Yellowknife (June 04/03) - Stanton Territorial Hospital's ophthalmic medical technology program is on the right track according to the Canadian Medical Association.

Last month, the association accredited the program independently for the first time, said John Wyse, Stanton clinical educator. The program was jointly accredited by the Canadian Medical Association and an American organization.

"It pleased us to get it because it's a huge validation of what we're doing here," Wyse said.

The program will be re-assessed in six years. At the end of June, Wyse will review the present criteria to ensure the program has all the necessary tools and resources to continue a quality program.

The ophthalmic medical technology program was started 25 years ago by Dr. Graham Gillan. He modeled the training after the Canadian Armed Forces program which gave the technologists extra examination knowledge so they could make simple diagnoses and fill out lens prescriptions, said Wyse.

The graduates

Wyse graduated the same program in 1998. And now he guides two or three students through the two-year program.

Three of his students -- Trina Carroll, Heather Webb and Brad Brown -- will graduate in June.

They all chose to train as ophthalmic medical technologists because of their interest in medicine and a desire to travel.

"There's also independence in putting on a whole eye clinic and you make a lot of decisions," said Brown.

"It's almost impossible not to get good at this job."

"Compared to university, this is a lot more hands-on," said Carroll.

Three new students will start in September. For more information contact the Stanton Territorial Hospital eye clinic.