PROFILE

Yvonne Molgat, MD

'Tvonne Molgar's zest for 1. life, love, and learn ing

began in Winnipeg, where she was raised in the proud and close-knit foranco-Manitoban Her father,

community. Dr. Andre

Molgar, is a genera l surgeon who taught Yvonne com­mitmenr, patient advocacy, and a love of medici ne. She descri bes her !TIorber, Luce Gamache, as "an ardem femin ist and humanist, and a daumltss promoter and supporrer of everyd1ing her five children have ever

From left (Q right: Camille , Emmanuelle. Yvonne, Ana"is, Michel

Jeffrey Hurwitz or th e University of Toronto. Yvonne cit'scribes Dr. Hurwitz as a va luable mentor and profess ional role model, and she explains how he raught her "love and respect for the lacr imal system in partiClI­lar. " What he couldn't reach her, however, was how (Q playa decem game of squash - a prerequisite, Yvonne jokes, to training with him. "Fofrunately my husband was able ro pinch­hit wh ile I sat looking on Rancourt

undertaken. " After obtaining a BSc In

Chemistry at the University of Winnipeg and a med ical degree from McGill University, Yvonne rerurned to Winnipeg to practise as a Casualty Officer in the ER at Concordia Ilospi tai. After two years, however, she "got fed up with not being able to use the ER slit lamp and not being able to diagnose minor eye ailmenrs, despite being very good at reviving Code 995."

So, Yvonne went East again. this rime ro Quebec C ity, where she began a residency in ophthalmology at Universitc Laval in 1987. Hete she met her third major role model, Patricia Ann Laughrea, mother of three young children, residency program director, and corneal spe­cialist who, Yvonne says, "allies pro­fessiona l commitment, ethical rigour. and a balanced ani rude to

life." During her final years in the residency program, Yvonne was also influenced by Dr. Denis Rodrigue. a "masterful " surgeon who demon­strated the "art and finesse" of oculo­plastic procedures.

Dr. Narhalie Labrecque, now head of the department of ophthalmology at Laval, trained alongside Yvonne. Dr. L1.brecque says chat her friend always sees the bes t in people and has a way of making you feel good about yourself But her dinical skills were also evidenr early all . "She was a really gond resident. Already you could sec that she was highly reliable, a hard worker, and (hat patient care was her mOSt imporranr priority. "

Yvonne's interest in eyes during those years, however. was not only clinicaL "I met an IBM represelllative one morning in a cafe ea rly on after my arrival in Quebec City," Yvonne explains. "Mit·hel walked up. intro­duced himself, and told 111e he was the man I'd been looking for all my life. J may have laughed incredulously, bur 17 years later we are raising three daughters: Anals, 15, Cam ille, 12, and Emmanuelle, II . He still hasn'r admined he regrets his spur-of-rhc­moment brashness, but three teenaged daughters ought to do ir."

A fellowsh ip in oculoplastics fol­lowed, under (he direction of Dr.

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and nursing my baby. " In 1993, Yvonne was recruited for

university appoimmelH ar Laval by Dr. Alain Rousseau, and his ideas and vision for ophthalmology con­tinue (Q influence her course of acrion. Yvonne's full -rime practice is based mainly a t rhe city's major trauma centre, and she particularly enjoys the interdisciplinary collabo­ration berween oculoplastics and other specialties, including the plastic and maxi llofacial surgery teams for rrauma and burn parienrs, and the head and neck and neuro­surgical reams in shared oncolob'Y cases.

Dr. Daniel Ovid l3Iack, a col league of Yvonne's at Laval , describes her as "a pillar of academic ophthalmology in Quebec Ciry, as well as an excel­lenr and mericulous surgeon. " He adds wi th a laugh, "I am lucky to

have Yvonne as a colleague in o(ulo­plastics. Ir 's wo nderful to have someone upon whom to dump all of my horrible, complex cases, which she accepts with enthusiasm and competence. "

In 2002, Yvonne beca me Direcror

Profile

of the Residency Training Program , a job she loves. " It's stimulating to

have some son of influence on 15 young minds and, conversely, to be influenced by them." Yvonne claims she is particularly proud of fWD

awards for Staffperson of the Year, as voted by the residems in 2003 and 2006.

Board of rhe Canadian Ophthal­mological Society.

the Grand Terons and Yellowstone National Park. Last year the family Aew to Calgary, drove through the Rockies [Q the Queen Charlone Islands, and then worked their way down through the Inside Passage to Vancouver Island.

In her off-hours, Yvonne explains, exen.:ise is a necessity, She cycles when il's warm. skis (both cross-country and downhill) when it's cold, and works ou( twice a week all year round with a "great group of 40-jsh fimess fanatics,"

Yvonne seems to have synthesized the attributes she values mOSt in her parents: she's a dedicated surgeo n, a committed advocate for her patients and residents, a loving champion of her three daughters, and a woman of great strength.

Aside from her work at Laval, Yvonne has been doing outreach oph­thalmology two weeks a year since 1994 in the Magdalen Islands. She was on the Examination Committee in Ophthalmology at the Royal College from 1999-2005, and was recently appointed to the Execurive

Summer travel with her family is one of rhe highlights of her year. They've vis ited almost every province in Canada, as well as many spots in the United States. One memorable trip was when they travelled down Rome 66 (0 Texas and the Grand Canyon, then drove back up through

Meghan Nieman Halifax, Nova Scotia

mhn ieman@ns.sympatico.ca

Ophthalmologist - Prince Edward Island The Prince Edward Is land Department o f Heal th is seeki ng a comprehensive Ophthalmologist to practice surgical and medical ophthalmology in the C harlo uetown area. The successful applicant must be certi fi ed Of be eligible to be certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ca nada and be eligible fo r ful l Medical licensure in the Province of PEl.

Picturesque Prince Edward Island offers a relax ing, safe, community-o riented lifestyle for individuals and families who can appreciate beautiful scenery, wide-open spaces, miles of uncrowded beaches and an endless variety of recreatio nal activities (world-cl ass go lf courses, fish ing, cross-country skiing).

Pr;'lcc Edward Isltwd - A Great Place To worh {Hid A Great Place to Live

Interested applicants may forward inquir ies and CV to:

Physician Recruitmem Progra m PO Box 2000 Charlottetown, PE C I A 7N8 Phone: (902) 368-6302 Fax: (902) 368-6136

CANAOA

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA VITREO-RETINAL STAFF POSITION

The University of British Columbia , Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences invites applications from candidates who are fellowship trained vitreo-retinal specialists. Experience in ocular oncology, uveitis, andlo r pediatric retina would be an asset. Responsibilities will include medical student, resident and fellowship teaching as well as clinical research activities.

The successful applicant will be appointed at the Clinical Instructor, Clinical Assistant Professor, Clin ical Associate Professor or Clinical Professor level. The university appointment of the successful applicant will begin July 1, 2007. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae as well as three letters of recommendation not later than March 31, 2007 to:

Frederick Mikelberg, MD, FRCSC Head, Department of Ophthalmology

And Visual Sciences VGHIUBC Eye Care Centre 2550 Willow Street Vancouver, B.C. , V5Z 3N9

We encourage all qualified persons to apply. However, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

CAN J OPHTHALMOL-VOL.41. NO.6, 2006 823