Faculty & Conference Details
Mr. Mark Handelman
Specialty:
Health & Elder Lawyer
About The Speaker
Mark Handelman is counsel to Whaley Estate Litigation Partners. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1978 and holds an MHSc in Bioethics from the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics. Mark was first appointed to the Consent and Capacity Board in 1998 and served a ten-year term, for 8 years of which he was a Vice Chair and Senior Lawyer Member. He was reappointed to the Board in 2019, served another 5 years and has now returned to private practice, including frequent appearances before the Board.
Mark was a part time Member of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal from 2008 to 2018 and in 2022 was appointed to the Council of The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists, where he served on the Discipline Committee for 3 years.
From 2008 to 2019 and again since September 2024, Mark practiced and practices elder law and health care law. His articles on consent and capacity law, mental health law, end of life decision-making and Powers of Attorney have appeared in the popular press as well as peer-reviewed medical and legal journals. He was a member of Pro Bono Ontario and volunteered at Casey House. Until 2002 Mr. Handelman lived and practiced law in London, Ontario, where he also served as President of The Better Business Bureau, President of the London Chamber of Commerce, Director of The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the National Council of Better Business Bureaux, The London Club and of Congregation or Shalom. He wrote some 300 restaurant reviews and food articles for The London Free Press.
Mark’s forthcoming book of short stories is titled, “The Orchid and the White Carnation: Law, Medicine and the Person Between.”
Dr. Robyn Houlden
Specialty:
Endocrinology & Metabolism
About The Speaker
Dr. Robyn Houlden is Professor and Chair of the Division of Endocrinology at Queen’s University, and a consultant in adult endocrinology at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre. She has served as a diabetes advisor for Canada’s Drug Agency and the Ontario Ministry of Health. She has been an investigator in a number of clinical trials of new therapies for diabetes, and has a research interest in innovative models of diabetes health care delivery. She has published over 150 peer reviewed papers. She has been involved in the Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines for over 20 years, and chaired the 2018 edition. Throughout her career, she has been the recipient of several honours and awards. She has been recognized with 21 teaching awards including the Queen’s Department of Medicine Master Educator Award and the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Educator Award. In 2002, she was awarded the Charles H. Best Award by Diabetes Canada for her advocacy work in diabetes. In 2024, she was awarded the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Robert Volpe Distinguished Service Award and the Diabetes Canada Gerald S Wong Service Award.
CME Topics
Endocrinology & Health Law
CME AWAY® by Sea Courses is pleased to invite you to a 10-Night CME Program Cruise on board Emerald Kaia. Mr.
Mark Handelman and Dr. Robyn Houlden have developed an educational program that will be of interest to family
physicians, specialists, and allied health professionals.
Mr. Mark Handelman is counsel to Whaley Estate Litigation Partners. He holds an MHSc in Bioethics from the
University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics. Mark was first appointed to the Consent and Capacity Board in 1998
and served a ten-year term, for 8 years of which he was a Vice Chair and Senior Lawyer Member. From 2008 to
2019 and again since September 2024, Mark practiced and practices elder law and health care law. His articles on
consent and capacity law, mental health law, end of life decision-making and Powers of Attorney have appeared in
the popular press as well as peer-reviewed medical and legal journals. He was a member of Pro Bono Ontario and
volunteered at Casey House. For this CME program, Mr. Handelman’s topics will include Consent, Treatment
Capacity, Substitute Decision Makers, End-of-Life Conflict, Withholding treatment and Charting, Hearings and
Litigation Risk.
Dr. Houlden is Professor and Chair of the Division of Endocrinology at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario,
Canada. She has served as a diabetes advisor for Canada’s Drug Agency and the Ontario Ministry of Health. She
has been an investigator in a number of clinical trials of new therapies for diabetes, and has a research interest in
innovative models of diabetes health care delivery. She has published over 150 peer reviewed papers. Dr. Houlden
has been recognized with 21 teaching awards including the Queen’s Department of Medicine Master Educator Award
and the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Educator Award. She was awarded the Charles H. Best
Award by Diabetes Canada for her advocacy work in diabetes. For this CME program, Dr. Holden’s topics will include
Obesity, Osteoporosis, Gynecomastia, Type 2 Diabetes, Menopause, Dyslipidemia and Male hypogonadism.
Mr. Handelman and Dr. Houlden are looking forward to seeing you in the Adriatic Sea.
Mr. Handelman-
- Consent is not a signature
- Cite the legal elements of consent
- Examine Informed Consent: What makes it adequate and lawful
- Capacity in real clinical encounters
- Cite the legal definition of “Treatment Capacity”
- Illustrate how to bullet proof a capacity assessment
- Substitute decision-makers
- Examine how to identify the lawful, correct SDM
- Discuss how the SDM must make substitute treatment decisions
- End-of-life conflict
- Discuss methods to avoid these disputes
- Illustrate how to resolve treatment disputes for incapable patients
- Withholding, withdrawing, palliative plans, and the Rasouli problem
- Describe when it is legal to withhold or withdraw a treatment?
- Cite the case of Mr. Rasouli: the doctors did it the wrong way but you can learn the right way…
- Charting, hearings, and litigation risk
- Review how to Prepare for Consent and Capacity Board or Mental Health Review Board Hearings,
- Discuss why charting is important legally
- Examine how to minimize the risks of litigation
Dr. Houlden-
- Obesity: an enlarging problem
- Prescribe weight loss medications
- Identify patients who would benefit from bariatric surgery
- Communicate the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery to these patients
- Assess and manage common medical problems and nutritional deficiencies pre- and postoperatively in patients undergoing bariatric surgery
- Counsel about weight loss diets
- Male hypogonadism + Gynecomastia
- workup up male hypogonadism,
- prescribe testosterone replacement therapy appropriately based on recent trials of androgen replacement therapy
- monitor men on testosterone replacement therapy
- workup gynecomastia
- Menopause
- Discuss the appropriate role for pharmacologic and complementary therapies for menopause
- Osteoporosis: the difficult questions
- Implement effective treatment and management plans to reduce risk of future fractures using the Osteoporosis Canada guidelines
- Counsel patients on role of vitamin D and calcium supplementation
- Outline potential harms of medications for osteoporosis, and the role of drug holidays
- Chewing the Fat. What’s new in the management of dyslipidemia
- List current and emerging treatment options for lipid lowering, including for hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and elevated lipoprotein a
- Develop individualized treatment options for dyslipidemia, including lifestyle modifications, pharmacologic interventions, and potential benefits or risks of each class of lipid-lowering medications
- What’s new in Diabetes?
- Describe what’s new in the management of type 1 diabetes including continuous glucose monitoring, automated insulin delivery (AID) systems and early autoimmune treatment
- Describe what’s new in the management of type 2 diabetes including new insulin and non-insulin antihyperglycemic agents
Venue Information
Brand new in 2026, the luxurious Emerald Kaia will exceed your yacht cruising expectations. The Observation Sun Deck at the bow welcomes you with sun beds, sun lounges, and Spa Pool. The reimagined Sky Deck's cabanas and indoor/outdoor lounge give you more options for soaking up the views, while the expanded gym lets you opt for an outdoor workout followed by a dip in the sea.
An abundance of space on board, combined with a maximum guest number of 100 and a crew of 72, allows us to provide an excellent level of personal service throughout your holiday. Discover a secluded spot to read a book, enjoy unimpeded views of the unspoiled landscapes, take a relaxing dip in the Aqua Pool, or arrange to meet new-found friends at one of our comfortable meeting spots.
Itinerary & Schedule
| Day |
Date |
Port / Location |
Arrival Time |
Departure Time |
Conference |
| Day 1 |
August 26th |
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
|
|
CME TBA |
| Day 2 |
August 27th |
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
|
|
CME TBA |
| Day 3 |
August 28th |
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
|
6:00pm |
CME TBA |
| Day 4 |
August 29th |
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
|
|
|
| Day 5 |
August 30th |
Split, Croatia |
|
|
|
| Day 6 |
August 31st |
Zadar, Croatia |
|
|
|
| Day 7 |
September 1st |
Opatija, Croatia |
|
|
|
| Day 8 |
September 2nd |
Piran, Slovenia |
|
|
|
| Day 9 |
September 3rd |
Venice, Italy |
|
|
CME TBA |
| Day 10 |
September 4th |
Venice, Italy |
|
|
|
| Day 11 |
September 5th |
Venice, Italy |
|
|
|
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Your Adriatic adventure begins in Croatia in the dazzling city of Dubrovnik. You will spend the afternoon in CME Sessions with the evening free to explore this beautiful city. Please book your flight to arrive into Dubrovnik prior to 12:00 PM.
Day 2 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Today you will spend the day in CME Session with the evening free to explore on your own
Day 3 Dubrovnik, Croatia
After morning CME Sessions, you’ll be transferred to your Emerald luxury yacht to embark on a voyage to discover the hidden gems of the Croatian Riviera.
Day 4 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Spend another fascinating day exploring the city of Dubrovnik. Be awed by the impressive Rector's Palace, a 15th-century Gothic Renaissance palace that was once the administrative centre of the city. Enjoy a drink on the Stradun, the main thoroughfare through the city, and take a walk along the ancient city walls for panoramic views over the rooftops and Adriatic Sea.
Day 5 Split, Croatia
Split is a stunning city laden with culture, history and striking architecture. Take a stroll along the Riva, a palm-lined promenade that is the beating heart of the city, passing beautiful terraces and bustling eateries with harbour views. Built from the fourth century and added to over 1,700 years, the ruins of Diocletian's Palace dominate the city centre. This incredible World Heritage site comprises an imperial residence, military fortress and fortified town with gates and walls. Today, its remnants house a myriad of bars and cafés.
Day 6 Zadar, Croatia
Zadar is something of a hidden Croatian gem, a captivating blend of ancient history and modern charm. As you stroll through its cobbled streets, encounter spectacular Roman ruins, including the well-preserved Roman Forum constructed between the first century BC and third century AD, and the majestic St. Donatus Church, a symbol of the city's rich heritage. You’ll be mesmerised by the Sea Organ, stone carvings along the promenade designed so the lapping waves create natural and hauntingly beautiful melodies. As the sun disappears, be captivated by Sun Salutation, a dazzling solar-powered installation that lights up at night.
Day 7 Opatija, Croatia
Located on Croatia’s northern Adriatic coast, overlooking the Kvarner Gulf, Opatija boasts alluring views across the Adriatic towards the Kvarner Islands and distant Istrian mountains. Known as the ‘Nice of Croatia,’ this resort town is home to lovely seaside promenades and fairy-tale villas from the Habsburg-era. During your time in Opatija, be sure to sample some of the traditional local specialities, mussels with pršut, or fish stew.
Day 8 Piran, Slovenia
Piran is a pretty town of red-tiled and whitewashed buildings clustered on the tip of Slovenia’s Piran Peninsula. Part of the Venetian Empire from the late 13th century to the end of the 18th century, Piran is known for its grand Gothic architecture. The town has a history of salt panning, and its landscape is dotted with olive groves and pebbly beaches. Restaurants line the waterfront and serve seafood direct from the Adriatic, as well as drawing inspiration from its Italian heritage with excellent gelaterias and pizzerias.
Day 9 Venice, Italy
Today, you will arrive in Venice, a 1,600-year-old city that is one of the world’s most iconic destinations. Built across 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon, it’s a place shaped by water, from its quiet canals to St Mark’s Basilica and the grand piazza in front. It’s a spectacular city to get lost in, with its maze-like alleyways and vibrant squares. With your luxury yacht docked here overnight, you can choose to linger over a drink at a tiny bar or glide along the canals by gondola as the city lights illuminate the water.
Day 10 Venice, Italy
Your Croatian Riviera and Emerald Cruises luxury voyage concludes in Venice. From here, you’ll be transferred to the hotel in Venice to then attend the final CME Sessions before enjoying the evening at leisure.
Day 11 Venice, Italy
Today you will make your way to the airport for your flight home, on continue your European Journey independently.
The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above.
Pre-And-Post Conference Information
There are no pre or post tours created for this itinerary. To build your own or to simply add hotel nights, please speak with your Advisor.
1-800-268-3273
cruises@seacourses.com
