Mentorship Program
Canada's Leading Mentorship Program for Ophthalmology Students
Canadian Ophthalmology Mentorship Program (COMP) is an opportunity to connect with current ophthalmology residents across Canada for learning and career growth.
Networking Opportunities
This is a unique chance to build meaningful relationships with leaders in the field of ophthalmology.
Career Guidance
Work alongside expert mentors to discover the right pathway for your career.
Speaker Series
You will also be invited to our speaker series with experts in the field to gain knowledge and ask questions.
"I was a mentee in the first COMP iteration. Now, my mentor and I are co-residents!"
Mentorship Program
View LessA collaboration between the Council of Canadian Ophthalmology Residents (CCOR) and the Canadian Ophthalmology Student Interest Group (COSIG).
The Canadian Ophthalmology Mentorship Program (COMP) connects Canadian medical students (mentees) with ophthalmology residents (mentors) to foster meaningful mentorship, career exploration, and professional development.
By building relationships across institutions, COMP strengthens a nation-wide network within the landscape of Canadian ophthalmology training.Each resident mentor is paired with a small group of 3–4 medical students, creating an intimate and supportive environment for networking, guidance, and shared learning.
Sign ups for the 2025-2026 COMP Connect are now closed. Stay tuned for 2026-2027 COMP sign ups!
COMP 2025: A Strong Launch and Promising Collaboration
The program received an enthusiastic response from both Canadian medical students and ophthalmology residents, reflecting a strong interest in structured, accessible mentorship at the national level.
Launch Highlights:
- 56 medical student applications received 11 ophthalmology residents volunteered as mentors
- Participants represented 9 Canadian medical schools
- Mentorship matches were successfully formed, pairing 3–7 students per resident mentor
Following the application process, mentorship matches were completed, marking an important first step in building longitudinal connections between students and residents.
Speaker Events
Post-CaRMS Resident Event
Discussion with residents who completed the 2026 CaRMS process and successfully matched into ophthalmology!
Thursday, March 26th, 8PM EST
Click here to registerOptions if Unmatched in Ophthalmology
Match results are approaching, and this season can bring a lot of uncertainty. COSIG is hosting a national discussion focused on practical next steps and honest insight into what comes after results are released. We will cover many topics such as reapplication strategies, research year opportunities, parallel planning and alternative pathways.
February 28th 2026 - 7 PM EST
Click here to have access to to the recording and slidesKim Papp
PGY-1 in Ophthalmology,
University of British Columbia
Ophthalmology LMCC Review
Join COSIG-GECIO for an Ophthalmology LMCC Review, part of our COMP Series!
Featuring Kim Papp, PGY1 (UBC), for a 1-hour high-yield review.
April 7th 2026
(8 PM - 9 PM EST) via Zoom
Register NowAidan Pucchio
PGY-3 in Ophalmology, Queen's University
Research in Medical School
Curious about research in medical school?
Join Aidan Pucchio (PGY-3, Queen's University) for a practical COMP session on navigating research as a medical student! This virtual session is perfect for 1st and 2nd year medical students who want to learn how to get involved and find the right opportunities.
February 10th, 2026
(8:30 - 9:30PM EST)
This event has passed. Stay tuned for our next event!Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I contact my mentor?
Once you have been paired with a mentor, we will send an introductory email to connect you and your mentor. We request that you cc our email on your first correspondence as confirmation of your participation in the COMP.
2. I’m not sure what questions to ask my mentor, or I feel that I have too many questions and don’t know where to begin.
We understand that this can be overwhelming, but remember, your mentor was once exactly where you are now! They are here to support you and are excited to offer their wisdom to the best of their abilities. Try to approach your discussion as a conversation with a few pertinent topics in mind—what are you curious to learn about from your mentor?
3. Can I arrange in-person meetings with my mentor? How about shadowing or elective experiences? Or even research opportunities?
With the outset of COVID-19-related changes, we mandate that all mentors and mentees abide by current public health, AFMC, and institutional guidelines regarding all clinical and non-clinical (i.e. research) experiences.
4. How often can I contact my mentor?
At your introductory meeting, we recommend that you and your mentor establish mutual expectations regarding communication frequency. COMP enables access to a trusted mentor for medical students through the gracious volunteerism of ophthalmology residents. As such, we remind mentees of maintaining respect and professionalism in communicating with their mentors.
5. What do I do if I cannot get in touch with my mentor?
We recommend that you reach out to COSIG if you are unable to get a hold of your mentor after a few attempts. We are happy to contact your mentor on your behalf if needed. However, we also encourage mentees to be patient and mindful of their mentors’ busy schedules as resident physicians.
6. What do I do if I’m unable to commit to the mentoring relationship?
We strongly recommend that you reach out to COSIG using the contact information provided at the end of this document at your earliest convenience. This will allow us to pair another medical student with your mentor if needed.
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