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January 2026 Volume 50

EEF Looks Back on 2025 As we welcome 2026, I want to reflect on what we accomplished together in 2025. The Eye & Ear Foundation exists to support the groundbreaking work of the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh —and this year, your generosity helped make extraordinary progress possible. Read More

Recognition

On November 1, the Foundation for Fighting Blindness hosted its annual Vision Walk at Acrisure Stadium to raise money for vision research. Participants from the ophthalmology professional community, along with patients, supporters, and the general public, gathered together to complete a one mile walk. The walk included the option to use blinders, helping participants experience what it is like to have low vision. The UPMC Vision Institute registered a team of faculty and staff with over 60 participants, who collectively raised over $6,000. Thanks to everyone who showed up to represent the Vision Institute’s support of this important cause!

As Ryan Soose, MD, takes on increasing responsibilities outside of the clinic in support of the hospital and the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, he will be stepping down from his role as Mercy Site Director. The Department is grateful for his partnership over the last several years to Mercy and looks forward to his ongoing impact at the hospital level. In his place, the Department is pleased to announce that Chloe Santa Maria, MD, MPH, will be assuming the role of Site Director. Dr. Santa Maria brings strong leadership, clinical expertise, and a collaborative approach, and the Department is confident she will be a positive force for the team.

Congratulations to Anthony St. Leger, PhD, whose breakthrough work on the ocular biome was covered in Nature! Read More

OPH Looks Back on 2025

OTO-HNS Looks Back on 2025

2025 was a year of extraordinary growth,

The University of Pittsburgh’s Department

innovation, and commitment to the

of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck

science and community of vision care.

Surgery is experiencing a period of

The Department’s core mission is

remarkable growth, national recognition,

“retaining and regaining vision—the joy of

and renewed vision. With a team that now

seeing—for all.” Over the past year, the

includes 60 full-time faculty members—40

Department provided care for 150,000

clinicians and 20 researchers—the

patients, marking a dramatic increase in

Department has expanded its clinical

patient volume and demonstrating

divisions and reinforced its commitment

resilience in the face of national health

to academic excellence and innovation.

challenges. Strategic initiatives, such as

Boasting 25 residents and seven fellows,

the launch of an acute care clinic open

the program continues to attract the

from 8 am to 10 pm and plans for a 24/7

brightest minds from across the country,

service, have been instrumental in

fostering an environment of excitement

meeting the needs of the region’s most

and advancement in the field.

vulnerable patients. Read More Read More

New Event Planner Position

Inaugural Community Vision Day

Crystal Rockey started in mid-November

The Department of Ophthalmology held

in the newly created position of Event

its first Community Vision Day on

Planer, in which she will coordinate and

December 6 at the UPMC Vision Institute.

plan events for the Eye & Ear Foundation

Vision screenings, eye health

and the Departments of Ophthalmology

evaluations, and exams for vision

and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck

conditions were offered for children and

Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.

adults with or without insurance.

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