The OV Surgical Team

Dr. Jason Conrad Smith brings a unique blend of personal and professional experience to his orthopaedic practice, making him a trusted expert in sports medicine. His journey began with an undergraduate degree in Biology at Princeton University, where he was also a standout athlete, competing for the Princeton Tigers NCAA Division I hockey team. After his first year at Princeton, Dr. Smith was selected as a fourth-round draft pick by the Calgary Flames, but he chose to complete his college career and played all four years with the Tigers before going on to play professional hockey for the Flames’ AHL affiliate, the Saint John Flames in New Brunswick. Unfortunately, after his first season of professional hockey, Dr. Smith was forced to retire due to injuries.

This firsthand experience as an elite athlete gave Dr. Smith a deep understanding of the physical demands and mental resilience required in sports, as well as the frustrations of injury. His own experiences on the ice sparked a desire to help other athletes overcome their injuries and return to the sports they love.

Driven by this passion, Dr. Smith attended medical school at the University of Calgary and completed his orthopaedic residency at McGill University. To further refine his expertise, he pursued a prestigious sports fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Alabama, under the mentorship of Dr. James Andrews. Here, he gained unparalleled insights into the intricacies of sports injuries, particularly those affecting throwing athletes. Working alongside Dr. Andrews, a world-renowned specialist in baseball injuries, Dr. Smith honed his skills in treating complex cases, including the highly specialized Tommy John surgery (UCL reconstruction).

In 2007, Dr. Smith brought his expertise to Toronto, where he established his sports orthopaedic practice at the Scarborough Health Network. With his specialized focus on sports injuries of the shoulder, elbow, and knee, Dr. Smith quickly emerged as one of Canada’s leading sports surgeons. His reputation for excellence led to him being sought after by prestigious organizations like the Toronto Blue Jays and Baseball Canada.
Beyond his work in baseball, Dr. Smith is a respected figure in the broader sports community. He works closely with the NHL Players Association to provide second opinions for active NHL players. In addition, he collaborates with Golf Canada and recently had the privilege of seeing one of his patients win a PGA Tour event. Whatever sport you play, Dr. Smith’s expertise can help you get back to competition at your highest level.

Outside of the operating room, Dr. Smith’s love for sports continues. He enjoys skiing, kite surfing, and playing hockey. He lives in Toronto with his wife and son, where they share a passion for an active lifestyle.
With both personal experience as a professional athlete and extensive medical training, Dr. Jason Conrad Smith offers his patients a unique perspective and a deep commitment to helping them return to their best selves.

Dr. Jas Chahal is a leading orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon renowned for his expertise in hip, knee, and shoulder arthroscopic surgery, as well as advanced cartilage repair. As the Division Head of Orthopaedic Surgery at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto and an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto, Dr. Chahal is at the pinnacle of his field, recognized for both his clinical acumen and academic contributions.

Dr. Chahal’s commitment to excellence extends beyond his hospital role. He serves as a Team Surgeon for Toronto FC (Major League Soccer) and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Athletics program, where his specialized knowledge enhances the performance and recovery of elite athletes. His notable work includes pioneering the first North American clinical trial on the use of mesenchymal stem cells for osteoarthritis treatment. With over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications, Dr. Chahal is a prolific contributor to sports medicine. His exceptional achievements were further acknowledged when he was selected as a 2022 Travelling Fellow by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, a prestigious honor that underscores his leadership and innovation.

Dr. Chahal’s blend of clinical expertise, academic rigor, and dedication to sports medicine makes him the ideal choice for patients seeking world-class care. His reputation attracts individuals from across Canada who are looking for joint preservation strategies and comprehensive treatment approaches.

Dr. Sebastian Rodriguez-Elizalde is an Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction surgeon in Toronto, Ontario. He has a special interest minimally invasive Direct Anterior Approach Hip Replacement and Robotically Assisted Total Knee Replacement. He is involved in teaching advanced surgical techniques and mentors’ surgeons, students and residents with industry support. He is also the current Fellowship Director for Humber Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Program at Humber Hospital, offered through the University of Toronto.

His Orthopaedic Surgical Residency training was completed at the University of Ottawa, after which he was accepted for Fellowship training at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York. There he completed his Hip and Knee Reconstruction Fellowship at the world’s largest total joint replacement hospital. In addition, he was also the recipient of the Phillip D. Wilson Award for his research while in New York (the only Canadian to ever win the award).

After returning to Canada, he completed a second Fellowship in Advanced Orthopaedic Trauma reconstruction at Sunnybrook Hospital, under the tutelages of Dr. Kreder and Dr. Stephen. Dr. Rodriguez-Elizalde then further completed another Fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in Lower Limb Extremity Reconstruction under the guidance Dr. Backstein, before moving his practice to Humber Hospital.

Early in his clinical practice, Dr. Rodriguez-Elizalde completed his Masters in Health Administration at the University of Toronto, and has a special interest in optimizing hospital resources and patient care pathways.
*At this time OVS does not offer hip and knee replacements. We are working to add this procedure in the future.

Dr. Richard (Ricky) Brull is an internationally recognized academic anesthesiologist with extensive clinical, research, and leadership experience. He completed his residency at the University of Toronto in 2004 and subspecialty fellowship training in Regional Anesthesia for orthopedic surgery at the esteemed Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, returning to Toronto Western Hospital in 2005 where he continues to practice. He has served as Site Chief of Anesthesia at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto and held their inaugural Evelyn Bateman Recipe Chair in Ambulatory Anesthesia and Women’s Health.

Promoted to Full Professor at the University of Toronto in 2014, Dr. Brull has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles in leading medical journals and numerous chapters in authoritative textbooks. His academic work has been cited over 7,000 times, reflecting his major contributions to regional anesthesia safety and postoperative outcomes. He has held senior editorial leadership positions at Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine and Anesthesia & Analgesia, two of the field’s most respected journals.

Dr. Brull has delivered well over 100 invited international lectures and played an integral role in shaping standards and educational programs under the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. His scholarly impact is matched by programmatic innovation: he was a leader in launching Canada’s first fully outpatient total knee and hip replacement teaching hospital-based program, designed novel nerve block techniques, and introduced perioperative protocols that reduce opioid use and expedite discharge. His quality assurance initiatives emphasize evidence-based care, safety monitoring, and clinical outcome improvement.
Dr. Brull’s commitment to system-level change and academic excellence, alongside his proven leadership in designing, evaluating, and implementing high-quality perioperative care pathways, make him uniquely qualified to serve as our Head of Anesthesia at OV Surgical. His work integrates research, clinical expertise, and policy advancement to ensure the highest standards in ambulatory orthopedic surgical care.

As the Surgical Patient Navigator at OV Surgical Centre, Ciarize supports patients through every step of their surgical experience — from referral to the day of their procedure. Serving as the main point of contact, she assists with scheduling, paperwork, and any questions that may arise along the way. By coordinating with the surgeons and clinical team, she helps ensure a smooth and compassionate experience. Her goal is to make every patient feel supported, informed, and cared for throughout their journey with OV Surgical.