Academic Council

Following the integration of Association of Academic Professionals in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (APOG) and the SOGC in January 2018, the Academic Council was created to support the strategic direction and educational and research goals of the SOGC, while incorporating the mission and mandate of APOG. The Academic Council will evolve into a national voice for women’s health research with a focus on lifelong education from the undergraduate level through to retirement. This council reports to the SOGC Board of Directors.

Upcoming Events

2024 Annual and Clinical Scientific Conference (ACSC)

The SOGC is looking forward to welcoming you to an in-person program (with a virtual option) for the 2024 Annual and Clinical Scientific Conference in vibrant Edmonton, Alberta! The ACSC is the premier continuing medical education event in Canada for obstetrics and gynaecology, bringing together the largest gathering of health care professionals working in the field of women’s health. Our Education & Innovation Committee has been working hard on afternoon of Academic Sessions, which will be held on Thursday, June 13th as part of the conference. You can view the full program day-by-day here.

Medical Student Program

The next medical student program will be held in-person at ACSC from June 11-13th in Edmonton, Alberta! This program is designed to benefit medical students by exposing them to hands-on workshops and seminars that enhance their awareness and understanding of the profession of obstetrics and gynaecology. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about hot topics, ‘a day in the life’ of an obstetrician gynaecologist, to present a scientific or artistic poster, and to build networks and relationships.

To Participate in the 2024 In-Person Medical Student Program:

  • You are required to be an active student member of the SOGC. If you are not currently a member, please click here to apply.
  • You must register for the Annual Clinical and Scientific Conference; you will have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the full conference in addition to the sessions specific to the Medical Student Program. Please click here to register for the ACSC and be sure to select ‘Medical Student Program’ as your registration option.

OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:

  • Space is limited to 40 participants; a waitlist will be generated once registration is full.
  • The SOGC is in the process of securing low-cost accommodations for medical students in partnership with the University of Alberta. More updates to come.
  • Participants are required to present a scientific or artistic poster at the ACSC’s poster session with prizes for the top poster in each category.

Awards

The Excellence in Research Award

The Excellence in Research Award recognizes outstanding scientific leadership, research mentoring, creative effort and major research accomplishments of a Canadian researcher (or research group). The recipient of this award is invited to present at the SOGC Annual Clinical and Scientific Conference.

2024 Winner: Dr. Sarah McDonald

We are pleased to share that the 2024 recipient for the Excellence in Research Award is Dr. Sarah McDonald. Dr. McDonald is a distinguished clinician-scientist and professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at McMaster University, holding the prestigious position of Canada Research Chair in Maternal and Child Obesity Prevention and Intervention at McMaster University, Center for Health Economics & Policy Analysis (CHEPA). Her groundbreaking research focuses on the prevention of preterm birth and its subsequent effects on infants, women, and families, positioning her as a leader in maternal-fetal medicine. Dr. McDonald's contributions have shaped national guidelines from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS). Notably, she leads the Canadian Preterm Birth Network, supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and is currently spearheading the Single Dose of Antenatal Corticosteroids (SNACS) Randomized Control Trial for Pregnancies at Risk of Preterm Delivery.

The Mentorship Award

The Mentorship Award recognizes an SOGC member who demonstrates outstanding commitment to mentoring at a national level, contributing to both the personal and professional development of others. This award is presented at the SOGC Annual Clinical and Scientific Conference.

2024 Winner: Dr. Olga Bougie

We are pleased to share that the 2024 recipient for the Mentorship Award is Dr. Olga Bougie. Dr. Bougie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Queen's University, specializing in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery. Dr. Bougie has an impressive educational background, including a fellowship at the University of Ottawa and a Master’s in Public Health from Harvard University. Dr. Bougie’s commitment to education is underscored by her role in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and her former position at the School of Public Health at Queen’s University. Dr. Bougie has a robust research portfolio, focusing on the intersection of endometriosis with cardiovascular disease and innovative non-surgical diagnosis of endometriosis. She has received numerous research grants, such as from the Canadian Society for Advancement of Gynecologic Excellence and the Society of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders. Her works on the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among gynecologic surgeons and the ergonomic risks in surgical environments underscore her pioneering approach to medical research.

Best of the Best

The Best of the Best session is a means to showcase the winners of each university’s resident research day. The best presentations in this program will receive the Andrée Gruslin (obstetrics) and Robert Reid (gynaecology) awards.

2023 Winner:

Andrée Gruslin: Dr. Zachary Ferraro, University of Toronto: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for non-male factor infertility is associated with poor maternal-fetal outcomes.

Carl Nimrod Educator Award

The Carl Nimrod Educator Awards honors outstanding achievement within the field of education in obstetrics and gynaecology. Award recipients have varying interests but are alike in their passion for their work and dedication to making a difference whether through teaching practices, mentorship, or research.