Leah Markin

Leah Markin’s path began with family roots steeped in medicine and community service. After graduating from Jewish day school in Ottawa, she studied in Israel. She then continued on to graduate from Yeshiva University, along with her husband, Joel, a Toronto native. Leah and Joel  stayed in New York City while she pursued her doctorate degree in optometry and he studied for Semicha at RIETS. Leah’s final clinical rotation was in Toronto at a charitable eye care clinic where she eventually began practicing. 

Leah finds deep meaning in being able to provide eye care to underserved communities, which began at the charitable clinic where she started her career.  But one of her most meaningful and unexpected chapters has taken place far from home – in Nunavut. When she was first offered the position in Northern Canada, her instinct was to decline; yet she asked if her need to be home for Shabbat could be accommodated, and it was! Leah has travelled to Nunavut 6 times to serve patients in the isolated city on Baffin Island. Her time there has revealed not just the medical need in remote northern regions, but the immense personal growth that comes from stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Leah describes the long hours, staffing shortages, travel delays, cultural gaps, and also the intense emotional moments of deep connection. “Vision means independence” and Leah can clearly recall watching the change in a patient’s demeanour when she delivered the news to him that cataract surgery would help his vision loss. 

In addition to her trips to Nunavut, Leah practices at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and also in private practice, working with people of all ages and abilities. There can be challenges, but it comes with a sense of meaning and fulfillment. 

Joel and Leah moved to Toronto from New York in 2015, along with their eldest, who was 2 yrs. old at the time. When choosing a school for him, Netivot’s mission aligned closely with their values. Joel and Leah are now the proud parents of 3 Netivot students, and Leah recently joined the Netivot board.