Local Organising Committee

Welcome from the LOC Chair

As Local Organising Committee Chair, it is a pleasure to welcome you to FIGO Montréal 2027.

We are proud to host the FIGO World Congress in a city known for its culture, diversity and innovation in healthcare, education and research. Working closely with local institutions, clinicians and partners, I look forward to showcasing both the strength of our global community and the unique character of Montréal.

Beyond the scientific sessions, Montréal offers a vibrant setting for your Congress experience. The social programme reflects the city’s spirit, offering opportunities to experience its rich cultural life, renowned hospitality and build real connections that makes an event like the FIGO World Congress memorable.

I hope you will take time to enjoy all that Montréal has to offer in November 2027,

Dr Marc-Yvon Arsenault

Local Organising Committee Chair

Meet the Local Organising Committee

Please click on each image to view the biography of the Local Organising Committee member.

Marc-Yvon Arsenault

LOC Chair

Marc-Yvon Arsenault

LOC Chair

Dr. Marc-Yvon Arsenault, MD, MSc, FRCSC(c) is an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist based in Montreal, with over 25 years of clinical, academic, and leadership experience. He is currently affiliated with the Centre Hospitalier de LaSalle and has held key leadership roles including Head of Obstetrical & Gynecological Ultrasound and Head of Family Planning Services.

He has been actively involved in major professional organizations such as the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the Association des Obstétriciens-Gynécologues du Québec, where he has contributed extensively to continuing medical education, conference organization, and professional development initiatives.

Dr. Arsenault has also served as an examiner and committee leader for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, playing a role in shaping national certification standards. His academic background includes degrees from McGill University, Université Laval, and Université de Montréal.

He has authored multiple scientific publications and received recognition for innovation in medical education, including awards for continuing professional development initiatives.

Karine Girard

Deputy Chair, social events lead, and Université Laval representative

Karine Girard

Deputy Chair, social events lead, and Université Laval representative

Dr. Karine Girard is an obstetrician-gynecologist at CHU de Québec and Professor at Université Laval, widely recognized for her leadership in clinical excellence, academic development, and professional governance. She obtained her medical degree and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Université Laval, followed by advanced fellowship training in pelvic surgery and minimally invasive laparoscopy at McGill University.

Since joining CHU de Québec in 2009, Dr. Girard has assumed several leadership roles, including Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where she has contributed to the advancement of clinical standards and interdisciplinary care. A committed educator, she plays a central role in residency training and simulation-based education, while actively contributing to undergraduate medical teaching and curriculum development.

Dr. Girard is deeply engaged in professional leadership through the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Quebec (AOGQ), where she has held key governance roles and contributed to medical educational development activities. Her clinical and academic interests include fibroids, transgender health, gynecologic surgery and obstetric care, with multiple presentations in provincial and international conferences.

Beyond her clinical and academic duties, she contributes to community health initiatives and supports foundations linked to healthcare

Nicholas Leyland

Scientific programme lead

Nicholas Leyland

Scientific programme lead

“Prior to his appointment here at McMaster University as Professor and Chair, of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Leyland was a Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto; and Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Medical Director of the Women’s, Children’s and Family Health Program at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. Dr. Leyland received his Bachelor of Applied Science degree with distinction from the University of Guelph (1979) and his MD with honours from the University of Toronto where he graduated as the Cody Silver Medalist (1983). In 2006, Dr. Leyland has also completed a Master of Science in Health Care Management from Harvard University Summa Cum Laude.

Dr. Leyland is the President of the Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada as of 2025-2027. He is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in gynecological surgery and women’s health. He has contributed academically to the advancement of women’s health in the development and the provision of the least invasive surgical options for a variety of surgical conditions. He is an award-winning teacher and researcher and sought after speaker on a variety of issues in women’s health, patient safety and quality in medicine. He has developed many innovative laparoscopic techniques including a laparoscopic operation to correct cervical incompetence in pregnant patients, an operation that he has trained surgeons to perform across Canada and in many other countries including the U.K, Israel, the Middle East, Africa, and China.

He has been the Chair of the Gynecology Clinical Practice Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, helping to set standards for the profession and as the President of the Society of Minimally Invasive Gynecologists of Canada. His academic career has been here at McMaster since 2010 and prior to that at the University of Toronto where he developed one of Canada’s first comprehensive clinical and research fellowships in minimally invasive gynecological surgery. He developed the McMaster Endometriosis Specialized Clinic, a multidisciplinary centre that receives referrals from across Canada and the USA.

Dr. Leyland is committed to providing the least invasive management options for women in a variety of medical and surgical conditions. His entire academic career has been dedicated postgraduate and undergraduate medical education to ensure women’s access to practitioners with the knowledge, skills and abilities to achieve this goal.”

Dean Paul O’Bryne, McMaster University

Sandrine Wavrant

Workshops lead, and Université de Montréal representative

Sandrine Wavrant

Workshops lead, and Université de Montréal representative

Dr. Sandrine Wavrant, originally from France, completed her obstetrics and gynecology training at Claude Bernard University in Lyon.

After a two-year fellowship in France and a fellowship in maternal and fetal medicine at the University of Montreal, she joined the team at Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center in Montreal in 2010.

She has been the head of the Maternal and Fetal Medicine (MFM) department since 2025 and is also responsible for the multidisciplinary prenatal diagnostic center. Her clinical interests include complex multiple pregnancies, therapy, and fetal pathologies.

She is also involved in continuing medical education: she is responsible for prenatal, ultrasound, and international training for the Continuing Professional Development Committee of the AOGQ (Quebec Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) and is an active member of the Quebec Association of Maternal and Fetal Medicine.

Dominique Tremblay

Fellowships lead and Université de Sherbrooke representative

Dominique Tremblay

Fellowships lead and Université de Sherbrooke representative

Dr Dominique Tremblay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Université de Sherbrooke and practices at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS).

He has been an active member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Quebec since 2013 and currently serves as its President. In this role, he is committed to advancing the profession and supporting high standards of care across the province.

Throughout his career, Dr Dominique Tremblay has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving women’s health. He is particularly dedicated to promoting equity in healthcare and advocating for better access to quality services for all women.

His academic, clinical, and leadership contributions reflect a deep engagement in both patient care and the broader medical community.

Sylvie Bouvet

Legacy project lead

Sylvie Bouvet

Legacy project lead

was born in a rural area of Quebec where I was lucky to have extraordinary parents who encouraged me and allowed me to realize myself as a full-fledged person. I thank them. On my way I met a wonderful man, Doctor too, who supported me in my personal and professional life. I thank him all the more because he shared with me the adventure of our 5 children and now that of our grandchildren. Thank you life!

I left my patelin at the age of 20 to study medicine. After medical studies for general training, I continued my post-doctoral training in obstetrics and gynecology at the Université Laval de Québec. Attracted by the multiple possibilities of ultrasound in prenatal diagnosis, I completed training at the Hospices civils de Lyon, France.

In 1992, I was ready to settle down for clinical general practice in ob-gyn. I spent my entire professional career in a regional center at the secondary level which later became a training center for the full curriculum of medical studies in affiliation with the medical program of the Université de Montréal. I then added a pre- and post-doctoral clinical teaching component for students.

Beyond my clinical activities, I was greatly involved in administrative functions within my hospital, first as head of department and then as president of the Council of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists. Subsequently, I held various positions within the Association des Obstéticiens et gynécologues du Québec (AOGQ) until I assumed the presidency from 2015 to 2017. I simultaneously held the position of Regional Vice-President (Quebec Region) for the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). The last years of my career have been devoted as National Director for Women's Health allowing me to act as a medical consultant at the Mother and Child Health Directorate (DSME) within the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS).

It was during all these activities that I was given to meet extraordinary colleagues both from Quebec and Canada as well as from different countries and different cultures struggling with problems to solve but also with their innovative solutions. I am always happy to see that everyone shares, just like me, the desire to defend and advance the quality of health care for women. What better than the FIGO meetings to stage this goal and give wings to all those people who want to improve the lives and health of women.

Niève Séguin

Trainee representative

Niève Séguin

Trainee representative

Niève Séguin is a senior OBGYN resident at the University of Montreal. She completed her Bachelor of Science as well as her Undergraduate Medical Education at the University of Ottawa to then pursue her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Montreal. Nieve has strong interests in sustainable healthcare, environmental health, medical education and simulation.

Douglas Wilson

West Canadian representative

Douglas Wilson

West Canadian representative

Dr. R Douglas Wilson is a professor / Emeritus in the Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine University of Calgary 2008 to present and is the past Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for CSoM and Alberta Health Services Calgary Zone.

He was previously a Professor at the University of BC (Obstet Gynecol / Medical Genetics) 1985-2001 and the University of Pennsylvania (Surgery / Obstet Gynecol) 2001-2008.

He is a Co -Chair of the SOGC Guideline Management Oversight Committee.

He has a Diploma for Health Care Management Harvard Business School (2010)

His research interests include quality improvement , maternal morbidity and mortality, ERAS – Caesarean Delivery, VBAC, PTB screening, congenital anomalies, prenatal diagnosis (screening, non-invasive imaging (ultrasound, MRI, low radiation CT), invasive prenatal diagnosis (chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, cordocentesis, fetoscopy), fetal therapy (closed shunts (chest, bladder); open maternal-fetal surgery, fetoscopic laser TTTS , TRAP, other monochorionic pathology), RCT for fetal diagnosis and therapy, maternal serum DNA/RNA fetal analysis; prenatal maternal counselling re fetal anomalies.

His present active research interest is in Health Care Policy (six peer-reviewed publication since 2021.

He has over 350 peer-reviewed publications and > 10 book chapters.

Violaine Marcoux

McGill University representative

Violaine Marcoux

McGill University representative

Dr. Violaine Marcoux completed her medical degree and residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at McGill University, followed by a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. She also completed a Master’s degree in Higher Education at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Marcoux is an Assistant Professor at McGill University and practices at the Jewish General Hospital in Montréal, a McGill University–affiliated academic centre. In addition to her general Obstetrics and Gynecology practice, her clinical interests focus on the management of endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, uterine fibroids, and abnormal uterine bleeding, with particular expertise in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

A former President of the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Quebec (AOGQ), Dr. Marcoux is actively involved in advancing women’s health care, improving care pathways, and promoting access to multidisciplinary care for women living with pelvic pain.

Munish Mohan

Local sponsorship lead

Munish Mohan

Local sponsorship lead

Munish Mohan is the Director of Business Development and Membership at the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). He leads strategic partnerships, revenue generation, and national membership growth, with a focus on strengthening engagement across Canada’s obstetrics and gynecology community.

With a strong background in commercial strategy and stakeholder relations, Munish has a proven ability to build high-value collaborations and deliver innovative programs that support organizational sustainability. In his role, he oversees sponsorships, member value initiatives, and growth strategies that advance SOGC’s mission to improve women’s health through leadership, education, advocacy, and research.

Isabelle D’Amours

SOGC secretariat

Isabelle D’Amours

SOGC secretariat

Isabelle D’Amours is a dedicated Executive Assistant with over six years of experience supporting senior leadership. She currently supports the CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), contributing to smooth daily operations in a fast-paced environment.

Isabelle demonstrates strong stakeholder communication skills and is known for managing complex calendars, as well as thoughtfully triaging high-volume inboxes. She brings structure and clarity to competing priorities while ensuring alignment across multiple demands. Often serving as a trusted resource for French-language quality assurance, she upholds high standards in its use, ensuring accuracy in written communications.

Recognized for her reliability, discretion, attention to detail, and proactive mindset, she takes initiative to resolve time-sensitive matters and provide dependable support.

Isabelle is a trained dental hygienist and, in this role, developed strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to care and precision. She is also an avid music enthusiast and engages in a range of visual art pursuits, with a particular affinity for drawing.