The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is proud to announce Dr. Lorne Bellan as the recipient of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Bellan is an Oculoplastic surgeon who has focused on education during his 33 years in practice. In 2001 he became Department Head and served as the chair for 20 years. He was the driving force in establishing the Ophthalmology Residency Program in Manitoba. He also created and ran the undergraduate teaching curriculum. He has received the Best Teacher and Best Surgical Teacher awards from the residents. 

He is recognized nationally for his research interests in Ophthalmology health human resources and wait times. He has been a leader in promoting ergonomics for ophthalmologists.

He has had a strong interest in serving Ophthalmologists, their patients and the broader medical community in various capacities throughout his career. He has been a member of the Royal College Ophthalmology Specialty Committee for over 20 years and has been the chair for the last five years and co-chair in the CBD curriculum development.

He served the COS in multiple capacities. He chaired the Council on Provincial Affairs. He chaired the COS Clinical Practice Guideline for Cataract Surgery committee. He was the COS representative to the Wait Time Alliance where he was elected by the 14 medical societies to be chair and spokesperson. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for this role. He served on the COS Board of Directors for 9 years and was the COS President in 2009-11. During his term he commissioned the first guideline for ethical charging for uninsured ophthalmic services.

We thank Dr. Bellan for his dedication and contributions to vision health, education, and the field of ophthalmology.