From October 15–17, UBC Orthopaedics proudly hosted the 2025 cohort of the North American Travelling Fellowship (NATF) tour—an initiative by the American Orthopaedic Association that fosters clinical and scientific exchange across leading orthopaedic centres in North America. Every two years, a select group of emerging orthopaedic leaders embarks on a multi-institutional tour, sharing research, building connections, and gaining insights from top academic and clinical institutions.
This year’s cohort included:
- Dr. Bopha Chrea
- Dr. Robert Parisien
- Dr. Varun Puvanesarajah
- Dr. Jeffrey Stepan
- Dr. Seper Ekhtiari
Their visit was led and organized by Dr. Lisa Howard, who ensured the fellows’ visit to Vancouver was filled with meaningful experiences and opportunities to connect with UBC Orthopaedics faculty, residents, and fellows.
Day 1: A Warm Welcome to Vancouver
On October 15, the Fellows were greeted at the airport by Dr. Adrian Huang, a 2022 NATF alumnus, who offered a view of the city from False Creek and English Bay and set the tone for the visit. That evening, Dr. Huang also hosted the Fellows for dinner, joined by Dr. Kishore Mulpuri.
Day 2: Clinical Excellence and Community Engagement
The morning began with the UBC Orthopaedics Trauma Session and rounds alongside Dr. Jeffrey Potter and Dr. Pierre Guy, providing the Fellows with a firsthand look at the department’s collaborative approach to trauma care.
Next, the group visited ICORD, where Dr. Brian Kwon, ICORD Director and a UBC Orthopaedics faculty member, as well as a past NATF Fellow, led a comprehensive tour of the facility. Dr. Kwon introduced the Fellows to ongoing research initiatives in spinal cord injury and rehabilitation, facilitated conversations with researchers, and provided a deeper understanding of the cutting-edge work being done at ICORD.
The Fellows then visited Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), where they were treated to a visit to the helipad, offering a panoramic view of Vancouver’s mountains, waterfront, and downtown skyline. After a few selfies and posed photos, the group headed to the Centre for Aging SMART, where Dr. Dave Wilson provided a tour of the innovative research and technologies focused on aging and mobility.
In the afternoon, the Fellows participated in the NATF Presentation Session during the residents’ academic half-day. The event brought together faculty, residents, and department members for an afternoon of learning, storytelling, and inspiration.
The session opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Fay Leung, UBC Orthopaedics Residency Program Director, who delivered a personal and meaningful land acknowledgement that set a reflective tone for the afternoon. Dr. Mulpuri followed with remarks on his own experience as a Canadian Travelling Fellow, sharing insights from his journey and emphasizing the value of mentorship, collaboration, and lifelong learning in orthopaedics.
Clinical Presentations: Innovation and Impact
The first half of the session featured clinical presentations from the Fellows, showcasing their current research and areas of expertise:
- Dr. Bopha Chrea spoke about her team’s work on Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, focusing on surgical interventions in the foot and ankle to help patients walk more comfortably and regain mobility.
- Dr. Robert Parisien discussed cartilage injuries in athletes, highlighting surgical management techniques and the importance of preserving joint health in high-performance individuals.
- Dr. Varun Puvanesarajah presented on the impact of socioeconomic status on PROMIS outcomes following lumbar fusion, shedding light on how social determinants of health influence recovery and patient-reported outcomes.
- Dr. Jeffrey Stepan explored the treatment of ballistic injuries, sharing clinical approaches to managing complex trauma cases.
- Dr. Seper Ekhtiari addressed the consequences of infected arthroplasties, focusing on periprosthetic joint infections and the evolving strategies to manage these serious complications.
Personal Reflections: Lessons Beyond Medicine
Following a short break, the Fellows returned to share personal stories and reflections, offering a glimpse into the experiences that shaped their careers and values:
- Dr. Chrea shared her powerful journey, recounting how her family fled Cambodia and she was born in a refugee camp. She spoke about the resilience of her parents and the life lessons she carries with her: mistakes are opportunities to learn, some things are beyond our control but our mindset is not, growth comes from discomfort, and gratitude is a superpower.
- Dr. Parisien presented “Bollywood to Hollywood,” a candid narrative of his path from collegiate athlete to orthopaedic surgeon. After injuries ended his football and track career, he pursued his undergraduate studies at Brown University. He navigated a non-linear path to medicine, working various jobs that taught him perseverance and adaptability.
- Dr. Puvanesarajah reflected on his Paris fellowship, emphasizing the importance of reaching out for help, embracing vulnerability, and pushing beyond one’s comfort zone to grow both personally and professionally.
- Dr. Stepan offered practical insights into time management and balancing a demanding medical career with family life. He shared strategies he and his partner use to stay grounded, prioritize quality time, and maintain personal well-being.
- Dr. Ekhtiari closed the session with a unique and captivating presentation titled “Land Before Time”, where he explored the fascinating topic of diagnosing osteosarcoma in dinosaurs. His talk bridged the worlds of paleopathology and modern orthopaedics, highlighting how ancient diseases can inform contemporary medical understanding.
The afternoon blended clinical insights and personal stories. The day concluded with a special session hosted by Dr. Kishore Mulpuri and Dr. Bassam Masri, former Department Head, who shared reflections on leadership, legacy, and the evolution of UBC Orthopaedics.
To cap off a day of learning and connection, the Fellows joined UBC Orthopaedics Leadership and UBC NATF alumni for a celebratory dinner at Cactus Club Café – English Bay, hosted by Dr. Lisa Howard.
Day 3: Pediatric Perspectives and Mountain Views
Friday morning was hosted by Dr. Lisa Howard and Dr. Paul Clarkson, beginning with a visit to BC Children’s Hospital and UBC Pediatric Orthopaedics. The Fellows toured several of the hospital’s innovative treatment facilities, including the Motion Capture Lab, introduced by Dr. Lise Leveille, and the Digital Printing Lab, where they learned about cutting-edge technologies used in pediatric orthopaedic care and research. The session was led by Dr. Emily Schaeffer and Dr. Anthony Cooper, who provided insights into pediatric orthopaedic research and clinical practice.
After lunch with the Pediatric Orthopaedics team, the Fellows enjoyed a sightseeing excursion with Dr. Nelson Greidanus at Grouse Mountain. From the bench-to-bedside experiences with our clinical teams to our local-to-global research and innovations, it made good sense to begin on the water and end at the peak of Vancouver, encapsulating the range of possibilities and experiences our community has to offer.
UBC Orthopaedics is proud to have hosted such an exceptional group and looks forward to continuing its tradition of fostering excellence and connection through the NATF program.
