• The Bedford Eye Care Centre Team
• Careers with Bedford Eye Care Centre

Team Members

Toby Mandelman OD.

Profile

Dr. Mandelman was born in Toronto in 1958. Her parents, including her older brother Bill still reside in the Toronto area. In fact just about all of her relatives reside in the Toronto area! She moved to Nova Scotia in 1983 after graduating from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry program. "I chose to practice my first year in Nova Scotia because I wanted to experience the ocean and it wasn't too far from my relatives. As it turns out, it's been a long year!"

Dr. Mandelman is proud of her accomplishments at school as she won numerous awards and was the first woman and the first Optometry student to win the University Gold Medal in Science.

She opened her own office in Bedford in 1987 in the Sun Tower. The office was relocated and expanded to an office in Sunnyside Mall in 1992.

In 1988 she was married to Dr. Paul Gray of Halifax. Paul is also an optometrist and practices in downtown Halifax. Yes...they do see eye to eye!

The years from 1990 to 1994 were a bit tumultuous in the practice as a number of different optometric associates came and went. Dr. Mandelman was delighted when Dr. Dobson joined her in practice in June 94 and also when Dr. Cox joined them in 1998.

Dr. Mandelman has been very involved with the Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists and has chaired various committees as well as serving as President. She also sits on a number of CNIB boards on a volunteer basis both provincially and nationally. She participated in a project in Trinidad to provide free eye care to those less fortunate.

On a personal note, Paul and Toby do not have any children, but they do have two very spoiled cats.

After recuperating from major back surgery in 2003, Toby enjoys sailing, skiing, and golf for recreational activities.

Education

After finishing two years of post secondary education at the University of Toronto in 1978 and 1979, Dr. Mandelman completed the four-year Optometry program at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry in 1983 with a Doctor of Optometry degree (O.D.) In 1998, she successfully completed a 100 hour therapeutic drug course provided by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry.

Prizes & Scholarships

In 1983, her final year of Optometry School, Dr. Mandelman was the recipient of the following awards:

• The Essilor Award for Academic and Clinical Excellence in Optics.
• The Bausch and Lomb Optical Soflens Division Outstanding Achievement Award in Contact Lenses.
• The William Feinbloom Low Vision Award.
• The E.F. Attridge Prize for Highest Achievement in Pathology.
• The General Proficiency Medal
• The Percy Hermant General Proficiency Medal
• The University of Waterloo Gold Medal in Science

Research

While in Optometry School, Dr. Mandelman published studies on the human lens, the effects of renal failure on the eye and the prescription of special lenses for visually impaired patients.

Work History

Dr. Mandelman moved to Nova Scotia in 1983 and began practicing as an optometrist in the employ of Dr. I.A.. Mendleson. In 1984, she joined Dr. J.E. Ray in partnership in the Bedford Professional Center. Dr. Mandelman began her own practice of optometry in 1987 in the Sun Tower in Bedford. In 1992, she expanded her office and relocated to the Mezzanine level of Sunnyside Mall. She currently practices optometry with Dr. Angela Dobson, who joined her in 1994 and Dr Cox, who joined her in 1998.

Dr. Mandelman's areas of specialty are Low Vision (the provision of magnifying devices for the visually impaired), Contact Lenses and Laser Vision Correction.

Requests for Professional Expertise

Dr. Mandelman has performed clinical studies for CIBA Vision evaluating contact lens care systems and comparing two different brands of single-use contact lenses, which were subsequently published.

In 1995, Dr. Mandelman was asked to participate in a published round-table discussion on Macular Degeneration sponsored by CIBA Vision.

She is currently serving as Soft Contact Lens Editor for the journal, Practical Optometry and has published articles on diabetes and digital imaging in this publication.

Professional Involvement

Dr. Mandelman has been actively involved with the N.S.A.O. (Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists)

She has sat on the executive of the N.S.A.O and served as Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, President and Past President.

Dr. Mandelman has chaired the Continuing Education Committee in the past and the Scope of Practice Committee. She currently chairs the Government Negotiating Committee and the Low Vision Committee.

Dr. Mandelman also donates her time to sit on various committees of the C.N.I.B. (Canadian National Institute for the Blind)

In 1997, Dr. Mandelman was asked to chair the Advisory Board for TLC Atlantic (The Laser Center).