Our Team: Wanda McFarlane
For more than two decades, Wanda McFarlane has dedicated her life to helping people see more clearly. Trained as an Orthoptist and Ophthalmic Medical Technologist, Wanda worked for 21 years in Michigan before life brought her to Newfoundland in 2011. There, she began working with Dr. Justin French, starting a new chapter in her career that would eventually lead her far beyond the borders of Canada.
Wanda’s first medical mission was to Honduras—a trip that left a lasting impression on her. That first experience of serving people in need, bringing hope through sight, planted a seed that would grow into many more journeys abroad.
A calling to Mongolia
Wanda has since traveled multiple times to Mongolia with Laurel Surgical Foundation, where she plays a vital role in eye care missions. Her work often centers on measuring intraocular lens (IOL) power for patients preparing for cataract surgery, a critical step in ensuring patients receive the right lens to restore their vision. Beyond patient care, Wanda also dedicates time to teaching ophthalmology residents, sharing her expertise and helping to train the next generation of eye specialists in Mongolia.
Her contributions are a perfect reflection of LSF’s mission: combining hands-on patient care with long-term capacity building for sustainable impact.
A life rooted in nature
When Wanda is not traveling or working in the clinic, she finds joy in the natural world. She loves gardening, beekeeping, hiking, and taking long walks near the water. Activities that keep her grounded and inspired. This deep connection to nature complements her work, reminding her of the beauty and clarity of vision that she helps restore for others.
The impact of service
Through her career and her service abroad, Wanda has touched countless lives. For patients in Mongolia who often wait years for cataract surgery, her skill in preparing them for sight-restoring procedures means the difference between darkness and light. For young doctors in training, her willingness to teach ensures that knowledge and skills stay in the country, multiplying her impact far into the future.
Her journey, from Michigan to Newfoundland, from Honduras to Mongolia, shows how professional skill, compassion, and a love of service can come together to change lives around the world.
