Surgeons' Day Research Symposium

20 June 2025 | 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Arthur Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Knowledge Exchange Centre

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43 Years of Showcasing Surgical Research and Innovation

Join us on June 20, 2025, for a full day of research, innovation, and inspiring ideas.

This year’s program features the McPhedran Lecture by Dr. Will Eward, the McMurtry Lecture by Dr. Wayne Matthews, faculty presentations, resident rapid-fire talks, the resident research showcase, and the popular Sharpest Knife Competition.

Date: June 20, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Location: Arthur Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Knowledge Exchange Centre

The Surgeon's Day Research Symposium is an annual event established in 1983. Originally founded to highlight the research activities of residents, it has since evolved and showcases both resident and faculty research.

Dr. Will Eward
Associate Professor
Duke University

As an orthopedic oncologist, I treat cancers of the bone and muscle, though my background is quite different from most doctors. I started as a veterinarian and became interested in cancer because so many dogs develop cancer. So, I went to medical school to learn how to treat and beat some of these types of cancer. I’m still a veterinarian, and this is a big part of what we do at Duke.

Many cancers of the bone and muscles, called sarcomas, are rare in people but common in dogs, and continuing to treat dogs helps us gain a deeper understanding of how these cancers work. With my patients, I try to find out what the cancer has taken from them and learn their goals for getting back in control. For some, their goal is to beat the cancer no matter what. For others, the goal is to keep walking, be able to walk again, or be in less pain. We then try to tailor our approach to the patient. People assume being a surgical oncologist is a terrible job, but I see it differently. There’s a unique strength that comes with facing cancer, and I find something to admire in each patient.

Learn more about Dr. Norman McPhedran who inspired our annual McPhedran Lecture.

Dr. Wayne Matthews
Associate Professor
University of Calgary

Dr. Wayne Matthews is an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon (FRCS, University of Ottawa) with advanced training in head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgery from the University of Toronto. After 12 years in practice at Western University, Dr. Matthews moved to the University of Calgary and has been an Associate Professor since 2003.

Since joining the University of Calgary, Dr. Matthews has taken on numerous leadership roles. He established the university’s otolaryngology-head and neck surgery resident training program and served as the section chief of otolaryngology from 2008 to 2018. He was vice-chair (2008-2014) and chair (2014-2021) of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons otolaryngology-head and neck surgery specialty committee. From 2021 to 2023, Dr. Matthews served as president of the Alberta Medical Association’s section of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. He is currently the executive director of the Ohlson Research Initiative. Dr. Matthews holds cross-appointments in the Department of Surgery and the Department of Oncology.

Learn more about Dr. Robert McMurtry who inspired our annual McMurtry Lecture