In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Emaan Chaudry and Danielle Solish talk to Dr. Garfield Miller, an ophthalmologist and assistant professor at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute.

Dr. Miller has been practicing at the Ottawa Hospital since 2011. Dr. Miller obtained a bachelor degree in science at McMaster University and later completed medical school and residency at the University of Toronto. During his 5-year residency, Dr. Miller developed a passion for patients suffering from glaucoma. He was accepted into the Glaucoma and Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery fellowship at the University of Toronto, specializing in complex cataracts and micro-invasive techniques.

At the University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Dr. Miller is a full-time academic staff and assistant professor involved in teaching and research. He specializes in cataracts, anterior segment repair, and complex glaucoma management. Dr. Miller also coordinates the glaucoma curriculum and has an interest in neuroprotection.

In this episode, we discuss:

- What drew Dr. Miller to the field of ophthalmology.

- The day in the life of a glaucoma specialist.

- Opportunities Dr. Miller has had to teach nationally and internationally.

- Advice Dr. Miller has for student learners.

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In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Emaan Chaudry and Danielle Solish talk to Dr. Michael Nguyen, a fourth year ophthalmology resident at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Nguyen was born in Toronto and received his medical degree from McMaster University. Dr. Nguyen has a strong passion in medical education. He recently created VISCO (the Virtual Introductory Student Course in Ophthalmology), a free and interactive online course that teaches the fundamentals of ophthalmology to medical students. Dr Nguyen is currently serving as the President of the Council of Canadian Ophthalmology Residents.​​

In this episode, we discuss:

- Dr. Nguyen’s journey to ophthalmology.

- What a day in the life of a PGY1 - 4 ophthalmology resident looks like.

- How to maintain a work life balance throughout residency.

- About Dr. Nguyen’s involvement with COSIG and his summer VISCO course (https://www.cosig-gecio.com/visco)

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In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Emaan Chaudry and Danielle Solish talk to Dr. Nina Berrocal, a retina and vitreous disease specialist at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Dr Berrocal completed her undergraduate degree at Princeton University, and then went on to complete her medical school and residency in ophthalmology at Tufts University. Following her residency, she completed a vitreoretinal and uveitis fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Dr. Berrocal is a world-leader in the medical and surgical management of retinopathy of prematurity and pediatric vitreoretinal disorders. She was the first surgeon to treat the youngest patient in the United States with the first FDA-approved gene therapy. She also devotes time to teach and support women in the field of ophthalmology and retina.

In this episode, we discuss:

- What drew Dr. Berrocal to the field of ophthalmology.

- What aspects of ophthalmology are the most rewarding to her.

- The book “Women in Ophthalmology”, what inspired Dr. Berrocal to be a part of it, and topics highlighted in the book.

- Dr. Berrocal’s advice for our listeners interested in pursuing ophthalmology.

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In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Emaan Chaudry and Danielle Solish talk to Dr. Caroline Baumal, a Professor of Ophthalmology at New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA.

Dr. Baumal specializes in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous. Her research interests include novel retinal imaging and drug development, which continue from her early career research using the first prototype OCT and working with drug implants and photodynamic therapy. Her clinical interests include age-related maculopathy, diabetic retinopathy, complex vitreoretinal surgery, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Dr. Baumal completed medical school and ophthalmology residency at the University of Toronto after undergraduate studies at McGill University. She completed two fellowships: one at New England Eye Center, Boston in Medical Retina and Lasers and another in Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Baumal is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology She received the Crystal Apple and Senior Honor Awards from the American Society of Retinal Specialists, the Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Donald Gass Beacon of Sight award from the Florida Ophthalmologic Society.

She has been appointed to  the ASRS Retina Hall of Fame and was listed as a the Top 100 Female Ophthalmology in 2021. She is on the editorial board for Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging (OSLI) Retina and Retina Cases and Brief Reports journals. Dr. Baumal has authored over 150  publications, 28 book chapters on retinal diseases and recently edited the book Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy.  She is actively involved in teaching vitreoretinal fellows and residents and was previously Director of Education and the Residency program at New England Eye Center`

In this episode, we discuss:

- What drew Dr. Baumal to the field of ophthalmology.

- What a day in the life of a retina specialist looks like.

- Completing medical school in Canada and then transitioning to practice in the United States.

- What it’s like to be a practicing physician who is also involved with research and clinical trials.

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In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Emaan Chaudry and Danielle Solish talk to Dr. Setareh Ziai, an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute.

Dr. Ziai  completed her residency training in ophthalmology at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute, followed by two years of fellowship training in cornea, external disease, anterior segment and refractive surgery. Her practice encompasses tertiary care clinical and surgical ophthalmology, with a focus on ocular surface disease, corneal transplantation, ocular tumour resection, anterior segment reconstruction and complex cataract surgery.

Dr Ziai is also heavily involved in clinical research, as well as resident and fellow surgical and clinical training. She is the Director of the Cornea, Anterior Segment & Refractive Surgery Fellowship Program, as well as the Director of the Ophthalmic Medical Technology training program at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute. She is also a founding member of Canadian Women in Medicine and a member of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society Board of Directors.

In this episode, we discuss:

- What drew Dr. Ziai to the field of ophthalmology.

- What Dr. Ziai’s week as a cornea specialist looks like.

- Advice on what makes a good learner and how students can stand out in their surgical rotations.

- Dr. Ziai’s experience with the national organization, Canadian Women in Medicine (CWIM)

- Being a female in ophthalmology.

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In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Emaan Chaudry and Danielle Solish talk to Dr. Rosa Braga-Mele, a Professor of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Braga- Mele graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Ottawa Medical School. She then completed her residency at the University of Toronto. She went on to complete her Masters Degree in Higher Education.

Dr. Braga-Mele is a cataract specialist and educator who speaks frequently at both the national and international level on advanced surgical techniques and innovations in the area of phacoemulsification surgery and complicated cataract cases and IOL development. She has over 150 published abstracts and papers.

Dr. Braga-Mele served as the Chair of the Education Clinical Committee (2015-2018) and Chair of Cataract Clinical Committee (2010-2015) for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and was a member of the Governing Board for ASCRS. She is Cataract Section Editor for EyeWorld (an ASCRS publication) and is on the editorial board of other ophthalmic publications.

She was the inaugural Research Director at the Kensington Eye Institute in Toronto from 2007-2012. She was appointed Cataract Director at the KEI in May 2013-Dec 2019.

She has won multiple teaching awards both at the undergraduate and resident levels at the University of Toronto, for her teaching and mentorship abilities including the Silver Needle award in 2003, 2007, 2012, 2016 and 2017 for best resident surgical teacher, and the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Community-Based Teaching Award in 2016. She was given the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Senior Achievement Award in 2013 for distinguished volunteer service and the AAO Secretariat Award in 2012 for special contributions to the Academy and ophthalmology out of proportion to others and making a difference in her efforts.

She was recently awarded University of Ottawa Alumni Association 2019 Meritas Tabaret Award given to those that have distinguished themselves through excellence and achievement in their professional field throughout their career; have demonstrated leadership in their profession; have made a positive contribution to the prestige, influence and reputation of the University of Ottawa; and have exercised and continue to exercise a strong positive influence in the community.

In this episode, we discuss:

- What drew Dr. Braga-Mele to the field of ophthalmology.

- How Dr. Braga-Mele maintains her work-life balance.

- The challenges and opportunities that come with being a woman in medicine / surgery.

- What makes a great learner.

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In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Danielle Solish and Emaan Chaudry talk to Dr. Maxwell Gelkopf and Dr. John Liu, both current Ophthalmology residents in their PGY-1 year at Western University and Queen’s University respectively.

Dr. Gelkopf graduated from biomedical sciences at University of Guelph in 2018, and completed his MD at McMaster University in 2021. He is currently a resident physician in Western University’s ophthalmology program. He is currently completing his off-service rotation in paediatric emergency medicine, and will continue to be off-service until June 2022, completing rotations in specialities that will enhance his ophthalmology education.

Dr. Liu is a first year ophthalmology resident at Queen's University. He completed his undergraduate studies at Queen's University, medical school at University of British Columbia, and completed a Research Fellowship with Dr. Ike Ahmed in Toronto before he began residency. He is currently doing a block of ophthalmology before he starts CTU/Internal Medicine next!

In this episode, we discuss:

- Dr. Gelkopf and Dr. Liu’s transition to residency and their responsibilities as clerks vs. a resident.

- Their path to ophthalmology and their interest in other specialties.

- The differences and similarities between their ophthalmology programs (Western University and Queen’s University).

- The relationship and camaraderie amongst ophthalmology residents in different programs.

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In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Emaan Chaudry and Danielle Solish talk to Dr. Selya Amrani, a current Ophthalmology resident at Queen’s University in her PGY-1 year.

Dr. Amrani completed a bachelor of Applied Science in Biomedical Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ottawa. She then went on to complete a Master of Engineering at McGill University, in the BBME (Biological and Biomedical Engineering) and specialized in Microfluidics (fluid mechanics). Dr Amrani then completed her medical school at the university of Ottawa through their French Stream. Dr Amrani has just begun her residency as a PGY-1at Queen’s University in Ophthalmology.

In this episode, we discuss:

- What drew Dr. Amrani to Ophthalmology.

- Dr. Amrani’s experience completing research during medical school and tips on how to get research opportunities.

- Advice on how to navigate completing and obtaining extra-curricular activities during the pandemic.

- Dr. Amrani’s advice to medical students going through the CARMS application process and how to make connections outside of your home school.

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In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Emaan Chaudry and Danielle Solish talk to Dr. Jim Denstedt, a current Ophthalmology resident at the University of Ottawa in his PGY-2 year.

Dr. Denstedt graduated from medical school at Western University in 2020. While in medical school, Jim pursued interests both in teaching and research. He taught prep courses for Undergraduate Physiology exams at Western and prior to medical school taught MCAT Biology for 2 years. With respect to research, Jim worked under the supervision of Dr. Cindy Hutnik with projects focused on modeling wound healing after glaucoma surgery in a 3D bioartificial tissue model. His work also sought to test a variety of wound healing modulating molecules as potential candidates for adjunctive therapy with glaucoma surgery.

In this episode, we discuss:

- What drew Dr. Denstedt to Ophthalmology.

- Dr. Denstedt’s involvement in research throughout medical school and residency.

- Advice for medical students interested in ophthalmology, including tips on electives and reference letters.

- How Dr. Denstedt managed stress during medical school and how he continues to deal with managing stress during his residency.

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In this episode of Seeing Clearly, Emaan and Danielle talk to Dr. Danah Albreiki, a neuro-ophthalmology and adult strabismus physician at the University of Ottawa.   

Dr. Danah Albreiki was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, did her medical school in King Faisal university in Dammam, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, then moved to Ottawa Canada to pursue her ophthalmology residency training. She also received her neuro-ophthalmology and adult strabismus training in Ottawa and continued on Academic staff as an associate professor since 2013.  

In this episode, we discuss: 

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