Dr. John Fowler

Dr. John Fowler was awarded the Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s 2017 Excellence for Educational Leadership in Ophthalmology Award, in recognition for his distinguished career of service to the specialty of Ophthalmology. The ceremony took place on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the Main Legislative Building at Queen’s Park where he was surrounded by peers and members of provincial parliament.

Dr. Fowler was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He graduated from the University of Toronto’s medical school in 1958, interned at Toronto General Hospital, and went on to work in general practice at Toronto’s East General and Orthopaedic Hospital. He obtained his PhD in Medical Biophysics and Cancer Research and then did his residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Toronto from 1969-1972. He was appointed Director of Undergraduate Ophthalmology in the Ophthalmology Department at the University of Toronto in 1974 and held the position until 1986 when he started working as an Associate Professor.
Dr. Fowler has skillfully taught at the University of Toronto for more than 50 years. He has been on staff at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, the Toronto East General (now called the Michael Garron Hospital) and Bridgepoint Active Healthcare.

Dr. Fowler is best recognized in Ontario for his commitment to teaching ophthalmology to residents, medical students, nurses and family doctors. He is the founder of the long running conference “Primary Eye Care Day” that empowers primary care providers to learn about general ophthalmology in order to assist their patients across Ontario.

Doctor Fowler was presented with his award at Queen’s Park during the EPSO’s Lobb-EYE Day reception. Scarborough-Agincourt MPP Soo Wong, who had worked with him as a nurse, introduced Dr. Fowler at a Queen’s Park reception and described his achievements to her fellow MPPs.

“Dr. Fowler has probably taught the majority of ophthalmologists currently practising in Ontario. His contributions to the field of ophthalmology are tremendous and impossible to measure. We are proud to present Dr. Fowler with the 2017 EPSO Excellence for Educational Leadership in Ophthalmology Award; we could not think of a more deserving recipient.” -Dr. Jordan Cheskes, President