05/19/2026
Presidential Guest Speaker Headlines Wednesday’s Opening Program
Wednesday, June 10 brings the COA community together in St. John’s for an energizing start to the 2026 Annual Meeting, beginning at 15:30 NT with the Kick‑Off Session featuring Presidential Guest Speaker, Dr. Julian Sernik. His address, “Buy the Chocolate Milkshake: Small Acts of Humanity in a High‑Performance Profession,” examines the realities of orthopaedic surgery while highlighting how small, intentional actions can build trust, influence outcomes, and restore meaning in our work.
Fellowship‑trained lower extremity reconstruction surgeon, leadership educator, TEDx speaker, and founder of HELI (Highly Effective Leadership Immersion), Dr. Sernik brings a distinctive blend of clinical expertise, system‑level insight, and real‑world experience in high‑consequence environments. His keynote opens the meeting with a thoughtful and energizing look at the human side of surgical practice.
Immediately after the Kick‑Off, the COA’s first‑ever Bull Session gets underway in the same space - a high‑energy forum featuring unforgettable cases, lively back‑and‑forth, and the surprises, oddities, disasters, and saves that spark real learning.
Close out the afternoon at the Welcome Reception, your first opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and explore the latest orthopaedic technologies and innovations in the Exhibit Hall — complete with local drinks and snacks.
Add these Wednesday, June 10 events to your Annual Meeting must‑stops. Not yet registered — don’t wait for on‑site; register today!