Lecturers
Thomas Smallman
Dr Thomas Victor Smallman
550 Harrison St, Syracuse, NY, 13210
Fax: (315) 464-5222
Email: smallmat@upstate.edu
Dr Smallman is currently practicing general orthopaedics at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.
He studied medicine at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario from 1971 to 1974, after a short career as a Communications Engineer for the Canadian Armed Forces [CF]. After a mixed internship [internal medicine/surgery], he practiced general medicine as Base Surgeon for the CF in Shilo [1975-77], and then Winnipeg, Manitoba as Base and Flight Surgeon [1977-79].
Winnipeg remained his home for several years; he trained there at the University of Manitoba in Orthopaedics from 1979 to 1983. Dr Smallman then moved to Ottawa where he worked at the National Defense Medical Center [NDMC] as the Head of Orthopaedics. Dr Smallman augmented his military duties, and maintained his skills, with trauma call over the next decade at several Ottawa area hospitals including the Ottawa Civic, the Queensway Carleton, and le centre regional hospitalier de l'Outaouais. Dr Smallman has participated in the University of Ottawa teaching program as a Lecturer since 1984, and continues this affiliation to this day. On retirement from the CF in 1991, Dr Smallman remained with NDMC as a civilian consultant from 1991 to 1993.
Dr Smallman subsequently has practiced in the State of New York since 1993.
Dr Smallman's role in the COA Annual Basic Science Course has been that of a facilitator and lecturer on fracture healing.
The course is the product of a true cooperative effort, with financial support from the Health Care Industry, and authority to proceed from the COA. The production of the course annually involves the efforts of Debbie, the Course Administrator in Ottawa, and Denise Stupp in Oswego. The content of the course represents thousands of hours of the combined work and clinical experience of all of the speakers. Any success that the course has had thus represents primarily this generous donation of time and thought from these individuals.
A special note of gratitude is required for the involvement of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. The participation of Drs Sweet, Vinh, Ragsdale, and Shekitka, and the use, therefore, of their clinical material for this educational effort is authorized by the Institute. The combined involvement of these pathologists for one full week annually for the last 14 years represents a significant contribution to the education of Canada's orthopaedic surgeons.
Influenced by the late Dr Lent Johnson, and by Dr Don Sweet, both from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Dr Smallman organized a team capable of delivering the course in the mid 1980's. Many individuals were key to the success of the project. The support, encouragement, and assistance of Dr Don Sweet, Dr Bruce Ragsdale, and Dr Hoa Vinh all from the AFIP, prompted Dr Smallman to proceed. Dr Emerson Brooks from McGill co-directed the program during its first ten years. He was a key force in ensuring that the course had adequate educational material; his annual evaluations led to numerous modifications and improvements in the course content and delivery. Dr Victor Fornasier of the University of Toronto was a key early player, helping with the direction of the course, and through generous provision of a glass slide set, used in the laboratory portion of the course for many years. Dr Robert Bell from Toronto, strongly supported the concept of the course, and developed the tumor treatment part of the program in conjunction with Dr Hudson Berry now from Gainesville, Florida.
With the core of a team in place, Dr Smallman approached Mr. Guy Mayer, of Zimmer Canada and Mr. Don MacPherson of Howmedica in 1986 with the idea for a basic science course for Canadian orthopaedic residents, and a request for support. Without hesitation promises for very generous, key startup funding were given. Over the ensuing years virtually every member of the Health Care Industry supporting orthopaedics has participated as a sponsor for the course.
Dr Smallman presented the idea for this course in 1987 to the Training, Education, and Qualification Committee of the COA, headed by Dr Garth Johnson. The promise of funding from the Health Care Industry, as well as the key support from the fledgling team as outlined above, allowed an endorsement for the course by the TEQ Committee.
The rest is history and hard work by a large group of committed people. One can review the sponsor list and view there the tangible ongoing support of the Health Care Industry for resident education.
Dr Mike Gross joined the course in its 10th year as Academic Coordinator. He provided key ideas on the organization of the course into daily themes, suggested that the course go digital. The course provides 2 CDs, one covering the lecture topics, and a second that is an atlas of pathology. Dr Kris Shekita has provided the lion's share of effort leading to a very useful document presented in a self-taught format.
The course is now an accepted portion of the training in all Canadian medical schools. The course operates for the COA under the combined authority of the Continuing Education Committee, headed by Dr David Pichora followed by Dr Pat Murnaghan , and the Specialty Committee, headed by Dr Geoff Johnston. The course receives an annual educational grant by the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation [COF], headed by Doug Thomson.The COF supports the course financially through an annual grant, and by funding the development of the digital resources.
