2026 Calgary National Conference

Crystal Allen graduated from the University of Ottawa with a BScN with academic honors in 2011 and has been working as a Registered Nurse at the Ottawa Hospital for the past 12 years. She is currently the Program Nurse Coordinator at the Ottawa Hospital for the Ontario Immunoglobulin
Treatment (ONIT) program. The program’s goal is to standardize care across Ontario for patients receiving immunoglobulin (IG) treatment. Crystal started her career as a BMT/ Hematology and MDCU nurse where she gained extensive knowledge of IG therapy. She later then worked as an Immunology nurse out of an infectious disease clinic, helping build one of the biggest centers for immune deficiency care in Canada. Caring for patients with primary and secondar immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases. In 2019, she joined the ONIT program. Specializing in Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIG) treatment, providing teaching, training, and ongoing support for patients and families. Her experience and knowledge have invited her to present and share her expertise with other clinicians. Crystal actively continues to support and educate her nursing colleagues across Canada.

Candine Blackbeard, RP, CCRN, RN, MA, BScN, is a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) and a registered nurse trained in evidence-based medicine. She has specialty in critical care medicine. She holds a certificate in Nursing Education for the Practice Setting from the University of Toronto and a certificate in Advanced Principles and Practice of Mindfulness from McMaster University. She is currently practicing psychotherapy at Two Bee Human Therapy Collective in Whitby Ontario. She believes that utilizing conventional medicine with complementary therapies can help patients achieve optimal physical and mental wellness.

I take an evidence-informed, collaborative, and individualized approach. I work with a wide range of individuals (youth, young-older adults, chronic pain/somatic issues, couples/relationships/premarital, ADHD, parent coaching, anxiety, depression, religious trauma, grief, self-esteem, life changes/existential challenges, work/life stress,…). My experience as a Chiropractor (16 years) informs my work as a therapist and gives me an in-depth and well-rounded perspective on the complex connection between the physical, emotional and psychological. I’ve been married for 20 years and have four children (all boys). Reach out any time!

Dr. Gord Jewett is an Assistant Professor, neuromuscular neurologist, researcher, and Director of the Neuromuscular and EMG Fellowship and Education Program at the University of Calgary. In his clinical focus of neuromuscular disease and electromyography Dr. Jewett treats CIDP, GBS, MMN and other types of neuropathies. His research is focused on developing digital biomarkers in neuromuscular diseases.

Dr. Katzberg is a neurologist and clinician investigator at the Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and Krembil Brain Institute at the University Health Network. He is an Professor of Neurology at the University of Toronto and his clinical and research interests include assessment and treatment of immune mediated neuropathies such as CIDP, GBS and MMN.