Recent & upcoming speaking engagements

The Lung Summit: From Concept to Clinic took place on May 5th at Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District — and Josh Rheaume was there to share the patient perspective.

The evening event brought together innovators, clinicians, advocates, and industry experts to explore the future of respiratory technology and how new ideas make their way into real-world patient care. 

Through a fireside chat and spotlight presentations, attendees gained an inside look at the challenges, opportunities, and human stories shaping this space.

Josh presented as part of the Spotlight Presentations: Voices from the Front Lines, offering a lived experience perspective on life with severe asthma. His talk focused on the realities patients face, the gaps that still exist in care, and why patient voices need a seat at the table when shaping the future of lung health.

It was a meaningful evening for anyone passionate about innovation in healthcare, respiratory advocacy, and patient-centered care.

On April 15th, Josh joined Dr. Alan Kaplan and Asthma Canada for a free webinar on staying active with asthma.

As someone who knows firsthand what it’s like to navigate fitness with asthma, Josh shared insights alongside a great lineup of experts.

The session covered:
👉 The benefits of exercise for lung health
👉 Tips for managing exercise-induced symptoms
👉 Safe, realistic ways to stay active with asthma

It was a valuable conversation for anyone looking to move more while managing their respiratory health. Stay tuned for future sessions!

Josh participated in a three-person panel discussion in Mississauga, hosted by DIA Labs Canada, focused on bridging the gaps in respiratory care in Ontario. 

He was joined by Dr. Mika Nonoyama, a leading expert in respiratory therapy and research, and Kal Chauhan, a pharmacist and founder dedicated to improving patient care. Together, they explored challenges in asthma and COPD management, access to specialists, and the need for early diagnosis and spirometry testing. 

The panel also engaged in a Q&A session, addressing key concerns from attendees and discussing actionable solutions to enhance respiratory care across the province.

Josh participated in a three-person panel discussion in Mississauga, hosted by DIA Labs Canada, focused on bridging the gaps in respiratory care in Ontario. 

He was joined by Dr. Mika Nonoyama, a leading expert in respiratory therapy and research, and Kal Chauhan, a pharmacist and founder dedicated to improving patient care. Together, they explored challenges in asthma and COPD management, access to specialists, and the need for early diagnosis and spirometry testing. 

The panel also engaged in a Q&A session, addressing key concerns from attendees and discussing actionable solutions to enhance respiratory care across the province.

Josh had the honor of being one of two keynote speakers at The Social event during the Lung Health Foundation’s annual Better Breathing Week. 

In his talk, he shared his personal journey with severe asthma—from countless childhood hospitalizations to becoming a marathon runner and advocate. 

He spoke about the challenges he and his family faced, the ongoing gaps in asthma care, and his hope for a future where education, research, and access to proper treatment continue to improve.

 His message centered on resilience, perseverance, and the power of advocacy in transforming the landscape of lung health.

Josh had the honor of speaking at the Pediatric Asthma Care Symposium on October 18th, where he shared valuable insights from the patient perspective. As both a marathon runner and an advocate for those with asthma, Josh highlighted the challenges and gaps in care that patients often face, while emphasizing the importance of comprehensive treatment and management. His presentation encouraged meaningful dialogue on how to improve patient outcomes through policy change, resource investment, and collaboration within the medical community. Josh’s contribution underscored his commitment to inspiring better care for individuals living with asthma.

The workshop explored the patient journey through the lenses of diagnosis, treatment, and management, focusing on addressing care gaps. It began with insights from Josh, who delivered his patient experience through engaging storytelling, followed by reflections on an ideal patient experience. Participants engaged in a roundtable discussion to identify practical solutions, considering changes in health policy, resource allocation, and successful models. The goal was to drive improvements in patient care through shared insights and strategies.

Josh is a passionate motivational speaker who regularly engages with elementary and high schools through his program, "Perseverance, Overcoming Obstacles, and Resilience" (POOR). Drawing from his personal journey of overcoming challenges, Josh inspires students to believe in their own ability to rise above adversity. His talks focus on helping kids understand that no matter what obstacles they face, they have the strength and resilience to persevere and succeed. Through his dynamic storytelling, Josh encourages young minds to realize that they can overcome anything.

The virtual workshop explored the patient journey through the lenses of diagnosis, treatment, and management, focusing on addressing care gaps. It began with insights from Josh, who delivered his patient experience through engaging storytelling, followed by reflections on an ideal patient experience. Participants engaged in a roundtable discussion to identify practical solutions, considering changes in health policy, resource allocation, and successful models. The goal was to drive improvements in patient care through shared insights and strategies.

Josh gives the patient perspective at Better Breathing Week 2024, Bridging the Gaps – A Path to High Quality Respiratory Care for Canadians Living with Asthma.