CGS Annual Dr. Richard Deckelbaum Student Conference
in Global Surgery
call for abstracts
March 22, 2026
Conference date: 9 May 2026
Thomson House on McGill University campus in Montreal (in person) & Zoom (virtual)
8:30 a, to 4:30 pm
conference OVERVIEW
Through a collaborative effort between students and health professionals from the McGill University Health Centre and international partners, we aim to provide a forum for discussion regarding the different challenges and approaches within the field of global surgery.
The CGS Annual Dr. Richard J. Deckelbaum Student Conference in Global Surgery is a student-led conference that occurs annually at McGill University to expose students to global surgery leaders and ongoing projects around the world. This year, the conference will be held on May 9, 2026 on the theme:
Global Surgery: Reflections of the Past, Realities of the Present, and Visions for the Future
The 14th edition of the conference will be hosted on the McGill University Campus and virtually; it is open to all trainees locally and internationally. The conference will include talks and workshops around education, advocacy, innovation, ethics and research in global surgery. It will also include a session for poster presentations highlighting advances in global surgery research..
This moment in time is especially meaningful as we celebrate the
15th anniversary
of the Centre for Global Surgery
Stay Tuned: Conference Agenda and Featured Speakers Coming Soon
Abstract submission deadline: 11:59 PM EST March 22nd, 2026
Submit your abstract using the button below. You will have the option of presenting your research in global surgery either in person or virtually. You will be judged by staff/resident surgeons on your poster presentation, and prizes will be awarded to the best presentations.
submit your abstract
Background
Injury and surgical disease are significant contributors to global morbidity and mortality. Surgically treatable conditions alone account for approximately 30% of the global burden of disease. The medical community is increasingly recognizing access to essential surgical care as a core component of all health systems, as demonstrated by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and WHO’s Global Initiative for Emergency and Essential Surgical Care. Despite this boost in international attention and research, basic surgical care remains unavailable to the majority of the world’s population.
This conference aims to bring together students and professionals from different health science backgrounds, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, across multiple Canadian universities, to stimulate research and promote global surgery.
Objectives
To highlight the value and importance of global surgery
To educate students and healthcare professionals on high impact approaches in global surgery
To provide opportunities to present research relevant to global surgery
To stimulate research and encourage networking to enhance collaboration on future global surgery projects
To expose students to opportunities in global surgery
For information about past conferences, click here.