An expert panel came together to bust myths, answer questions and speak candidly, (L-R) Dr. Pam Lai (Community Family Physician), Dr. Luke Witherspoon (Family Men’s Health Centre at the Civic Hospital Campus), Dr. Luke Lavallée (Surgical Urologic Oncologist at The Ottawa Hospital), Dr. Christopher Morash (Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Chief of the Division of Urology, Clinician Investigator - Clinical Epidemiology Program, Champlain Regional Lead for Surgical Oncology OH (CCO)), Host Gary Zed (Founder & CEO, Canada's Forest Trust Corporation ), Dr. Robert MacRae (Radiation Oncologist and Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital), Amanda Ross (Registered Nurse, Clinical Research, Men’s Health & Urology) and Dr. Rodney Breau (Surgical Oncologist, Professor of Urology at The University of Ottawa, and Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute) at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.
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Event Date: 09/17/2026 Organizer: Mark Motors Group and Audi West Ottawa
Urologically Speaking brings Ottawa crowd together for candid health conversation
Ottawa’s medical community and health-conscious residents stepped out Thursday evening for Urologically Speaking, an engaging night of conversation, questions and myth-busting at Audi West Ottawa.
More than 200 guests filled the room, mingling over food and drinks before settling in for a candid discussion led by host Gary Zed. Hosted at Audi West Ottawa, the evening was made possible with support from Audi and Audi West Ottawa, along with Thirst Responders, Dunrobin Distilleries, Nespresso and La Bottega, who helped bring the event together.
The atmosphere was relaxed and conversational, despite the serious subject matter, as some of Ottawa’s leading urology and health professionals tackled questions many people might otherwise hesitate to ask.
The multidisciplinary panel moved quickly from everyday concerns to more complicated conversations about prostate cancer, bladder health, treatment options and life after treatment.
A lively rapid-fire round got the evening going, with doctors holding up yes-or-no cards to weigh in on common beliefs. Questions ranged from whether waking several times a night is simply part of aging to whether cycling causes prostate problems and whether prostate supplements actually work.
The audience also helped shape the evening, with 32 questions submitted ahead of time. Recurring UTIs, incontinence, PSA testing, family history, erectile dysfunction and the differences between surgery and radiation were among the topics put directly to the experts.
The conversation was equally focused on what happens after treatment, with discussion around continence, sexual health, rehabilitation and the challenges that can continue long after a cancer diagnosis.
The evening wrapped with a look at the future of urological care in Ottawa, including research, new treatments and advances that could change how patients are diagnosed and treated.
Dr. Sam Hetz (Dermapure) and Gary Zed at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Ottawa Hospital CEO Cameron Love and Gary Zed at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Peter Nicholson (WEALTH (WCPD Inc.)) and Anabel Bane at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Host Gary Zed welcomed everyone for taking the time to join a very important conversation, at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.The evening started off with some rapid fire statements for the panelist to answer with their Yes or No paddles, at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Community Family Physician Pam Lai spoke about her role as the starting point for many of the issues patients come to her with at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Prostate cancer screening was discussed at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.On the topic of survey vs radiation, Dr. Rob MacRae spoke to the radiation side and clarified the process and when and why one may choose this route for treatment, at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Matt Jones (Mark Motors Group), Dr. Christopher Morash, Gary Zed and Leslie T. Mise (Audi West Ottawa) at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.A single call to action for the room: book the appointment, have the conversation, bring your partner, at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Leslie T. Mise (Audi West Ottawa) thanked everyone for coming and for the sponsors; for their support in making this evening possible, at the UROLOGICALLY SPEAKING event, Audi West Ottawa, September 17, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.
