Program

• Submit your case by using this link.
• Accepted presenters will join us live on June 10 to walk the audience through their case and the chaos, brilliance, or mystery that came with it.
• All presenters are welcome – help us launch the meeting with a fast‑paced and unique learning session.

Be sure to add this session to your Annual Meeting itinerary! Please contact education@canorth.org with any questions, or if you need help submitting your case.

Note: Please remove all patient identifiers from the submitted cases. We will be in touch to confirm participation. 

Sponsored AAC (Sports) Dry Lab: Shoulder Instability – Correcting Bone Loss and Soft-Tissue Restraints

Experience hands-on learning in shoulder instability surgery in a dry-lab setting!

Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 1:00-3:30 pm
Location: Onsite at the St. John’s Convention Centre, room Bannerman 3

Click here to register. Sign up is on a first-come first-served basis.

CANOOS (Tumour) Hands-on Workshop: Registration of Mixed Reality Holograms onto 3D-Printed Models for Orthopaedic Oncology Applications

Mixed Reality (MR) is emerging as a powerful tool in orthopaedic oncology for surgical planning, anatomical understanding, and precision-guided resections. A critical step for its meaningful clinical use is the accurate registration of a holographic 3D model onto real-world anatomy or patient-specific 3D-printed models. This workshop will provide participants with a practical understanding of how Mixed Reality (MR) registration works and its specific applications in orthopaedic oncology. Through a step-by-step demonstration and hands-on experience, participants will learn how to align holographic tumor and bone models onto physical 3D-printed replicas, visualize planned resection planes, and assess cutting jig positioning. The session will emphasize how MR can improve spatial understanding of complex oncologic anatomy, facilitate multidisciplinary case discussions, and enhance both surgical accuracy and education.

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 9:45-11:15 am
Location: St. John’s Convention Centre, Bannerman 3 Room

Register by June 1. Priority will be given to CANOOS Members.

Mentor for a Day Program 

The COA and its affiliate subspecialty societies offer a Mentor for a Day opportunity on June 13, at the Annual Meeting. Residents have the opportunity to either be a Mentee shadowing an expert from their field of subspecialty interest, or be a Mentor to a medical student participating in the Annual Meeting!

For more information or to register as a Mentor or Mentee, please click here.
Application deadline: May 14

Sponsored Early Exposure to the Cutting Edge – Workshop for Medical Students

In Partnership with the Canadian Orthopaedic Surgery Student Network (COSSNET)

This hands-on workshop for medical, graduate, and undergraduate students will take place on Saturday, June 13, from 15:15–17:30 at the St. John’s Convention Centre, where participants will rotate through a series of table discussions and hands-on skills stations.

Register here!

Program Objectives:
1. Enhance early exposure to orthopaedic concepts, procedures and technology
2. Provide mentorship and interaction with residents and leaders in the specialty
3. Promote diversity of insight into training through small-group discussions involving residents from different stages of training
4. Contribute to student-led research through collaboration with our COSSNET partners evaluating the workshop’s impact on learner interest and understanding of the orthopaedic specialty

Dr. Julian Sernik will serve as the Presidential Guest Speaker during the Meeting Kick-Off, on June 10 at 15:30 NT. His presidential address, titled “Buy the Chocolate Milkshake: Small Acts of Humanity in a High-Performance Profession,” will explore the realities of orthopedic surgery – a field that demands focus, efficiency, and technical precision – while recognizing the broader human experience shared by both patients and surgeons.

Through this lens, he explores how small, deliberate actions, often dismissed as peripheral, can build trust, influence outcomes, and restore meaning in our work. The address is a reminder that some of the most powerful levers for impact require no additional resources, exist outside systems and politics, and remain entirely within our control.

Julian B. Sernik MD, FRCSC
Orthopaedic surgeon and leadership educator whose work spans operating rooms, boardrooms, and mountain environments. 

A fellowship-trained specialist in lower extremity reconstruction, he practices in British Columbia and serves as a Clinical Instructor at the University of British Columbia. His clinical work is complemented by a deep commitment to healthcare system improvement, where he focuses on team-based care, access to surgery, and quality innovation. As Expert Clinical Faculty with the Doctors of BC Consultant Specialist Team Care Collaborative, he mentors physicians in building more effective and resilient care systems.

Dr. Sernik is also a TEDx speaker, where he explored the shared principles of collaboration and decision-making across disciplines. Beyond medicine, he is the founder of HELI—Highly Effective Leadership Immersion—through which he works with leaders across industries. His approach is grounded in a distinctive combination of business and leadership training, quality improvement science, surgical decision-making, and real-world experience in high-consequence environments.

With decades of experience in ski patrol, as a resort physician, and now as a certified helicopter ski guide, he brings a practical understanding of how teams perform under pressure—where trust, communication, and decision-making are not theoretical, but essential.

Dr. Marie-Lyne Nault has been named the 2026 J. Édouard Samson Award Winner and will present the Samson Lecture (titled From Scoliosis to Sports Medicine: My Journey as a Surgeon-Scientist), during the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society (CORS) Ian Macnab and J. Edouard Samson Award Lectures & CORS Business Meeting on Friday, June 12 from 14:00-15:30 NT. 

Marie-Lyne Nault, MD, PhD, FRCSC
Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon and Full Clinical Professor in Université de Montréal.

Dr. Marie-Lyne Nault is a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at CHU Sainte-Justine and Full Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Université de Montréal. She holds a BSc in Kinesiology, an MSc, and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, all from the Université de Montréal. She completed her orthopaedic surgery residency on the Dean’s Honour List, followed by a fellowship in pediatric sports medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard University.

From the very start of her practice in 2013, she established a Pediatric Sports Medicine Living Lab at CHU Sainte-Justine, with the mission of seamlessly integrating research into clinical care. This living laboratory has grown into a thriving multidisciplinary scientific ecosystem, through which she has trained over 70 students and residents, published 89 peer-reviewed articles, and secured more than $11 million in research funding. Her work spans pediatric sports injury prevention, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and meniscal repair.

Her flagship project, BIOMENIX, exemplifies her translational approach. In collaboration with a Polytechnique Montréal engineering team, she is developing a bio-inspired hydrogel adhesive for meniscal repair. Funded by the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Legacy program and the Fonds de recherche du Québec, this work aims to offer a minimally invasive alternative accessible in both major centres and remote communities.

Recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Canadian Orthopaedic Association in 2024 and recipient of the PRiSM Education and Mentorship Award in 2026, Dr. Nault is equally committed to public engagement through Le.Sideline, a science communication organization she founded dedicated to the health of young athletes, now reaching over 17,000 followers and 55,000 podcast downloads across 49 countries.

Dr. Albert Yee has been named the 2026 MacNab Lecturer and will present the MacNab Lecture (titled The Evolving Landscape of Spine Surgery: How Research and Innovation have Shaped New Horizons), during the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society (CORS) Ian Macnab and J. Edouard Samson Award Lectures & CORS Business Meeting on Friday, June 12 from 14:00-15:30 NT. 

Albert Yee MD, FRCSC
Academic spine surgeon and surgeon‑scientist specializing in translational research, minimally invasive spine therapies, and surgical innovation.

Dr. Albert Yee is an academic spine surgeon at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where he is the Holland Bone & Joint Program Chief and Division Head of Orthopaedic Surgery holding the Dr. Marvin Tile Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery.  He is an Associate Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute and a Consultant in Surgical Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre.  He is a Professor in the University of Toronto Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and is a Co-Director of the Department’s Spine Program. Dr. Yee has been a Past President of the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society and the Canadian Spine Society as well as a Past Co-Chair of Bone & Joint Canada.  Dr. Yee has focused translational orthopaedic research utilizing pre-clinical surgical models to evaluate novel minimally invasive vertebral metastatic therapies (e.g., Photodynamic Therapy, Radiofrequency Ablation). His work has led to first in human clinical trials and FDA approval with commercialization of new minimally invasive spine technology.  More recently he has been working with colleagues around the country towards establishing an Area of Focused Competence Diploma Program recognizing Spine Surgery through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Canadian Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (COFAS)

• Dr. Eric Ferkel (USA)
• Dr. Niek van Dijk (The Netherlands)

COA Global Surgery Committee (COAGS)

• Dr. Rishkard Juin (Haiti)
• Dr. Valentyn Rohozynskyj (Ukraine)
• Dr. Roman Bihun (Ukraine)

Canadian Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (CPOS)

• Dr. Alaric Aroojis (India)

Wrist and Elbow Society of Canada (WECAN)

• Dr. Kevin Cheung (Ontario, Canada)

Carousel International Orthopaedic Societies

• Dr. Annunziato (Ned) Amendola (AAOS)
• Dr. Stephen Kates (AOA)
• Dr. Mark Moroney (AuOA)
• Mr. Fergal Monsell (BOA)
• Dr. Olufemi Ayeni (COA)
• Dr. Odette Koch (SAOA)
• Mr. Chris Hoffman (NZOA)

ABC Travelling Fellows (2026)

• Mr. Alexander Aarvold (BOA)
• Mr. Sanjay Gupta (BOA)
• Mr. Jeya Palan (BOA)
• Prof. Geraint Thomas (BOA)
• Dr. Tom Ward (AuOA)
• Mr. Ryan Gau (NZOA)
• Dr. Jurek Peitrzak (SAOA)

ABC Travelling Fellows (2025)

• Dr. Bheeshma Ravi (Canada)
• Dr. Prism Schneider (Canada)
• Dr. John Scolaro (USA)

ABC Travelling Fellows (2019)

• Dr. Sukhdeep Dulai (Canada)
• Dr. Ruby Grewal (Canada)
• Dr. Philipp Leucht (USA)
• Dr. Michael Lee (USA)
• Dr. Derek Kelly (USA)

Anica Bitenc Travelling Fellow

• Dr. Mihovil Plecko (Croatia)

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Nicholas Smith as the Program Chair for the 2026 Annual Meeting in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Smith is an orthopaedic surgeon at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he serves as the Clinical and Resident Research Director for the orthopaedic program. A graduate of the University of New Brunswick and Memorial’s medical school (Class of 2011), he completed his residency in 2016 before pursuing a Foot and Ankle Fellowship at the University of Toronto. His clinical and research interests include diabetic feet, operating room noise production, and resident evaluation methods. Dr. Smith is thrilled to welcome the Association back to Newfoundland in 2026 and looks forward to an engaging and collaborative meeting.

At the end of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Integrate current clinical evidence, technological advances – including AI – and innovation into the diagnosis, management, and optimization of care for common orthopaedic conditions across subspecialties.
2. Evaluate and apply advances in basic science research in musculoskeletal health and disease to support evidence‑based orthopaedic care.
3. Develop patient-centered care strategies that balance risks and benefits, incorporate shared decision-making, and align treatment choices with patient values and expectations.
4. Collaborate and communicate effectively with peers, interdisciplinary teams, and health system partners, strengthening professional relationships and fostering knowledge exchange and mentorship at a national and international level.
5. Critically appraise emerging orthopaedic products, equipment, and services, understanding their clinical applications, limitations, and potential implications for practice.
6. Compare global approaches to orthopaedic care delivery, identifying best practices, and system-level innovations that may inform improvements within one’s own clinical or practice context.
7. Recognize and address issues related to physician wellbeing, resilience, and sustainability of practice, while applying quality improvement principles to identify and implement strategies that mitigate burnout and promote professional fulfillment within orthopaedic surgery.

The development of educational content for the Annual Meeting is governed by the National Standard for Support of Accredited CPD Activities established by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This Standard provides a rigorous framework to ensure that all accredited continuing professional development (CPD) activities are designed and delivered with integrity, scientific validity, and independence from commercial influence. By adhering to these principles, the planning committee promotes transparency, equitable faculty engagement, and the delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed education that meets the diverse needs of healthcare professionals.

Consistent with the COA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the Annual Meeting program aims to demonstrate an understanding of how these principles impact orthopaedic training, workforce development, patient access, and clinical outcomes. Educational activities further seek to identify opportunities to advance equity within the profession and promote inclusive excellence across orthopaedic practice.

The COA is committed to offering quality accredited programming within a safe and respectful learning environment. Presentation format, scheduling, and inclusion in the final program are determined at the Association’s discretion. All activities will comply with applicable federal and provincial public health directives in effect at the time of the meeting.

• Aaron Bois: Research Grant: McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint Health, Uni of Calgary ; Education/scientific relationship: Editor of the Textbook “The Shoulder” (Elsevier)
• Bernard Burgesson: None.
• Isabelle Catelas: None.
• Gurpreet Dhaliwal: None.
• Sukhdeep Dulai: Honorarium from the University of Manitoba; Board member of the COA & COF, Advisory board for the Arthritis Society of Canada; Research grants from CIHR, COF, and Arthritis Society of Canada; Institutional education grant from Orthopaediatrics 
• Robert Gill: None.
• Eva Gusnowski: Consultant work for medical devices – Synthes, ConMed
• Steve Mann: Membership on advisory board or speakers’ bureau – Stryker
• Matthew Menon: Education consultant for Stryker Canada
• Christopher Nielsen: Speakers bureau – J&J Medtech
• Laura Sims: None.
• Kevin Smit: Speaker for Highridge; Institutional research support from Highridge, Medtronics, and Ascendis
• Nicholas Smith: Memorial University of Newfoundland – Newfoundland and Labrador Health Research fund, $100,000 ; Unrestricted research fund with Stryker
  
• Mark Sommerfeldt: Educational consultant for Arthrex
• Allison Tucker: None.
• David Wilson: None.

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by the Canadian Orthopaedic Association. You may claim a maximum of 19.5 hours (credits are automatically calculated). Through an agreement between the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert Royal College MOC credits to AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Information on the process to convert Royal College MOC credit to AMA credit can be found at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications.