Meet Our Cosmetic Surgeons

Dr. Michael Bense, MD. FRCSC

Since graduating from the Pretoria University Medical School, South Africa in 1970, Dr. Bense has distinguished himself in the highest manner both academically and professionally.

Upon completing his residency in ophthalmology in 1984 at Dalhousie, Nova Scotia, he was chosen to do a retina fellowship in Diseases and Surgery of the Retina and Vitreous at the University of Toronto Medical School the following year by the CNIB’S, A.E. Baker Foundation. In 1986, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCSC Ophthalmology), Canada.

Dr. Bense serves as Medical Director for Bense Vision in St. John’s. He was also the Chief of Ophthalmology at the Health Sciences Complex in St. John’s, and is still a retina consultant with privileges in all St. John’s hospitals. He is affiliated with MUN and is an Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Memorial University, and is on the executive of the Canadian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Bense is licensed to practice medicine and ophthalmology in Newfoundland and Labrador, and in South Africa. He is currently ophthalmologist to CNIB in St. John’s.

Over the 12 years, Dr. Bense has performed over 20,000 vision correction operations which includes over 15,000 laser eye surgery procedures, and has established a comprehensive medical and surgical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery facility that has few rivals in this country. Throughout his career, Dr. Bense has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in clinical research, education and patient care.

Dr. Bense also leads an active family life with his wife Sharon, their son Jonathan that heads up Bense Optical and Optometry. He spent 4 years in Belfast to graduate with BSc (Hon) Optometry and then became certified in Canada as a Doctor of Optometry in 2006. His daughter Allison is a Cordon Bleu Chef and a certified Pilates instructor. She is the Owner and Operator of Bense Pilates. His other daughter Christine has a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and true to our family’s health tradition, works for Kraft foods International in Chicago.

Dr. Bob Farrell

Dr Robert Farrell, originally of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, is a board certified General Surgeon and Fellow of the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada. He served in the Canadian Military from 1986 to 2006 and has been involved in 6 different international tours with both the United Nations and NATO.

In 2005, together with his wife, he opened Havenwood Medispa, a cutting edge facility dedicated to non-surgical medical aesthetics in CBS Newfoundland. From there he joined forces with Spa at the monastery and suites to become the first destination Medispa in Atlantic Canada.

His aesthetic traing is extensive and includes, Botox injections, Fillers, IPL, ND YAG laser for spider veins, Sclerotherapy, microdermabraison, laser hair removal, mesotherapy, basic skin analysis and identification and removal of various skin lesions including cancers. Recently he has been trained in blepharoplasty, skin resurfacing and Radiofrequency assisted liposuction (RFAL). He also has several publications in the field of thermoregulation and has an MSC in Physiology.

Dr Farrell is presently the Chief of Surgery, Carbonear General Hospital and a Clinical Assistant Professor with Memorial University’s medical school. He is also a Surgery subcommittee member with the Medical Council of Canada.

Dr Farrell joins Bense Medical Aesthetics as an aesthetic surgeon specializing in RFAL.