2022 – 2023 Fellows
Adel Alahaidib
I was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I completed my undergraduate medical education at King Saud University followed by postgraduate training in orthopedic surgery at King Khaled University Hospital.
After completing the residency, I had specialized training in sports medicine and arthroscopy during KSU fellowship program.
For the next 18 months, I worked as a full-time sports medicine surgeon with interest in advanced shoulder and knee surgeries. During my practice, I published multiple researches and case reports in the field of sports medicine.
In 2022, I joined UTOSM to expand my skills in joint preservation, cartilage restoration and soft tissue reconstructions.
Upon completion of my fellowship year, I will return to Saudi Arabia to continue my practice with interest in sports injuries and advanced arthroscopic soft tissue reconstruction.
Fahad Al Hulaibi
Dr. Al Hulaibi was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, where he earned his medical degree at King Faisal University. Then he joined the Orthopedic Residency program in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. During his residency, he showed special interest in Sports Medicine as well as Trauma Surgery, as he worked and assisted well-known surgeons in this field. He attended dozen of conferences, published papers, and organized workshops and multiple courses for residents. Also, he was a visitor resident in Sunnybrook hospital - Toronto end of 2017.
After finishing his residency in 2019, he joined Dammam Medical Complex - Saudi Arabia as a senior registrar. In 2021, He started his fellowship at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Al Hulaibi has a major interest in knee reconstruction, multi-ligaments knees injuries, osteotomy/realignment and cartilage restoration, as well as ankle and shoulder arthroscopy. He had built clinical and surgical skills through years of training and learning. He will go back to Saudi Arabia after finishing his fellowships to serve his country as a sports surgeon.
Marina Diament
Marina grew up on the west coast of Scotland. She studied Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 2011. She then completed Orthopaedic training in the North East of England to become a fellow of the College of Surgeons in 2020.
Marina then undertook a trauma Fellowship in Bristol, particularly focused on open fracture management and ortho plastic reconstruction of lower limb injuries. She then spent 6 weeks in Haifa, Israel on an observational fellowship.
She has joined the UTOSM team for 12 months and is eager to further expand her skills in joint preservation and sporting knee injuries. She has special interests in a full range of knee reconstruction and preservation surgery, and multi-ligament knee injuries.
Away from work, Marina enjoys skiing, running and music, and looks forward to exploring the beautiful parks and lakes in Canada.
Stefano Ghirardelli
Stefano grew up in Marone, Italy. He graduated from the Medical University of Brescia, and completed his residency program at the University of Milano. During this time he spent nearly a year at Stanford University focusing his attention to adult reconstruction. Following residency for the next 20 months Stefano worked as a full-time Consultant Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeon in Milano and later moved to Bressanone Hospital, a busy center in the heart of the Dolomites mountain range. Stefano has been a sportsman throughout his entire life. He started with rugby at a young age and then shifted to mountain sports: climbing, mountaineering, skiing. His love for endurance sports led him to take up cycling, cross-country skiing, and running on a daily basis. It is therefore natural to have an interest in sports related injuries, whether acute or chronic.
Dr Ghirardelli has joined the UTOSM team for 12 months and is eager to further gain skills in lower limb joint preservation and ligament reconstruction surgery. Stefano has a special interest in hip and knee whether it is sports or replacement surgery. Upon completion of this fellowship, Stefano will move to London, ON, where he will join the Schulich School of Medicine for a 1 year fellowship in Adult Reconstruction.
Away from his job, Stefano is looking forward to fully embrace the Canadian life style for these 2 years!
Valerie Lemieux
Dr. Valérie Lemieux was born in Middleton, Nova Scotia into a French-Canadian military family and had the privilege of growing up in multiple provinces as well as abroad. She received the Faculty of Science President’s Scholarship from the University of Ottawa where she completed her Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. She subsequently attended the University of Toronto to pursue her medical studies and Orthopaedic Surgery residency. She qualified as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada in 2022. She obtained her Master of Science from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation in System Leadership and Innovation. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at several national and international meetings.
Outside of the operating room, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her family. Her infant daughter has already hiked, cycled, camped, and she is looking forward to her first paddling trip.
She is excited to continue her training through the University of Toronto’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship program to further develop her skills in complex shoulder and knee arthroscopy surgery and traumatic injury management. She hopes to provide high-quality comprehensive care to a growing community.
Oren Zarnett
Oren Zarnett was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. After completing his undergraduate degree in biochemistry at the University of Western Ontario, he attended medical school at the University of Toronto. He then moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, where he spent 5 years completing his orthopaedic surgery residency. Following residency, Oren spent a year doing a hand and upper limb fellowship at the Roth| McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre in London, Ontario.
His clinical interests include shoulder, elbow, and knee arthroscopy, upper limb joint reconstruction, joint preservation, and sports injuries. Oren is excited to be a part of the UTOSM fellowship and looks to further build on his arthroscopic skills and expertise in the treatment of sports injuries.
2021 – 2022 Fellows
Fahad Al Hulaibi
Dr. Al Hulaibi was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, where he earned his medical degree at King Faisal University. Then he joined the Orthopedic Residency program in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. During his residency, he showed special interest in Sports Medicine as well as Trauma Surgery, as he worked and assisted well-known surgeons in this field. He attended dozen of conferences, published papers, and organized workshops and multiple courses for residents. Also, he was a visitor resident in Sunnybrook hospital - Toronto end of 2017.
After finishing his residency in 2019, he joined Dammam Medical Complex - Saudi Arabia as a senior registrar. In 2021, He started his fellowship at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Al Hulaibi has a major interest in knee reconstruction, multi-ligaments knees injuries, osteotomy/realignment and cartilage restoration, as well as ankle and shoulder arthroscopy. He had built clinical and surgical skills through years of training and learning. He will go back to Saudi Arabia after finishing his fellowships to serve his country as a sports surgeon.
Adrian Falko Dahm
Falko grew up in Bonn, Germany. He graduated from the Medical University of Vienna, Austria and completed his residency at the shared residency program of the Trauma Center Vienna and the Orthopedic Hospital Speising, Vienna.
Having gone through a couple of sports injuries himself, Falko is happy to be in contact with sports injuries from a different perspective now. After a fantastic first year at the UTOSM Fellowship, he gratefully accepted the opportunity to stay on for another year. Surgically he will be focusing especially on advancing his proficiency in arthroscopic hip, knee and shoulder surgery. His research will continue in the field of hip and knee injuries.
Todd Mason
Dr Todd Mason studied Medicine at the University of Tasmania, graduating with First Class Honours in 2009. He then completed his Orthopaedic training in Victoria, Australia to become a Fellow of the Australasian College of Surgeons in 2018.
For the next 18 months Todd worked as a full-time Consultant Trauma Surgeon at the Austin Hospital, one of Melbourne’s busy metropolitan hospitals.
He then moved to the UK for further subspecialty training, and has completed the Avon Orthopaedic Centre Knee Fellowship in Bristol. Following this, Todd undertook the Edinburgh Arthroplasty Fellowship, focusing on both primary and revision hip and knee joint replacements.
Dr Mason has joined the UTOSM team for 12 months and is eager to further expand his skills in joint preservation and reconstruction surgery.
Todd holds special interests in knee reconstruction and preservation surgery, revision arthroplasty and enhanced recovery pathways.
Away from work, Todd enjoys spending time with his wife and young son and looks forward to exploring Canada’s natural beauty.
Evangelos Tourvas
I was born and raised in Greece. I went to university and medical school at The University of Crete, which is the largest island of Greece. I am married and have two children.
I was a track and field athlete and I endured many injuries and this was one of the reasons I decided to pursue this field.
In 2015, I completed my residency in orthopaedics and traumatology in University Hospital of Heraklion Crete. Since 2017 I am a staff member of University Hospital.
All the knowledge and experience I gain doing the fellowship I hope to bring it back and use it in my workplace in Greece.
Ian Whatley
Ian grew up in the small town of Lakefield, Ontario. After attending the University of Guelph for an undergraduate degree he has spent the last few years in Toronto. Here he completed his medical school, orthopaedic surgery residency and a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma and upper extremity surgery. His goal is to one day return to his rural roots and set up a community based practice focused on trauma care and arthroscopy.
Bandar Ahmed
Dr. Bandar Al Abra grew up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He completed his medical school training at King Saud University followed by postgraduate training in Orthopedic Surgery Residency program in Riyadh. Following residency, he has travelled to Canada to pursue his postgraduate training with Fellowship in Lower Extremity Reconstruction and Arthroplasty at the University of Toronto 2020, followed by University of Toronto Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (UTOSM) Fellowship in 2021 and provides team coverage for NBA Raptors 905 Team.
His clinical areas of interest include knee and shoulder arthroscopy, joint preservation, osteotomy/realignment, cartilage restoration and lower extremity joint reconstruction.
In August 2022 Bandar will return to his country upon completion of his fellowship year with UTOSM, he will be joining King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital as an Academic Surgeon.
2020 – 2021 Fellows
Mark Cairns
Mark was born in Toronto, and grew up near Lindsay, Ontario. He played hockey in the OHL, winning an OHL Championship with the Oshawa Generals. Mark then earned an undergraduate degree from Acadia University while playing varsity hockey for the Axemen. After graduating from Acadia he spent 3 seasons playing minor league hockey in the United States, finishing his career in South Carolina, where he met his wife Lindsay. Following his hockey career, he returned to school and obtained an MS in exercise science from the University of South Carolina. After working for a local orthopaedic surgeon for 2 years he returned to the University of South Carolina for medical school. He subsequently completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC.
Mark has returned to Toronto with Lindsay and their 3 children: Mason (9), Madison (7) and Liam (3). He is excited to be close to family and to share the Canadian experience with his family, especially Toronto sports. Outside of the hospital, he remains busy with his family, coaching and supporting his kid’s playing hockey, baseball and soccer. Upon completion of the UTOSM Fellowship, he hopes to find an academic position where he can combine research, clinical care and sports coverage into his practice.
Justin Chang
Justin Chang was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia and was an avid rugby player. He completed his medical school in London, United Kingdom prior to moving to Toronto to commence residency. He represented the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery as Chief Resident in the 2017-2018 academic year. Following residency, he completed a lower extremity arthroplasty and sports medicine fellowship under the supervision of Professor Fares Haddad in London, UK. He has since returned to Toronto to for the University of Toronto Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (UTOSM) fellowship. His clinical areas of interest include knee and shoulder arthroscopy, joint preservation, and lower extremity joint reconstruction. His primary research interests include large database observational studies, virtual healthcare strategies, and the use of technology in orthopaedic surgery.
Falko Dahm
Falko grew up in Bonn, Germany. He graduated from the Medical University of Vienna and completed his residency at the shared residency program of the Trauma Center Vienna and the Orthopedic Hospital Speising, Vienna. Having gone through a couple of sports injuries himself, Falko is happy to be on the pain free side now. He is grateful for the opportunity to enhance his orthopedic sports medicine skills here in Toronto at the UTOSM Fellowship Program and is looking forward to implementing his newly learnt techniques in Vienna upon his return.
Samuel Larrivee
Samuel grew up in a small farm town in Quebec about 2.5 hours from Montreal. His passion for adventure sports and the desire to continue to work manually in a mentally challenging career lead to his interest in orthopaedic surgery. After a short stop in bio-informatics, he started medical school at the Université de Sherbrooke. He then completed a masters in Health Sciences Research at the same university prior to commencing his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. He has a research interest in medical education and new technologies as outcome measures after orthopedic surgery. Samuel has an interest in complex knee surgery and hip arthroscopy, and is thrilled to be part of the UTOSM team of fellows.
Kajeandra Ravichandiran
Dr. Kajeandra (Kaj) Ravichandiran grew up and studied in Toronto. Both professionally and personally, Kaj has always had a keen interest in technology and is fascinated by the role that technology can play in improving patient-care delivery in both the operating room and clinic. This has driven his educational journey.
Kaj completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in Cell and Molecular Biology. He combined his interest in computer science and medicine during his graduate studies as he earned a Masters of Science Degree through the Institute of Medical Science at University of Toronto – using computer programming and modelling to study muscle architecture and biomechanics. He then earned a Doctor of Medicine at University of Toronto followed by postgraduate training in Orthopedic Surgery at Western University. He came back to his home city of Toronto to complete his first fellowship in Lower Extremity Reconstruction and Joint Arthroplasty at Michael Garron Hospital and is now pursuing a Sports Medicine fellowship at the University of Toronto.
Given his varied experiences and his desire to give back to his community, he is planning to practice in a community hospital in Toronto where he aspires to use his training in joint preservation, reconstruction and trauma. Being bilingual in English and Tamil has allowed him to serve some underserviced patients in Toronto.
Marcel Betsch
Marcel grew up in a small town outside Stuttgart, Germany. After graduation from Highschool, he went to medical school at the Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany. Following medical school, Marcel commenced his residency in Orthopaedics at the Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany. In 2012 he moved to Portland, Oregon, USA to work as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Prof. Brian Johnstone. Back in Germany, he completed his residency at the University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany, before he began a fellowship in total joint reconstruction in Aachen. Marcel is looking forward to develop expertise in shoulder, knee and hip arthroscopy, as well as to further pursue his interest in research. Upon completion of his fellowship, Marcel will return to Germany, where he will continue to work as an academic surgeon.
2019 – 2020 Fellows
Jason Shrouder-Henry
Jason Shrouder-Henry completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Toronto. He graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences Degree and then went to Georgetown University where he received his Medical Doctorate. During his residency training, Jason elected to complete an MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management with a focus on Healthcare management, Strategy and Innovation. After completing residency he pursued a fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at the San Antonio Hand Center under the mentorship of Dr. David P. Green. He is excited about coming back to Toronto to pursue a Sports fellowship with an upper extremity focus.
Marcel Betsch
Marcel grew up in a small town outside Stuttgart, Germany. After graduation from Highschool, he went to medical school at the Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany. Following medical school, Marcel commenced his residency in Orthopaedics at the Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany. In 2012 he moved to Portland, Oregon, USA to work as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Prof. Brian Johnstone. Back in Germany, he completed his residency at the University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany, before he began a fellowship in total joint reconstruction in Aachen. Marcel is looking forward to develop expertise in shoulder, knee and hip arthroscopy, as well as to further pursue his interest in research. Upon completion of his fellowship, Marcel will return to Germany, where he will continue to work as an academic surgeon.
Oisin Breathnach
Dr. Oisín Breathnach grew up in Kilkenny, Ireland. He travelled to Toronto in 2018 to pursue his interests in upper- limb and knee surgery. He completed his Trauma and Orthopaedic training in Ireland and was most recently awarded his Fellowship of Trauma and Orthopaedic (FRCS) by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Oisín provides team coverage for the Toronto Marlies hockey team. Oisín will rotate through St. Michael’s Hospital, Women’s College Hospital, Sunnybrook, Mount Sinai Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital during his rotation on UTOSM fellowship.
Paul Okutoyi
Paul Okutoyi grew up in Eldoret, a town in the western region of Kenya. He attended medical school at the university of Nairobi in the capital city, graduating in 2004 with a degree in medicine and surgery. He worked as a general practitioner at the Moi Teaching and Referral hospital (MTRH), the second largest teaching and referral hospital in Kenya. He later joined the orthopaedic residency program at the Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret.
Upon his graduation in 2013 with a master’s degree in orthopaedic Surgery, he has worked in MTRH as an orthopaedic and trauma surgeon. He has been involved in the management of amateur track athletes, who have later broken out to become world champions, as well as collaborative research with Harvard University on the effects of changing populations from rural to urban on physical activity and musculoskeletal health. After completion of this fellowship he wishes to return home and pioneer a sports medicine practice at the teaching and referral hospital where he works.
Saif Aldhuhoori
Saif Aldhuhoori grew up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and pursued undergraduate and postgraduate medical training abroad. I attended medical school and earned Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, in the United Kingdom. Following this, I joined Orthopaedic Surgery Residency program at the University of Alberta, Edmonton and finished residency in 2018. I finished Upper Extremity Fellowship at the University of Ottawa in June 2019.
I enjoy reading, running and horse riding. Canada made me love skiing in winter.
Upon completion of my Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Toronto, I will go back to the UAE and practice in Abu Dhabi/Dubai focusing on Upper Extremity trauma and reconstruction.
Waael Aljilani
I grew up in the states then moved back to my home town Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. I went to medical school at King Abdulaziz University. Then I did my residency program in orthopaedic surgery in Jeddah. Following this I did a fellowship in trauma and Hip and knee arthroplasty at Dalhousie University, Halifax. Now through UTOSM i’m focusing on knee arthroscopy and sports medicine. I have a small lovely family whos enjoying their time here especially in Toronto.
After completing my sports fellowship, I will go back to Jeddah and start my practice focusing on knee arthroscopy and sports medicine, Lower Extremity Trauma, joint replacement.
David Drynan
Dr. David Drynan graduated medical school from the University of Queensland, Australia in 2009, following a previous degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Queensland, Australia.
Dr. Drynan completed his Orthopaedic specialty training in several tertiary referral centres and centres of excellence including the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia, and the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. He became a fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (FRACS-Orth) in 2019 and was the first state trainee to complete his five-year fellowship in four years.
Dr. Drynan has been published in peer reviewed journals and has presented his research at a number of national meetings. He has an interest in teaching and has been an associate lecturer at the University of Queensland, Australia.
He currently holds positions both in the paediatric and adult setting with an interest in shoulder, elbow and knee surgery.
2018 – 2019 Fellows
Adnan Hussain
Adnan Al Rashed grew up in Saudi Arabia where he completed his M.B.B.S in King Saud University . He joined Saudi Orthopaedic residency program and finished on 2014. . He finished Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship at Dalhousie University , June 2016 and Arthroplasty fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital, June 2017.He is an Orthopaedic academic staff in King Faisal Hospital in SA .
Upon completion of his fellowship year with UTOSM, Adnan will return to his country , where he will continue his practice with focus on Sport Medicine and joint reconstruction .
James Higgins
Dr. James Higgins completed his undergraduate and medical school training at Queen’s University, before returning home to Toronto to pursue an Orthopaedic Surgery Residency in 2014. He graduated in 2018 and was certified as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. He completed the University of Toronto Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship in 2019, followed by a Fellowship in Trauma and Adult Lower Extremity Reconstruction at the University of Toronto in 2020.
His clinical areas of focus include hip and knee arthroplasty, trauma, as well as surgical management of both lower and upper extremity sports injuries and degenerative conditions.
His primary research interest has been quality improvement and innovation through eHealth strategies such as mobile apps and artificial intelligence. These virtual healthcare strategies can be incorporated into a patient’s care plan to encourage active involvement, minimize anxiety about the recovery experience, and improve overall satisfaction.
In July 2020 he will be joining the Michael Garron Hospital as a staff orthopaedic surgeon, continuing a tradition of innovative, state-of-the-art, and patient-centric care at this institution for a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions affecting the community.
Joseph Menna
Joey grew up in the small town of Nobleton, ON with his mom and 3 brothers, where he loved playing any and every sport growing up. He attended York University, where he obtained a combined degree in Physics and Geomorphology. He then attended medical school in the nation‘s Capital, at the University of Ottawa, prior to coming back to Toronto for his residency training. He then completed a fellowship in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty, and now through UTOSM focusing on Upper Extremity Reconstruction and general Sports surgery. He has 2 small Children, Victoria (3) and Jackson (1) and can’t wait to get them int sports as well. He has aspirations of becoming a happy community surgeon, and one day hopes to equal his time at work with time on the golf course and ice rink.
Michael Sellan
Mike grew up in Caledon, Ontario. He went to St. Michael’s College School and played in the Ontario Hockey League for 4 years in both Toronto and Oshawa. Mike earned his undergraduate degree in physiology at the University of Western Ontario while playing for their hockey team. He completed medical school and a masters degree at the University of Toronto before returning to London for his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Mike hopes to round out his orthopaedic training in the big city before settling into a community practice with his young family in tow
Norah-Faye Matthies
Norah-Faye Matthies grew up in a small town outside of Coaldale, Alberta. She attended undergraduate training in Biochemistry at the University of Lethbridge for three years while playing varsity soccer for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. Following this, she went on to complete her Doctor of Medicine with Special Training in Research at the University of Alberta, followed by a residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Toronto.
This is her first fellowship; following her year with UTOSM Norah plans to complete a second fellowship in arthroplasty and trauma at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. She hopes to eventually settle into a practice focused on lower extremity sports and arthroplasty. Norah is very excited to be a part of the UTOSM team!
Oisin Breathnach
Dr. Oisín Breathnach grew up in Kilkenny, Ireland. He has travelled to Toronto to pursue his interests in upper- limb and knee surgery. He completed his Trauma and Orthopaedic training in Ireland and was most recently awarded his Fellowship of Trauma and Orthopaedic (FRCS) by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Oisín provides team coverage for the University of Toronto Football Team and Ryerson University Hockey Team. Oisín will rotate through St. Michael’s Hospital, Women’s College Hospital, Sunnybrook, Mount Sinai Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital during his rotation on UTOSM fellowship.
Heng An Lin
Heng An grew up in Singapore where he completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree at the National University of Singapore in 2006. Upon completion of his houseman training and national service, he embarked on his Specialist training in Orthopaedic Surgery in 2010. In 2016, he completed his specialist training and was conferred Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Prior to his fellowship here in Toronto, Heng An worked as an Associate Consultant in Orthopaedic Surgery in the Singapore Health Services group.
Upon completion of his fellowship year with UTOSM, Heng An will return to Singapore, where he will continue his practice with heavy focus on sports surgery.
2017 – 2018 Fellows
Ryan Paul
Ryan Paul is from Mississauga, Ontario. He attended undergraduate training at McMaster University, obtaining a Bachelor of Health Sciences. He went on to complete medical school at the University of Western Ontario and orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Alberta. Following residency, Ryan completed a clinical fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at the Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre in London, Ontario.
As a member of the UTOSM team, Ryan is interested in developing expertise in sports medicine and arthroscopy, as well as to further pursue his academic interests in clinical research and education.
Varun Sharma
I grew up in Ottawa and completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. I completed medical school and Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario. I’ve played soccer and squash since I was young at various competitive levels. This is my first fellowship and I have an interest in research related to ACL reconstruction and cartilage restoration. My fiancee and I enjoy playing soccer, running, travelling, cooking and reading. I’m excited to work with the whole UTOSM team!
Upon completion of my fellowship, I will be joining a mid-size private practice in central Illinois doing sports, upper extremity, primary total joint arthroplasty and on call trauma.
I have no doubt the skills and experience learnt during this fellowship will be invaluable in practice.
Thomas Zochowski
Dr. Thomas Zochowski grew up in Toronto. He attended Stanford University on an athletic scholarship in swimming, and earned a degree in biomechanical engineering. He competed on the varsity swim team for 4 years and was a member of Canada’s national team for 6 years. Dr. Zochowski then completed a Master’s degree in exercise physiology at the University of Victoria and following this, his medical degree and orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Toronto.
He has completed a fellowship in adult lower extremity reconstruction at the University Health Network in Toronto as well as a fellowship in orthopaedic sports medicine at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Zochowski is currently practicing near Toronto at Lakeridge Health with special interest in adult lower extremity reconstruction and trauma.
Ahmed Al-Zeyadi
I am from Taif, Saudi Arabia. I am working at King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital as Orthopedic and Upper Extremity Surgeon.
I am doing now Sport Medicine Fellowship in University of Toronto.I have completed my medical school at King Faisal University in Dammam - 2007 and I did my did my orthopedic residency training in Jeddah and graduated on 2013.
I did clinical fellowship in Upper Extremity and Hand Surgery in Seoul St. Mary’s hospital- Catholic University, South Korea 2015 -2016
Faeg Sawaf
Fayig Sawaf is a sports medicine fellow at the University of Toronto. He is an Orthopedic academic staff in King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He finished a lower limb Arthroplasty fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital, June 2017.
He completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at Otago University in NewZealand in 2007 followed by a post graduate diploma in Surgical Anatomy at University of Otago in 2010 and a post graduate certificate in sports medicine at University of Auckland in 2010.
He then did his orthopedic residency in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His goal is to become an academic lower limb Arthroplasty, sports and Trauma orthopedic surgeon
Federico Yanez-Siller
Dr Yanez-Siller grew up in Mexico. He completed his Medical School at Monterrey Tech in Mexico where he started to gain interest in Sports Medicine.
He moved to Spain where he completed his Master’s degree in the University of Barcelona and also completed Primary Care Sports Medicine residency in 2010.
In 2016, he completed his Orthopaedic Surgery training at HUGTiP- Autonomous University of Barcelona and successfully passed the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology exam (FEBOT). He is in the process of obtaining his PhD at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
Federico enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, as well as practicing all kind of sports. During his time in Toronto he expects to learn and enjoy Canadian culture.
2016 – 2017 Fellows
Dr. Ian Mayne
Dr. Ian Mayne grew up in Pickering, Ontario. He obtained a bachelor‘s degree (with highest honours) from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he competed for the Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams. He was a NCAA Division 1 National Qualifier and 2-Time Academic All-American. He completed his medical school at the University of Toronto.
He completed Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Toronto. In 2015-16 he travelled to Melbourne, Australia (Mr Simon Bell) and Auckland, New Zealand (Mr Peter Poon) to complete Shoulder & Elbow Fellowships. He then returned to the University of Toronto for a fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy.
Dr. Mayne is involved in team coverage for the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
Dr. Mayne is currently practicing in Toronto at North York General Hospital with a special interest in Shoulder & Elbow Reconstruction and Sports Medicine.
Dr. Adam Watson
Dr Adam Watson grew up in Melbourne, Australia. He graduated from his medical studies at the University of Tasmania with First Class Honours in 2005. He completed his Orthopaedic Surgery Training program in Victoria, Australia in January 2015, with placements in both regional and metropolitan centers.
Dr Watson completed a 12 month Shoulder and Upper Limb fellowship in Geelong, Victoria, under the guidance of Professor Richard Page. This included comprehensive arthroscopic and open treatment of a broad range of shoulder and elbow conditions. Following this he completed a 6 month Trauma and Arthroplasty fellowship in Geelong, prior to coming to Canada.
In Toronto, Adam has completed a Sports and Arthroscopy fellowship, focusing on the knee and shoulder. He has gained skills to treat complex and multiple ligament knee injuries and further enhanced his arthroscopic treatments of complicated shoulder pathology.
Adam is keenly interested in enhancing the training of surgeons. He has completed his Masters in Surgical Education, whilst working in Toronto. His thesis aims to create a peer-reviewed list of Entrustable Professional Activities for Orthopaedic training. This will enhance the development of curriculum for surgical training. His other research involves the scapular involvement in rotator cuff repairs and a randomized controlled trial into fixation of hip fractures.
Adam and his wife Jane are keen adventurers. They spend their weekends mountain biking, trail running and cycling through the Canadian wilderness. In Winter they love skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. They will return to Hobart, Tasmania, where Adam will focus on the arthroscopic and arthroplasty treatment of complex knee and shoulder problems.
Dr. Jon Kosy
Dr Jonathan Kosy successfully completed his orthopaedic surgical training in England prior to his appointment in Toronto. He passed the specialty fellowship examinations with the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2014 and was awarded his Certificate of Completion of Training in 2016.
Jon is a graduate of the University of Birmingham medical school and gained his basic medical and surgical training working in UK centres as well as in Queensland, Australia. His higher surgical training was undertaken in the South West Peninsula Deanery in the UK. His training rotation included placements at the military major trauma centre, in Plymouth, and the prestigious orthopaedic centre in Exeter.
Throughout his training he has achieved a number of awards including two regional research prizes, a "Best of the Best" presentation at the British Orthopaedic Association congress, and multiple research grants. Dr. Kosy has published a number of articles in peer-reviewed journal with recent work including basic science studies and a systematic review focused on the anterolateral ligament of the knee. He has presented his work nationally and internationally with further work planned investigating the effect of peripheral lesions on graft integrity and residual instability following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)reconstruction. He has an interest in leading improvement in healthcare and has achieved an MSc qualification (with distinction) with essays based around enhancing the care of ACL reconstruction patients.
Jon is a keen sportsman with previous top-level participation in Field Hockey. During his time in Toronto, he plans to participate in the Toronto Half Marathon as well as try his hand at some Canadian sports.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani
Dr. Tommy Primeau
Dr. Daniel Hoppe
Dr. Hadi Sayedi
2015 – 2016 Fellows
Dr. Ian MacNiven MD, FRCSC, Dip. CASEM
Dr. Ian MacNiven grew up in Hanover, Ontario prior to completing his Honours Life Sciences degree from Queen’s University at Kingston. He graduated with Honours from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland prior to completing his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Ottawa. After achieving his FRCSC he travelled to Toronto for a fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy.
Dr. MacNiven is an active member of and examiner for the Canadian Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine and has been involved in team coverage of the Mississauga Steelheads (OHL), the University of Washington Huskies Football Team, and the Pan American games.
Dr. MacNiven is currently a Upper Extremity Reconstruction Clinical Associate at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA. He has a special interest in shoulder and knee arthroscopy, upper limb primary and revision arthroplasty, and cartilage disorders of the knee, hip and shoulder.
Dr. Lisa Phillips
Dr. Lisa Phillips grew up in Calgary, Alberta.
She obtained a Bachelors Degree in Biology from the University of Calgary before going on to finish her medical degree at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She completed Orthopaedic Surgery residency training in Calgary.
Dr. Phillips completed two post-graduate fellowships. The first was in Paediatric Orthopaedics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, prior to completing the sports medicine and arthroscopy fellowship at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Phillips currently works and lives in Calgary with her two sons and husband, a foot and ankle surgeon. She has a unique practice encompassing paediatric sports medicine and arthroscopy at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Alberta.
Dr. Luke Bristow
Dr. Luke Bristow obtained his Bachelor’s of Health Sciences (with honours) degree from The University of Western Ontario. He completed his medical school at The University of Leeds, United Kingdom (UK). Throughout his training in the UK, Dr. Bristow gained an interest in the field of International Health and eventually created an organization that continues to supply under-resourced medical clinics in Africa.
He completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at The University of Toronto upon returning to Canada. Following completion of his residency, he remained at The University of Toronto for a fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy.
Dr. Bristow is a certified Orthopaedic Surgeon by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is currently, and has previously been involved with, many sports teams at the collegiate, amateur and professional level.
Dr. Bristow is currently a staff Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Greater Niagara General Hospital (GNGH) in Niagara Falls, Ontario with a special interest in hip, knee, and shoulder arthroscopy as well as sports-related injuries.
Dr. Majid Choudhry
Dr Majid Chowdhry grew up in London, UK. He obtained his MBBS degree from St Bartholomew’s and Royal London Medical School in London. He completed his orthopaedic training in London (South London Deanery higher surgical training rotation).
Prior to starting with UTOSM Majid completed a Lower Limb Reconstruction fellowship at St Michael’s Hospital. He has returned to the UK to complete a fellowship in lower limb trauma specializing in pelvic and acetabular, periprosthetic and periarticular fractures at Cambridge University Hospital.
His specialist areas of interest include treating young hip and knee arthritis, lower limb primary and revision arthroplasty and complex lower limb trauma.
Dr. Nick Bayley
Dr. Nick Bayley grew up in Cambridge, Ontario. He obtained a bachelor‘s degree (with highest honours) from Colby College in Maine and was team captain and three-time Academic All-American for the men’s NCAA hockey team. He conducted clinical research in Boston at Harvard and MIT before attending the Ivy League medical school of Dartmouth in New Hampshire. He was named the top surgical student in his graduating class.
He completed Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Toronto and was named most outstanding resident at graduation. He remained at the University of Toronto for a fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy.
Dr. Bayley is also a member of the Canadian Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine and has been involved in team coverage of the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Toronto FC (MLS), and Mississauga Steelheads (OHL), and the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Toronto.
Dr. Bayley is currently practicing in Kitchener-Waterloo at Grand River and St. Mary’s Hospitals with special interest in knee, shoulder, and hip arthroscopy.
2014 – 2015 Fellows
Dr. Shadi Sadia
Dr. Shadi Sadia is a senior physician in the Orthopedic and Traumatology Department at Rambam Health Care Campus.
Dr. Sadia received his MD from the Hebrew University Hadassah Faculty of Medicine in Jerusalem, and was trained in Orthopedics at Rambam.
His main interests are sports injuries, knee and shoulder arthroscopy and soft tissue reconstructions, and total knee replacements.
Dr. Danny Arora
Dr. Danny Arora is a certified Orthopaedic Surgeon by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He earned his Medical Degree at University Laval and completed his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Queen’s University.
He completed his Fellowships in both Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy (UTOSM class of 2014-2015), and Trauma at the University of Toronto. Subsequently, he completed a Foot & Ankle Fellowship at Duke University.
Dr. Arora is currently on staff at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. He specializes in the treatment of both traumatic and sports-related injuries of the lower extremity, with special interests in minimally-invasive and arthroscopic Foot & Ankle surgery.
Dr. Atif Ahmed Ali Labban
Dr. Atif Ahmed Ali Labban received his MBBS from the King Abdul Aziz University in 2002. After this, he participated in the Orthopedic Saudi Board Residency Programme from 2005-2010. He then went on to complete three fellowships, in arthroplasty, foot and ankle, and lastly as a participant in the UTOSM program in 2014. His current specializations include sports medicine and arthroplasty.
Dr. Shahram Sharoki
Dr. Shahrokhi graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science. This was followed by his medical education at the Flinders University of South Australia. He then went on to complete his Orthopaedic training in Adelaide, Australia, prior to returning to Toronto to undertake fellowship training. Upon his return he completed two fellowships, the first in Lower Limb Reconstruction & Traumatology at St. Michael’s Hospital and the second with UTOSM. Dr. Shahrokhi currently practices at Sportsmed.SA and the Lyell Mcewin Hospitals in Adelaide, Australia. His main interests are arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee, and shoulder and lower limb reconstruction.
2013 – 2014 Fellows
Dr. Brian Devitt
I am an Irish orthopaedic surgeon. I completed my medical school training at University College Dublin, Ireland. I chose to embark on a career in surgery and carried out my basic surgical training program followed specialist training in Trauma & Orthopaedic at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. In order to enhance my understanding of sports medicine beyond orthopaedics, I carried out a Masters in Sports and Exercise Medicine during this time. In addition to my focused orthopaedic training, I undertook two years of laboratory based translational research. This entire body of work was published as a thesis and I was awarded a higher degree (Doctorate of Medicine) through University College Dublin.
With a view to pursue a career in academic orthopaedic surgery with a focus on sports surgery, I carried out three years of fellowship. My first year was a research fellowship at the Steadman Philippon Research Institure, where I carried out clinical and biomechanics research. I then carried out a clinical fellowship at the University of Toronto from 2013 - 2014. Finally, I completed two clinical fellowships in Melbourne, Australia, in knee reconstruction and hip arthroscopy.
Dr. Jesse Slade Shantz
Jesse Slade Shantz is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario Schulich School of Medicine and completed residency at the University of Manitoba. He completed a research and a trauma fellowship at the University of California San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital. Dr. Slade Shantz completed his fellowship at UTOSM in 2013-2014. He now practices in Ajax providing shoulder and sports care at the Rouge Valley Health System.
Dr. Dave Santone
Dave completed the UTOSM fellowship in 2013/2014. After attending
medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada he completed his
Orthopedic Surgery residency at the University of Toronto from
2008-2013. He is double fellowship trained in Arthroscopic Sports
Medicine and Foot and Ankle surgery. He is currently on staff as an
arthroscopic sports medicine and foot and ankle surgeon at Markham
Stouffville Hospital.
Dr. Giuseppe Costa
Dr Costa graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a bachelor of science degree and received his doctor of medicine degree in 2007. After completing orthopedic surgery training, Dr Costa obtained fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the University of Toronto Orthopedic Sport Medicine (UTOSM) program in 2013-14. In 2014-15, he completed a lower extremity reconstruction fellowship at the University of Toronto. He has worked with and continues to treat professional and amateur athletes since 2010.
Dr Costa currently practices at Toronto East General Hospital. His clinical interests include arthroscopic surgery and knee and shoulder reconstruction.
Fellows grouping
end of year Fellowship celebration
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