Be sure to join us as Dr. Jason Noble moderates this webinar featuring presentations by Dr. Tom Sheidow and Dr. Nupura Bakshi followed by live Q&A with the presenters.

Date: April 28, 2022
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 PM ET
Registration: Click here to register

Moderator:
Jason Noble, MD, FRCSC
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences
University of Toronto

The Impact of Retinal Fluid and Its Optimal Management in Clinical Practice

Presenter:
Tom Sheidow, MD, FRCSC
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Western University

Learning Objectives
After participating in this activity, participants will be able to:

• Refine and optimize nAMD management practices
• Recognize therapy compliance issues and formulate mitigation plans
• Interpret the significance of recalcitrant fluid and apply management strategies accordingly

Presenter:
Nupura Bakshi, MD, FRCSC
Assistant Professor
Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences
University of Toronto

Learning Objectives
After participating in this activity, participants will be able to:

• Refine and optimize nAMD management practices
• Identify common and less frequent complications and establish appropriate management strategies

CPD Credits

This webinar is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. You may claim a maximum of 1 hour (credits are automatically calculated).

This webinar was co-developed by the COS and Novartis and was planned to achieve scientific integrity, objectivity and balance.

Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Ophthalmology: Insights from Dr. Keith Carter, Past-President of AAO and AUPO. We will discuss obvious inequities in society and healthcare that everyone can understand. We will share data showing the current state of healthcare disparities and we’ll discuss the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion programs and the minority mentorship program. A lecture by Dr. Keith Carter will be followed by a panel discussion.

This webinar will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 8:00 – 9:30 pm EST.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar participants will be able to:

• Describe the impact of equity, diversity and inclusion efforts
• Identify how equity, diversity and inclusion programs improve their practice or institution
• Reference the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s effort to improve the minority medical student pipeline

Accreditation

This webinar is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. You may claim a maximum of 1.5 hours.

This webinar is supported by a sponsorship from Bayer.

Speaker – Dr. Keith Carter

Keith Carter, M.D., is the Lillian C. O’Brien and Dr. C.S. O’Brien Chair in Ophthalmology and Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Dr. Carter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Purdue University and a medical degree from Indiana University. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the University of Michigan, and a fellowship in oculoplastics and orbital surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He has been a faculty member at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics since 1988. He served as Residency Program Director for 14 years and was appointed Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in January 2006. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and American College of Surgeons. He has trained over 20 oculoplastic fellows and countless residents.

He is past President of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and past President of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology. He currently serves as the chair of the Executive Committee for the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program

Virtual conference taking place May 5-6, 2022.

We In this two-day ethics education event, rising voices and important truths will illuminate the shortcomings of a healthcare system that has attended most to those with privilege – whether due to intent, convenience, oversight or disinterest. This learning will challenge our systems of research, health care access, innovation processes, prioritization of funding and even our health care ethics lens. With the humility required to examine the social failures of healthcare, this conference will look for opportunities to build cultural safety and realign the work of the health care system to answer society’s call to justice.

Target Audience: Physicians, registered nurses, social workers and allied health, ethicists, people interested in ethical practices in public health, those interested in health policy, residents & students, specialty medicine, other.

CPD Credits: Up to 7.0 Mainpro+/ MOC Section 1 credits

Keynote Speaker: Nadine Caron, MA Public Health, MD, BSc Kinesiology. Professor, Northern Medical Program, University of Northern BC.

CALL FOR AWARD SUBMISSIONS

Submissions for the Innovation in Retina Research Award being offered by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) with the support of Bayer Inc. are now being accepted. The Award is open to residents or fellows enrolled in a Canadian clinical training program.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm ET on May 2, 2022.

The top three finalists will be notified during the week of May 23, 2022.

Finalists must be available to present their research proposal during an in-person symposium at the 2022 COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition scheduled from 6:30 – 8:00 am AT on Saturday, June 11, 2022.

If you have any questions or require support preparing or submitting your application, please email [email protected]

Award Overview

The Innovation in Retina Research Award is being offered by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) with the support of Bayer Inc. The Award is intended for clinical trainees (residents or fThe Innovation in Retina Research Award is being offered by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) with the support of Bayer Inc. The Award is intended for clinical trainees (residents or fellows) for a research project proposal on any topic related to retinal disease. While all retina topics will be considered, preference will be given to those using digital innovations in optimizing patient screening and care, including artificial intelligence (AI) and remote screening.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm ET on May 2, 2022.

The applications will be scored based on an independent peer review process. The top three selected submissions will present their research proposal during a virtual symposium at the 2022 COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition scheduled from 6:30 – 8:00 am AT on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The judging panel will ask questions about the research proposals and during the ensuing judging deliberations, the symposium audience will be able to vote for its choice of the top pitch. That research project proposal would gain an additional $5,000 towards its research. Three prizes will be awarded by the peer judging panel for a total of $70,000 (first prize: $35,000, second prize: $22,500, third prize: $12,500).

Funded research must be completed within 36 months from the start of funding. After the Annual Meeting, COS will distribute the funding to the winner’s institution. A research status report will be requested and should be submitted on July 1st of the ensuing year(s) that the project is running.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be enrolled in a Canadian clinical training program (residents or fellows).
• Award funds are solely intended for Canadian research purposes.
• Applicants must currently reside in Canada.
• The award and funds are intended for original research conducted by residents or fellows and should not supplement funding for an ongoing project.      
• If the submission refers to a multi-centre clinical trial, the applicant must specify his/her specific role in the research study.      
• If the application is for a sub-study of an ongoing project or trial, the applicant must specify his/her role and explain how the sub-study is distinct from the main study.
• If the scope of the project is greater than the funds awarded, the applicant must explain in what area the grant will be used. If another member of the team is involved in the project, the applicant is to describe his/her role in the study.
• The funds awarded may be used as a standalone or may be further leveraged by applying for funding from another source.
• Applicants must be available to present their research project proposals to the judging panel during a virtual session at the 2022 COS Annual Meeting & Exhibition, on Saturday, June 11^th, 2022 from 6:30 – 8:00 am AT.
• Funds will be administered by the Ophthalmology Division of the awardee’s affiliated university or equivalent.
• A research status report will be requested and should be submitted on July 1st of the ensuing year(s) that the project is running.
• Upon completion of the project, there is an expectation that the output of the research will be submitted for presentation at ophthalmology congresses like the COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition. The submission must acknowledge the source of the research funding as the Innovation in Retina Research Award supported by COS and Bayer Inc. 

Applications

• Applicants are asked to submit a proposal using the application form
• The application form should be emailed to [email protected] by 5:00 pm ET on May 2, 2022 along with the following documentation:
  • Curriculum vitae outlining any prior research experience and/or publications
  • Hi-resolution photo of the applicant along with a brief bio
    • By submitting the photo and brief bio, the applicant provides consent for the photo and brief bio to be used in promotion of the Award and the symposium to be held at the 2021 COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition
  • Completed budget template that can be accessed here

The Peer Review Process

All applications will be pre-screened by the COS Secretariat for eligibility. Applications that are late, incomplete and/or do not meet the basic eligibility criteria will be not be considered for review.

An adjudication committee of five healthcare professional peers with expertise in retinal diseases will review all qualifying applications and select the three most meritorious finalists. Any reviewers with a Conflict of Interest will recuse themselves from the review process for the corresponding proposal.

Evaluation of applications will be based on three criteria: 1) Quality, 2) Importance, and 3) Feasibility. A portion of the review will be based on the candidate’s presentation delivered during the symposium.

The three finalists will present their research project proposal at a virtual session held during the 2021 COS Annual Meeting & Exhibition on Saturday, June 11^th, 2022 from 6:30 – 8:00 am AT. During a 10-minute presentation, the finalists will have the opportunity to present the research project proposal and answer questions from the judging panel. Following the three presentations, each of the three finalists will be awarded an Innovation in Retina Research Award and one will also receive the audience choice designation.

The Award

Three prizes will be awarded based on an independent peer review process.

Award Prizes:

• 1st prize: $35,000
• 2nd prize: $22,500
• 3rd prize: $12,500

An additional $5,000 prize will be awarded by the session audience during the presentation of the research proposal to one of the three finalists for the most effective and persuasive presentation.

Funds will be administered by the Ophthalmology Division of the awardee’s affiliated university or equivalent.

Funded research must be completed within 36 months from the start of funding.

Supported by:

The Canadian Ophthalmology Society (COS) and Bayer Inc. are proud to support The Innovation in Retina Research Award. With this award, we hope to further research in retinal diseases to improve the lives of Canadians who are affected by these conditions and their families.

Kiawah Eye offers time to gain practice pearls and exchange ideas with colleagues in an interactive and beautiful setting. June 2 – 4, Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Registration is now open for the virtual, on-demand CE program – Spring AOP Symposium. Cost is $95 Certified. Registration closes on March 30, 2022. View the event brochure.

This webinar will take place on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 7:30 pm EST.

Dr. Brian Ballios will provide a presentation entitled What you need to know about inherited retinal disease in the age of molecular medicine, followed by Q&A with the audience, moderated by Dr. Jim Whelan.

Dr. Ballios is a fellowship-trained clinician-scientist, with a focus on medical retinal disease and a subspecialty in inherited retinal disease.  He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto.  He holds appointment as clinician-scientist at the University Health Network in the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, and is a staff physician at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the Kensington Vision and Research Centre.  He is a Scientist at the Krembil Research Institute where he has a laboratory investigating the mechanisms of acquired and inherited retinal disease, and the development of new stem cell-based therapies.

Dr. Ballios obtained his MD and PhD degrees at the University of Toronto in the combined MD/PhD program.  With a background in material science and Engineering Chemistry (Queen’s University), his doctoral work focused on new approaches to the transplantation of stem cells and their progeny for the treatment of retinal degeneration.  After completing his FRCSC in Ophthalmology at the University of Toronto, he undertook a subspecialty clinical fellowship in Inherited Retinal Disease at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard University.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Explain the importance of genetic testing and counseling for Inherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRD) patients and their families
• Effectively communicate the potential benefits of current and emerging gene therapies
• Identify genetic testing and counseling resources in their respective regions and confidently refer patients accordingly

CPD Credits

This webinar is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. You may claim a maximum of 1 hour.  

This webinar is co-developed by the COS and Novartis to achieve scientific integrity, objectivity, and balance.

Virtual information session on CADTH’s priority initiatives and an introduction to the new 2022 – 2025 Strategic Plan.

Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Time: 11:00 a.m. EST to 3:30 p.m. EST

Highlights:

• Remarks from David Agnew, Chair, CADTH Board of Directors
• Remarks from Dr. Stephen Lucas, Deputy Minister, Health Canada
• Presentations from CADTH’s leadership team
• Question and answer opportunities

Questions? Contact [email protected]

From March 11 – 13 in Trabzon, Turkey, the Turkish Ophthalmological Association is holding its 18th March Symposium that includes scientific panel discussions and presentations focused on the topic of optic nerve diseases.