EyeCan
EyeCan: A Canadian Lens on Ophthalmology. In this series, we examine all aspects of what it means to be an Ophthalmologist in Canada; we speak with leaders in our field about their contributions and life journey; we explore new and emerging techniques and technologies in eye care. Through it all we hope to connect with our community and have those that listen understand the value of who we are and what we do for our patients. We’ll share our experiences as ophthalmologists today and tackle some of challenges we face as healthcare providers.
Hosted by Dr. Guillermo Rocha and Dr. Setareh Ziai (seasons one and two), Dr. Mona Dagher and Dr. Hady Saheb (seasons 3 and 4), and Dr. Heather O'Donnell and Dr. Hady Saheb (season five).
Brought to you by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Seasons 1 and 2 of the EyeCan podcast were sponsored by MD Financial Affinity Grant. Seasons 3, 4 and 5 are sponsored by Bayer.
Written and directed by Kim Tytler, Manager of Communications at the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.
EyeCan
EyeCan Season 5, Episode 2 - A Talk With COS President Dr. Mona Dagher
Today on EyeCan we welcome Dr. Mona Dagher, head of the department of ophthalmology at Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) and adjunct Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, McGill University.
Dr. Dagher was chair of the annual meeting planning committee of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) and has served as Board member of COS since 2012.
Dr. Dagher enjoys teaching medical students, ophthalmology residents and clinical and research cornea fellows as well as training MSc and PhD students as well. She completed her undergraduate degree at McGill University where she received the Hilda Diana Oakley scholarship for ranking top female student at McGill. She then completed her medical degree and specialization in ophthalmology at Université de Montréal, graduating on the dean’s honor list. Dr. Dagher then pursued post-doctoral fellowship training in cornea, external eye diseases, and refractive surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Dagher has brought her expertise on keratoprosthesis surgery to Canada after conducting considerable research and clinical work at Harvard Medical School under the mentorship of Dr. Claes Dohlman. After restoring sight to several Canadian patients through implantation of the Boston Keratoprosthesis, Dr. Dagher was chosen ‘Personality of the Week’ by La Presse and Radio-Canada.
Dr. Dagher has completed extensive research in the field of ophthalmology and more particularly, on the Boston Keratoprosthesis and on refractive surgery. Dr. Dagher has published over 130 scientific articles and acts as a reviewer for many ophthalmology journals. She has also authored numerous book chapters about cornea and external eye diseases. Dr. Dagher has been a guest lecturer and instructor at ophthalmology conferences internationally.
With your hosts, Dr. Heather O'Donnell and 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 Bayer.
Show Notes:
The following resources were referenced in this episode:
COS Board of Directors https://www.cos-sco.ca/about-us/board-of-directors/
COS Team https://www.cos-sco.ca/who-we-are/contact-us/
Volunteering in Action https://www.cos-sco.ca/cos-membership/volunteer/
Advocacy in Action at COS https://www.cos-sco.ca/advocacy/
COS Position Statements on the Practice Resource Centre https://www.cosprc.ca/info-hub/info-content/position-statements-guidelines/
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group https://www.cos-sco.ca/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-edi-working-group/
Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology – Dr. Fares Antaki https://www.seethepossibilities.ca/ai-opinions/
COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition, Vancouver, June 2025 https://sites.grenadine.co/sites/cos-sco/en/2025-cos-meeting-and-exhibition-vancouver
COS Cornea Learning Modules (members only) https://www.cosprc.ca/cornea-learning-modules/
COS EyeNovation International Webinar Series (members only) Info Hub - Online Resources - Practice Resource Centre