Mentorship Program
Canada's Leading Mentorship Program for Ophthalmology Students
Canadian Ophthalmology Mentorship Program (COMP) is an opportunity to connect with current ophthalmology residents across Canada for learning and career growth.
Networking Opportunities
This is a unique chance to build meaningful relationships with leaders in the field of ophthalmology.
Career Guidance
Work alongside expert mentors to discover the right pathway for your career.
Speaker Series
You will also be invited to our speaker series with experts in the field to gain knowledge and ask questions.
"I was a mentee in the first COMP iteration. Now, my mentor and I are co-residents!"
Mentorship Program
View LessA partnership between the Council of Canadian Ophthalmology Residents (CCOR) and the Canadian Ophthalmology Student Interest Group (COSIG).
COMP connects Canadian medical students (mentees) and ophthalmology residents (mentors) to help build a nation-wide network of mentors and mentees in the landscape of Canadian ophthalmology training. Faculty guidance is provided by Dr. Radha Kohly, a medical retina specialist and Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Diversity and Equity, and Global Health in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto.
COMP will connect 3-4 Canadian medical students (mentees) per ophthalmology resident (mentors) for the purposes of networking and career exploration. Participants will also be invited to monthly mentorship webinars from September 2022 to May 2023, featuring discussions with ophthalmologists and resident physicians on various dimensions of career and personal development in ophthalmology.
Sign ups for the 2023 COMP Connect are now closed. Stay tuned for 2024 COMP sign ups.
Recent Speaker Events
Dr. Britta Gustavson
University of British Columbia
Dr. Allison Bernstein
University de Montreal
Dr. Abdullah Al-Ani
University of Calgary
Dr. Stuti (Misty) Tanya
McGill University
Dr. Deeksha Kundapur
University of Ottawa
Dr. Malshi Karunatilake
University of Alberta
Post-CaRMS Resident Event
Discussion with residents who completed the 2022 CaRMS process and successfully matched into ophthalmology!
September 11th, 2022. 1-2 PM EST
Register NowDr. Colin Mann
MD, FRCSC
Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
COS President
Dr. Erin Demmings
MD, MEd, FRCSC
Saint John, New Brunswick
Dr. Colin Mann
MD, FRCSC
Fredericton, New Brunswick
A Discussion on Community Ophthalmology
The life of community ophthalmologists.
February 8, 2022
(6 PM - 7 PM EST)
Register NowDr. Claire Sheldon
MD,PhD, FRCSC
University of British Columbia
Dr. Nupura Bakshi
MD, FRCSC
University of Toronto
Dr. Helen Chung
MD, FRCSC
University of Calgary
A Discussion on Academic Leadership in Ophthalmology
Life of a Neuro-ophthalmologist, Comprehensive ophthalmologist, and medical retina-uveitis specialist.
January 11th, 2022
(7:30 - 8:30PM EST)
Register NowDr. Agnes Wong
MD,PhD, FRCSC
Professor of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Psychology, University of Toronto
Facilitator in the Mindfulness & Compassion Training for Health & End-of-Life Care Professionals Program (Sarana Institute, Toronto)
Life of an Ophthalmologist-Chaplain
Developing a mindfulness practice to thrive in medical school and residency
December 15th 2021
(7:30 - 8:30PM EST)
Register NowFrequently Asked Questions
1. How do I contact my mentor?
Once you have been paired with a mentor, we will send an introductory email to connect you and your mentor. We request that you cc our email on your first correspondence as confirmation of your participation in the COMP.
2. I’m not sure what questions to ask my mentor, or I feel that I have too many questions and don’t know where to begin.
We understand that this can be overwhelming, but remember, your mentor was once exactly where you are now! They are here to support you and are excited to offer their wisdom to the best of their abilities. Try to approach your discussion as a conversation with a few pertinent topics in mind—what are you curious to learn about from your mentor?
3. Can I arrange in-person meetings with my mentor? How about shadowing or elective experiences? Or even research opportunities?
With the outset of COVID-19-related changes, we mandate that all mentors and mentees abide by current public health, AFMC, and institutional guidelines regarding all clinical and non-clinical (i.e. research) experiences.
4. How often can I contact my mentor?
At your introductory meeting, we recommend that you and your mentor establish mutual expectations regarding communication frequency. COMP enables access to a trusted mentor for medical students through the gracious volunteerism of ophthalmology residents. As such, we remind mentees of maintaining respect and professionalism in communicating with their mentors.
5. What do I do if I cannot get in touch with my mentor?
We recommend that you reach out to COSIG if you are unable to get a hold of your mentor after a few attempts. We are happy to contact your mentor on your behalf if needed. However, we also encourage mentees to be patient and mindful of their mentors’ busy schedules as resident physicians.
6. What do I do if I’m unable to commit to the mentoring relationship?
We strongly recommend that you reach out to COSIG using the contact information provided at the end of this document at your earliest convenience. This will allow us to pair another medical student with your mentor if needed.
Meet the Organizers
Anne Xuan-Lan Nyugen
Medical student, Class of 2023
McGill University
Daiana Roxana-Pur
Medical student, Class of 2024
University of Western Ontario
R. Damilola Adekunle
Medical student, Class of 2024
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Sloane Kowal
Medical student, Class of 2024
Queen's University
Resident and Faculty Advisors
Dr. Stuti "Misty" Tanya
PGY-1 Ophthalmology Resident
McGill University
Dr. Cody Lo
PGY-2 Ophthalmology Resident
University of Ottawa
Dr. Michael Nguyễn
PGY-5 Ophthalmology Resident
University of Toronto
Dr. Radha Kohly
MD PhD FRCSC
Vice Chair for the Faculty Development, Diversity and Equity and Global Health to the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto
Dr. Femida Kherani
MD FRCSC
Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia
Women in Ophthalmology Canada Chapter - Founder
Dr. Fiona Costello
MD FRCPC
Professor, Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
Director, The Roy and Joan Allen Chair in Vision and Visual SciencesClinician-Scientist, Hotchkiss Brain Institute
This is some text inside of a div block.
