Facebook-f X-twitter Instagram Threads Youtube Bluesky Linkedin
Member Portal

Program

2026 OAGS Surgical Symposium - CPD APPROVAL TBA

OAGS

Saturday, November 7, 2026 (8am-6pm)

It's confirmed! This year's 2026 OAGS Surgical Symposium is slated for Saturday, November 7 at the Hilton Toronto. Current OAGS members can attend for free but must register in advance. This will be a 1 day exhibit event.

Program

Promising another year of impressive topics and speakers that will appeal to a number of subspecialties within General Surgery. Target audience is general surgeons, fellows, residents and PAs across Ontario. Members and Non-members welcome. This event is seeking CPD accreditation. Scroll down for more details.
Register

Summary:

Plenary Meeting: Toronto Ballroom I, Conventions Level, Hilton Toronto
Meals/Breaks/Exhibit Hall: Toronto Ballroom II & III
Breakfast/Lunch Symposia: Tom Thomson Room, Conventions Level

Previous Programs: ( 2024  | 2025 )

NOTE:  Be sure to check “Unaccredited Symposia“ for any additional sponsored talks/events not shown below.

Overall Learning Objectives

Through participation in this event, attendees will be able to:

  1. Acquire knowledge of evidence-based practices in general surgery
  2. Develop pragmatic skills to effectively manage patient care activities in general surgery.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2026

(tentative times)
Topics Speakers

7:30am-8:30am
BREAKFAST - Exhibit Hall Networking (60min)

8:00am-8:25am
UNACCREDITED SYMPOSIA - Sponsored Breakfast Talk - Tom Thomson Room (Limit: 30) - Breakfast will be served inside the room

8:30am-8:35am
Introduction & Welcome 		Dr. Ravinder Singh, OAGS President (Morning Moderator)
8:35am-8:45am
Resident Grant Winner: Research Presentation 		Dr. Kameela Alibhai, UofT, PGY3
8:45am-9:35am
International Keynote Talk #1: Parastomal Hernia Repair (40min talk, 10min Q&A)

Learning TBA.
Dr. Eric Pauli, Penn State University
9:35am-10:00am
Routine Approaches to Routine Ventral Hernias: MIS Focus (20min talk, 5min Q&A)

Learning Objective:TBA

EVALUATE 		Dr. Fady Saleh, MTU
10:00am-10:25am
Breast Nodal Disease: When to escalate and de-escalate screening/ treatment (20min talk, 5min Q&A)

Learning Objective: TBA

EVALUATE 		Dr. Kara Nadeau, NOSM

PRIZE DRAW

10:25am-10:55am
MORNING BREAK - Exhibit Hall Networking (30min)

10:55am-11:20am
IBD: Acute Surgical Management
Learning Objective: TBA.
 Dr. Vipul Jairath, Western University
11:20am-12:10pm
Panel: Perioperative Medicine Guidelines (15min each, 10 min joint Q&A)

Learning Objective: TBA
a) Dr. TBA
b) Dr. TBA
c) Dr. TBA

PRIZE DRAW

12:10pm-1:10pm
LUNCH BREAK - Exhibit Hall Networking (60min)

12:20pm-12:45pm
UNACCREDITED SYMPOSIA - Sponsored Lunch Talk - Tom Thomson Room (Limit: 30) - Lunch will be served inside the room

1:10pm
Welcome Back! 		Dr. Scott Rieder, OAGS VP & Education Committee Chair (Afternoon Moderator)
1:10pm-1:35pm
International Keynote Talk #2: Complications of Hernia Repair (20min talk, 5min Q&A)

Learning TBA.
Dr. Eric Pauli, Penn State University
1:35pm-2:00pm
When Good Laparoscopy Goes Bad: Lessons from the OR (20min talk, 5min Q&A)

Learning Objectives:
• Identify common technical and cognitive pitfalls in laparoscopic surgery that lead to complications • Recognize high-risk “danger zones” in colorectal laparoscopy and strategies to navigate them safely • Integrate real-world lessons from operative cases into everyday surgical practice 		Dr. Peter Stotland, University of Toronto
2:00pm-2:25pm
The Dreaded Anastomotic Leak: How to lower leak rates (20min talk, 5min Q&A)
Learning Objective: TBA
Dr. Terry Zweip, Western University
2:25pm-2:50pm
Acute Perforated Diverticulitis: What's New? (20min talk, 5min Q&A)
Learning Objective: TBA.
Dr. Cagla Eskicioglu, McMaster University
2:50pm-3:15pm
Visual Inspection for Upper Endoscopy (20min talk, 5min Q&A)
Learning Objective: TBA.
Dr. Robert Bechara, Queen's University

PRIZE DRAW

3:15pm-3:45pm
AFTERNOON BREAK - Exhibit Hall Networking (30min)

3:45pm-4:10pm
Creating Safer Surgical Spaces (20min talk, 5min Q&A)
Learning Objective: Given the current environment of high workloads, resource limitations, unwellness and burnout, the learner will address chronic stress, team culture, provider wellness and medicolegal risks in order to optimize clinician longevity and patient outcomes.
Dr. Richard E. Mimeault, CMPA Physician Advisor
4:10pm-4:35pm
Surgical Sages: Wisdom from the Cutting Edge
"When to hold 'em, When to fold 'em - Optimal Timing of Retirement" (20min talk, 5min Q&A)
Learning Objective: TBA
Dr. Paul Greig, University of Toronto
4:35pm-5:00
Billing Corner: Code Updates
Learning Objective: Review the latest changes to billing codes in the schedule of benefits related to surgical procedures.
Dr. Scott Rieder, OMA Tariff Chair; Dr. Kevin Lefebvre, OMA Section Chair,

PRIZE DRAW
5:00pm-6:00pm
Business Meeting (OAGS & Section)

Last Year's Minutes - download

1) 5:00pm - Welcome (Dr. Scott Rieder, OAGS VP & Business Mtg Chair)(5min)
2) 5:05pm – OAGS Housekeeping & Treasury (15min)
Motions to approve:
■ Today’s Agenda;
■ Last Year’s Minutes Nov.8, 2025)
OAGS Election: ■ Candidates; ■ Vote/Acclamation
Treasury: Motions to approve: ■ 2025 Financial Review; ■ Millards commissioned accountants
3) 5:20pm – OAGS Resident Update (Dr. Tyler McKechnie– Resident Representative) (5min)
4) 5:25pm - OAGS President’s Report (Dr. Ravinder Singh) (10 min)
5) 5:35pm - OMA Section Chair’s Report (Dr. Kevin Lefebvre) (10 min)
6) 5:45pm - Other Business/ Open Business: (15 min)
Annual Meeting 2027 – Motion
Final Prize Draw
7) 6:00pm – Motion to Adjourn
Dr. Scott Rieder, OAGS Vice President (Moderator)

PRIZE DRAW
6:00pm-7:00pm
Social Mixer /Unaccredited Sponsored Event: TBA.