Held at Orbis partner hospital National Institute of Ophthalmology (INO), the training focused on advanced techniques to treat strabismus, a disease that causes the eyes to look in different directions. Dr. Andrea Molinari, a longtime Orbis Volunteer Faculty, spearheaded the training, sharing her decades of experience in pediatric eye care with the next generation of female ophthalmologists.
Since finishing her residency eight years ago, Dr. Lady has been working at INO in emergency services. Always eager to help her patients, she was encouraged to further specialize. It took only one surgery with Dr. Molinari to know she’d made the right choice. “After having spent the week with her, I am convinced of what I chose and want to continue in the world of strabismus,” she says. “This experience solidified that.”
Dr. Lady describes how Dr. Molinari’s hands-on teaching approach and can-do attitude gave her extra confidence. “This was my first solo strabismus surgery, so Dr. Molinari guided me by hand and taught me to perform it. She knew I was just starting and encouraged me to continue because sometimes one can feel insecure or that they are not capable. But she encouraged me to go forward through the procedure, and well, I finished the surgery!”
With her training underway, Dr. Molinari told Dr. Lady she was ready for more cases. “There was a moment when everyone in the operating room applauded because I finished the surgery, and it was successful!”
Peru has a severe lack of trained ophthalmic surgeons, especially women. With her Orbis training, Dr. Lady can ease the burden on the few teachers available. “Practically speaking, this hospital-based training gives us knowledge that will benefit us, and through Cybersight it will continue.”
