COA Annual Awards

The COA’s Annual Awards recognize members who have distinguished themselves through their exemplary contributions, influence and commitment to improving the Canadian orthopaedic community.  Awarded each year at the Annual Meeting, the Service Awards are high honours bestowed on a member by the Canadian Orthopaedic Association.

Celebrating the 2025 COA Awards of Distinction Recipients

We are thrilled to celebrate the recipients of the awards presented at the COA | CORS | CORA Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Colombia from June 11 – 14, 2025. These annual awards recognize excellence, innovation, and dedication within the orthopaedic community.

Congratulations to all the award winners for their exceptional achievements. Their passion, commitment, and dedication continue to propel our specialty and organization to new heights.

Learn More About the 2025 Recipients
How Do I Nominate an Award Recipient?
  • All voting members of the COA are eligible to submit the name(s) of nominated candidates throughout the nomination period.
  • Voting members must be in good standing and maintain one of the following membership categories within the COA:
    • Active (and those in the 50% reduction dues category in their first year of practice).
    • Active International (and those in the 50% reduction dues category in their first year of practice).
  • Submit the name of your candidate, the award you are nominating them for, and why you feel they are an appropriate recipient.
  • Nominees must be a member in good standing of the COA. Non-member nominees can be submitted for special consideration.
  • A nominee can be the past or current recipient of another COA Award.
How Are Candidates Selected?
  • All candidates will be reviewed and considered by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
  • Selected award recipients are notified by the President.
  • Only one recipient per award will be selected each year, unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors.
  • A recipient can receive each award only once, unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors.
  • Awards may be presented posthumously.
  • If a nominee is not selected for the award, they may be nominated again in a subsequent year.

Nomination & Selection

 

Presidential Award for Excellence

Current Recipient (2025) – Dr. Mohit Bhandari
Awarded to visionaries who have shaped orthopaedics through research, education, advocacy, and care standards.

Service to the COA

Current Recipient (2025) – Drs. Pascale Thibaudeau and Adrian Huang
Awarded to relentless contributors who show up, speak up, and lift others up through service and dedication.

Changemaker Award

Current Recipient (2025) – Dr. Catherine Coady
Awarded to advocates and humanitarians who drive transformation in orthopaedic culture, equity, and representation.

Lifetime Achievement

Current Recipient (2025) – Dr. Graham King
This award honours decades of service and mentorship that have influenced orthopaedics in Canada and beyond.

Emerging Leader

Current Recipients (2025) – Dr. Kristen Barton
This is awarded in recognition of early-career members making contributions and showing leadership potential in their own institutes, subspecialty societies and the COA.

Award Descriptions

 

Past Award Recipients

We continue to honour those who were previously
recognized through COA award programs.

Click here to see past award recipients