Faculty & Conference Details
Dr. Wayne Ghesquiere
Specialty:
Infectious Diseases
About The Speaker
Dr. Wayne Ghesquiere is a Clinical Infectious Diseases, Tropical Diseases and Internal Medicine consultant in Victoria B.C. as well as the former section chief for infectious diseases with the Island Health Authority. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine with University of British Columbia. Teaches internal medicine residents and infectious diseases fellows. He is an attending physician at the Royal Jubilee and the Victoria General Hospitals in Victoria, B.C. and has an inpatient and a private outpatient practice in infectious diseases.
Dr. Ghesquiere is the chair and organizer of the annual Infectious Diseases Update in Victoria which recently completed it’s 26th year. He is also the medical director of the Nova Travel Medicine and Immunization Clinic in Victoria.
Current areas of interests include clinical research in Hepatitis B and C antiviral therapies, new vaccines, and teaching. He is a principal investigator of many clinical trials. He has publications in peer-reviewed medical journals including the NEJM, Lancet, Clinical Infectious Diseases, CMAJ, Open Medicine and others.
Dr. Jeff Habert
Specialty:
Family Medicine
About The Speaker
Dr. Jeffrey Habert is a Family Physician in Thornhill for the last 35 years. He is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is also an Investigating Coroner for the City of Toronto, a Co-Editor of Canadian Primary Care Today and is a member of Diabetes Canada: Dissemination & Implementation Committee.
He is one of the co-authors of the recently released 2023 CANMAT MDD Guidelines. Dr. Habert is a former Peer Assessor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (19 years). He has an interest in the use of clinical practice guidelines, and has participated on committees to establish guidelines in the areas of Depression, Stroke, ASA in Primary Care and Thrombosis. Dr. Habert was awarded to Gerald S. Wong award by Diabetes Canada in 2023 for significant contribution to the Diabetes community.
He is the Previous co-chair of Thrombosis Canada Clinical Guides. His clinical interests are varied, and include Diabetes, Obesity, Depression, ADHD, Insomnia, Thrombosis/Stroke and Osteoporosis. He is also published in many of the above mentioned areas in addtion to others.
Dr. Eileen Rakovitch
Specialty:
Radiation Oncology
About The Speaker
Dr. Rakovitch is a radiation oncologist with an active clinical practice and research program solely focused on breast cancer. She attended medical school and completed her residency training in Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto. She completed a two year research fellowship at the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University in New York City and then returned to Toronto to join the staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where she remains until today.
She is a Professor and Scientist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto and an Adjunct Senior Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. She is the Director of Research for the Cancer Program at Odette Cancer Centre (OCC), Sunnybrook Research Institute and the Vice-Chair of Clinical Affairs for the University of Toronto, Department of Radiation Oncology. At the national level, she serves co-chair of the Canadian Clinical Trials Group Breast Cancer Executive, oversees Canadian clinical trials in breast cancer, and internationally where she is a member of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Breast Cancer Steering and BOLD (local therapy) steering committees, key decision-making bodies which evaluate and determine NIH-based funding for therapeutic breast cancer clinical trials in the United States and Canada. She is dedicated to teaching students, residents and fellows across the educational spectrum.
The primary goal of her research program is to improve the care and outcomes of women with breast cancer.
CME Topics
CME AWAY® by Sea Courses is pleased to invite you on a 14 Night CME Cruise around Japan in March 2026. There are 3 presenters for this CME Program. Dr. Wayne Ghesquiere is an Infectious Disease Specialist. Dr. Eileen Rakovtich is an Oncologist. Dr. Jeff Habert is a Family Physician. The faculty have developed a program that will appeal to both family physicians and specialists. These programs are designed to be evidence based with interactivity and attendee participation strongly encouraged.
Dr. Jeff Habert is one of the co-authors of the recently released 2023 CANMAT MDD Guidelines. Dr. Habert is a former Peer Assessor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (19 years). He has an interest in the use of clinical practice guidelines and has participated on committees to establish guidelines in the areas of Depression, Stroke, ASA in Primary Care and Thrombosis. Dr. Habert was awarded to Gerald S. Wong award by Diabetes Canada in 2023 for significant contribution to the Diabetes community. Dr. Habert will present topics that will include Mental Health Disorders, Diabetes and Insomnia.
Dr. Wayne Ghesquiere is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine with University of British Columbia. He teaches internal medicine residents and infectious diseases fellows. He is an attending physician at the Royal Jubilee and the Victoria General Hospitals in Victoria, BC. He has an inpatient and a private outpatient practice in infectious diseases. He is also the medical director of the Nova Travel Medicine and Immunization Clinic. For this program, his topics will include Respiratory and Non-respiratory Adult Vaccines, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Cellulitis, UTI’s, MRSA and Combating Health Misinformation.
Dr. Eileen Rakovitch is a Professor and Scientist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto and an Adjunct Senior Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. She is the Director of Research for the Cancer Program at Odette Cancer Centre (OCC), Sunnybrook Research Institute. At the national level, she serves co-chair of the Canadian Clinical Trials Group Breast Cancer Executive and oversees Canadian clinical trials in breast cancer. Dr. Rakovtich will discuss Breast Cancer Screening and the Management of Invasive Breast Cancer.
Dr. Habert, Dr. Ghesquiere and Dr. Rakovtich look forward to seeing you in Japan.
Dr. Habert-
- What’s New in Type 2 Diabetes
- What’s new in MDD: PEARLS from CANMAT
- Insomnia
- ADHD
Dr. Ghesquiere-
- Hot Topics in Infectious Diseases including Combating Health Misinformation You Will Come Across in 2026.
- Familiarizing yourself with the latest hot issues in the medical and news media.
- Discuss how to combat misinformation and learn useful tools you can use in your daily practice.
- Respiratory Adult Vaccines: What you need to know about protecting yourself and your vulnerable patients.
- Reviewing the most current guidelines of Pneumococcal, RSV, Influenza, Pertussis and COVID-19 vaccines.
- Discussing evidence on how these vaccines prevent long term cardio and neurovascular events.
- Adult Non-Respiratory Vaccines: Protecting both younger and older adults.
- Reviewing the current recommendations for Shingles, HPV, Hepatitis A/B, Meningitis.
- How to manage patients who don’t respond and when do you need to give a booster dose.
- Infectious Diseases Emergencies in the Out-Patient Setting: What NOT to Miss.
- What are the most common ID emergencies you may come across.
- Review the essential steps in management.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Are You Confused about Testing and Management?
- Reviewing the most current guidelines on investigations as well as new treatment and prevention options.
- Discussing common and less common clinical manifestations.
- Cellulitis, MRSA & Other Skin Manifestations of Infectious Diseases: Testing Your Knowledge with Photo Quiz.
- Reviewing the approach to treating common skin and soft tissue infections.
- When to ask for help.
- Antibiotic Management of 3 Common Community Based Infections in the Era of Increasing Antibiotic Resistance.
- Review current management guidelines of UTI’s, Pneumonia and C. difficile infection.
- How do you approach common antibiotic allergies.
Dr. Rakovitch-
- The Benefits and Harms of Breast Cancer Screening
- Evaluate guideline recommendations for breast cancer screening
- Examine controversies in breast cancer screening
- Review the current management of DCIS
- Title Update on the Management of Breast Cancer
- Review the management of DCIS and invasive breast cancer
- Discuss strategies to reduce over-treatment of breast cancer
Venue Information
The Azamara Pursuit offers an intimate cruising experience with a capacity of around 700 passengers. The ship features elegant, contemporary decor, spacious staterooms, and a variety of dining options, including specialty restaurants. Designed to provide an upscale, boutique-style experience with personalized service. Onboard amenities include a luxurious spa, a fitness center, multiple bars and lounges, a pool, and enriching cultural and educational programs. The ship's smaller size allows it to access unique ports and less-traveled destinations that larger ships cannot reach, providing guests with deeper, more immersive travel experiences.
Azamara is known for its emphasis on "Destination Immersion," offering longer stays, more overnights, and night tours in ports, allowing passengers to explore the local culture and attractions in greater depth. The Azamara Pursuit embodies this philosophy, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking a rich, culturally enriching cruise experience. There’s nothing better than opening your door to the fresh sea air and views. Azamara’s friendly ships are an altogether wonderful place to call your home away from home!
Itinerary & Schedule
| Day |
Date |
Port / Location |
Arrival Time |
Departure Time |
Conference |
| Day 1 |
March 13th |
Kobe, Japan |
Embark |
|
|
| Day 2 |
March 14th |
Kobe, Japan |
|
6:00pm |
|
| Day 3 |
March 15th |
Kochi, Japan |
8:00am |
5:00pm |
|
| Day 4 |
March 16th |
Hiroshima, Japan |
8:30am |
10:00pm |
|
| Day 5 |
March 17th |
Kitakyushu, Japan |
8:00am |
8:00pm |
|
| Day 6 |
March 18th |
Nagasaki, Japan |
8:00am |
5:00pm |
|
| Day 7 |
March 19th |
Busan, South Korea |
9:00am |
10:00pm |
|
| Day 8 |
March 20th |
Sakaiminato, Japan |
1:00pm |
8:00pm |
|
| Day 9 |
March 21st |
Kanazawa, Japan |
9:00am |
6:00pm |
|
| Day 10 |
March 22nd |
Niigata, Japan |
8:00am |
6:00pm |
|
| Day 11 |
March 23rd |
Akita, Japan |
8:00am |
6:00pm |
|
| Day 12 |
March 24th |
Aomori, Japan |
8:00am |
4:00pm |
|
| Day 13 |
March 25th |
At Sea |
|
|
|
| Day 14 |
March 26th |
Tokyo, Japan |
8:00am |
|
|
| Day 15 |
March 27th |
Tokyo, Japan |
|
|
|
Detailed Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 Kobe, Japan
Famous for the beef that bears its name, the port city of Kobe is also a short bullet train ride from Kyoto, the ancient capital renowned for countless temples, shrines and castles of shoguns and emperors.
Day 3 Kochi, Japan
Kōchi is a city with a well-earned reputation for having a good time. Begin your visit with a trip to Kōchi Castle, one of only 12 original castles still standing in Japan. After you work up your appetite, try Sawachi cuisine, including Kōchi’s signature dish, katsuo no tataki (seared bonito). Wash it down with a shōchū with the locals.
Day 4 Hiroshima, Japan
With the Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima honors its tragic past as the first-ever target of an atomic bomb, but it has since become a vibrant city, filled with shops, restaurants and the beauty of Miyajima.
Day 5 Kitakyushi, Japan
Narrowly avoiding destruction during WWII, Kitakyushu is all about embracing its past while looking forward to the future.
Day 6 Nagasaki, Japan
Essential for any visit to Nagasaki are the peace monuments, located on the site where the second atom bomb exploded in 1945, followed by a visit to a Buddhist temple or the Oura Roman Catholic Church.
Day 7 Busan, South Korea
The dynamic city of Busan is not only the fifth largest port in the world, but it’s also filled with temples, pagodas, superb beaches, hot springs and mountains ideal for hiking and spectacular views.
Day 8 Sakaiminato, Japan
A seafood paradise best known for its crab, hon-maguro, and prized Bluefin tuna, Sakaiminato is a small port town nestled into a surreal landscape of mountains vistas and ocean views.
Day 9 Kanazawa, Japan
A golden city with a rich past, Kanazawa boasts beautiful temples, a fine collection of museums, and handsomely preserved samurai and geisha districts.
Day 10 Niigata, Japan
On the coast of the Sea of Japan, Niigata seamlessly blends old and new. Discover its ancient traditions, vibrant city life, and famed rice and sake.
Day 11 Akita, Japan
Bring your appetite to Akita. With its prime location adjacent to the Sea of Japan, seafood lovers will be in heaven. The region is famous for its rice production and the high quality sake brewed from it. Once you’re full, take advantage of the city’s outdoor offerings by visiting the Shirakami -Sanchi Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or relax at the Nyuto Hot Springs.
Day 12 Aomori, Japan
Sunny and refreshingly cool in the summer, lively and bustling during festival season and enjoyably sleepy in the way only the best seaside locations can be, this lovely city is worth a closer look.
Day 13 At Sea
Spend the day sailing in style aboard your boutique hotel at sea. Indulge in a treatment at Sanctum Spa, stay ship shape with a class at our fitness center, or lounge the day away on our sunny pool deck.In the evening, savor inspired Italian cuisine at Aqualina, or relish in a classic steakhouse experience at Prime C. Plus, you’ll find plenty of exciting evening entertainment, from thrilling shows at Cabaret Lounge to intimate performances in the Living Room.
Days 14 & 15 Tokyo, Japan
As the largest metropolitan area in the world, Tokyo is an exciting city where a seemingly unlimited choice of shops, restaurants and museums sit in contrast with an array of temples, shrines and gardens. After an overnight on board Azamara Pursuit in Tokyo, you will disembark and your Japan Intensive Voyage will come to an end.
1-800-268-3273
cruises@seacourses.com
