Conveners &
Speakers
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Orthopaedic CPD/CME Conference & Expedition to the Arctic
on-board Quark Expeditions' Ultramarine 

Keynote: Dr Lew Schon (US) | Conference Conveners: Dr Derek Papp (US) & Dr Des Bokor (AU)

  May 30 - June 8, 2023 | *65 ATTENDEES ONLY *Family members welcome 

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" It is in the wild places, where the edge of the earth
meets the corners of the sky, that the human spirit is fed. " 

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

After the success of our 2019 Orthopaedic CPD/CME Conference & Expedition to Antarctica, we knew we wanted to do it all again...

And this time, we're going to the Arctic!

We are putting together another truly unique and fascinating conference program. [A full list of Speakers will be announced in the coming months].

As your conference conveners - Dr Derek Papp (US), Dr Des Bokor (AU) and Dr Rod Maxwell (NZ), we invite you to join us on our next extraordinary CPD/CME Conference & Expedition going to another of the world's most beautiful and remote wildernesses.

If you would like to register your genuine interest to join, please add your name and email by clicking any of the 'Enquire to join' buttons on this page. Please see all details of our 2023 CPD/CME Conference & Expedition to the Arctic on this event webpage. 

Once again, our fantastic conference coordinator team, Jay Duncanson & Samantha Wyatt (Blue Horizon Conferencing) are available to answer any questions you might have, and can be reached at jay@bhconferencing.com.

We would love you to join us on this next unique and unforgettable experience.

Warm regards,
Dr Derek Papp and Dr Des Bokor, and our Conference Coordinator Team.

Keynote Speaker: Dr Lew Schon (US)

We are delighted to announce our Keynote Speaker for our 2023 Orthopaedic CME/CPD Conference:

Dr Lew Schon, MD FACS FAAOS

Director of Orthopaedic Innovation, Institute of Foot and Ankle Reconstruction, Mercy Medical Center.
Professor of Orthopaedics, New York University Langone. Professor of Orthopaedics & BME Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Associate Prof of Orthopaedics, Georgetown School of Medicine. Adjunct Prof and Fischell Literati Faculty University of Maryland Orthopaedics & Fischell Department of Bioengineering.

An internationally renowned foot and ankle specialist and former president of AOFAS, Dr. Lew Schon, M.D. currently sits on the faculties of  New York University Langone (NYU), Johns Hopkins, Mercy Hospital, among others. 

He is a true rock star of Orthopaedics, co-inventor of numerous devices, and consultant to several sports teams, dance companies and rock and roll bands including the Foo Fighters. 

Biomechanics, orthobiologics and clinical studies have resulted in numerous clinical research awards, over 200 peer-reviewed papers and over 100 other publications. 

He promises to be an excellent and entertaining headliner for our faculty.


Convener: Dr Derek Papp (US)

Convener: Dr Des Bokor (AU)

Dr Alejandro Badia (US)

Dr Sindy Vrancic (AU)

Dr Omer Ilahi (US)

Dr Chandra Basham (US)

Dr Derek Papp is an orthopedic sports medicine physician with the Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Florida International University, and a team physician for the Baltimore Orioles.  

He attended the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and stayed there for his internship and residency training in orthopedic surgery.  

After doing a sports medicine fellowship at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables, he returned to Baltimore and served as part-time orthopaedic surgery faculty at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.  

His clinical interests include sports medicine, the throwing shoulder, and elbow.  

On a fun note, he served as MLB's venue physician in Seoul, Korea during the 2017 World Baseball Classic as well as in Mexicali, Mexico during the 2016 qualifier.  

He has been a member of the Major League Baseball Team Physicians Association since 2014.  

Appeared regularly on South Florida PBS’ "The Health Channel” as both a host and expert guest.

Dr Des Bokor is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with a subspeciality interest in shoulder and elbow surgery with research interests in the areas of instability, biomechanics, joint simulation and arthroplasty design.  

Graduating from Monash University, Melbourne with Honours and completed his Orthopaedic Training in Sydney on the Australian Orthopaedic Association Training Programme, he completed fellowships in Sports Medicine/ Knee Surgery in Sydney with Drs Mervyn Cross and Leo Pinczewski and spent time at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, as a Fellow training in Shoulder Surgery with Dr Richard Hawkins.  

With a Masters of Higher Education (Medical) from Macquarie University, he's a founding member of the Shoulder and Elbow Society of Australia and has held the positions of both Secretary and President, and is a corresponding member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Society, the Australian Orthopaedic Association and the Australian Medical Association.

He's also a past Examiner in Orthopaedic Surgery on the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Court of Examiners.  

Currently the Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences at Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia, he also works at the Sydney Adventist Hospital and the Northern Beaches Hospital.

He is a consultant to a number of orthopaedic companies including: Mathys Orthopaedics, Zimmer-Biomet, Smith & Nephew.



Alejandro Badia, MD, FACS is a hand and upper extremity surgeon at Badia Hand to Shoulder Center in Doral, Florida and Founder of OrthoNOW® Immediate Orthopedic Care Centers. 

He studied physiology at Cornell University and obtained his medical degree at NYU, where he also trained in orthopedics. A hand fellowship at Alleghany General Hospital in Pittsburgh was followed by an AO trauma fellowship in Freiburg, Germany.

He also is a co-founder of the renowned Miami Anatomical Research Center  ( M.A.R.C. ), the worlds 2nd  largest surgical cadaveric training lab. 

Dr. Badia is past worldwide president of the International Society for Sport Traumatology of the Hand (ISSPORTH) , was named to 100 Latinos Miami, has been given legacy awards by several organizations and is an honorary member of multiple international hand surgery and arthroscopy associations and served as honored professor at the prestigious Philadelphia Hand Course in 2012.

He has NOW lectured in all seven continents and is currently focused on improving healthcare delivery in the orthopedics and sports medicine realm.

As well as completing a Medicine Degree from Flinders University, SA, she completed her Masters in Sports Medicine through the University of New South Wales, while being a full time member of the RAAF.  

As a FLTLT doctor, she was deployed overseas for peace monitoring duties to Bougainville in 1998, and enjoyed subsequent postings to RAAF Base Wagga, Balmoral Naval Hospital and ADFA/RMC.  

She has been involved in Orthopaedics since 2002, and she was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2004. Subsequently, Dr Vrancic undertook post-fellowship training in trauma at Royal North Shore Hospital and also completed an Upper Limb Sports, Trauma and Elective Fellowship in Canberra.

 

Dr Vrancic is currently the Regional Chair of Orthopaedic training for all the AOA trainees attached to the Southside New South Wales Training Program. Through this role, she is responsible for ensuring the high level of Orthopaedic training continues throughout the Southside NSW Hospitals, and she is one of the AOA Regional Leads for introduction of the AOA21 Training Program.  

Her dedication to teaching was acknowledged at the AOA National Scientific Meeting in 2017, being awarded the Leadership in Orthopaedics Award. As well as teaching, she has presented numerous papers at Regional and National Scientific Meetings, and regularly mentors registrars with their scientific endeavours.

Omer Ilahi is an orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Houston, Texas, specializing in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery.

After graduating summa cum laude from Rice University, he remained in Houston for his MD and residency, before completing a fellowship in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery at the University of Wisconsin in 1995.

Returning to Houston to go into academics after fellowship, a few years later Dr Ilahi founded South West Orthopedic Group in 2002. To further research and education in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine, he also formed the Texas Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Institute (TASMI). 

He has written numerous scientific research papers and several textbook chapters, presented at many scientific meetings, and been President of the Western Orthopaedic Association, Texas Orthopaedic Association, and Texas Society of Sports Medicine, as well as served on the AAOS Board of Councilors. Currently,

Dr. Ilahi is on the Editorial Board of both the American Journal of Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy. 

Dr. Basham practiced general medicine in the United States in the private and public sector after
graduating from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2005.

In 2016, Dr. Basham
became a member of the Oregon State Bar and took on an adjudicatory role for the state of
Oregon's Disability Determination Service where she assisted with adjudicating the medical
component of U.S. federal disability claims.

In 2019, Dr. Basham opened a private law practice
focused on patients and families who suffered death or disability from medical care.

Dr. Basham's talk will focus on how the medical system can respond when medical care has
unintended consequences, the relative impact of the tort system on iatrogenic death and disability
in the United States, and touch on Oregon's experiment in early discussion and resolution.


We anticipate that there will be Delegates who would like to speak to contribute to our scientific program. We are inviting all delegates with a special topic of interest applicable to the Conference theme to deliver a presentation during the meeting if they would like to do so.

Space is limited. We only have 32 double occupancy cabins for this conference. *Travel companions & additional family members are welcome.  

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Itinerary - Spitsbergen: Fjords, Glaciers and Wildlife of Svalbard

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Geared toward optimum wildlife viewing, this 10-day expedition provides ample opportunities to witness walrus, reindeer, and that most iconic of Arctic denizens, the polar bear, in their natural habitat, while marvelling at the surreal experience of continuous daylight. 

This fantastic journey to the remote Norwegian island, is renowned for its stunning scenery and abundant, varied wildlife.

Aboard Ultramarine, there are more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than any other expedition ship of its size.

And there are 20 quick-launching Zodiacs which allow us to explore off ship, with Zodiac tours, as well as many landings for us to explore on foot and participate in exciting activities, increasing our chances of seeing even more wildlife.

*PLEASE NOTE:
We weave the Conference Schedule in between the Expedition scheduled - you will not miss out on any expedition activities, tours or landings. 

We know that the Arctic and it's beauty & wildlife are the star of the show here, so we plan to make sure you don't miss a thing!

Day 1
Arrive in Helsinki, Finland

We all meet in Helsinki, Finland, where our Arctic adventure begins. If you arrive early, explore the many treasures this fantastic city has to offer before retiring at your included hotel.

Day 2
Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Embark

This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. 

As our ship sets sail, we'll enjoy our first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from frigid waters.

Day 3 to 9
Exploring Spitsbergen

We’ll cruise around this magical island on a constant search for wildlife. Our expedition will cover western Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords and outlying islands to the north. From polar flora to immense glaciers, the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife.

Each expedition presents new opportunities and different weather and ice, so there is no fixed itinerary; however, some of the places we may visit include the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, Alkefjellet and the Hinlopen Strait. The destinations visited will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing with an appreciation of the history and geology of Spitsbergen. 

The island offers multiple opportunities for wildlife photography. Since most of Svalbard’s Arctic ecosystem is uninhabited and well-protected, this remote archipelago is one of the world’s best places to spot polar bears against stunning natural backdrops of mountains and ice.

The towering cliffs of Alkefjellet provide homes to thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t soon forget. These giant pinnipeds of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline. 

In Spitsbergen, there is no shortage of natural beauty. The tundra can be surprisingly colourful in summer, with wildflowers bursting for a taste of sunshine.

Each day, you’ll see something interesting, whether it is an ever-changing gallery of spectacular icebergs, a polar bear resting between hunts, or an abandoned historical site from centuries ago. 

Day 10
Disembark in Longyearbyen and fly to Helsinki

The time to say goodbye to your Expedition Team and shipmates has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the historic frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the transfer package.

Quark Expeditions® Ultramarine

What to pack for your polar expedition

Conference & Expedition Costs

What will it cost for Delegates and their partners/travel companions to join the Conference & Expedition? 

1.

Conference & Expedition deposit admin fee:  

US$250 per person


What is this for? All attending Delegates, plus those individuals coming along as partners/traveling companions are required to pay this $250 fee. (non-refundable). 

When & how do I pay for this? This will be due to pay when we open for bookings. Your invitation to book (plus instructions on how to book) will be sent to you via email.

You will receive further details via email about payments and the booking process in your Conference & Expedition Invitation.  


2.

Orthopaedic CPD / CME Conference Fee:  

US$1,250 per Delegate  


What is this for? Only Delegates participating/attending the content scheduled for CME Conference - the talks, lectures & breakout sessions - are required to pay this US$1,250 fee. 

*** Partners/traveling companions of Delegates are NOT required to pay this fee ***

When & how do I pay for this? The US$1,250 Conference Fee will be billed separately and payable AFTER your booking has been processed and confirmed.

You will receive further details about how to pay this at a later date.  


3.

Expedition / Voyage Cost:
(Cabin Suite bookings)

US$9,445 - 13,045 per person


Explorer & Balcony Suites: US$9,445 pp / double occupancy (Regularly US$10,495 pp) Cabins still available

Balcony Suites: US$10,345 pp / double occupancy (Regularly US$11,495 pp) Cabins still available

Deluxe Balcony Suite: US$12,145 pp / double occupancy (Regularly US$13,495 pp) Cabins still available

Penthouse Suite: USD$13,045 pp / double occupancy (Regularly US$14,495 pp) Currently 1x Suite left

*The cost of your cabin suite includes your accommodation, all meals, 1x complimentary Quark 3-in-1 Expedition Parka per person (yours to keep after the voyage), plus all expedition activities scheduled as inclusions of the Arctic Expedition/Voyage.


What is this for?

Please note above our discounted conference group rate in comparison to normal pricing.

This covers your 10 day, 9 night ship accommodations (per Quark Expeditions itinerary), plus amazing additional inclusions.

All Conference attendees, plus those individuals coming along as partners/traveling companions are required to make a voyage booking. 

When & how do I pay for this?
A 30% voyage deposit - (depending on your cabin choice) - is due at the time of booking to secure your cabin.

The remaining balance will be due to be paid by January 30th, 2023.

You will receive further details about how to pay this at a later date.  

PLEASE NOTE: In addition to the above voyage cost which includes your cabin accommodation, the below mandatory transfer package of US$995 will be charged per person, and includes:

  • One night's pre-expedition hotel night at Helsinki Airport Hotel, with breakfast included
  • Charter flight from Helsinki to Longyearbyen
  • Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen
  • Charter flight from Longyearbyen back to Helsinki

    US$995 per person - this amount will be added to your final invoice.

All Conference attendees, plus those individuals coming along as partners/traveling companions are required to have to purchase this mandatory transfer package.

Come join us...

Disclaimer: Conference Tax Deductibility and CPD/CME compliance Taxation Laws are complex and subject to change and interpretation. Whilst every effort will be made to have a comprehensive and fulfilling conference experience for all delegates, it is not expected that the conference expedition costs will be fully tax deductible. This is due in part to the many non-conference activities available and the high cost of the venue and accommodation. 

The conference convenor/s and conference organisers cannot accept any responsibility for whatever costs delegates claim as tax deductible. This is ultimately an issue between the individual delegate and their accountant.