The Department offers a range of professional development opportunities under the leadership of Dr. Fariba Mohtashami, Division Head of General OBGYN, to strengthen surgical expertise across British Columbia.
The Advanced Workshop on the Laparoscopic Anatomy of the Female Pelvis has been a highly sought-after course since 2017, held four times to date. This two-day program combines didactic teaching with extensive hands-on laparoscopic dissection. Participants gain mastery of the retroperitoneal spaces and pelvic floor anatomy using unprocessed specimens, guided by internationally renowned faculty selected for their expertise. Advanced surgical techniques are tailored to the needs of each participant. The workshops are especially valued for their collegial atmosphere and the exceptional quality of instruction.
The next workshop is scheduled for Spring 2026. Following the course, participants may continue their learning through preceptorship opportunities offered via the Surgical Preceptorship Program, supporting the safe adoption of new surgical techniques currently being developed by Dr. Jag Ubhi.
In addition, the Department will launch quarterly Surgical Video Coaching sessions beginning in Fall 2025. Led by Drs. Fariba Mohtashami and Paul Van Kesteren—both certified coaches with The Academy for Surgical Coaching—these sessions will include detailed video reviews of surgical cases, including intraoperative complications, to encourage reflection and broaden surgical perspectives.
A Surgical Video Library is also in development to provide on-demand access to curated educational content.