How a "Couple" of Ophthalmologists Found Love, Learning and a Lifetime of Impact
The Temerty Faculty of Medicine takes great pride in the accomplishments of its ambitious and hardworking alumni. Included among these are Drs. Radha Kohly (PGME ’06, ’09) and Rajeev Muni (PGME ’06, ’08) who, since completing their medical training at the University of Toronto, have both developed impactful and rewarding careers as ophthalmologists — as well as a life and family together.
The two met as residents in the Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences. Dr. Kohly is now a cataract surgeon and medical retina specialist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Dr. Muni is a vitreoretinal surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children. They both also operate at the Kensington Eye Institute, are passionate about their work and what they’re able to do for patients living with eye diseases.
When asked what drew them into the field, Dr. Kohly says “I liked that it had a real, meaningful impact on people's daily lives…it's very rewarding.” Dr. Muni agreed: “Most of the surgeries in ophthalmology have very good outcomes and they make a huge impact in a patient's quality of life. That’s very gratifying.”
After completing their U of T training in 2007 and 2009, they each went on to pursue further fellowships to sub-specialize in their field — Dr. Kohly at Moorfields Eye Hospital London (UK) and Dr. Muni at the University of Toronto and then a second fellowship at the University of Southern California. After their fellowships, the couple decided to settle down in Toronto, the same city in which they met. Today, they’re busy parents to four children.
Both hold academic positions with the Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto. Dr. Muni serves as Vice Chair of Clinical Research. He has numerous publications in high impact journals; he and his team conducted the first major randomized control trial in retinal detachment repair in the last 20 years. His research group has changed the way people think about retinal detachment repair internationally. This was recently acknowledged by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, which awarded him the Inaugural Kreissig Award for Excellence in Retinal Surgery.
Dr. Kohly is Vice Chair of Faculty Development (FD), Diversity and Equity and Global Health. She has published in these areas and has developed several programs catering to faculty and trainees in her department. In addition to developing rounds and workshops in collaboration with other departments on topics like physician burnout, women leaders in ophthalmology and ENT, she has also created wellness moments as part of weekly grand rounds to discuss "mental protective equipment" in addition to PPE during COVID.
Dr. Kohly has also co-developed a course to coach faculty from across North America on how to deliver TED-like academic talks in ophthalmology. Some of these talks have been viewed over 10,000 times on YouTube and other social medial outlets. Last year, Dr. Kohly completed a second fellowship in journalism with a focus on health impact. Her stories were published by the Canadian Press, the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail.
The couple’s story showcases the blossoming of their life partnership and love together during their training days at Temerty Medicine. After reflecting on their personal experiences, Dr. Muni leaves a few words of wisdom for current medical students:
“You don't need to be the smartest, you don't need to have the highest IQ, as long as you put in the effort and work collaboratively you are going to do well.”
Dr. Kohly’s words of wisdom for trainees and faculty are to stay creative throughout your entire career, pursue different ways to advocate for patients and patient care that keep you excited and inspired every day.
