A Landmark Moment for Canadian Otolaryngology

This past weekend, Dr. Sam Daniel presided over a truly historic meeting of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, held in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The annual conference reached new heights, bringing together a record number of delegates and showcasing an extraordinary spirit of international collegiality. There were over 500 delegates.

A highlight of the event was the remarkable participation of delegates from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), including its CEO, Dr. Rahul Shah, as well as numerous prominent leaders from the United States. In a powerful display of transatlantic collaboration, a distinguished delegation from the French Society of Otolaryngology—led by Dr. Vincent Couloigner (pictured with Dr. Daniel)—also took part in the proceedings.

The conference theme—mentorship, coaching, and connection—was brought to life through dynamic programming, including the launch of a national coaching initiative spearheaded by Dr. Daniel, aimed at empowering the next generation of surgical leaders:

“A national coaching initiative empowers the participants, enhances well-being and resilience, and ultimately leads to safer, more compassionate, and more effective care for patients,” Dr. Daniel says.

In a proud moment for the McGill and MUHC communities, Dr. Karen Kost was honoured with the Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award, a richly deserved recognition of her outstanding contributions. Meanwhile, Dr. Catherine Roy, a resident at McGill University, won the Resident Research Competition, underscoring the exceptional strength of otolaryngology research within our academic institutions.