BEYOND WELLNESS with Dr. Gabor Maté : Authenticity, Belonging, and Care

April 21 | Granville Island Arts Theatre | Vancouver

Beyond Wellness is an evening gathering that invites us to move beyond individual, performative ideas of wellness and toward a more human and collective understanding of health — one rooted in authenticity, belonging, and care.

In a time when individuals, communities, and systems are experiencing profound fatigue, disconnection, and uncertainty, this gathering creates space to pause, reflect, and engage in honest dialogue about how we care for ourselves, one another, and the systems we inhabit and lead.

Hosted by Dr. Maryam Zeineddin, founder of , the evening will feature a thoughtful and intimate conversation with , alongside a panel of respected Health Champions including Dr. Melissa Lem, Dr. Mark Sherman, Dr. Renee Fernandes, Claudia Chirico, and Sonja Foley of Maturn. The event will be emceed by Sonia Sunger, co-anchor of Global News Morning.

Together, these conversations will explore:

• The true essence of health and healing
• The role of belonging, connection, and community in wellbeing
• How we can reimagine care in more sustainable, human ways

The event will take place at the Granville Island Arts Theatre, a culturally rich and centrally located venue that aligns with the spirit of the gathering.

VIP ticket holders will enjoy a pre-event reception with the speakers overlooking False Creek, offering an intimate opportunity for connection before the main program.

This is not simply an event.
It is an invitation — to pause, reflect, and consider how we move forward together.

Info: VIP ticket holders are invited to an intimate pre-event canapé reception at the Granville Island Arts Theatre, overlooking False Creek. This gathering offers a meaningful opportunity to connect in a smaller, more personal setting with the evening’s speakers, including Dr. Maryam Zeineddin and Dr. Gabor Maté, prior to the main program. VIP ticket holders will also have reserved seating for the event 7-9 pm.

Designed for thoughtful conversation and connection, the VIP experience creates space to engage, reflect, and arrive grounded before the evening unfolds.

Info: General Admission ticket holders are welcome to arrive between 6:30–7:00 PM to check in and settle in before the evening begins. Seating is first come, first served. The main program will start at 7:00 PM, followed by time to linger, connect, and mingle with fellow attendees after the event.

Info: 7:00–7:15 PM | Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
The evening will begin with a welcome and land acknowledgement, grounding us in place, presence, and intention as we gather for conversation and connection.
7:15–7:45 PM | Health Champions Panel: Real People, Real Work
A curated panel conversation highlighting diverse approaches to health and healing across individual, community, and systems levels. Panelists include:
Dr. René Fernandes – systems change and advocacy for family doctors across British Columbia
Dr. Mark Sherman – calming the mind and creating safe healing spaces for practitioners
Dr. Melissa Lem – social prescribing, nature, and environmental healing7:45–7:55 PM | Guided Energy Reset
A brief 5–10 minute guided energy healing and grounding experience led by Claudia Cirico, offering a collective reset and moment of integration before the main conversation.
8:00–9:00 PM | Featured Conversation
An intimate, thoughtful conversation between Dr. Maryam Zeineddin and Dr Gabor Mate

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher SPOKEN Leadership & Education and Zili CARE