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COA Annual Meeting Reaches New Heights
Doug Thomson, Executive Director
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
A record number of COA members were treated to a very special Annual Meeting in Halifax this past June. In the words of one member in response to the post-meeting survey, "This was an excellent conference. I think congratulations are in order because not too long ago, the COA annual conferences were really not very educational."
From early on in the planning stages, COA Programme Chair, Dr. Ross K. Leighton and Vice Chair, Dr. Michael J. Dunbar set their sights on a scientific programme that would be impressive and diverse. "We felt that it was imperative to present a programme that featured a broad range of topics that would appeal to every orthopaedic surgeon. The subspecialty half day on Saturday was a key component of our strategy to deliver on this goal." Another key component of the meeting was to establish a programme that was "case-based" with interaction and discussion around chosen topics.
Dr. Brian Day, Presidential Guest Speaker
There were four symposia featured this year. 1) Raising the Bar: Knee Replacements, moderated by Dr. Kevin Deluzio and Dr. Michael J. Dunbar; 2) Damage Control Surgery in Trauma, moderated by Dr. Peter J. O'Brien; 3) Access to Care/Alternative Care Models, moderated by Dr. Ted Rumble and Dr. Michael Gross; and, 4) Arthroplasty: The Latest in Perioperative Management, moderated by Dr. Eric Bohm. All four symposia ranked very highly in the course evaluations and post-conference surveys. In addition to the Symposia, 15 ICLs were presented, 189 paper presentations and 141 posters.
A very memorable presentation by the Presidential Guest Speaker, Dr. Brian Day elicited the comment from one attendee, "When was the last time you actually wished an opening ceremonies speaker would keep on speaking?" Equally engaging and thought-provoking were guest speakers Dr. James Kellam (Ian Macnab Lecturer), Dr. William R.J. Rennie (R.I. Harris Lecturer), Dr. Mark Easley (COFAS guest speaker), Dr. Hans-Christoph Pape (guest speaker in the Damage Control Surgery in Trauma symposia) and Dr. Matthew Di Silvestro was the J. A. Nutter Award speaker (best resident paper delivered at the 2006 CORA meeting).
Dr. Brendan D. Lewis, Immediate Past President with Dr. James Kellam, Ian Macnab Lecturer
Orchestrating a well-rounded meeting requires that the strong academic sessions be complemented by an outstanding social programme. Local Arrangements Committee Co-Chairs Drs. Joe Hyndman and Bill Stanish delivered in spades! A meeting in Halifax wouldn't be complete without a traditional Nova Scotia lobster feast, but Drs. Hyndman and Stanish had much more in store as talented singer/songwriter Bruce Guthro and his friends put on a spectacular evening of entertainment to accompany the fabulous, uniquely maritime meal.
The traditional "down-east" hospitality shone brightly for COA members in June.
LAC Co-Chairs, Drs. Joe Hyndman & Bill Stanish
NB. Miss the meeting? You can still get a copy of the complete abstract supplement by contacting the COA office. There is no charge for this book for members.
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