Understanding the journey: Dementia
Webinars | June 30, 2026
According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, more than 400 people develop dementia in Canada every day, and by 2030, nearly 1 million Canadians could be living with dementia. For many individuals and their loved ones, it’s not a question of if dementia will touch their lives—but when.
We hosted Drs. Melissa Li and David Wang-Tai to discuss the progression of dementia: whether you’re planning ahead, caring for a loved one, or managing your diagnosis already.
Speakers
Dr. David Tang-Wai is a professor of Neurology and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Toronto (UofT). He is the current Department Division Director for neurology at UofT and co-director of the UHN Memory Clinic and the UHN Howard Cohen Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Program.
Dr. Wang-Tai is the recipient of several local and international teaching and clinical awards; including the American Academy of Neurology AB Baker Teaching Award (2019), University of Toronto Department of Medicine Teacher of the Year (2020), University of Toronto Academy of Master Clinicians (2019), the University of Toronto President’s Teaching Award (2024), and the Dr. Michael Hutcheon Award for Excellence in Mentorship (2025).
His research interests include atypical Alzheimer’s disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and autoimmune encephalitis.
Dr. Melissa Li completed her medical school training at University of Toronto and Family Medicine residency at Western University, prior to completion of her Palliative Care Fellowship at University of Toronto. She joined Toronto Western Hospital as a staff palliative care physician in 2019, where she works as an inpatient palliative care consultant and is the Director of the Supportive Care Neurology Clinic.
Dr. Li is a clinician teacher and Associate Professor at University of Toronto within the Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine. She is the Education co-site Lead at Toronto Western Hospital for Palliative Care and the Palliative Care Residency Program Assessment Committee Lead.
She has received the University of Toronto MD Program Teaching Excellence Award in 2020, 2021 and 2024 as well as the Recognition in Teaching Excellence Award from the Division of Palliative Care in 2022.
Her academic interests are in medical education and quality improvement.
