In this episode of EyeCan, host Dr. Hady Saheb sits down with Leonard Pinchuk—pioneering biomedical engineer, inventor, and Russ Prize laureate—whose work has shaped modern medical devices and impacted over a billion patients worldwide. Pinchuk shares the clinical frustrations that sparked the development of the SIBS biomaterial, the lessons learned from early failures and breakthroughs, and what makes innovation in ophthalmology uniquely challenging. From collaborating with bold early surgeons to advice for clinicians who want to innovate, this conversation offers a rare, behind‑the‑scenes look at how transformative ideas move from concept to clinical reality.

With your host 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 Astellas Pharma Canada and Johnson&Johnson Vision.

Comments about EyeCan? Contact communications@cos-sco.ca and we’ll get back to you soon!
Listening to EyeCan counts for unaccredited MOC credits. You may claim 0.5 credits per hour under Section 2 (Individual Learning) as “Educational content review”, up to 30 credits per year.

On this episode of EyeCan, we’re talking about equity-focused mentorship—why it matters, where ophthalmology has fallen short, and how the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is working to close those gaps through its new Equity-Focused Mentorship Program (EFMP).

Co-Host Dr. Hady Saheb and guest co-host Dr. Nupura Bakshi (retina and uveitis specialist in Toronto and Chair of the COS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group,) joins Dr. Anu Mishra and Dr. Austin Pereira, members of the COS EDI Working Group who are leading the program’s development.

We start with the “why”: what motivated the creation of EFMP, and what unmet needs in ophthalmology mentorship it was designed to address. With over 40 active mentor-mentee pairs already matched, Dr. Mishra shares early themes emerging from the program and the types of support mentees are seeking.

Dr. Pereira discusses striking findings from early program data—nearly 40% of mentees reporting inadequate access to equity-focused mentorship, and more than 75% having never had a mentor who shared their identity—and what this says about the current mentorship landscape. The group also reflects on why mentors often report very different experiences, and what that generational disconnect reveals.

The conversation then looks ahead: the role of representation circles, ongoing challenges in recruiting mentors, and how the broader ophthalmology community can get involved. Finally, we zoom out to discuss the cultural and structural changes needed to truly advance equity, diversity, and inclusion—and what success for EFMP might look like over the next year as COS continues to build this important initiative.

Written and Directed by Kim Tytler.

Produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.

The EyeCan Podcast is made possible by support from Astellas Pharma Canada and Johnson&Johnson Vision.

Comments about EyeCan? Contact communications@cos-sco.ca and we’ll get back to you soon!
Listening to EyeCan counts for unaccredited MOC credits. You may claim 0.5 credits per hour under Section 2 (Individual Learning) as “Educational content review”, up to 30 credits per year.

In this episode of EyeCan, we sit down with Victoria Nolan - world champion rower, author, television personality, and a powerful advocate for people living with blindness and disabilities. After losing her sight shortly after the birth of her daughter, Vicky found herself navigating a world transformed. Instead of retreating, she chose to meet uncertainty with resilience, carving out a path defined by courage, achievement, and purpose. A four‑time Paralympian with eight medals for Team Canada, she now brings that same determination to her work as national manager at CNIB, her studies in the MBA program at Queen’s University, and her ongoing commitment to empowering others through education, leadership, and advocacy.

Together with co‑author Shawn Maloney, Vicky recently released Refocus: The Essential Guide to Living a Happy and Successful Life with Vision Loss, a book designed to reshape public perceptions and offer practical, emotional, and psychological guidance to those experiencing vision loss. In our conversation, Vicky opens up about the misconceptions she hopes to dispel, the importance of resilience, the role of community, and the impact of assistive technology. She also reflects on the universal lessons learned through sport - lessons that extend far beyond the rowing shell. Join us as we explore her journey and uncover the empowering message at the heart of Refocus.

With your hosts, Dr. Hady Saheb and guest co-host Dr. Cynthia Qian

Written and Directed by Kim Tytler.

Produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.

The EyeCan Podcast is made possible by support from Astellas Pharma Canada and Johnson&Johnson Vision.

Show Notes:

Refocus – The Essential Guide to Living a Happy and Successful Life with Vision Loss

Meet the authors of Refocus:

Victoria Nolan - https://paralympic.ca/athlete/victoria-nolan/
Shawn Maloney - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawncmaloney/

CNIB Guide Dogs

Comments about EyeCan? Contact communications@cos-sco.ca and we’ll get back to you soon!
Listening to EyeCan counts for unaccredited MOC credits. You may claim 0.5 credits per hour under Section 2 (Individual Learning) as “Educational content review”, up to 30 credits per year.