2024 Board Nominees

Nomination Statement –
I am eager to serve as the Fellow Representative on the CanSAGE board because I am deeply passionate about advancing gynecologic surgery in Canada. Throughout my training I have witnessed the transformative impact of innovative surgical techniques on patient outcomes and quality of life. By joining the CanSAGE board, I aim to contribute actively to shaping the future of this field, ensuring that Canadian gynecologic surgeons have access to cutting-edge knowledge, training, and resources.Having completed one year of fellowship, I understand the challenges that fellows and early-career professionals face. I am committed to advocating for fellow education, mentorship, and professional development initiatives within CanSAGE. Throughout my career, I hope to be a strong advocate for fair and equitable reimbursement models that support high-quality care and innovation. Joining the CanSAGE board will enable me to better understand the landscape across Canada and aid me in this pursuit.I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with esteemed colleagues to address the evolving needs of our specialty and ultimately improve patient care. Serving as the Fellow Representative would not only be a privilege but also a responsibility that aligns with my dedication to advancing the field and supporting the next generation of gynecologic surgeons.

Short Bio –
Hello! Originally from Calgary, I completed my undergraduate studies at Western University and medical school in Calgary. I pursued my residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Saskatoon and am currently a MIGS fellow at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. I am passionate about advancing gynecologic surgical care for women in Canada. Outside of the OR, I have a keen interest in healthcare ethics and a slight obsession with managing my dog mom duties.

Nomination Statement –
I am eager to serve as the fellow representative on the CanSAGE board. As MIGS evolves, establishing consistent standards is important for quality education. I hope to provide a fellow’s perspective as CanSAGE develops and refines an educational curriculum. My background in curriculum design and assessment, through the Royal College’s Clinician Educator Program, will help me contribute effectively. My experience on an Educational Advisory Board as a resident has honed my skills in developing remediation strategies for residents in difficulty. I believe we must consider how to best support fellows when educational milestones are not met.

CanSAGE offers a unique opportunity to foster collaboration and break down the silos often seen in fellowship programs. I have greatly benefited from CanSAGE’s academic half days and see potential in creating a shared resource bank that includes teaching presentations, landmark research, and patient education resources, accessible to all fellows. A joint ‘transition to practice’ session by mentors across the country would be additionally valuable. Furthermore, I am interested in developing a standardized case-logging system for nationwide accessibility. As a fellow representative, I will be committed to voicing the needs of fellows to drive meaningful improvements.

Short Bio –
Erica Pascoal is a second-year fellow in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital. She earned her medical degree from the University of Toronto and completed Ob/Gyn residency at McMaster. Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality at Queen’s University, Erica works on engaging patients in surgical decisions through decision aids. Her commitment to surgical education is enhanced by the Royal College’s Clinician Educator Program, where she develops skills in curriculum design, assessment, and simulation. Erica applies these competencies in her role as a surgical teacher and through her research on innovative gynecologic simulation methods.

Nomination Statement –
Towards the end of my first year of practice, I attended the first CSMIGS in Toronto in the spring of 2016. I still vividly remember many of the presentations and debates that took place at the meeting. The congress marked me as I established my practice. And Cansage has continued to inspire me as I progress to through my career. I am passionate about minimally invasive surgery and about the role Cansage plays as the voice of gynecologic surgeons in Canada. I have attended every Cansage conference since its inception, including several participations as a presenter, moderator or abstract reviewer. I have also been a presenter or moderator at various Cansage webinars, as well as fellowship teaching sessions. I have committee and board member experience which began in residency as a member of the SOGC Junior Member Committee and Executive Committee. Since then, I have served on and lead various committees at the hospital level. I am ready to be more formally involved in the Cansage organisation and would be proud to represent gynecologists from La Belle Province as the Quebec representative!

Short Bio –
Kristina Arendas completed medical school and residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ottawa, followed by a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Masters in Health Management at McMaster University. After several years as assistant professor at the University of Ottawa and lead for Quality and Safety in Gynecology at the Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Arendas joined the team at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Laval University in 2021. Her gynecologic practice focuses on complex gynecologic surgery with a special interest in management of endometriosis, fibroids and chronic pelvic pain. 

Nomination Statement –
CanSAGE has always played a major role in my professional life. Having completed my MIGS fellowship training between 2016-2018, I literally grew as a MIGS surgeon, educator and researcher alongside of CanSAGE. I watched this national society bud and bloom into the great organization that it is today. I have had the pleasure of attending each annual clinical meeting, and the honor of presenting most of my research to audiences that have now become like family. CanSAGE has allowed me to partake in fellowship education at a national level, through activities such as the annual Bootcamp, and the development of a standardized teaching curriculum. I have met incredible individuals with whom I would otherwise have never been able to network with. CanSAGE is more than just an organization to me, its a movement filled with inspiring, passionate individuals that strive to improve women’s health and push the limits of what MIGS has to offer. I am so proud to have witnessed it come so far, and want to continue to play a role in its growth. A seat on the executive board as the Quebec representative feels like a natural next step and one I am excited to undertake, should I be so privileged. 

Short Bio –
Jessica Papillon Smith received her Medical degree (2011) and completed her OBGYN Residency(2016) at McGill University. She completed a fellowship in Advanced Gynecologic Surgery at Mount Sinai in Toronto and obtained a Master of Medical Education from Johns Hopkins. In 2018, she started working at the McGill University Health Centre. She dedicated many years providing gynecologic services to the Inuit population of Northern Quebec, and managing the UGME OBGYN course.  She is currently the MIGS Fellowship Program Director at McGill, and has been involved in fellowship education nationally through CanSAGE. She is a member of the SOGC’s GMOC, and also involved in multiple research initiatives locally.

Nomination Statement –
I am passionate about the provision of high-quality gynecologic care and a proud member of the CanSAGE network of MIGS physicians dedicated to advancing gynecologic excellence.  I have been attending CanSAGE every year since its inception and delivered a podium presentation at the inaugural CanSAGE conference in Toronto in 2016.  Since then, I have been a strong advocate for advancement of gynecologic excellence locally and nationally and am building capacity in Manitoba.  Representing Central Canada on the CanSAGE board would be a great opportunity to strengthen ties with CanSAGE further, and build on existing work to increase CanSAGE and MIGS presence in historically under-serviced areas of Canada.

Short Bio –
Devon Evans opened the Section of MIGS and the Saint Boniface Hospital Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis clinic with the University of Manitoba to coordinate care for a historically under-serviced population. He completed his MPH at the Harvard Chan School for Public health and is involved in research collaborations with the team at the Boston Center for Endometriosis, the International Federation of Fertility Societies, and the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies. He is also an active member of the SOGC clinical practice guideline committee and was selected as a World Endometriosis Society Early Career Ambassador in 2023.

Nomination Statement –
I would like to be considered as for the position of Central Canada Rep so that I can take a greater role in the CanSAGE community, help advocate for women with benign & advanced gynecologic conditions, and help grow the CanSAGE community (both amongst MIGS surgeons and general gynecologists). I have experience on the board having previously served as the Fellow Representative from 2018-2019. I also oversee the CanSAGE Video Library and have helped this grow to a website with around 250 videos, and around 1000-2000 visitors per month. Finally, I am an active participant with submissions annually to the CanSAGE annual general meeting. I hope to use this experience to help further build the CanSAGE brand and promote the advancement of gynecologic excellence.

Short Bio –
I am a Clinical Assistant Professor and member of the Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peter Lougheed Centre, University of Calgary.  I completed a fellowship in Advanced Gynecologic Surgery at Mount Sinai & Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, along with a Master of Science in System Leadership & Innovation at the University of Toronto. My clinical work and research revolves around complex benign gynecologic surgery, with a vested interest in advanced hysteroscopy, intrauterine adhesions, fibroids, and endometriosis.

Nomination Statement –
I am interested in being a part of the CanSAGE board to lend my voice, on behalf of the Central Region, to conversations about how to further the impact of CanSAGE nationally and internationally. We have a fantastic knowledge base in our country and many opportunities to advance the field through collaboration across the country. Having trained in both the West and in Toronto, I have a unique perspective to bring to the board that integrates what I know firsthand about the people and environment in Central Canada with what I learned during my fellowship in Ontario. I believe that these experiences, coupled with my academic background, make me a valuable addition to the board. Although I am early in my career, board membership at this stage is invaluable as I aspire to have an ongoing role in the long-term mission and growth of CanSAGE. 

Short Bio –
I am originally from Saskatchewan, where I did my medical school and Ob/Gyn residency. From there, I moved to Toronto to complete my AAGL MIGS fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital. Concurrent with my fellowship, I obtained a Master’s of Public Health from Harvard University. I will be starting practice in Saskatoon in July 2024. I will have a general Ob/Gyn practice with a heavy focus on managing endometriosis and chronic pain. Outside work, I spend nearly all my free time with my young family.