Vitamin D and MS
Presented by: Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba; Julie Kelndorfer, Director, Government and Community Relations with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Summary: In recent years, researchers have focused heavily on the link between vitamin D deficiency and multiple sclerosis (MS). In this webinar, learn more about what vitamin D is, the origin of the interest in vitamin D in MS, what is known about vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for MS, and what studies are being conducted to learn if vitamin D can be used as an additional disease-modifying treatment for MS. Julie Kelndorfer shares her personal story of how information on vitamin D has impacted her and her family, as well share linkages to the MS Society of Canada’s new strategic plan – Discover. Innovate. Act. She also discusses where you can find the great resources on the vitamin D recommendations at the end of the session. Speakers: Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, PhD, FRCPC Ruth Ann Marrie is a Professor of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. She received her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her medical degree from Dalhousie University, both with Distinction. She completed neurology training at McGill University. This was followed by a fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis at the Cleveland Clinic, supported by a Sylvia Lawry Physician Fellowship Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Subsequently, she obtained a PhD in Epidemiology from Case Western Reserve University. Presently, she holds the Waugh Family Chair in Multiple Sclerosis and serves as the Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee for the MS Society of Canada. Her research aims to understand the influence of comorbid factors, such as other chronic diseases, health behaviors, and critical illness on a range of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related health outcomes. Other areas of research interest include etiologic factors for MS, patient-reported outcomes, and pediatric MS. Julie Kelndorfer Julie Kelndorfer is the Director, Government and Community Relations with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and has been with the MS Society for the past 13 years. Her professional and volunteer experiences have afforded her the opportunity to build relationships and work with multiple stakeholders across government, industry, and community to make a difference in the lives of Canadians. She received the centennial medal from the Province of Alberta in recognition of her commitment to the community. In addition to her professional interactions with families affected by multiple sclerosis, Julie has a family history with the disease and was diagnosed herself in 2004. Julie is a current member of the Alberta Health Services Provincial Advisory Council – Seniors and Continuing Care ensuring the voice of young people with disabilities is represented. ---------------------------------------------- This webinar was recorded on November 27, 2019. To learn more about our webinars, please visit: mssociety.ca/resources/nationwide-webinars
