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!
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