The Empire Club of Canada
Hybrid
Thursday, October 22, 2026
What if the future of cancer care is not simply treating cancer earlier, but detecting and preventing cancer before it even occurs?
We’re living in an extraordinary era that experts are calling the “golden age” of cancer research. Advances in genomics, early detection research, AI-driven diagnostics, blood-based screening, and precision medicine are moving healthcare toward a new frontier: “Stage Zero” – identifying the risk of cancer or cancer recurrence at its earliest possible point, before symptoms emerge and costly, life-changing treatment is required.
Canada is playing an outsized role in this transformation. Institutions like Princess Margaret Cancer Centre are conducting world-leading research in early cancer detection, genomics, and personalized medicine, advanced by scientists whose work is setting the international standard in this field. Governments and health systems are increasingly focused on how innovation can improve outcomes, reduce system burden, and fundamentally change what a cancer diagnosis means for us and for the people we love.
On Thursday, October 22, 2026 join the Empire Club of Canada and an esteemed lineup of speakers who will explore the future of cancer detection and prevention, and how Canada can lead the world in reshaping cancer care from reactive treatment to proactive intervention — and how this work will change lives:
After we hear from our experts, Teri Hart, Journalist and host of The Hart of it All will speak with a patient representative to ask what Stage Zero means to them — before sitting down with Dr. Kim and Dr. Stewart.
This is a conversation few of us come to at a distance. The most consequential cancer breakthrough of our lifetime may be the one that prevents the diagnosis entirely. Join us at the Empire Club of Canada to understand the strides being made and what they mean for the people, families and communities touched by cancer.
Dr. Raymond Kim is a Medical Geneticist and Medical Director of Early Cancer Detection and Scientific Lead, Peter Gilgan Centre for Early Cancer Detection Research at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He is also the Principal Investigator of the Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and Provincial Head of the Provincial Genetics Program at Ontario Health.
Dr. Kim received his MD/PhD from the University of Toronto with Dr. Tak W. Mak in Medical Biophysics. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Medical Genetics at The Hospital for Sick Children. His clinical interests lie in the transition of care, complex multidisciplinary care and adult hereditary disorders.
His research incorporates novel genomic technologies in clinical care including whole genome sequencing and circulating DNA. Dr. Kim is a strong advocate for expanding access to genetic testing, recently pioneering a program to offer genetic testing to all patients at University Health Network known as the OurGenes project.
Dr. Keith Stewart is Vice-President, Cancer, and Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Program at University Health Network, and Regional Vice-President of the Toronto Central South Regional Cancer Program, Ontario Health.
Dr. Stewart earned his medical degree from Aberdeen University and completed training in internal medicine and hematology in the U.K., Canada, and the U.S. He also holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University.
A recognized leader in cancer research and care, Dr. Stewart has held senior leadership positions at Princess Margaret, Toronto General Hospital, the University of Toronto, and the Mayo Clinic where he spent 15 years of his career. Prior to rejoining Princess Margaret in 2020, Dr. Stewart served as Director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine and Professor of Cancer Research, leading efforts to advance the application of genomics in research and clinical care.
Dr. Stewart has served on numerous non-profit and commercial boards and advisory committees. His research has focused on the genomics and biology of multiple myeloma, supported by more than 25 years of continuous national funding. He has led numerous clinical trials, authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications, and contributed to several leading scientific journals.
With over 30 years broadcasting experience Teri Hart is one of Canada’s most recognized and sought-after media personalities, a multi-talented host, interviewer, critic and producer.
Teri is the host, creator and executive producer of “The Hart of it All” a podcast about the realities of caregiving which launched in 2025.
Currently appearing as the face of Super Channel with Teri Hart’s weekly Super Channel Superpicks and engaging IG Live interviews. Teri is also a frequent contributor to CBC’s national radio show “Commotion with Elamin Adbelmahmoud”. Teri was the face of The Movie Network for 19 years, the entertainment reporter for CITY News and Breakfast Television for 5 years and has also appeared on CBC, The Morning Show (Global), E-Talk and The Social (CTV).
Teri is a member in good standing of the Critics Choice Associationn and volunteers her time with Pioneering Women in support of the Canadian Picture Pioneers.
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