On this episode of EyeCan, we discuss an important topic related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Ophthalmology - Barriers to Corneal Donation, with Dr. Samir Jabbour, a corneal disease speciality in Montreal. Dr. Jabbour practices at the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal and the Jewish General Hospital and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Montreal and an Adjunct Clinical Professor at McGill University. His specialties include corneal disorders, external eye diseases, and refractive surgery, with a particular expertise in corneal grafts, limbal stem cell transplants, keratoconus and complex cataracts.

A graduate from the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University, Dr. Jabbour completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Montreal. Subsequently, he undertook two years of subspecialty training in Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery at the renowned Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and the prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, United Kingdom. He is currently pursuing a Master in Public Health at Harvard University.

Dr. Jabbour's research primarily focuses on ocular surface disease, keratoconus, and surgical techniques in keratoplasty, cataract and refractive surgery. His contributions to the field can be found in top-tier medical journals. He frequently presents his work at national and international conferences. As the director of the Cornea fellowship at CHUM, he mentors upcoming Cornea specialists. Additionally, he teaches medical students and ophthalmology residents from the University of Montreal and McGill University.

Show Notes:

1. Canadians' attitudes toward corneal donation: informational-motivational videos increase willingness toward corneal donation
2. Nucleic Acid Test (NATs)
3. Dr. Murdoch Leeies - Director of a Research Program focuses on promoting health equity in organ and tissue donation and transplantation across Canada, within the Department of Emergency Medicine at University of Manitoba. His objective is to enhance access and outcomes through targeted interventions. Notably, he is in the process of establishing a 2SLGBTQIA+ patient advisory team for the Transplant Manitoba Gift of Life organ donation program, collaborating with the University of Manitoba's Centre for Healthcare Innovation and the Manitoba Society for Patient-Oriented Research.
4. Challenging Outdated FDA Policy - Michael A. Puente works to end ban on cornea donations Challenging Outdated FDA Policy (cuanschutz.edu)
5. Eye Bank – COS’ Eye Bank Committee
6. COS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

With your hosts, Dr. Guillermo Rocha, Dr. Setareh Ziai, Dr. Mona Dagher, and Dr. Hady Saheb.

Written and Directed by Kim Tytler.

Produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.

The EyeCan Podcast is made possible by support from Bayer.

On this episode of EyeCan, we discuss the compelling topic of Genetic Testing, with our special guest Dr. Sarah Chorfi.

Dr. Sarah Chorfi was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. She graduated from Medical School at McGill University on the Dean’s honour list in 2016 and completed her Ophthalmology Residency at University of Montreal in 2021. She next completed a fellowship in inherited retinal degenerations at the Mass Eye and Ear at Harvard University and attended a summer school program in Computational Genomics Summer Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Dr. Chorfi received numerous awards during her training, including:

• Initiation to Vision Student Research Award
• McGill Faculty of Medicine Research Bursary
• Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal
• Bourse de perfectionnement dans le domaine de la bio-informatique et génomique computationnelle en maladies génétiques oculaires (Département d’ophtalmologie de l’Université de Montréal)

Dr. Chorfi now has a faculty position at the CHUM (University of Montreal) where she undertakes weekly ophthalmic genetics clinics.

With your hosts, Dr. Guillermo Rocha, Dr. Setareh Ziai, Dr. Mona Dagher, and Dr. Hady Saheb.

Written and Directed by Kim Tytler.

Produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.

The EyeCan Podcast is made possible by support from Bayer.

On this episode of EyeCan, we discuss the Upcoming Challenges in Retina, specifically Concerns about Capacity, with Dr. Shaheer Aboobaker, a retina specialist in Toronto.

With the recent approval of the first FDA approved treatment for geographic atrophy in the United States, we have invited Dr. Aboobaker to discuss the upcoming potentials of this new treatment as well as the challenges this may create in the Canadian context. Dr. Aboobaker is involved in multiple Phase 3 clinical trials and has presented at local and national meetings.

He is a fellowship trained retina surgeon, having completed a two-year Vitreoretinal fellowship at the University of Toronto. He obtained his medical degree at the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa and completed his residency at the prestigious University of Cape Town. While at the University of Cape Town, Dr. Aboobaker was awarded the Ophthalmological Society Medal for academic achievement by the Fellowship of Ophthalmologists of South Africa. He joined the world renowned team at the Toronto Retina Institute in 2018.

Dr. Aboobaker's academic and research interests include advancements in technology and innovative treatment options. He is also a sub-investigator in numerous ongoing industry trials. He has published several peer reviewed journal articles and has presented at both local and national meetings. He also established the TRI Journal Club.

Dr. Aboobaker's passion for education and philanthropy led him to co-found the Young Professionals Bursary, a scholarship aimed at assisting disadvantaged students in South Africa.

Show notes:

Toronto Retina Institute (TRI) https://www.torontoretinainstitute.com/#/

Updated inventory and projections for Canada’s ophthalmology workforce; Dr. Yvonne Buys, Dr. Lorne Bellan https://www.canadianjournalofophthalmology.ca/article/S0008-4182(22)00184-3/abstract

Age-related Macular Degeneration – various resources:

• Dr. David Maberley, AMD Ask the Expert (patient resource)
• AMD Patient Resources on See the Possibilities – video, brochure and more
• COS Press Release for AMD Awareness Month

With your hosts, Dr. Guillermo Rocha, Dr. Setareh Ziai, Dr. Mona Dagher, and Dr. Hady Saheb.

Written and Directed by Kim Tytler.

Produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.

The EyeCan Podcast is made possible by support from Bayer.