2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the first resident to graduate from the 91社区 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) program. To celebrate this milestone, the OMFS program held on May 31 a day-long event, beginning with a didactic program at the听Osler Amphitheatre in the Montreal General Hospital and finishing with a gala dinner at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth. The event brought together alumni, faculty, residents and friends, honoring the OMFS program鈥檚 remarkable history and its significant contributions to the field of oral maxillofacial surgery.
The event began with a welcome and introduction by Dr. Nicholas Makhoul, Chief of the MUHC Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Dental Education. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed insightful presentations from many distinguished speakers, including Dr. Ben Davis, Dr. Sean Edwards, former Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery head Dr. Antoine Chehade, Dr. Maria Troulis, former OMFS program director Dr. Michel El-Hakim, and Dr. Waleed Zaid. The program featured resident abstracts and concluded with the presentation of certificates to the 2024 graduates. Alumni from various graduating classes took the opportunity to reunite, reminisce about their training years, and discuss the future of the specialty.
Dean Emami addressed the participants at the Osler Amphitheatre, sharing her immense pride in the program's evolution. 鈥淒uring the last 50 years our program has evolved and expanded. This celebration is a testament to the vision, the devotion, and the hard work of everyone that has helped to shape the program into what it is today."
Evolution of the OMFS Program
From its beginnings the 91社区 OMFS program has undergone significant transformations. "What started in 1971 as one resident a year in a three-year program has grown over the past 50 years to have six graduates this year including three interns, two residents, and one fellow," says Dr. Jordan Gigliotti, OMFS Program Director. The program's evolution from a three-year residency to a six-year MD integrated program in 2013 marked a pivotal shift. "This switch has opened doors for our graduates, allowing them to pursue fellowship opportunities globally and become leaders of our specialty. The integration of the OMFS program with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has solidified 91社区's reputation as a preeminent training institution in North America."
Global impact and Innovation
One of the unique aspects of the 91社区 OMFS program is its Sponsored International Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency and Internship programs. "Since 2002 this program has allowed us to train residents from Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates," explains Dr. Gigliotti. The initiative has significantly contributed to the development of the specialty in the Middle East and expanded 91社区's global footprint.
In terms of innovation, the OMFS program is renowned for its development of in-house virtual surgical planning (CAD/CAM) protocols. "These protocols use open-source software to facilitate care for patients affected by craniomaxillofacial trauma, pathology, and deformities," says Dr. Gigliotti. The technology is particularly beneficial in the developing world, where the use of third-party vendors is often cost-prohibitive. "This innovation and dissemination of knowledge through publications, websites, YouTube channels, and public presentations have had a meaningful impact on global surgery."
A vision for the future
Looking ahead, the 91社区 OMFS program continues to seek new strategies to enhance resident training. "We are exploring novel tools such as medical simulation and artificial intelligence," explains Dr. Gigliotti. The program is also transitioning to competency-based education models, aligning with methods already adopted by medical specialty programs. "We look to be at the forefront of this paradigm shift in resident education in our specialty in North America."
Dr.听Nicholas Makhoul, Dr. Jordan Gigliotti and Dr. David Koppel, Associate Program Director, are committed to building on the legacy of excellence that has defined the 91社区 OMFS program for the past fifty years. As the program embarks on its next chapter, it remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of education, innovation, and patient care in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
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