2025 Theme: Leadership and Innovation
May 8–9 (Thu–Fri) | Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver, BC | in-person + remotely by Zoom-Panopto livestream
Overview: This two-day conference brings together orthopaedic specialists from across British Columbia and beyond to explore the latest research and advancements in clinical practice. In 2025, we proudly celebrate 40 years of leadership in the Department of Orthopaedics with the theme of Leadership and Innovation.
Audience: orthopaedic surgeons, specialists, researchers, residents and students.
Up to 10.5 MOC Section 1 Credits
Key Speakers
Olufemi Ayeni, MD, PhD, FRCSC
Division Head, Orthopaedic Surgery, McMaster University; President, Canadian Orthopaedic Association
Dr. 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.
Ruby Grewal, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Professor, Hand and Upper Limb Centre, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
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.
Indira V. Samarasekera, PhD, FRSC, FCAE, DSc, OC
Past President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Alberta
Dr. 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.
Gerard Slobogean, MD, MPH, FRCSC
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
Dr. 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 >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.
Pre-conference + Social Events
UBC Ortho
Research Day
Attend the annual Research Day featuring research from UBC Ortho residents, fellows, and graduate students. Awards for the best research presentations are presented at our Graduation & Awards Gala!
May 7 (Wed) | BC Children’s Hospital, Chan Centre Auditorium
BCOA | UBC Ortho Friends & Alumni Reception
Connect with past and present orthopaedic surgeons, residents, medical students, fellows, and allied health workers at a reception hosted by the British Columbia Orthopaedic Association and UBC Orthopaedics
May 8 (Thu) | Steamworks Brew Pub, Gastown
UBC Ortho Graduation & Awards Gala
Gather with our residents, fellows, students, faculty, staff, and guests to celebrate our UBC Ortho Class of 2025 and recognize their accomplishments!
May 9 (Fri) | The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street (note venue change)
Accommodation
Delta Hotels by Marriott Vancouver Downtown Suites
550 W Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6B 1L6 | Tel: 1.844.254.5048
Rates start at $449 CAD (does not include applicable taxes or parking)
Conference room rates are valid until Apr 3, 2025 (based on availability)
Can’t join us live?
All plenary lectures will be recorded with the speakers’ consent, and on-demand access will be available after the event for up to three months.
Note that CME credits are only available for participants who attend live — watching the recordings is not an accreditable group learning activity. If you missed the live event, you may be able to claim self-learning credits after watching recordings: How-to-Claim-Self-Learning-Credits