The UBC Department of Orthopaedics hosted our annual Orthopaedic Update and BCOA Annual Meeting beginning with Research Day presentations by our trainees, followed by Ortho Update, a two-day accredited CPD/CME orthopaedics conference, in collaboration with the BC Orthopaedic Association. We ended the in-person meeting with a spectacular Graduation & Awards Gala to recognize and celebrate our 2025 graduating trainees and outstanding teachers.
Research Day
The annual UBC Department of Orthopaedics Research Day took place on Wednesday, May 7 at BC Children’s Hospital. Research Day is a one-day event in which UBC Orthopaedics residents, fellows, and graduate students present their research.
Click HERE to view the 2025 Research Day program agenda and abstracts.
Click HERE to view our list of award winners.
Ortho Update
The UBC Department of Orthopaedics and the BC Orthopaedic Association (BCOA) hosted our annual Orthopaedic Update, a two-day accredited CPD/CME conference for orthopaedic surgeons, researchers, and allied health professionals across British Columbia for timely and relevant updates on research and innovations in clinical practice.
The in-person conference was held May 8-9, 2025, at the Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University and was broadcast on Zoom for those who chose virtual participation.
This year, we proudly celebrated 40 years of leadership in the Department of Orthopaedics with the theme of Leadership and Innovation—featuring sessions on the latest orthopaedic research and clinical practice. The two-day conference invites expert speakers to discuss topics such as the latest in shoulder and sports injury, innovations in spine surgery, CMC arthroplasty and more.
Dr. Indira Samarasekera delivered an inspiring keynote address on the theme of serendipity. She reminded us that some of the most impactful moments in our professional journeys arise not from meticulous planning but from being open to unexpected opportunities and connections. Her reflections resonated with many of us and emphasized the importance of curiosity, resilience, and adaptability in both leadership and life.
Click HERE to view the agenda for the 2025 Ortho Update.
UBC Orthopaedics Legends Lectures: From the Ground Up – A Department’s Tale
The conference opened on a powerful note with a special panel featuring the legends of our department—three former department heads, Dr. Robert McGraw (Head from 1984 to 1995), Dr. Clive Duncan (Head from 1996 to 2006), and Dr. Bassam Masri (Head from 2007 to 2020)—joined by our current head, Dr. Kishore Mulpuri, as well as distinguished faculty members Dr. Robert Meek, Dr. Peter O’Brien, Dr. Stephen Tredwell, and Dr. Charles Fisher.
The panel offered a heartfelt and inspiring reflection on the department’s journey—from its early foundations to significant milestones. Through personal stories, shared memories, and shared laughs, they painted a vivid picture of how the department was built: on vision, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in orthopaedics.
They spoke not only of scientific and clinical advancements but also of the people and moments that shaped the department’s identity. The conversation was rich with gratitude and pride, reminding us of how far we’ve come and the legacy we continue to build.
It was a moving start to the conference—one that brought a deep sense of unity and purpose as we celebrated our past and looked ahead to the future.
A special thanks to our guest speakers
Indira V. Samarasekera, PhD, FRSC, FCAE, DSc, OC
Past President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Alberta
Keynote: Serendipity in Life and Leadership
Dr. Indira Samarasekera is internationally recognized as one of Canada’s leading metallurgical engineers for her groundbreaking work on process engineering of materials. She has consulted widely for industry worldwide, which has adopted the results of her research discoveries. She earned an MSc from the University of California in 1976 as a Fulbright-Hays Scholar, and was granted a PhD in metallurgical engineering from the University of British Columbia in 1980. She was vice-president (research) at the University of British Columbia and held the Dofasco Chair in Advanced Steel Processing. She is the first woman and the first engineer to serve as U of A president.
Ruby Grewal, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Professor, Hand and Upper Limb Centre, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
Patterson Lecture: Orthopaedic Surgery in the Digital Age: Leading the Charge for Telemedicine and Remote Care
Dr. Ruby Grewal received her MD degree at the University of British Columbia. In 2006, she joined the Department of Surgery at the University of Western Ontario and is a co-director of the clinical research lab within the Roth | McFarlane Hand & Upper Limb Center (HULC). Dr. Grewal has been awarded the Dean’s Award for Excellence for her research contributions to the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, multiple awards for research excellence and has represented the Canadian Orthopaedic Association as an International Travelling Fellow. She has published over 150 scientific articles and 30 book chapters. She is an Associate Editor for the American Journal of Hand Surgery. She is a board member of the Canadian Society for Surgery of the Hand and co-president of a Canadian Multicenter Research Group evaluating disorders of the hand and wrist.
Gerard Slobogean, MD, MPH, FRCSC
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
Morton Lecture: From UBC to Practice Changing Trials
Dr. Gerard Slobogean is Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine. He is also Co-Director of the Center for Orthopaedic Injury Research & Innovation. His clinical practice at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center focuses on surgical management of complex extremity fractures. Dr. Slobogean’s research interests focus on large multi-center clinical trials. He co-leads a research network of more than 30 clinical sites participating in orthopaedic fracture surgery trials. He recently completed the PREP-IT trials comparing antiseptic skin solutions in 10,123 extremity fracture patients. The results from these trials were published in The Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine.
Olufemi Ayeni, MD, PhD, FRCSC
Division Head, Orthopaedic Surgery, McMaster University; President, Canadian Orthopaedic Association
BCOA Lecture: Where Are We Headed in Hip Preservation Surgery: The Canadian Footprint
Dr. Olufemi Ayeni is a Professor and the Academic Division Head of Orthopaedic Surgery at McMaster University, Canada. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Research Methodology, Evidence and Impact and Medical Director for the Hamilton Tiger Cats (Canadian Football League) and Forge FC (Canadian Premier League). Dr. Ayeni has been named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Joint Preservation Surgery (2022-2027) by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and a University Scholar (2022-2026) at McMaster University. He is the President of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association 2024- 2025.
This year’s conference was particularly special as it marked the 40th anniversary of the Department of Orthopaedics. The theme, “Past, Present, and Future,” drew the highest attendance and engagement we’ve seen yet. The program featured many highlights that celebrated the innovations and successes of all health authorities in our province, which generated significant interest from the attendees. Having our departmental legends present in the opening panel was truly remarkable and a once-in-a-career opportunity. We extend our gratitude to all the presenters and attendees for making this conference such a resounding success. Happy 40th birthday to UBC Orthopaedics!
— Dr. Lisa Howard, Conference Program Co-Chair, Orthopaedic Update 2025 and Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Orthopaedics
I’ve been thrilled to be a part of the planning team for ortho update 2025 for such a momentous occasion as the 40th anniversary of the department of orthopaedics at UBC. I could not have hoped for a better meeting and we are grateful for all of those who attended and contributed to making this meeting a huge success!
— Dr. Tym Frank, Conference Program Co-Chair, Orthopaedic Update 2025 and Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Orthopaedics
Graduation & Awards Gala
Residents, fellows, students, faculty, and staff from the UBC Department of Orthopaedics, together with their guests, attended the 2025 Graduation and Awards Gala Dinner on May 9, 2025 at the Fairmont Hotel to commemorate the accomplishments of our graduating trainees, signifying the culmination of their hard work, passion, and commitment to orthopaedics.
Congratulations to this year’s award recipients and our entire Class of 2025 graduating residents, master’s and doctoral students, and postdoctoral and clinical fellows!
Awards
Research Day Awards
As part of the ceremony, the best research presentations by residents, clinical fellows, and graduate students at the annual Research Day held on Wednesday, May 7, were presented.
Click HERE to view our award winners.
Department Head’s Excellence in Leadership Award
Presented by the Head of the Department of Orthopaedics to honour exemplary leadership.
- Dr. Thomas Oxland, Professor and Associate Head, Academic
Faculty Teaching Award
Chosen by our UBC Orthopaedics Residents, the Faculty Teaching Award is presented annually to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding contributions to resident education.
- Dr. Phil Hache, AY23-24 Clinical Fellow
Fellow Teaching Award
Selected by our UBC Orthopaedics Residents, Fellow Teaching Award is presented annually to clinical fellows in recognition of outstanding contributions to resident education.
- Dr. Aly Alsaifan, Orthopaedic Trauma (Vancouver Acute) Fellow
Class of 2025 Graduates
Orthopaedic Residents
- Dr. Taylor Crown
- Dr. Hanny Chen
- Dr. Helen Crofts
- Dr. Mohamed Al-Amoodi
Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows
- Adan Moallemi (MASc)
- Edward Hoptioncann (MASc)
- Luke Johnson (PhD)
- Carly Jones (PhD)
- Jordan Broberg (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Clinical Fellows
Adult Reconstruction, Hip and Knee Fellowship
- (Ian) John Kennedy
- Tanya MacDonell
- Liam Yapp
- Matthew McIntosh
- Matthew Seah
- Omar Abdullah Alsultan
Foot & Ankle Adult Reconstruction Fellowship
- Carlos Albarrán
- Marianne Koolen
- Sultan Alharbi
- Tudor Trache
Lower Extremity Reconstruction Fellowship
- Amelia Suddaby
Neurosurgical & Orthopaedic Spine Fellowship
- James McDonald
- Said Sadiqi
- Taryn Ludwig
- Julien Zaldivar
Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship – Vancouver Acute
- Vishvas Shetty
- Aly Alsaifan
- Pascal Mailhot
Reconstructive Arthroscopy Fellowship
- Basam Alanazi
- Faisal Al Fayyadh
Shoulder & Upper Limb Fellowship
- Abdullah Alotaibi
Pediatric Orthopaedic Fellowship
- Elsa Daniel
- Clariz Patricio
- Luckshman Bavan
- James Sant
- Tomer Amsalem
Pediatric Orthopaedic Spine Fellowship
- Hani Alharbi
- Abdullah Alduwaisan
