Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of the Conference Committee, it is with great pleasure and honour to announce our “Advanced Principles and Practice of Clinical Research Course” which will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Toronto Airport, in Mississauga, Ontario on October 28, 2011. We have compiled an array of lectures and interactive panel discussions to further build on our annual Principles and Practice of Clinical Research Course (PPCR) to cover all aspects of advanced surgical clinical research.

This important course will include topics such as setting the stage for clinical research, learning from past trials and tribulations, and methodological and design issues in clinical trials. It is an opportunity designed for research coordinators, residents, surgeons, and allied health professionals with previous clinical research experience and those who have previously attended the PPCR to further advance their concepts of clinical research. This session provides an excellent opportunity to further develop one's clinical research skills.

We have assembled an excellent and diverse lecturing faculty this year including a remarkable guest lecturer who will provide in-depth personal experience and recommendations for the progression of educational research and the development of a successful research program. The invited guest lecturer this year is General Surgeon, Dr. Deepak Dath from McMaster University. Other invited faculty members include Drs. Emil Schemitsch and Daniel Whelan (University of Toronto); and Drs. Jason Busse, Brad Petrisor, Richard Whitlock, Femi Ayeni, and Achilleas Thoma (McMaster University).

In addition to the official program, this course offers excellent opportunities to meet experts in the field and establish relationships with other colleagues. The program also includes multiple integrated panel discussions and focuses on resident research. Following every session of material, all faculty involved will participate in high level dialogue that will require participation and critical thinking. Furthermore, activities will be introduced to participants during panel discussions so that participants are able to apply learned material.

Registration is now open, and we encourage you to register without delay, as space is limited. Our Conference Coordinator is available to assist you with all aspects of the registration process. Please feel free to contact the Conference Coordinator at 905-220-8288 or by email at coordinator@cmecourses.ca for assistance.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we offer you a very warm invitation to attend this year's Advanced Principles and Practice of Clinical Research Course.