Faculty & Conference Details
Dr. Richard Bebb
Specialty:
Endocrinology & Metabolism
About The Speaker
Dr. Bebb completed his clinical fellowship in Endocrinology at the University of British Columbia and his research fellowship at the University of Washington. He practised for two decades at St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver followed by time in the United Arab Emirates. For the last five years he has maintained a private practice in Victoria, British Columbia. In addition to General Endocrinology, Dr. Bebb is a consultant at the Victoria Lipid Clinic and is also Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine, practising in a collaborative lifestyle Medicine Clinic. Dr. Bebb has worked in academic medicine, in corporate medicine, and has extensive clinical experience in all areas of Endocrinology. When not practicing medicine Dr. Bebb balances his work with outdoor sports, including hiking, skiing and competitive masters rowing. Dr. Bebb greatly enjoys the interactive format of CME Away with the opportunity to connect with physicians from multiple specialities.
Bernadette van der Boom-Bebb
Specialty:
Certified Bariatric Counsellor
About The Speaker
Bernadette van der Boom-Bebb is a highly experienced healthcare professional and registered clinical counselor specializing in obesity management and bariatric counseling. With a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and advanced certifications, including a Diploma in Obesity Management from Obesity Canada and Board Certification as a Bariatric Counselor from the American Association of Bariatric Counselors, she brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to her practice. Bernadette excels in employing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing to support clients in achieving sustainable health and lifestyle changes. Her expertise extends to curriculum development and clinical committee work, underscoring her commitment to advancing education and best practices in obesity counseling.
Dr. Jasdeep Saluja
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
About The Speaker
Dr. Jasdeep Saluja has studied medicine long enough to have reached a fundamental conclusion – that your health outcomes are predictable based on having the right tools and the right guidance. When he co-founded Aroga Lifestyle Medicine, he did it to provide programmatic, repeatable, and sustainable approaches for people to live their lives optimally, regardless of stressors and externalities. With that vision, he focuses on meaningfully connecting with his patients, guided by the fundamental underlying belief that patients have everything they need within them in order to lead healthy, positive lives.
Dr. Saluja has amplified a successful career as a hospital-based internal medicine doctor to become an international thought leader on Lifestyle Medicine and is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM) and the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). He is passionate about helping people lead the lives they love, and is a respected voice, serving on the Board of Directors for the ABLM since January 2020.
TBA
Specialty:
TBA
About The Speaker
Speaker to be announced
CME Topics
Endocrinology, Lifestyle Medicine & Obesity Medicine
CME AWAY® by Sea Courses is pleased to invite you to a Continuing Medical Education program during an 11 Night Cruise from the Panama Canal to Miami from March 18 to 24, 2026. Dr. Richard Bebb, Dr. Jasdeep Saluja and Bernadette van der Boom-Bebb have developed an educational program that will be of interest to family physicians, specialists, and allied health professionals.
Dr. Richard Bebb completed his clinical fellowship in Endocrinology at the University of British Columbia and his research fellowship at the University of Washington. For the last five years he has maintained a private practice in Victoria, British Columbia. In addition to General Endocrinology, Dr. Bebb is a consultant at the Victoria Lipid Clinic and is also Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine, practicing in a collaborative lifestyle Medicine Clinic. Dr. Bebb’s topics will include Hypogonadism and Obesity in Men, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Thyroid Disease and Thyroid Nodules.
Dr. Jasdeep Saluja is an Internal Medicine Specialist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. He co-founded Aroga Lifestyle Medicine in 2017 and is committed to empowering patients with evidence-based recommendations and support systems to help them prevent and reverse cardio-metabolic conditions. He is passionate about increasing the practice of Lifestyle Medicine in Canada and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Saluja’s Topics will include Metabolic Syndrome, Bariatric Surgery, Eating Disorders, Sleep disorders and Obesity and Exercise Prescriptions and Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease.
Bernadette van der Boom-Bebb is a highly experienced healthcare professional and registered clinical counselor specializing in obesity management and bariatric counselling. Bernadette excels in employing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing to support clients in achieving sustainable health and lifestyle changes. Dr. Van Der Boom-Bebb’s topic for this CME is “The Psychology and Psychotherapy of Obesity: Practical Pearls for Primary Care”.
Dr. Bebb, Dr. Saluja and Bernadette van der Boom-Bebb are very much looking forward to seeing you on this CME Cruise starting in the Panama Canal.
Dr. Bebb-
- Hypogonadism and Obesity in Men: Chicken or the egg?
- Understand the genesis of obesity related hypogonadism.
- Review options for treatment of hypogonadism.
- Integrating Lifestyle Medicine with evidence based medical therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
- Review evidence for lifestyle options to treat type 2 diabetes.
- Understand how lifestyle medicine can be incorporated into the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.
- Is Diabetes remission Possible? Can we induce a lasting remission of type 2 diabetes?
- Review the evidence for remission of type 2 diabetes.
- Are weight loss medications a cure for type 2 diabetes?
- Dyslipidemia: Case based review
- Review lipid treatment guidelines.
- Pearls of therapy in a case based format.
- Hypothyroidism: Case based Review
- The diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
- Controversies in treatment of hypothyroidism.
- Hyperthyroidism: Case based review
- Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
- Case based treatment of hyperthyroidism
- Thyroid Nodules: A practical approach
- Practical work up of thyroid nodules.
- Pragmatic overview of differentiated thyroid cancer therapy.
Dr. Saluja-
- Metabolic Syndrome: Is Lifestyle Medicine the Cure?
- Define metabolic syndrome and its pathophysiology, including the role of insulin resistance
and inflammation.
- Discuss the impact of lifestyle medicine interventions (nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress
management) on metabolic syndrome and compare their efficacy to pharmacologic treatments.
- Identify practical strategies for implementing lifestyle-based interventions in primary care to
prevent and reverse metabolic syndrome.
- Are the Days of Bariatric Surgery Numbered? Medical Treatment of Obesity
- Review the current pharmacologic options for obesity management, including mechanisms of action, efficacy, and side effects.
- Compare the long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery versus medical therapy, including
lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy.
- Discuss patient selection criteria for medical versus surgical treatment of obesity and the role of shared decision-making in treatment planning.
- Binge Eating Disorder: Successful Medical Therapy
- Recognize the clinical features and diagnostic criteria of binge eating disorder (BED) and its
impact on metabolic health.
- Review evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for BED, including their mechanisms and effectiveness.
- Discuss practical strategies for primary care physicians to screen for, diagnose, and manage
BED, including when to refer to specialists.
- Sleep Disorders and Obesity: A Lifestyle Medicine Approach
- Explain the bidirectional relationship between sleep disorders (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea,
insomnia) and obesity.
- Review the impact of sleep optimization on weight management and metabolic health.
- Discuss practical, evidence-based lifestyle interventions for improving sleep quality in patients with obesity.
- NAFLD (or Should One Say MASLD or MASH): What Is It? When to Treat or Refer?
- Define MASLD and MASH, differentiating them from traditional NAFLD terminology, and
review their pathophysiology and risk factors.
- Discuss current screening and diagnostic guidelines for MASLD, including non-invasive
assessments and indications for liver biopsy.
- Identify treatment strategies, including lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy, and outline referral criteria for hepatology consultation.
- Exercise Prescriptions: How Much and What Type? A Lifestyle Medicine Approach
- Review the current evidence-based recommendations for physical activity in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
- Discuss practical approaches to prescribing exercise, including tailoring recommendations to
patients with metabolic disorders, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
- Explore behavioral strategies to enhance adherence to physical activity recommendations in
primary care settings.
Dr. van der Boom-Bebb-
- The Psychology and Psychotherapy of Obesity: Practical pearls for primary care
- Identify the key psychological challenges faced by individuals living with obesity, including stigma, emotional eating, and body image concerns.
- Recognize the impact of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression on obesity and health outcomes.
Venue Information
Your boutique hotel at sea, the Azamara Quest® is a mid-sized ship with a deck plan that’s intimate but never crowded, and offers everything modern voyagers are looking for—plus some unexpected extras. 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 Quest® 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 15th |
Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama |
|
10:00pm |
|
Day 2 |
March 16th |
Panama Canal Cruising |
5:00am |
5:00pm |
|
Day 3 |
March 17th |
Cartagena, Colombia |
1:00pm |
10:00pm |
|
Day 4 |
March 18th |
Santa Marta, Colombia |
9:00am |
2:00pm |
|
Day 5 |
March 19th |
Oranjestad, Aruba |
9:30am |
10:00pm |
|
Day 6 |
March 20th |
Kralendijk, Bonaire |
8:00am |
8:00pm |
|
Day 7 |
March 21st |
Willemstad, Curaçao |
8:00am |
8:00pm |
|
Day 8 |
March 22nd |
At Sea |
|
|
CME TBA |
Day 9 |
March 23rd |
Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic |
8:00am |
6:00pm |
|
Day 10 |
March 24th |
At Sea |
|
|
CME TBA |
Day 11 |
March 25th |
At Sea |
|
|
CME TBA |
Day 12 |
March 26th |
Miami, Florida |
|
6:00am |
|
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama
Founded in 1519 by the Spanish conquistadors, Panama City is now one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Central America and home to incredible architectural and ethnic diversity, plus a unique blend of cuisines.
Day 2 Panama Canal (Cruising)
Completed in 1914 through the efforts of over 80,000 workers, and one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the Panama Canal is one of mankind’s greatest accomplishments and a must-see for world travelers.
Day 3 Cartagena, Colombia
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena is an historic walled city filled with legends, romance and splendor, Spanish colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, as well as national parks and beaches.
Day 4 Santa Marta, Colombia
A coastal gem nestled between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, offering a blend of historical charm and natural beauty. Explore its colonial architecture, relax on pristine beaches, or venture into the nearby Tayrona National Natural Park for a taste of Colombia's diverse landscapes and indigenous cultures.
Day 5 Oranjestad, Aruba
Given the beautiful climate and myriad of pristine white beaches, it’s no wonder that some of Oranjestad’s most popular activities to do are soaking in the sun, snorkeling, sailing, fishing and boat rides.
Day 6 Kralendijk, Bonaire
Bonaire, and its tropical capital Kralendijk, is a haven for those looking to explore the world beneath the waves. Located in the Caribbean Netherlands, Bonaire is considered one of the best diving destinations in the world.
Day 7 Willemstad, Curaçao
Dating back to the 1600s, the beautiful city of Willemstad is the capital of the island of Curacao and one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean. Also the former capital of the Netherlands Antilles, the Dutch influence can be felt everywhere.
Day 8 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.
Day 9 Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic
This hidden gem offers a haven for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts alike, where one can unwind on the golden sands, explore nearby salt flats, or indulge in fresh seafood while taking in breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.
Days 10&11 At Sea
Day 12 Miami, Florida
Propelled by Latin rhythms, with a bold style all its own, Miami is a spicy melting pot of cultures where you can immerse yourself in the colorful Art Deco district, a vibrant nightlife and renowned beaches. Today you will disembark Azamara Quest with beautiful Caribbean memories and tales from the Panama Canal crossing.