Webinar Recording: Strengthen Your Advocacy Skills Ahead of the Federal Election

Join Our Exclusive Webinar for COS Members and Residents

COS is pleased to provide this Advocacy and Government Relations webinar for the upcoming Federal Election. This event was offered exclusively to COS members and Residents on April 16th, 2025. 

We are living in unprecedented times—facing evolving healthcare challenges, an aging population, and a rapidly changing political landscape. With the upcoming federal election serving as a pivotal moment for Canadians, this is a unique opportunity to unite in shaping the future of vision health and ophthalmology.

This accredited webinar designed to equip you with the skills and key messages needed to advocate effectively with local and provincial policymakers. Your voice is critical in ensuring that ophthalmology and vision health remain a priority on the national agenda.

Did you miss this webinar? Not to worry! A recording is available for our members and residents to view below.


Nina Ahuja, MD
COS Chair, Council on Advocacy
COS Board of Directors

Dr. Ahuja leads the COS Advocacy Council and advises the Board of Directors on COS’ advocacy and government relations initiatives. She recently developed a framework for implementing Canada’s National Eye Care Strategy, along with other key submissions to the federal government.

Learn more about COS’ advocacy work here.

Brett Hartley, Manager, Public Affairs
Impact Public Affairs

Brett Hartley is a seasoned government relations professional with a deep passion for Canadian politics, public policy, and relationship-building. With over a decade of political experience, including significant time on Parliament Hill, he has worked closely with municipal, provincial, and federal officials to drive impactful initiatives and deliver meaningful results for both policymakers and clients.


Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

  1. Understand how to effectively communicate key issues to government officials and policymakers
  2. Learn best practices for securing and conducting successful meetings with elected officials
  3. Gain insights into the current political landscape and how it affects our ophthalmology profession

Why Advocacy Matters

Advocacy is essential for protecting and advancing ophthalmology as a profession. Whether addressing patient access to care, healthcare system sustainability, or funding for vision research, your voice can make a difference. Engaging with policymakers ensures that ophthalmology remains a priority in healthcare discussions.

2025 ASOT Eye Trauma Annual Meeting

Submitted by: Félix Plamondon

2025 ASOT Eye Trauma Annual Meeting

The American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma (ASOT) invites physicians around the world to participate to their fourth meeting on eye trauma. Many learning opportunities on sports eye injuries, prevention and management of ophthalmic trauma will be offered throughout the meeting.

Date: May 9 – 10, 2025

Location: Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation and Education (MITIE) in Houston, Texas (6670 Bertner Avenue).

Important Information: The Annual Meeting registration closes on May 5th. There is a maximum of 40 attendees that can register for the damage control and reconstruction skills transfer lab (wet lab course). The early-bird pricing for registration ends on April 21st. This activity is recognized by the American Medical Association and can be counted for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

Learning Objectives:

Get all the details for the registration process and full schedule of the meeting here: https://theasot.com/2025-annual-meeting-information-page/

56th Sally Letson Symposium

Join us from Thursday, September 11 – Saturday, September 13, 2025

This year’s topic is Uveitis – Cells, Haze, and Macular Edema: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Over the course of 2.5 days, the program will delve into the realm of ophthalmology with top experts, captivating lectures, interactive learning and cutting-edge insights that will elevate your learning and practice. Seize this opportunity to enrich your knowledge and skills in this vital field, all while earning Section 1 MOC credits! 

Learning Objectives

At the end of the symposium, participants will be able to:

  1. Assess and differentiate between common and uncommon presentations of uveitis, and apply appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies to enhance patient care.
  2. Analyze recent advancements in uveitis research, including novel therapies, immunosuppressive treatments, and emerging diagnostic techniques, and integrate new findings into clinical decision-making.
  3. Describe the complexities of uveitis and its impact on vision and overall health, demonstrate effective patient communication strategies, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive, patient-centered care plans.

CanMEDS: Medical Expert, Scholar, Communicator

Target Audience: This symposium is designed for attendance by ophthalmologists, ophthalmology fellows and residents, optometrists, orthoptists, medical students, technologists, nurses, and other allied health professionals.

Get a sneak peek at the preliminary program! Click here for more information.

Location: Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4

For more information, please visit the Sally Letson Symposium Website.

QUESTIONS? For inquiries relating to the scientific program and CPD credits, please contact Jill Garner [email protected]


35th Annual Jack Crawford Day Conference

Join your fellow members of the U of T and SickKids Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences communities for a full day of professional development and networking opportunities. This conference honours the late Dr. Jack S. Crawford, former Ophthalmologist-in-Chief for the Hospital for Sick Children, whose career was dedicated to advancing the specialty of pediatric ophthalmology and the care of children’s eye problems.

The 35th Annual Jack Crawford Day will focus on the theme “Every Angle, Every Child: Recent Advances in Kinder Eye Care.” The day will include topics relevant to both pediatric and general eye specialists including pediatric refractive surgery, intrascleral fixation IOL in children with zonular deficiency, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in children, tips and pearls from 42 years in strabismus practice, 2025 PEDIG updates, virtual reality perimetry, anti-VEGF and systemic implications for ROP, pneumatic retinopexy and a few more

Date: April 4th, 2025 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (E.T)
Location: The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning Auditorium in Toronto, ON (686 Bay Street)

Speakers: Drs. Sean Donahue, Manoj Parulekar and Stephen Kraft
In-person and online registration is available for this event.

For more information, such as registration, click HERE.

DOVS CORNEA ROUNDS – no rounds for this week

Date:

Time:

Title: 

Speaker:

Zoom Link to Register:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

The VPP Grand Rounds Local and Visiting Professor Program is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. You will be able to claim 1 credit for this round.

Low Vision Rehabilitation Journal Club – VIA ZOOM

The Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto would like to extend an invitation to you, your colleagues, fellows, residents and students to join them in the Low Vision Rehabilitation Journal Club.

Date: Wednesday, March 26th, 2025
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 PM ET
Topic: Neuroplasticity in vision rehabilitation
Speaker: Drs. Ghaliah Nsour and Sangeetha Santhakumaran

Learning Objectives:

To register in advance for this webinar, click HERE.

The VPP Grand Rounds Local and Visiting Professor Program is a self-approved group learning activity (Section1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This activity is accredited for Section 1 MOC credits. You may claim a maximum of 1 hour.

DOVS GRAND ROUNDS – no rounds for this week

Date:

Time:

Title: 

Speaker:

Zoom link:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Objectives:

The VPP Grand Rounds Local and Visiting Professor Program is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. You will be able to claim 1 credit for this round.

DOVS RESIDENT TEACHING – IN PERSON – No teaching this week

Date:

Time:

Location:

Title

Speakers:

The VPP Grand Rounds Local and Visiting Professor Program is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

DOVS CORNEA ROUNDS –  No Sutures, No worries:  Mastering Flanged Scleral Fixation – VIA ZOOM

Date: Thursday, March 27th, 2025

Time: 5:00 – 6:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Title: No Sutures, No worries:  Mastering Flanged Scleral Fixation

Speaker: Professor Adi Einan Lifshitz

Zoom Link: Register in advance for this webinar

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Objectives:

1. Understand the Principles and Indications for the Flange scleral fixation technique Master the Surgical Steps;

2. Recognize Complications, Postoperative Care and tips for success.

The VPP Grand Rounds Local and Visiting Professor Program is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. You will be able to claim 1 credit for this round.