COS 2025: Named Lectures and Awards
As you know, the COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition is a high-caliber event, defined in part by its excellent programming and the number of awards presented to outstanding ophthalmologists each year.
2025 COS Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is given annually to honour a COS member who has made significant contributions to eye and vision care, a sustained impact nationally and internationally on the growth of the profession and maintained the highest standard of patient care in their practice. Recipients of this award have also been strong and positive role models in the community and exemplary mentors and educators. The COS is privileged to honour the work of Dr. Yvonne Buys.
Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology Lecture
We are proud to present the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology Lecture to Dr. Nathan Congdan, who will give the presentation titled: Randomized trials assessing the impact of low-cost vision care on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over the life course. Prof Congdon’s work involves the design and evaluation of high-quality, low-cost models of eye care delivery in areas of limited resources, especially in low and middle-income countries. He increasingly focuses on trials assessing the impact of vision care on development outcomes such as educational performance, workplace productivity and traffic safety.
The COS-Dr. Harold Stein Innovator Lectureship
Dr. Julie Schallhorn is the 2025 recipient of the COS-Dr. Harold Stein Innovator Lectureship and will present [title] during Current Concepts II on Saturday, June 21st from 9:35 - 9:55 AM. She currently serves as the Medical Director of the Refractive Surgery division at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and is actively involved in corneal and refractive surgery research and surgical education. This named lectureship was established by the family of Dr. Harold Stein (COS President in 1987 and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2006).
Women in Ophthalmology Champion for Change
We are proud to present the Champion for Change Award to Dr. Mona Harissi-Dagher, MD, FRCSC, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to supporting the professional environment for Women in Ophthalmology.
2025 COS Awards of Excellence in Ophthalmic Research
Join us in celebrating the original and innovative research conducted by Canadian residents, fellows and medical students. Presented annually since 1995, the COS Awards of Excellence in Ophthalmic Research highlight paper (oral) presentations and poster presentations that deliver exceptional quality, importance and educational value benefiting Canadian ophthalmology.
Paper Winners
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First place - Ellen Zhou, MDCM, PhD, FRCSC Proteomic analyses for different stages of primary open angle glaucoma – a pilot study of 8000 markers with stringent criteria | Second place - James Armstrong, MD, PhD Netarsudil reduces outflow resistance in a perfused in vitro model of the post-glaucoma filtration surgery subconjunctival outflow pathway | Third place - Anas Abu-Dieh Investigating Nerves in Regenerated Corneas after Treatment with Anti-Scarring Artificial Cornea Teachnology |
Poster Winners
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First place - William Herspiegel, BSc, MD(C) Effect of an intraluminal ripcord suture on outflow resistance in an in-vitro SIBS microshunt suture occlusion model | Second place - Tony Chae, MD, BScN Ocular Protection Protocol to Reduce Exposure Keratopathy in Critical Care Settings | Third place - Hargun Kaur, MD Reducing musculoskeletal strain: Efficacy of adjustable slit lamp oculars versus fixed oculars |
The winners will be recognized for their achievements during Current Concepts III on Sunday, June 22nd from 8:30 - 10:30 AM PT.
Canadian Association of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (CAPOS) Award - Resident Paper
