Program
2026 OAGS Surgical Symposium - CPD APPROVAL TBA
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.
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:
- Acquire knowledge of evidence-based practices in general surgery
- Develop pragmatic skills to effectively manage patient care activities in general surgery.
| Topics | Speakers |
|---|---|
7:30am-8:30am |
|
8:00am-8:25am |
|
| 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 with Transversus Abdominis Release (40min talk, 10min Q&A) Learning Objectives: • Consider an overview of the complexities and challenges of managing patients with parastomal hernias (PH) • Review technical considerations of parastomal hernia repairs utilizing transversus abdominis release (TAR) • Describe the evolution of PH repair over time | Dr. Eric Pauli, Penn State University |
| 9:35am-10:00am Routine Approaches to Routine Ventral Hernias: MIS Focus (20min talk, 5min Q&A) Learning Objectives: • Distinguish the appropriate patients and techniques for MIS hernia repair • Develop an operative approach to fixation of hernias with MIS techniques 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 Objectives: • Describe the evolving treatment of nodal disease in breast cancer and patient factors that guide screening • Differentiate treatment plans for breast cancer depending on patient factors EVALUATE | Dr. Kara Nadeau, NOSM |
PRIZE DRAW |
|
| 10:55am-11:20am Medical Management of Acute Severe Colitis (20min talk, 5min Q&A) Learning Objectives: • Interpret the update about the current guidelines regarding the initial treatment of severe active colitis • Recognize when a patient with severe colitis will benefit from medical therapy versus surgery |
Dr. Vipul Jairath, Western University |
| 11:20am-12:10pm Panel: Perioperative Medicine Guidelines (15min each, 10 min joint Q&A) Learning Objectives: • To update the learner about preoperative medication guidance before and after surgery with new emerging medications | a) Dr. TBA b) Dr. TBA c) Dr. TBA |
PRIZE DRAW |
|
12:20pm-12:45pm |
|
| 1:10pm Welcome Back! | Dr. Scott Rieder, OAGS VP & Education Committee Chair (Afternoon Moderator) |
| 1:10pm-1:35pm International Keynote Talk #2: Morbidity and Mortality - Managing My Own Hernia Complications (20min talk, 5min Q&A) Learning Objectives: • Assess overview of the complexities and challenges of managing complications after abdominal wall reconstruction • Review technical options for complication management following open hernia repair • Recognize the need for good communication skills and a team approach to complication management | 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 Objectives: • Recognize common factors that will alter anastomotic leak rate • Illustrate methods both inside and outside of the OR to decrease leak rate | Dr. Terry Zweip, Western University |
| 2:25pm-2:50pm Acute Perforated Diverticulitis: What's New? (20min talk, 5min Q&A) Learning Objectives: • Demonstrate updated evidence for the treatment of acute perforated diverticulitis • Recognize when and what type of surgical management is required for perforated diverticulitis | Dr. Cagla Eskicioglu, McMaster University |
| 2:50pm-3:15pm Visual Inspection for Upper Endoscopy (20min talk, 5min Q&A) Learning Objective: • Create an approach to increasing detection of abnormal upper GI pathology based on visual inspection • Identify and implement strategies to allow for better visualization in upper endoscopy | Dr. Robert Bechara, Queen's University |
PRIZE DRAW |
|
| 3:45pm-4:10pm Creating Safer Surgical Spaces (20min talk, 5min Q&A) Learning Objectives: 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 Objectives: • For Fellows and early career Surgeons (~35 – 45 yrs): Learners will acknowledge future retirement; begin to facilitate a long-term financial plan. • For those in mid-career (~45 – 55 yrs): Learners will start to plan for retirement; resume prior or initiate new interests (outside your profession). • For those in late career (~55 - 65+ yrs): Learners will actively prepare for transition; start to establish new priorities. | 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 Lead |
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. Grace Ma, Section Vice Chair) (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. |
|
