About CanSAGE
Our society seeks to be the place to find answers and to improve MIS skills, whether one is a novice or an expert.
Introduction to CanSAGE
CanSAGE currently has over 300 members including residents, fellows and gynecologists with a range of expertise in minimally invasive gynecology. CanSAGE is also taking a leadership role in the design of the objectives and curriculum offered in the 14 MIS fellowships currently available in Canada.
![CanSAGE-Home2022-Squares-Red square texture](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CanSAGE-Home2022-Squares-Red.png)
![CanSAGE-About2022-Sec01-Short Two surgeons](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CanSAGE-About2022-Sec01-Short.jpg)
![CanSAGE-About2022-Sec01-Long Doctors in the hall of hospital](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CanSAGE-About2022-Sec01-Long.jpg)
![CanSAGE-About2022-Sec01-Landscape CanSAGE Team](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CanSAGE-About2022-Sec01-Landscape.jpg)
![CanSAGE-Home2022-Squares-Red square texture](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CanSAGE-Home2022-Squares-Red.png)
Our Story
In 2015, a group of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic surgeons from across Canada shared a vision to form the first national society to support education and research in the field of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. To introduce that vision, the society’s first national meeting, the “Canadian Symposium on Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery” was held in Toronto in April 2016. This inaugural meeting was the first of its kind in Canada, allowing Canadian MIG surgeons to learn, network and present their research at a dedicated MIG national meeting.
The Canadian Society for the Advancement of Gynecologic Excellence (CanSAGE) was officially incorporated in 2017, and since then it has continued to grow and increase its influence as the expert voice of advanced and minimally invasive gynecology in Canada.
In addition to the annual clinical meeting which continues to grow and exceed expectations, we now offer a host of educational events and webinars engaging our members on topical issues with both national and international speakers. CanSAGE provides support for Fellowship programs across the country with a centralized match, and curriculum-based training for future MIGS leaders. The fellows are exposed to regular Journal Clubs and teaching sessions in addition to Virtual and In-Person Boot Camps for comprehensive learning.
The CanSAGE Video Library is an excellent educational resource and includes a collection of outstanding member videos highlighting the spectrum of surgical foundations and techniques. The CanSAGE Foundation will soon be incorporated to support research and educational endeavours by members for years to come.
CanSAGE is excited about expanding our reach to all gynecologic surgeons across Canada as we become the national home for MIS expertise. We are collaborating with other national and international societies to foster education, research and collegiality among Minimally Invasive Gynecology and pelvic pain specialists everywhere.
Our Values
![CanSAGE-Home2022-Icons-02 Remote Training Icon](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CanSAGE-Home2022-Icons-02.png)
Expertise
CanSAGE offers a source for education, scholarship, collegiality and technical expertise in Minimally Invasive Gynecology across Canada.
![-_can-sage-web-icons-fellowship-guidance-mentorship People Icons](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/can-sage-web-icons-fellowship-guidance-mentorship.png)
Leadership
CanSAGE is actively involved in designing the objectives and curriculum offered in Canada’s current MIGS fellowships.
Our Mission Statement
The mission of the Canadian Society for the Advancement of Gynecologic Excellence is to promote and maintain high standards of excellence in the diagnosis and management of complex gynecologic conditions. The society is committed to ensuring quality education, providing a national forum to promote clinical and basic research, and promoting improved ways to deliver quality patient care.
CanSAGE Executive
![Kroft_Jamie Dr. Jamie Kroft](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Kroft_Jamie.png)
President
![Kives_Sari Dr. Sari Kives](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Kives_Sari.png)
Vice-President
Dr. Sari Kives
Toronto, ON
![Bougie_Olga Olga Bougie](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bougie_Olga.png)
Secretary
Dr. Olga Bougie
Kingston, ON
![nensi-board Olga Bougie](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/nensi-board.jpg)
Treasurer
Dr. Alysha Nensi
Toronto, ON
![lisa-lipowski Lisa Lipowski](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lisa-lipowski.jpg)
Executive Director
Lisa Lipowski, BSc, CMP, DES
Montreal, QC
![Belland_Liane Dr. Lian Belland](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Belland_Liane.png)
Past-President
Dr. Liane Belland
Calgary, AB
Board Members
![topping-board Tina Ngan](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/topping-board.jpg)
Member at Large
Dr. Chelsey Topping
Lethbridge, AB
![rattray-MAL Tina Ngan](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/rattray-MAL.jpg)
Member at Large
Dr. Darrien Rattray
Regina, SK
![neveu-atlantic Tina Ngan](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/neveu-atlantic.jpg)
Atlantic
Dr. Joannie Neveu
St. John’s, NL
![uretsky-central Tina Ngan](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/uretsky-central.jpg)
Central
Dr. Aubrey Uretsky
Edmonton, AB
![mansour-qc Eliane Shore](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/mansour-qc.jpg)
Quebec
Dr. Fady W. Mansour
Montreal, QC
![buitenhuis-board Eliane Shore](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/buitenhuis-board.jpg)
Ontario
Dr. Deanna Buitenhuis
Thunder Bay, ON
![mohtashami-bc Eliane Shore](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/mohtashami-bc.jpg)
British Columbia
Dr. Fariba Mohtashami
Vancouver, BC
![andrew-fellow Meghan Oleary](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/andrew-fellow.jpg)
Fellow Representative
Dr. Lauren Andrew
Calgary, AB
![oleary-meghan Meghan Oleary](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/oleary-meghan.jpg)
Social Media & Membership Representative
Dr. Meghan O’Leary
Hamilton, ON
Our Foundation
![Thiel_John Dr. John Thiel](https://cansage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Thiel_John.png)
Chair and Director
Dr. John Thiel
Regina, SK