Program

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.

Honourable Andrew Furey, MD, FRCSC, MSc., MSM., Dip. Org. Leadership
Experienced Executive, Physician, Humanitarian, and former Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador

This Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey is an accomplished executive, physician, humanitarian, and former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. During his tenure, he led several generational initiatives, including negotiations central to the Churchill Falls hydro‑electrical development, securing a $5.2‑billion federal rate‑mitigation agreement and a landmark $227‑billion memorandum of understanding with Quebec.

Guiding the province through the COVID‑19 pandemic, Dr. Furey applied his background in clinical epidemiology to inform evidence‑based decision‑making. He also oversaw pivotal negotiations that safeguarded the future of Newfoundland and Labrador’s oil and gas sector and launched a new clean‑energy industry centered on wind and hydrogen development. Under his leadership, strategic fiscal measures contributed to a significant credit‑rating upgrade for the province.

Dr. Furey has extensive experience in national policy discussions and intergovernmental collaboration, working closely with senior leaders—including Prime Minister Mark Carney—and serving twice as Chair of the Canadian Atlantic Premiers. He is recognized for his progressive, pragmatic approach and his ability to build strong relationships across the political spectrum.

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)

Canadian Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (CPOS)

• Dr. Alaric Aroojis (India)

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)

Join for us the Bull Session – a dynamic, fast‑paced, and highly interactive learning experience – immediately following the Meeting Kick‑Off Session on Wednesday, in the Plenary Hall at the Delta Hotel.

A Bull Session is a rapid‑fire forum where presenters share challenging cases or innovative ideas, then engage in lively, unscripted Q&A with the audience. This energetic format – long a favourite of our east coast colleagues at the Atlantic Provinces Orthopaedic Society (APOS) – sparks real‑time discussion, collaborative problem‑solving, and memorable learning moments. We’re excited to bring this engaging experience to the Annual Meeting!

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

• Review and evaluate the results of clinical advances in the diagnosis and management of common orthopaedic conditions in the areas of traumatology, arthroplasty, foot and ankle, upper extremity, hand and wrist, spine, sports medicine, paediatrics, and oncology.
• Describe the importance of diversity in orthopaedics.
• Update and expand their understanding of the advances in basic science research in musculoskeletal health and disease, and apply this understanding to current clinical challenges and the improvement of patient outcomes.
• Establish strategies that balance both benefit and risk in the care of specific orthopaedic maladies and describe the expected patient outcomes.
• Discuss innovative ideas with orthopaedic surgery thought leaders.
• Communicate with colleagues from across the country thereby strengthening professional relationships.
• Compare and evaluate the latest in orthopaedic equipment and services.
• Describe the ways in which orthopaedic care is provided in different countries.

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.

The COA is committed to offering quality accredited programming within a safe 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: Membership on advisory boards or speakers’ bureaus: Co-Editor for Elsevier (The Shoulder, textbook)
• Bernard Burgesson: To be added soon.
• Isabelle Catelas: To be added soon.
• Gurpreet Dhaliwal: No conflict of interest to report.
• Robert Gill: To be added soon.
• Eva Gusnowski: To be added soon.
• Steve Mann: Membership on advisory boards or speakers’ bureaus: Speakers’ bureau for Stryker
• Matthew Menon: Membership on advisory boards or speakers’ bureaus: Speakers’ bureau for Stryker; Direct financial payments including receipt of honoraria: Stryker; education consultant
• Christopher Nielsen: No conflict of interest to report.
• Laura Sims: To be added soon.
• Kevin Smit: To be added soon.
• Nicholas Smith: To be added soon.
• Mark Sommerfeldt: No conflict of interest to report.
• Allison Tucker: No conflict of interest to report.
• David Wilson: No conflict of interest to report.