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Drs. Navneet Sidhu, Nicole Wang and Wendy Zhai are keen to develop advanced skills in specialty areas of optometry

Three new residents, Drs. Navneet Sidhu, Nicole Wang and Wendy Zhai, all 2025 graduates of the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ School of Optometry and Vision Science, have begun 13-month terms at the ��ݮ��Ƶ Eye Institute.

Residencies are optional post-graduate programs designed to give early-career, fully certified optometrists advanced clinical training in specialized areas. Residents provide clinical eye and vision care services to the public under expert mentorship. They also take part in learning and teaching activities such as presentations, conferences, research and instructing optometry students.

The School has been offering residencies for more than 40 years. Several faculty members, including some of the current residency supervisors, came through the program themselves. One of them is Dr. Lisa Christian, who completed a residency in binocular vision and pediatric optometry and now oversees the residency program as associate director of clinical education.

“Residency is an unparalleled opportunity to quickly develop knowledge and skills in a particular area – it’s like gaining the benefit of years of experience in just one intense year,” says Christian. “Residency made me a better and more confident practitioner, and I’m sure it will do the same for this year’s residents.”

Meet the 2024-25 residents:

Dr. Wendy Zhai, Dr. Gina Sorbara Cornea and Contact Lens Resident

Hometown: Markham, Ontario

Supervisor: Dr. Chelsea Bray, ��ݮ��Ƶ Eye Institute

Quote: “I’ve always been myopic but I unfortunately did not get a chance to try myopia control when I was a child. I want to be able to provide that to kids who would really benefit. Also, fitting my first scleral lens during my fourth-year clerkship made me realize how much it helped the patient, so that’s what prompted me to pursue this residency.”

Fun facts: Lived in China until age eight, then Melbourne, Australia, from age eight to 12, before moving to Toronto. Fluent in Mandarin and English. Enjoys going on walks and bouldering.

Dr. Nicole Wang, Low Vision Rehabilitation Resident

Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario

Supervisors: Drs. Tammy Labreche and Shamrozé Khan, ��ݮ��Ƶ Eye Institute

Quote: “I was really drawn to low vision because I enjoyed being able to spend more time with the patients, getting to know them and the unique challenges they’re experiencing. I love being able to help them find strategies and connecting them to tools, services and devices to help them increase their independence, improve their quality of life and do the things they love again.”

Fun facts: Played varsity badminton for the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ for four years. Also enjoys tennis.

Dr. Navneet ‘Nav’ Sidhu, Pediatric Optometry and Vision Therapy resident

Hometown: Brampton, Ontario

Supervisors: Drs. Julie Shalhoub and Lisa Christian, ��ݮ��Ƶ Eye Institute; Dr. Angela Peddle, Elite Vision Therapy Centre, Etobicoke

Quote: “When I did a fourth-year clerkship at a joint primary care and vision therapy clinic in North Bay, I got to see firsthand how vision therapy improves patients’ quality of life. Doing the exercises helped improve their binocular vision and get them back to work and doing better in school, which was really gratifying and motivated me to do this residency.”

Fun facts: Had a poem published while in elementary school. Fluent in Punjabi and English. Enjoys baking and spending time with friends, family and her dog.