15 PM
Panel presentations
context for workshop sessions
Facilitator - Assoc. Prof Tonia Douglas
-
Mental health and emotional wellbeing
Maggie Harrigan -
Nutritional changes and challenges in the post-modulator era
Dr Julianna Bailey -
Benefits of exercise and maintaining an active lifestyle, role of physio
Jenny Hauser -
Managing CF-related co-morbidities - CF related diabetes, digestive issues, bone health
Dr Elizabeth Tullis -
Q&A with the panel
1:30 PM
LUNCH
2:00 PM
CONCURRENT WORKSHOP SESSIONS PART 1
Workshop 1:
Navigating the first five years including the use of modulators.
Facilitators - Professor Cass Byrnes and Assoc.Prof Tonia Douglas
Workshop 2:
Using technology in responding to changing care models with a focus on remote monitoring
Facilitator - to be confirmed
Workshop 3:
Continuity of care - a transition model that provides for consistency and support of young adults.
Facilitator - Maggie Harrigan
Workshop 4:
Fertility, pregnancy, and sexual health in CF.
Facilitator - to be confirmed
2:45 PM
AFTERNOON TEA
3:15 PM
CONCURRENT WORKSHOP SESSIONS PART 2
Workshop 1
Building a stronger, more connected CF community including siblings and other family members.
Facilitator- Maggie Harrigan
Workshop 2
Navigating psychosocial and mental health including neurodiversity, how to keep everyone safe.
Facilitator - Dr Yelizaveta Sher
Workshop 3
Thriving longer: navigating aging transplant, and the evolving journey of CF.
Facilitators - Dr Elizabeth Tullis and
Dr Mark O'Carroll
Workshop 4
Holistic approaches to CF care: diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
Facilitator - Dr Juliana Bailey and Jenny Hauser
4:00 PM
Plenary 4 | keynote
Aging with grace
Dr Yelizaveta Sher, MD, FACLP
4:30 PM
Fireside Chat
Navigating the lived experience of CF and overcoming challenges
Speaker - Lily Tew
5:00 PM
CONNECT
At the conclusion of the symposium stay on for some drinks and nibbles to connect and share your experiences.
6:00 PM
DAY CONCLUDES
Aging with grace
Dr Yelizaveta Sher, MD, FACLP
5:00 PM
DAY CONCLUDES