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ABC Travelling Fellows 2008 Diary Fourth stop: Calgary 6 May to 8 May Tuesday 6 May Another early start to another airport, and another series of queues. Alasdair Sutherland had what looked to be a pleasurable time having a detailed search. No money seemed to change hands. Eventually the plane was boarded, and a short flight later we were in a rainy Calgary. We were met by Dr Kevin Hildebrand (ABC 2003), research director of the McCaig Institute for Bone and joint Health. The next stop was The McCaig Institute to collect itinerary information and see the labs, before checking into the hotel. After a short break, we remounted and headed up to Banff. The weather was initially unpromising, but improved as we got into the mountains. First stop was the Banff Springs Hotel, where we got a leg stretch and superb views before a beer and lunch. After a relaxed chat, we got back into the cars and headed to Lake Louise. Snowballs were thrown, and pictures taken before afternoon tea in the Lake Louise Hotel. The contrasting pressures of teaching, training and research with maximising productivity in service provision in our different systems were discussed will Dr Hildebrand, before the drive back to Calgary.
Kevin Mulhall in Banff
The fellows in Banff
The fellows at Lake Louise The evening was spent at Dr Hildebrand’s home, hosted by his wife Kathy, where we enjoyed an excellent dinner, joined also by Dave Salo, of the local faculty, and his wife Karen.
Rob Pollock with Dr Hildebrand Wednesday 7 May The following morning the fellows split up and headed for clinical sessions with local faculty according to special interests: knee and sports with Dr Mohtadi; spine with Dr Bouchard; with Dr Puloski; knee arthroplasty with Dr Werle; knee arthroplasty with Dr Timmerman; upper limb with Dr Boorman; upper limb with Dr Hildebrand and hip arthroplasty with Dr Schacker . All of the fellows agreed that an excellent combination of clinical and scientific sessions was laid out. Lunch was followed by an excellent scientific session. We heard of basic science march in joint contractures (Dr Mike Monument), volar plating in radial fractures (Dr Vaughan Bowen, ABC 1987), the Canadian experience in hip resurfacing (Dr Jason Werle) and randomising in clinical trials (Dr Nick Mohtadi), as well as talks from all seven fellows. After a quick change at the hotel, it was up to the Teahouse at Olympic Park. There we enjoyed dinner with the local faculty, including three ABC fellows – Dr Hildebrand (2003), Dr Bowen (1987), and Dr Glen Edwards (1969). After dinner and exchange of thanks and gifts, the fellows visited the ski jump tower, site of Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards’ exploits at the Calgary Olympics of 1988. None of the fellows felt like emulating him, in fact there was a new respect that he could even dare to try! Early to bed, early to rise, as there will be more queues at the airport to join!
The fellows with former ABC fellows at Olympic park
Alasdair Sutherland at the Ski jump |
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