Building the Future of CF Care: Dr. Rebecca O’Leary’s Clinical Fellowship 

Cystic Fibrosis Canada is proud to celebrate Dr. Rebecca O’Leary, the recipient of the 2025 Clinical Fellowship award – an opportunity funded by Cystic Fibrosis Canada that supports clinicians in pursuing advanced training in cystic fibrosis (CF) care. This 12-month fellowship will take place at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, where Dr. O’Leary will receive advanced training in CF care under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth Tullis and will contribute to CF research under Dr. Anne Stephenson.  

For Dr. O’Leary, this opportunity is more than just a career milestone – it’s the fulfillment of a growing passion to improve the lives of people living with CF.  

“It’s a really exciting time to be involved in CF,” she says. “CFTR modulators have changed everything, but there’s still so much more to understand, especially for patients who aren’t thriving on current therapies” 

Originally from Newfoundland, Dr. O’Leary has crisscrossed Canada in pursuit of medical training. She earned her undergraduate chemistry degree at McGill University, completed medical school at Memorial University, and undertook Internal Medicine in Calgary. She recently completed her Respirology residency at McMaster University and is excited to start her clinical fellowship.  

Her love for science, problem-solving, and patient care led her to medicine. But it was during her residency that she discovered CF as a uniquely compelling and rewarding field.  

“I’ve always been drawn to respiratory physiology and complex care. During my rotations, I worked in CF and bronchiectasis clinics, and I found myself inspired by the patients and the depth of care they required. There’s a real opportunity to make a difference in this field.” 

A Dual Fellowship Experience 

This fellowship award from Cystic Fibrosis Canada offers Dr. O’Leary a unique opportunity to focus on clinical training while contributing to meaningful research. While many post-residency fellowships are heavily research-focused, this one is designed for clinicians like Dr. O’Leary who want to spend the bulk of their time providing hands-on care. 

“Having this dedicated funding means I can focus entirely on learning – being present with patients, asking clinical questions, and immersing myself in a research project.” 

At St. Michael’s Hospital, which hosts the largest adult CF clinic in Canada, Dr. O’Leary will gain direct experience managing complex cases across the full spectrum of disease. From patients thriving on CFTR modulator therapy like Trikafta to those with persistent challenges. 

While the fellowship is primarily clinical, Dr. O’Leary will also contribute to research efforts, drawing from the CF registry to explore key clinical questions. She hopes to contribute to both ongoing projects, and potentially a question of her own.  

“It’s a chance to ask: What do I really want to know about CF? Can we use the data to answer questions that come up in clinic? That kind of inquiry is what drives improvements in care.” 

She’s equally excited about learning from a team of experienced mentors, many of whom are women.  

“Seeing skilled female clinicians and researchers leading the team is really empowering. I’m not just learning about medicine – I’m also learning how to lead, communicate, and collaborate.” 

From Passion to Profession 

Dr. O’Leary is particularly interested in CF-related pulmonary infections, especially treatment-resistant infections like Pseudomonas. She also hopes to deepen her understanding of long-term CF care in the CFTR modulator era, where many questions still remain.  

“There’s still so much we don’t know about CF in the long run. This fellowship is my opportunity to learn from those who’ve cared for patients before CFTR modulators, during the transition, and now – so I can be better prepared to care for the next generation.” 

After completing her fellowship, Dr. O’Leary plans to continue working in an academic hospital setting, ideally combining adult CF care with general respirology. While she hopes to become an CF expert, she wants to ensure her general skills remain sharp.  

A Message to Aspiring Fellows 

Dr. O’Leary encourages other early-career respirologists to consider a path in CF and to apply for the Cystic Fibrosis Canada Clinical Fellowship if they’re passionate about complex care and innovation.  

“This field is incredibly dynamic. The science is evolving, the therapies are improving, and there’s a strong community around it. You get to work with amazing people – both patients and healthcare professionals – and make a real difference.” 

With her energy, insight, and drive, Dr. Rebecca O’Leary represents a bright future for CF care in Canada. Thanks to the support of the Cystic Fibrosis Canada Clinical Fellowship, she’s ready to make a lasting impact on the CF community.