Going from strength to strength, this year’s mentoring hui (workshop) for aspiring Māori and Pacific ophthalmologists included a wet lab and doubled in size from its inaugural event last year. Held at the University of Auckland in September, the one-day workshop which is funded by ANZEF, was designed and run by Dr Justin Mora, Chair of RANZCO’s Māori and Pacific Peoples Eye Health Committee, with support from a team of Fellows, current and incoming trainees and faculty staff who volunteered their time to assist and provide a welcoming space for participants, who were medical students and junior doctors with an interest in eyes.
The hui is built around the concept of whakawhanaungatanga (getting to know each other) and started with junior and senior doctors sharing what they enjoy about ophthalmology, which was then followed by a day in the life of an ophthalmologist, some surgical videos and an explanation of the RANZCO training selection process.
The junior doctors then worked on their interview skills in mock interviews with senior facilitators, while the students learned about key steps in phacoemulsification cataract surgery and skin wound formation and closure, before practicing supervised suturing and using the EyeSi Surgical simulator. The group came back together for feedback, evaluation and karakia whakamutunga (to close the day).
Justin reflected, “The primary purpose of the hui was to make Māori and Pacific participants feel welcome and supported in ophthalmology and I am confident we achieved that. Explaining that this was supported by the fact that the whakawhanaungatanga was so popular and there was great value placed on meeting seniors in the field, he added, “I really feel that we have started to create a nice community now.”
Participant feedback
“The RANZCO Māori and Pacific Peoples Ophthalmology Mentoring Day was a fantastic event full of opportunities for connection, learning, skill-building, and fun. As a house officer coming from a small ophthalmology department, it was a valuable opportunity to meet and connect with other Māori and Pacific medical students and doctors interested in ophthalmology.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the day was the chance to learn from, and ask questions of, those further along in their ophthalmology careers. For me, it was particularly insightful to hear from registrars who had recently entered the training program. I was able to ask them about the process and how they prepared for this next step in their careers.
Another highlight was the opportunity to try out the EyeSi Surgical Simulator. As a house officer, we don’t usually have access to this kind of technology, so getting to try out some of the cataract training modules was a fantastic experience.
Overall, the Mentoring Day was an enriching experience, providing not only practical knowledge but also a sense of community and support among those that attended.”
“The ophthalmology hui was a great opportunity to make connections early in my career in a relaxed space. There was a clear focus on welcoming more Māori and Pacific doctors into the field. “The instructors were supportive and engaging. The EyeSi simulation was a highlight – it let me practice surgeries like cataract removal in a virtual setting. It was fun to get a taste of a day in the life and I’m excited to continue getting involved.”
“The Workshop was an incredibly valuable experience. It was a privilege to engage in this important kaupapa. The opportunity for whakawhanaungatanga was a highlight for me. It was awesome to see all the keen tauira coming through, and to reconnect with other registrars and specialists working in Eye Health.”
ANZEF is pleased to fund this important initiative to foster the next generation of Māori and Pacific ophthalmologists. We are grateful for the support of industry partner Alcon as well as funds raised through the 2023 ANZEF Cape to Cape Trek, which have made this year’s initiative possible.
ANZEF is the philanthropic arm of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO).
RANZCO is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Charities Services in New Zealand (registration no: CC53935).
Charity donations to ANZEF of $2 or more in Australia and $5 or more in New Zealand are tax-deductible.
ANZEF acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters throughout the world, and to their Elders and ancestors, past and present.
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