One of the biggest problems in eye health is the lack of an adequately trained workforce. Our global network of volunteer medical professionals give up their free time each year to share their amazing skills with friends and partners in communities around the world.

Volunteer Faculty
Our world renowned Volunteer Faculty are the heartbeat of our training programs, both on the Flying Eye Hospital and in partner hospitals around the world. For nearly 40 years the keystone of our work has been to teach and train eye teams to fight blindness on their own - we couldn't do it without their hard work and dedication.
In 2020, 126 Volunteer Faculty from 21 countries and regions participated in our work on board the Flying Eye Hospital, in virtual Flying Eye Hospital projects, on Cybersight, and through three training sessions at partner hospitals.
This is the very reason Orbis was formed - to provide ongoing training and support. Comprised of world leading experts in eye health, our global force of over 400 volunteer ophthalmologists, nurses, anesthesiologists and biomedical engineers from over 30 countries, share their skills with local teams to help improve the level of eye care for generations to come. We're proud to say nearly 20% of these selfless volunteers are Canadian!
By working with our partner hospitals and their staff, we create teaching programs tailored specifically for their needs. Our volunteers conduct this training and pass on the tools to undertake more complicated procedures, improve surgical outcomes and most importantly of all, restore sight to those in need of assistance.

Dr. Brian Leonard (Ottawa, ON) is the longest serving Orbis Volunteer Faculty and veteran of over 70 programs spanning more than four decades.
Our Volunteer Faculty also mentor people from around the world through our telemedicine platform, Cybersight. With 90% of the world's visually impaired population living in low income settings, this training is making eye care more accessible where it’s needed most.
Thanks to your support and the help of our Volunteer Faculty, children can see their parents for the first time; an elderly man regains his vision meaning their grandchild can go to school and no longer needs to be a carergiver; or a mother can receive surgery and return to work to support her family.
Meet Some Canadian Members of Our Volunteer Faculty

Heroes of Orbis: Dr. Simon Holland

Heroes of Orbis: Dr. Sherif El-Defrawy

Heroes of Orbis: Dr. Lesya Shuba
Heroes of Orbis: Dr. Brian Leonard
Heroes of Orbis: Dr. Carlos Solarte

Heroes of Orbis: Monelle Ross

Heroes of Orbis: Dr. Patrick Yang

Heroes of Orbis: Alice Lee

Heroes of Orbis: Dr. Peter Kertes
Interested in joining our Orbis Volunteer Faculty?
Find Out MoreThanks to your support, and the selfless dedication of our Volunteer Faculty, children can see their parents for the first time; an elderly woman regains her vision meaning her grandchild can go to school and no longer needs to care for her; or a mother can receive surgery and return to work to support her family.
DONATE TODAY
Help our Volunteer Faculty share their skills and expertise with eye care teams around the world.