Keep current on all the news, updates and information about the Society

If you have something you would like to post on this page, please contact the CSO office at [email protected] 


 

 

Latest News

 

 

 

 

 

Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

 

78th Annual Meeting

 

 

June 1 – 3, 2024
Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel, MONTREAL, QC

 

 

President
Dr. Hadi Seikaly, Edmonton, AB

Scientific Program Chair
Dr. Yvonne Chan, Toronto, ON

Local Arrangements Chair
Dr. Karen Kost, Montreal, QC

For all the details, including registration, click here.

 


 

 

Upcoming Society Positions for 2024/25

 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS MAY 6, 2024

The following positions are open for nominations –

  • 2nd Vice-President Elect
  • Regional Representatives for Newfoundland, New Brunswick & Ontario
  • Awards Committee
  • Bylaws Committee
  • Global Surgery & Planetary Health (Global Health)

Positions will be decided during the business meeting at the next Annual Business Meeting in Montreal on June 3, 2024.  Interested individuals should send a CV along with a letter explaining why they would be right for the position.  Submissions can be emailed, faxed or mailed to:  Dr. Brian Westerberg, Nominations Committee Chair, c/o CSOHNS, 68 Gilkison Street, ELORA. ON N0B 1S0  Tel: (new) 705-606-6723 Fax: (519) 846-9533  [email protected].


 
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR THE JOURNAL

 

 

 

The Editors-in-Chief, Dr. Brian Rotenberg and Dr. Douglas Chepeha, are please to announce that as of January 1, 2024 the Journal of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery will have a new publisher, Sage Publishing.

Sage Publishing is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and a growing suite of library products and services.  It was founded in 1965 in New York City by Sara Miller McCune and is now based in the Newbury Park neighborhood of Thousand Oaks, California.  For more information about Sage please visit their website at https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/home.

For more information please click here.


 

 

The Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery invites the members of the Canadian Society of Otolarynology-Head and Neck Surgery to become a speaker at ICORL 2024.

For more details, please contact the association at [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming CME Events

 

Please check our overview of upcoming events:

 

All Events

 

To post announcements for upcoming meetings, courses or workshops contact us [email protected] .

Membership

Pay Your 2024 Membership Dues Now

Clicking here.

To pay outstanding dues click above link and scroll to the bottom of the page.

 

Journal of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Highlights

 

IMPORTANT NEW FOR THE JOURNAL

 

 

The Editors-in-Chief, Drs. Brian Rotenberg and Douglas Chepeha, are please to announce that as of January 1st, 2024 the Journal is moving to a new publisher, Sage Publishing.

Sage Publishing is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and a growing suite of library products and services.  It was founded in 1965 in New York City by Sara Miller McCune and is now based in the Newbury Park neighborhood of Thousand Oaks, California.

Driven by the belief that social and behavioral science has the power to improve society, their focus is on publishing impactful research and enabling robust research methodology. They publish more than 1,000 journals and 900 new books globally each year, as well as library services that include archives, data, case studies, and videos. Sage Publishing is majority owned by Sara Miller McCune, and after her lifetime will become owned by a charitable trust that secures the company’s continued independence.

FOR YOUR REFERENCE     The window for article submissions to the current publisher BMC, is closing on Novmeber 17, 2023.  After that time, manuscripts will be recieved through the Sage submission portal.   More details will be available hereafter the November 17th date.


 

IMPACT FACTOR 3.4

 

For detailed information please visit the Journal section on this website.    

 

 

Past Annual Meetings

Past Annual Meetings

To review details from past annual meetings please click here.

 

 

In Memoriam

 

Dr. Derek Birt, 1923—2023

 

 

Derek Birt died on May 31 2023, at the age of 90, peacefully at Briton House after a long, slow decline. Brian Derek Birt was born on March 20, 1933, in Birmingham, England, to Charles and Mona Birt. He never used his first name and was called Derek his entire life. His father was a Surgeon Lieutenant in the Royal Navy (later rising to the rank of Surgeon Captain) and the family moves included two postings to Malta between 1933 and 1937. The family (by now including brother Michael) relocated several times during the war years and managed to survive the heavy enemy blitzes in Birmingham and then later in Plymouth. In due course, Derek attended Epsom College, England, as a boarder before studying medicine at University College London (UCH). He missed one year of studies whilst confined to a sanatorium being treated (successfully) for tuberculosis. Following his qualification as a doctor, he held a number of medical house positions before moving to the Middlesex Hospital, London where he gained a Fellowship in Surgery (FRCS, London) and specialized in otolaryngology. It was while working at the Middlesex that he met his future wife, Anne Deeks, who was also on the medical staff. It was during this time that he learned to sail on a London reservoir. In 1970, Derek accepted the offer of a consultant’s position at the University of Toronto and he moved his family, by then consisting of Anne and Derek, their two children, and the cat, to Canada. They bought a house three days after arriving and lived there for the next 46 years. He joined the Department of Otolaryngology at Sunnybrook Hospital (as it was then) and also worked at the Princess Margaret Hospital, later transferring to the Toronto Regional Cancer Centre when it opened on the Sunnybrook campus. During his career, he held multiple prestigious positions in his field. These included being president of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, and director of the residency program in Otolaryngology at the University of Toronto. He helped create and enjoyed working in an innovative multidisciplinary mouth clinic, and was a superb and much liked clinical teacher. Despite his very busy professional career, he had many hobbies, including building up a collection of antique barometers. In his second summer in Toronto, he bought a boat and joined the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. He sailed every year since, until ill health prevented him from travelling to the island. He was most successful in his third boat, Myringa, once winning the Lake Ontario Racing Council season’s championship. As his career began to wind down, he started to play golf. He joined Cedarbrae and enjoyed playing with friends, including celebrating the time he achieved a hole-in-one. In the winter, he and Anne were regulars at both the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Opera Society, and listened to the opera broadcast from the Met in New York every week. He was predeceased by Anne, after sixty-two years of marriage; and he leaves his two children, Catherine and Peter; his beloved granddaughter, Emily; as well as his younger siblings, Michael, David and Gillian.

 

 


 

 

 

 

Dr. William Novick, 1923—2023

 

 

The McGill University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery would like to pay tribute to Dr. William Novick (1923-2023) for his 60 years of contributions to the Department as a teacher, a leader, a veteran, and a hero.

Dr. Novick first joined the attending staff of the Royal Victoria Hospital in February 1960. “Throughout his outstanding medical career, Bill was acknowledged for his ability to mentor and teach students right up until his last resident clinic day with us on March 17, 2020,” says Dr. Saul Frenkiel, former Chair of the Department. His academic accolades included a teacher of the year award, presidency  of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in 1977, and most poignant to us, our department’s annual William H. Novick CanMeds Resident Award named in his honour.

Dr. Novick has influenced the careers of generations of otolaryngologists trained in our department. “His special giving and never ending counsel greatly influenced my career. A mentor comes into your life and fundamentally changes the direction of your path. This definitely occurred for me under his guidance and influence.” says Dr. Melvin Schloss, former Chair of our Department. He was one of my heroes on so many levels.” says Dr. Martin Black.

Other testimonials from members of our Department include:  “His dedication to lifelong learning and athletics, his professionalism and genuine devotion to his patients, are a source of inspiration to all of us.”; “One of the most inspiring individuals I have ever known. Loved by his patients, respected by his colleagues, and revered by his students.”; “I have never met anyone with his strength of character.”; “A great mentor, and a friend.”; “I don’t know anyone who had so many past accomplishments – and yet had remained kind to all and modest.”; “A true gentleman.”; “A revered role model.”

Dr. Novick was a Canadian hero. From 1941-1945 he served as a bomber pilot in the 433 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service to our country during World War II. He was a decorated and revered veteran and an invited member of the Canadian delegation for the annual anniversary of D-Day celebrations held in Normandy, France.

He was a devoted and cherished colleague to many. Dedicated, learned, patient and kind, he made a difference in the lives of countless people, his patients and his colleagues. Dr. Novick will always hold a special place in our hearts and minds, forever a role model and mentor – an example to live up to, an inspiration to all who knew him.

We express our sincere condolences to Vita and the entire Novick family.

Rest in peace, dear friend.  You will be missed.

Dr. Nader Sadeghi

Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

 


 

 

 

 

Dr. John Paul Moxham, 1969—2023

 

 

It is with profound sadness that the family of Dr. John Paul Moxham, MD, FRCSC, announces that Paul died on January 13, 2023 at the age of 54 after living with brain cancer for nearly 16 months. Paul is survived by his wife of 29 years and best friend, Elizabeth (Liz) Moxham, their two beautiful daughters, Lindy and Mallory; parents, Ken and Bette Moxham; brothers Matt (wife Jen Moxham, and children Colton, Grayson and Aleya) and Chris (wife Lisa Gokstorp, and children Andrew and Linnea); Liz’s parents, Earl and Penny Giebelhaus; Liz’s siblings, Ian Giebelhaus (wife Babette Baskerville, and children Mitchell and Marni) and Frances Grant (husband, Jason Grant); and a robust group of friends he considered extended family.  READ MORE

 


 

 

 

Dr. Dory Durr, 1958—2023

 

In Montreal, on February 10, 2023, at the age of 65, Dr. Dory Durr passed away peacefully.

He is survived by his mother Jeannette Haddad, widow of George Durr, his father, his wife Jocelyne Lahoud and his children, Joanne and Georges (Daphnée), his granddaughter, Florence, his brother Roy (Salpy) and the family of his sister late Helena (Nabil) as well as several nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. Dory radiated his core beliefs and values: kindness, acceptance, humility and compassion. Dory was an exceptional family man, devoted husband and human physician.

A very special thank you to his friend Ahmad who accompanied him until his last moments. The family would also like to thank the CLSC Parc Extension palliative care team and the Nova home care team for the good care provided.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in his memory to the Nova home care organization.  https://www.novasoinsadomicile.ca/fr/waystogive

 


 

Dr. Bernard Stanley Jackson, 1948—2022

 

Dr. Jackson died on December 25, 2022, in Hamilton, Ont., at age 74. Dr. Jackson was certified by the Royal College in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in 1979. He volunteered for several years with the Royal College and he received his medical degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1972. Dr. Jackson is remembered as a brilliant surgeon and a caring physician. Read more about Dr. Jackson.

 


 

 

 

Dr. Warren Keith Yunker, 1976—2022

 

Dear members of the CSO-HNS,

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Warren Yunker on November 27th, 2022.

Warren was incredibly valued, highly skilled, empathetic, and kind pediatric otolaryngologist.  The entire Calgary Division of Otolaryngology mourns his loss and shares grief with his wife, Dr. Rebecca Sparkes and their two sons.  We also extend our condolences to the members of the CSO-HNS;  many of you had the good fortune of spending time with Warren—this loss will reverberate nationwide.

Warren attended medical school at the University of Alberta where he also completed a PhD in cell biology and physiology.  He went on to complete an otolaryngology residency at the University of Calgary before pursuing pediatric subspecialty training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.  He joined the Department of Surgery and the Alberta Children’s Hospital in 2011.

Until recently, he was the director of the otolaryngology residency program, supervising research students and contributing to continuing medical education events. He was also recognized internationally for his research contributions through an invitation to join the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngologists. Warren was the site lead for pediatric otolaryngology at the Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH) and served as president of the Medical Staff Association at the ACH. His valuable contributions were honoured earlier this month when he received the 2022 Distinguished Service Award for the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Those close to him were aware that Warren had been living with a progressive neurological disease that ended his surgical and medical career. He faced this diagnosis with strength and perseverance, but the toll the disease took on his physical and mental health was ultimately overwhelming. Despite incredible support from his family and colleagues, Warren took his own life.

Warren was highly respected by his colleagues. He was a passionate advocate for patients and their access to excellent surgical care. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His family has expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support. His legacy will live on in his two sons who have inherited his best attributes.

Please take some time to reflect on Warren’s life and the impact he had on the lives of those he touched. He represented the very best of all of us. His full obituary can be found here: https://mhfh.com/tribute/details/38517/Dr-Warren-Yunker/obituary.html#content-start. Instructions on how to make a donation in Warren’s honour can also be found on this site.

With warmest regards,

Shamir Chandarana

on behalf of the division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

 


 

 

Dr. Robert Victor Ogilvie, 1938 – 2022

 

Dr. Ogilvie died on October 11, 2022, in Thornhill, Ont., at age 84. Dr. Ogilvie was certified by the Royal College in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in 1970. Raised in Grenada and the first Caribbean Rhodes Scholar, his medical education later included schools such as Oxford University. He was chief of surgery at the York-Finch/Humber Hospital in West Toronto and practised medicine in the Toronto area for many years. Read more about Dr. Ogilvie.

 


 

 

Dr. Roland Buehrle, 1944 – 2022

It is with great regret that we inform you of the passing of Dr. Roland Buehrie on May 5, 2022 in Waterloo, On at the age of 78.  He was certified by the Royal College in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in 1974. Dr. Buehrle obtained his medical degree at the University of Toronto in 1969. He will be remembered as a well-respected doctor and a wonderful employer and colleague.  He will be missed by his family and friends.

 


 

 

Dr. David R. Goldfarb 1960 – 2021

It is with great regret that we inform you of the passing of Dr. David R. Goldfarb, peacefully at home on June 25, 2021, at the age of 61.

David graduated from medical school in 1985 and completed residency in otolaryngology – head & neck surgery at the University of Toronto in 1991.  Shortly after completing his residency, he served as Chief of Otolaryngology at Doctors Hospital from 1994 to 1998.  He joined the medical staff at North York General Hospital in 1999 and served as Chief of Otolaryngology for 10 years.  During this time, David was very involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. He was a valued member of our community academic faculty. In recognition of his standing in our department, he was recently presented with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, for exceptional commitment and dedication to the practice and teaching of otolaryngology and for professional ethical standards of the highest order.

David’s passions outside of medicine included a love of acting and theatre. He was well known in the local theatre circles for his bravado and falsetto on stage.  He will be forever remembered by his patients, colleagues and friends for his kindness, sense of humor and passion for life.

David is survived by his wife Dr. Cindy Goldfarb and their four children, Robbie (Nikki), Jonathan (Leslie), Rachel and Laura.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. David, rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Everton A. Gooden, MD, FRCSC                                 Ian J. Witterick MD, MSc, FRCSC
Division Head, Otolaryngology-HNS                            Professor and Chair
North York General Hospital                                         Department of Otolaryngology–HNS
Assistant Professor, TFoM, University of Toronto     TFoM, University of Toronto


 

 

Dr. Simon J. McGrail 1931 – 2021                                                             

Simon was a University of Toronto faculty member at Wellesley Hospital for years and will be remembered by a generation of residents as a gentleman, raconteur and a person of many talents and interests. He was born in Yorkshire England and practiced in England, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Monserrat, Michigan, small towns of Northern Ontario, Toronto and most recently Nova Scotia. His eclectic career included otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, but he had many other “careers” in his journey including soccer, tennis and race car driving. He had a variety of interests in our specialty including head & neck oncology and care of the professional voice. All who worked with him I am sure have a fond “Simon McGrail” story.

https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/obituaries/dr-simon-j-mcgrail-56169/


 

 

Dr. T. David R. Briant, Toronto, ON 1930 2021

It is with sadness that I let you know that Dr. David Briant, age 90, died after a lengthy illness.

Dr. Briant was a “surgeon’s surgeon” with vast experience in head & neck oncologic, endocrine, sinonasal, skull base and reconstructive procedures. He helped pioneer many approaches and techniques that we use today.

Dr. Briant graduated from the University of Toronto’s medical school and then did postgraduate training in otolaryngology – head & neck surgery (OHNS). He practiced at several Toronto hospitals before becoming Chief of OHNS at St. Michael’s Hospital in 1972. He was a full professor at the University of Toronto and held senior leadership roles in our department, St. Michael’s Hospital, international head & neck societies and the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery where he was President in 1985.

Dr. Briant will be fondly remembered as a brilliant mentor, skilled surgeon and a wonderful colleague.

 

Past Notices & Information

 

 

Bethune Round Table 2022

Decolonizing Global Surgery

This event will be held in June 2022 in Vancouver.   It is an annual interdisciplinary meeting aimed at addressing the challenges of providing accessible, high-quality surgical care to marginalized patients in low-resource settings.  By bringing health professionals across a variety of disciplines together, we are able to share strategies and create solutions for improving surgical care to these under-serviced regions.

Questions and inquires can be directed to [email protected] .

 


 

 

Choosing Wisely Canada – Pediatric Otolaryngology

NEW:  Nine Things Clinicians & Patients Should Question in PEDIATRIC Otolaryngology     English PDF     En français PDF

 

 

For more information regarding otolaryngology visit http://choosingwiselycanada.org/otolaryngology/

For general information visit https://choosingwiselycanada.org

 

 


 

 

 

World Health Organization
World Report on Hearing

 

The World Report on Hearing envisions a world in which no individual experiences hearing loss due to preventable causes, and those with hearing loss can achieve their full potential through rehabilitation, education and empowerment.”

 

WHR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

WHR GLOBAL INFOGRAPHIC

 


Application Process for ABOHNS Eligibility

Please find attached a slightly revised ABOHNS policy regarding Canadian applicants to the ABOHNS examination. The changes clarify the requirement for applicants to be compliant with the Royal College MOCOMP program.    PDF Document


 

 

What is Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery?

Dear Colleagues,

The name of our specialty is challenging to repeat and the breadth of our practice is underestimated. We’ve created a patient education video entitled “What is Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery” – a short, light-hearted animated video that captures the multi-faceted nature of our specialty. We are hoping to showcase this to patients, medical students, family, friends and anyone else who may not truly understand what we do every day.

Feel free to share this on your respective websites, social media or beyond. Please feel free to contact us if you have any feedback!

Thank you to the Harry Barberian Scholarship Fund for supporting this project.

Drs. Josie Xu, Neil Arnstead and Justin Cottrell,
University of Toronto Resident Physicians

Video linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKT6GMFWrKM

Members Only

Pay Your Dues Job Board Continuing Professional Development Journal of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery LearnENT/UGM App
Council & Committees Canadian Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Choosing Wisely Canada Join the Society

Upcoming Events: