Dear COA Members,

We hope this newsletter finds you well. We are thrilled to share the awards recipients presented at the COA | CORS | CORA Annual Meeting in Calgary, Alberta, from June 21-24. These awards recognize excellence, innovation, and dedication within our community.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners for their exceptional achievements. Their passion, commitment, and dedication continue to propel our orthopaedic community to new heights.

Service to COA Award – William (Bill) Dust

Congratulations, Dr. William (Bill) Dust, for receiving the Service to COA Award.

This award recognizes his outstanding dedication and commitment to the COA and its mission, core values, and strategic priorities.

For an incredible 20 years, Dr. Dust served as Chair of our Ethics Committee, leaving a lasting impact on our organization. We are deeply grateful for his invaluable contributions.

Changemaker Award – Kishore Mulpuri

The Changemaker Award was awarded to Dr. Kishore Mulpuri, a true visionary who champions innovative and positive change within the local and global orthopaedic community.

Dr. Mulpuri's ability to see opportunities and relentless dedication to turning ideas into reality make him a remarkable recipient of this award.

We applaud his unwavering commitment to improving orthopaedic practices in Canada and around the world.

Emerging Leader Award – Jennifer Leighton

Dr. Jennifer Leighton was recognized with the Emerging Leader Award for her early career leadership and remarkable contributions to the orthopaedic community and the COA.

Since residency, Dr. Leighton has displayed a passion for arthroplasty and has continued to excel in her field throughout the year.

Her impressive accomplishments, including being the first to perform a robotic-assisted knee replacement in Halifax, set her apart as a true leader and role model.

Presidential Award for Excellence – Peter MacDonald

Dr. Laurie Hiemstra proudly presented the Presidential Award for Excellence to Dr. Peter MacDonald for his outstanding achievements in advancing orthopaedic research, education, healthcare organization, leadership, advocacy, and standards of care.

Dr. MacDonald's work within the COA, the University of Manitoba and provincial health authorities, along with his dedication to improving surgical access in Manitoba, exemplifies his commitment to the orthopaedic community.

Presidential Award for Excellence – Peter Fowler

Dr. Hiemstra also recognized the late Dr. Peter Fowler with the Presidential Award for Excellence.

Dr. Fowler's legacy as a pioneering surgeon, mentor, and leader continues to influence countless orthopaedic professionals around the world.

His dedication to patient care and clinical excellence has left an indelible mark on our community.

Remembering Dr. Peter Fowler - Video

Lifetime Achievement Award – Peter O’Brien

Dr. Peter O’Brien was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary contributions to the field of orthopaedics throughout his career.

Dr. O’Brien’s tireless dedication, research, and leadership have had a profound impact on the COA and the profession, and we are deeply grateful for his remarkable achievements.

CORS Founders' Medal



Dr. Matthew Raleigh from the University of Toronto was awarded the CORS Founders' Medal for delivering the best paper at the CORS ‘Top Canadian Research’ paper session.

His research presentation on "Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 vs Platelet-Derived Growth Factor for the Treatment of Non-Unions" showcases his dedication to advancing orthopaedic science and innovation.

Doug Thomson Best Booth Awards

Congratulations to Tactile Orthopaedics and DePuy Synthes for winning the 2023 Doug Thomson Best Exhibit Booth Awards.

These awards recognize the booth's overall appeal, design, interactive attendee experience, and the proactivity and positivity of exhibiting representatives.

We commend both companies for their exceptional displays.