The Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (EPSO) recognizes a leader in ophthalmology.
On Saturday, February 22, 2020, at the Annual General Meeting held in Toronto, the Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (EPSO) recognized leaders in ophthalmology and presented Dr. Kylen McReelis of Peterborough with the Ontario Medical Association’s distinguished Section Service Award. The Section Service Award is awarded in recognition of significant service to the Ontario Medical Association, the Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and the medical profession.
For five years Dr. McReelis represented Ontario’s ophthalmologists as a member of the board of the Eye Physician and Surgeons of Ontario; serving two years as the President. During his tenure he was involved in extensive work as the point person for the Health Services Funding Reform Quality Based Procedures Committees. This committee has looked at cataract surgery, retinal services, and corneal surgical procedures. Dr. McReelis was instrumental in developing policy around the introduction and facilitation of the use of femto cataract surgery in the province. In 2017 in collaboration with Dr. Jordan Cheskes, he was successful in lobbying the Ontario Government to ban scleral tattoos in the province.
Currently Dr. McReelis runs a comprehensive ophthalmology community practice located in Peterborough, Ontario that involves medical and surgical ophthalmology. He participates in a regional on call program and is currently the Chief of Surgery for Peterborough Regional Health Centre. He continues to be a member of the Eye Health Council of Ontario, which has required extensive committee and policy creation work.
Dr. McReelis has been a volunteer on the CNIB’s Eye Van – Medical Mobile Eye Care Unit – which tours Northern Ontario providing essential vision care to those where accessibility is limited. Locally in Peterborough, he is involved in teaching family practice residents and has supervised many final year residents in community electives with him. In 2012, he started a Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening program in Peterborough as a response to an unmet need where children were travelling back and forth to Toronto or Kingston for screening exams.
Although no longer a member of the board, Dr. McReelis continues to provide support and advice to EPSO’s leadership and represented ophthalmologists in the recent negotiations/arbitration process.
“Dr. McReelis is committed to protecting and improving vision health for Ontarians and as a busy ophthalmologist, husband and father to two young boys, he is always accessible and available to consult on matters impacting ophthalmology in Ontario. He is truly deserving of this award of distinction.”
— Dr. Baseer Khan, Tariff Chair of the Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Featured Left to Right: Dr. Kylen McReelis, Past President & Dr. Baseer Khan, Tariff Chair