Message From the Chairman
ear Alumni and Friends,
It is hard to believe, but the Vision Institute at the UPMC Mercy Pavilion has been open for more than a year. Since its opening in May 2023, there have been over 50,000 total patient visits, with nearly 10,000 new patients in the first year. There were 6,171 total surgeries performed at the VI from May 2023-May 2024. The engagement of our teams, the patient experience, and the ability to attract clinical and research talent have exceeded my expectations.
In June, the Eye & Ear Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee had its annual meeting in which they extolled
our Department. Four reviewers heard 20-minute presentations from almost all the researchers in the Department over the course of two days. At the end of the second day, the reviewers prepared a report that was presented to Anantha Shekhar, Dean of the School of Medicine and SVC of Health Sciences as well as the EEF Board of Directors. This year, reviewers were from the Cleveland Clinic, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Wayne State University. One reviewer said on behalf of all, “The breadth of what [the Department] is researching is greater than any other eye institute and is the most up and coming program in the world.”
In this issue of our alumni newsletter I have the privilege of introducing you to the brilliant crop of new residents and fellows that have joined our Department this year, while also saying goodbye to those trainees who have moved onto the next phases of their careers. You’ll get a chance to hear about the research being done by our Vice Chair and Director of Research John Ash. And finally, you’ll get a chance to catch up with Sharon Taylor, a St. Francis Medical Center alumnus
and prominent advocate for high quality eye care, who has been wonderfully connected to our Department throughout her career.
We hope you’ll check out the dates of our upcoming events, including the AAO reception in October, the Mission of Mercy event, and the Muse Dinner, where our very own Dr. Eller will receive the 2024 Muse Award and Emily Chew, from the NEI, will receive the Muse Prize. We look forward to these opportunities to connect with all of you!
Sincerely, José-Alain Sahel, MD
and Chairman
Eye & Ear Foundation Endowed Chair University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Director, UPMC Vision Institute
Emeritus Exceptional Class Professor at Sorbonne Université, Paris
Incoming Residents
John Gote, MD
Dr. Goté grew up in the farmlands of Lancaster, PA, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in the History and Philosophy of Science and a MS in Biomedical Science. He went on to complete his M.D. at Eastern Virginia Medical School where he served as Ophthalmology Clinic Coordinator through the HOPES Clinic to provide comprehensive eye care for uninsured community members in the Hampton Roads region. Prior to starting his ophthalmology residency at UPMC, he completed a transitional year in Internal Medicine, also at UPMC.
He enjoys competing in local latte art competitions, making espresso for friends/family, and training for various endurance sports. His next race is Ironman Lake Placid.
Gagan Kalra, MD
Dr. Kalra earned his medical degree at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh, India, where he graduated with an award for scholastic excellence. Subsequently, he completed a clinical and research attachment at the Advanced Eye Center at PGIMER Chandigarh and a research fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases at Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute.
Outside of work, Dr. Kalra enjoys sports, photography, and podcasting. As a co-founder of the online education platform and podcast “Eye Tea,” he actively promotes knowledge sharing within the ophthalmology community. He also advocates for inclusivity as the Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (AIDE) Chair for the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ Cleveland Chapter.
Eitan Shemuelian, MD
Dr. Shemuelian was born and raised in Los Angeles. He graduated with a BS in Biochemistry/Cell Biology and a minor in Business at UC San Diego. He obtained his MD at Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. Dr. Shemuelian completed an academic research year at NYU’s Advanced Ophthalmic Imaging Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. Schuman and Dr. Wollstein with specific academic interests in alternative methods to detect the progression of glaucoma as well as the use of artificial intelligence in glaucoma.
In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, cooking new dishes, making sushi, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Colin Xu, MD
Dr. Xu grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. He attended the University of Illinois Chicago and graduated summa cum laude with a BS in bioengineering. Colin went on to earn his M.D. from Case Western Reserve University where he discovered his interest in the physiology and pathophysiology of eyes. Before starting his residency training in ophthalmology, he completed a transitional year at UPMC.
In his free time, he enjoys running, photography, and cooking.
Incoming Residents (continued)
Haniah Zaheer, MD
Dr. Zaheer grew up in Chicago, Illinois. After completing her undergraduate studies, Haniah earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. During medical school, she conducted research in ophthalmology, focusing on epidemiology under the guidance of Dr. Andrew Williams, as well as pediatric and retinal research with Dr. Patil and Dr. Chhablani. She dedicated her time to volunteering at organizations such as the Guerilla Eye Service and Mission of Mercy, delivering free eye care to patients within the community.
Following medical school, she completed her transitional year of residency at UPMC. Beyond medicine, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling, playing tennis, and expressing her creativity through painting and photography.
Ryan Zukerman, MD
Dr. Zukerman was born and raised in Carmel, Indiana. He completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, earning his BA in History and graduating as a recipient of the Kate Hevner Mueller Outstanding Senior Award, recognizing students with proven leadership on campus both inside and outside of the classroom. From there he obtained his MD from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where he graduated with research distinction and was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Before joining the Department of Ophthalmology residency program, Ryan completed his transitional year at UPMC Presbyterian.
In his free time, he enjoys listening to music and going to concerts, exploring the Pittsburgh food scene, seeing movies at the Row House Cinema, and traveling to visit family and friends.
Incoming Fellows
Anthony Thieu, Cornea
Dr. Thieu completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. After completing a masters in Physiology at Georgetown University, he returned to Philadelphia to earn his medical degree at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. He joins UPMC after completing an Ophthalmology residency at Temple University where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Thieu looks forward to caring for and getting to know the Pittsburgh community.
Karl Anderson, Cornea
Dr. Andersen attended Brigham Young University and then Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He collaborated on novel retinal imaging research projects involving Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) at the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City. He recently finished his residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where he completed research projects on donor cornea storage temperature and pediatric corneal transplant outcomes. His hobbies include family time, enjoying the outdoors (especially hiking), trying new restaurants, and watching movies.
Incoming Fellows (continued)
Bushra Usmani, Glaucoma
Dr. Usmani received her medical education from the Aga Khan University. She further pursued research electives at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Usmani’s work involved big data, exploring epidemiology of ophthalmic diseases as well as determining healthcare disparities and barriers to eye care. She also researched degenerative retinal diseases and contact-lens related adverse effects. She believes herself to be a movie-buff, loves being with her family, exploring, cooking, and crossing off national parks with her husband.
Matt Sommers, Glaucoma
Dr. Sommers graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Neuroscience from Rhodes College. Between college and medical school, Matt worked two years as a navigator doing outreach, education, and enrollment for the Affordable Care Act. He then moved to Vermont where he attended the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. His interests outside of medicine include bicycle touring, cooking (and more importantly eating), coffee that’s too expensive, and rock climbing.
Gunjan Chanda, Pediatrics
Dr. Chadha received her medical degree from Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, India, and completed her postgraduate training in ophthalmology at Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur. She further enhanced her expertise through a short-term cataract surgery fellowship at Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. Dr. Chadha has made a significant impact at Lions Eye Hospital, where she has dedicated herself to serving underserved communities. Beyond medicine, Dr. Chadha expresses her creativity through painting and sketching and is passionate about traveling, hiking, and spending time in nature.
Anas Abusief, Pediatrics
Dr. Abuseif graduated from Mutah University in Jordan and completed his postgraduate training in ophthalmology with the Jordanian Royal Medical Services. Dr. Abuseif has experience as a general ophthalmologist with the Jordanian Ministry of Health and has further refined his skills through a threemonth fellowship in cataract surgery at the MGM Eye Institute in India. He actively participates in outreach programs and incorporates charity work into his practice. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important to him, and he regularly attends the gym, cycles, and swims. He also enjoys watching documentaries.
Aditya Uppulari, Retina
Dr. Uppuluri graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Biology from the New Jersey Institute of Technology as part of the BA/MD Accelerated Medical Program. He completed his medical education at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (Rutgers NJMS). He completed his ophthalmology residency training in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Rutgers NJMS. Within the field of vitreoretinal surgery, his research interests include ocular trauma, retinal vascular disease, and intraocular infections. Outside of ophthalmology, he enjoys all things tennis, traveling, and watching movies.
Research Spotlight: John D. Ash, Ph.D.
John D. Ash, Ph.D.
E. Ronald Salvitti Professor of Ophthalmology Research
Vice-Chair and Director of Research
Co-director of the Fox Center for Vision Restoration University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Introduction:
Dr. John D. Ash is a distinguished scientist, educator, and leader in vision science who currently holds the prestigious E. Ronald Salvitti Chair in Ophthalmology Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is also the Vice Chair of Ophthalmology, overseeing both research and academic development within the department. Over the course of more than two decades, Dr. Ash has established himself as a worldrenowned expert in retinal degeneration, with research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind vision loss due to inherited retinal diseases and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The retina is a thin layer of neuronal cells in the back of the eye that contains specialized light-sensitive neurons known as photoreceptors. These cells are activated by light and are essential for the initial events in vision. Like most neurons, photoreceptors are generated well before birth and cannot be replaced once lost. Inherited retinal degeneration and agerelated macular degeneration affect more than two million people in the United States. For 90% of the people afflicted with these diseases, no treatments have been developed. To date, there are more than 52 genetic mutations associated with agerelated macular degeneration and another 85 genes associated with inherited retinal degeneration. The genes produce proteins that regulate many cellular activities. Because of the genetic causes of retinal degeneration, there is a critical need to develop a broad-spectrum approach for protecting the photoreceptor cells despite existing disease-causing mutations. Dr. Ash’s work has focused on developing gene/mutation-independent approaches to reduce blindness from multiple forms of retinal degeneration. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Ash and his team carefully studied stress and injury responses in the retina. They identified two major pathways that can fortify the retina and increase the ability of cells to continue living and maintain retinal functioning despite genetic mutations or chronic inflammation. The first is the regulation of metabolism. The retina has one of the highest energy demands in the human body, with a finetuned, coordinated metabolism among different cell types. Metabolic dysregulation was shown to play a major role in driving the progression of retinal degenerative diseases, including dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and inherited retinal
diseases. Photoreceptor cells are especially susceptible to disease since they are extreme energy consumers. Therefore, the goal of this project was to protect photoreceptor cells by strengthening their metabolic resources and preserving their function. The strategy relied on a key player in metabolism, AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), a protein that functions as a cellular energy sensor to balance the metabolic needs inside the cells. AMPK becomes activated by nutrient deprivation, low energy states, and certain drugs, such as metformin, which exert beneficial effects by activating AMPK signaling. His pioneering work on retinal metabolism has transformed our understanding of the retina’s response to stress and injury and its relevance to retinal degeneration. His work continues to influence therapeutic strategies for treating retinal diseases. His findings that the FDA-approved drug Metformin led to ongoing clinical trials led by the National Eye Institute.
The second project involved stress-activated expression of proteins known as cytokines. In these studies, Dr Ash’s team identified stress response pathways crucial for safeguarding photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) against cell death triggered by oxidative stress and inherited mutations. The lab discovered a unique form of endogenous protection mediated by the induction of leukemia inhibitory factor LIF. When Müller cells can’t make LIF, the retina has accelerated retinal degeneration. These studies pinpoint the LIF/gp130/ STAT3 pathway as a pivotal survival pathway within the retina, delineating the molecular underpinnings of preconditioninginduced protection. Moreover, they outline a model wherein neurons and glia communicate via cytokines to establish stressinduced feedback mechanisms for protection. This work led to the development of a new gene therapy designed to protect the retina from many types of injury and genetic mutations.
1. Education:
Dr Ash received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology in 1986 from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. Dr. Ash earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from The Ohio State University 1994. Dr. Ash has been engaged in Vision Research since 1994, when he accepted a postdoctoral fellowship in Ocular Cell Biology under the mentorship of Dr. Paul Overbeek at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
2. Employment history:
In 1999, Dr Ash began his academic career as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2006 and received full Tenure in 2007. In 2011, Dr Ash moved to the University of Florida, as the Francis M. Bullard Eminent Scholar Chair in Ophthalmic Sciences, in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Florida. In 2022, Dr. Ash moved to the University Pittsburgh School of Medicine to become the E. Ronald Salvitti Professor of Ophthalmology Research Professor of Ophthalmology, where he also will serve as the Vice-Chair and Director of Re search.
Graduating Residents
Jacob Winters, MD
Dr. Winters graduated from Purdue University and spent several years as a high school teacher during which time he was awarded Teacher of the Year. After trekking The Way of Saint James pilgrimage in Spain, he discovered a desire to make further contributions to the world as a physician. While in medical school at Texas Tech El Paso, he served as Class President, Student Body President, and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism medical honor societies.
He enjoys spending time on adventures with his wife, a family medicine physician, and their children.
Timothy Chen, MD, PhD
Dr. Chen is a native of Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 2011 with a BS in Bioengineering with High Honors. He then earned a combined MD/PhD at Columbia University, where he performed his doctorate studies under the guidance of Dr. Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic. He worked in tissue engineering and on the development of in vitro human cardiac disease models. During his return to medical school, he became interested in ophthalmology and the expansive range of clinical and research opportunities the field presented. He will be continuing his training as a retina fellow at the University of California Irvine.
In his free time, he enjoys playing board games, cooking, and exploring Pittsburgh with his wife Stephanie.
Matthew Sommers, MD
Dr. Sommers is a Yinzer by birth, but moved to Tampa, Florida as a toddler. Dr. Sommers graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Neuroscience from Rhodes College. Between college and medical school, Matt worked two years as a navigator doing outreach, education, and enrollment for the Affordable Care Act. He then moved to Vermont where he attended the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. He Dr. Sommers will be staying with the Department to complete a glaucoma fellowship.
His interests outside of medicine include bicycle touring, cooking (and more importantly eating), coffee that’s too expensive, and rock climbing.
Bushra Usmani, MD
Dr. Usmani received her medical education from the Aga Khan University. She further pursued research electives at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Usmani’s work involved big data, exploring epidemiology of ophthalmic diseases as well as determining healthcare disparities and barriers to eye care. She also researched degenerative retinal diseases and contact-lens related adverse effects. Dr. Usmani will be staying with the Department to complete a glaucoma fellowship.
She believes herself to be a movie-buff, loves being with her family, exploring, cooking and crossing off national parks with her husband.
Graduating Residents (continued)
Sonny Caplash, MD
Dr. Caplash grew up in Monroe, Connecticut. His medical training began with his matriculation into the University of Connecticut’s Combined Program in Medicine. He stayed to complete his MD at the University of Connecticut’s School of Medicine. After his second year, he was accepted into the Medical Research Scholarship Program at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Caplash’s research is focused on the efficacy of optical coherence tomography angiography as a new imaging modality in patients with uveitis. He graduated as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He will be continuing his training as a retina fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.
Outside of the clinic, he enjoys playing tennis, reliving the glory days of when he was a competitive Bhangra dancer, and trying new restaurants.
Jonathan Peterson, MD
Jonathan Peterson was born and raised in Wisconsin where he stayed to complete a BS in Genetics and Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin, graduating with highest honors. He returned to his formal studies, completing an MD at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where he also completed a master’s degree in cell and molecular biology. His academic interests include gene regulation, stem cell biology, and gene therapy as well as medical student and resident education. He will be continuing his training as a cornea fellow at the University of California San Diego.
He enjoys playing trumpet, cooking, and exploring all that Pittsburgh has to offer.
Graduating Fellows
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Dr. Nadler graduated from Emory University with a dual degree in Physics and Mathematics. He spent several years applying his physics expertise conducting imaging research as part of the UPMC Ophthalmology Department before attending the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. He returned to UPMC for ophthalmology residency training where he served as co-chief resident and completed his glaucoma fellowship. He is a lifelong fan of Pittsburgh sports and enjoys spending his free time outdoors with his wife and their two dogs. Dr. Nadler has joined the faculty in the Pitt Department of Ophthalmology.
Kyle Fallgatter, MD
Dr. Fallgatter graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering. After serving in the United States Naval Reserve, he received a Master of Science degree in medical sciences from the University of South Florida. Dr. Fallgatter then received his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. Prior to joining the Department of Ophthalmology, he completed his residency at the University of Florida Department of Ophthalmology.
Zack Nadler, MD
Graduating Fellows (continued)
Marjan Fooladi, MD
Dr. Fooladi received her medical degree from the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Mashhad Iran. She completed her residency at the Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, followed by a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at the Farabi Eye Hospital at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. She came to the University of Pittsburgh in 2021 for a fellowship in retinal research and pediatric ophthalmology at the UPMC Children’s Hospital.
Christopher Hampton, MD
Dr. Hampton completed his BA and MS in Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University through their dual degree program and graduated with Honors. He then completed his MD at the University of Connecticut, School of Medicine. During medical school he continued to pursue his interest in research and was accepted into the Medical Research Scholarship Program at the National Eye Institute (NEI). He subsequently completed his internship and residency in ophthalmology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York, where he was elected Chief Resident. In his free time he enjoys running, rock climbing, hiking, traveling, and trying new restaurants.
Tadgh Schempf, MD
Dr. Schempf grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Neuroscience. He graduated from New York University School of Medicine, receiving Alpha Omega Alpha and Valedictorian honors. He has completed his Ophthalmology residency at UPMC, where he operated as Co-Chief Resident. He also takes part in community outreach efforts including the Guerilla Eye Service and Mission of Mercy.
Nathaniel Briggs, OD
Dr. Briggs was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He attended the University of Pittsburgh for his undergraduate education. He went on to complete his optometric education at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, IL where he earned the title of Doctor of Optometry. He then returned to Pittsburgh to complete his residency in Low Vision and Ocular Disease. While not in clinic, Dr. Briggs loves to play guitar, go to concerts, collect CDs, watch hockey, read, play video games, and a bunch of other random hobbies.
Alumni Spotlight
Sharon (Shara) Taylor, MD
St. Francis Medical Center Resident 1990-1993
Education:
I did my training at St. Francis Medical Center. I was a transitional year intern July 1989- June 1990 and then a resident July 1990June 1993. St. Francis Medical Center closed its doors in 2002 and was sold and transformed into the current UPMC Children’s Hospital. The residents still in the program were absorbed into the UPMC Eye & Ear institute residency to finish out their training.
Career:
I joined David Berk, MD and Michael Schneider, MD at North Park Medical and Surgical Ophthalmologic Associates in the North Hills of Pittsburgh directly after completing my residency. As I started practice, it was the era of cataract surgery when topical anesthesia was brand new and controversial. Circumstances led me to be a very early adopter of this technique which worked beautifully for my patients and surgical style. I was doing
topical anesthetic with a scleral tunnel long before clear corneal incisions were considered acceptable, much less mainstream. I credit watching attendings thoughtfully transition their surgical techniques (or not) from extra cap to phaco with instilling in me the importance of continuing to evolve my own techniques in private practice.
I practiced comprehensive ophthalmology and became a partner in 1997 in what was then renamed North Park Ophthalmology UPMC and later simply North Park Ophthalmology. I took on the additional role of Director of Surgical Services at UPMC Passavant from 2008 to 2014 which was a great experience growing out of involvement as chairman of their OR committee at a time when surgical safety and quality was evolving quickly. I oversaw the implementation of timeouts and checklists as well as more rigorous credentialing and quality oversight. I then served for a time as Physician Advisor for Surgical Quality. I always, however, considered my ophthalmology practice as my primary work and first professional priority. Making a difference in the lives of my patients by serving as their ophthalmologist has been one of the greatest joys in my life. In 2019, personal medical issues required a hiatus from work and surgery. COVID then kept us from being able to operate and I made a choice to retire from surgery and maintain a reduced work schedule. I retired completely two years later and have been having a fabulous time in this new chapter of my life.
Family:
At Albany Medical College, I was steadily pursuing a path to neurosurgery. My future fiancé was working towards cardiothoracic surgery. It was after our engagement and during our third year when we realized our career choices didn’t complement our vision of life as a married couple raising a family as partners. We both agreed to change paths. I had no idea what direction I would go as I loved neurology, but wanted to be a surgeon. It was during a two-week required rotation in ophthalmology that I realized I had found my true professional home. Were it not for that rotation, I likely would have never even thought of ophthalmology as an option. It was the perfect blend of microsurgery (which I loved), happy patients (a bonus), and a very reasonable lifestyle. We targeted Pittsburgh as place we would like to live for its excellent training programs and opportunities as well as being a great place to raise a family. Pittsburgh had just hit the top 10 list of most livable cities in the USA. It didn’t disappoint. Our two children now 30 and 33 were born, raised and launched from here and will always be Pittsburghers even though their lives have taken them to other places.
(continued)
Alumni Spotlight (continued)
Hobbies:
During the interim between my retirement and my husband’s, I am doing my best to give back to ophthalmology. Well before retiring, I became active in advocacy through involvement in local, state, and national ophthalmologic organizations, including as President of the Pittsburgh Ophthalmology Society and the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology, Councilor to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Delegate to the PA Medical Society. I am currently working on a task force to improve Medicaid in Pennsylvania, which is one of the worst states in terms of reimbursement and disparity of care. I also volunteer for Catholic Charities Free Clinic in an office set up by Jack Kennerdale, MD and others to help meet the ophthalmologic needs of the uninsured and underinsured in Pittsburgh. It isn’t all ophthalmology, though. I have been pursing interests in music, reading, dancing, hiking, kayaking, skiing, knitting, pickleball (of course) and generally being outdoors every day possible. I enjoy traveling and am spending more time with friends and family. It’s a wonderful life!
Most important thing to you about having attended Pitt for Ophthalmology?
As a resident, we did rotations with our colleagues at Eye & Ear for retina and ophthalmologic pathology. We also attended all Eye & Ear grand rounds and educational lectures, so we got to know the faculty and our fellow residents well. The St. Francis program was more community based and we were privileged to spend time with private practice ophthalmologists who participated actively in our training in addition to faculty and academic ophthalmologists at Pitt Eye & Ear and at what was then Allegheny General Hospital.
How has the Department changed since your time as a trainee?
Since I first came to Pittsburgh in 1989, there have been many changes in what was then Pittsburgh Eye & Ear. Mergers, departures and leadership changes are inevitable and there have been many. It has been exciting in recent years to see the expansion and growth of UPMC Department of Ophthalmology into a more international outlook under the leadership of José Sahel, MD. I am blown away by the beautiful new Vision Institute with its state-of-the-art training facilities and promise for research and collaboration while meeting the needs of the local population. With the support of the Foundation, The Vision Institute can/will be/is a world leader in ophthalmologic research and training. The work coming from the research teams is exciting and pioneering. It is well worth visiting and seeing for yourself.
What are you most excited about in the future of the Department?
I am a huge fan of and admire the work of Jake Waxman, MD and his enabling of the residents' involvement in community outreach through the Eye Van, Guerilla Eye Service, and the Mission of Mercy. It is heartening to see fellows, residents, and medical students who are passionate about the issues of disparity of care and social inequality. The foundation has been critical in forwarding this work and this is yet another reason to support the foundation. I urge everyone to realize the critical role advocacy also plays in this work and how each of us can and should strive to contribute personally to these efforts.
Save the Date
Mission of Mercy
November 1-2, 2024
To volunteer click HERE
Muse Prize Lecture and Dinner Ceremony
November 21, 2024
Muse Prize Winner: Emily Chew Muse Award Winner: Andrew Eller For details and to register click HERE
Follow the Eye & Ear Foundation on Socials
Want to keep up to date on all the exciting research happening in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh? Follow our social media accounts below to see pictures, articles, awards, and more highlighting all the great work taking place at your alma mater. Just click the logos to find our page.
We Want To Hear From You!
WTo update your contact information or to share personal and professional news, please visit http://ophthalmology.pitt.edu/ alumni/alumni-verification-form
Webinar Information
he Eye & Ear Foundation, in conjunction with the Departments of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh, hosts a bi-weekly webinar series entitled “Sights and Soundbites.” The webinars are presented by department faculty members and highlight their current research initiatives and treatment strategies. These webinars have proven to be an accessible and interactive way to stay connected with patients, donors, faculty, and alumni. If you would like to register to receive webinar invites, please visit www.eyeandear.org/webinars To view recent webinar videos, please click on the links below:
Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma and the Role of a Patient Navigator in Vision Care
• Childhood Vision & UPMC/ WPSBC Garden Collaboration
• Seeing the Future of Gene Therapy
• Leveraging the Microbiome to Alleviate Ocular Surface Disease
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Geographic Atrophy: Advancements in Research and Care
• Introducing Pittsburgh’s StreetLab: Improving Functional Outcomes in Low Vision Rehabilitation
• Everything You Want to Know About Keratoconus
• Cerebral Visual Impairment
• Advancements in Glaucoma Treatment and Research
• Update on Optic Nerve Regeneration Progress
OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery
• Restoring Hearing and Regenerating Hair Cells
• Bridging the Gap Between Voice and Swallow
• The Who and Where of Head and Neck Cancer
• Decreased Sound Tolerance: Managing Reactions to Bothersome Sounds
• Salivary Gland-Sparing Surgery and the Role of Sialendoscopy
• From Evaluation and Surgery to Life with a Cochlear Implant
• Mandibular and Maxillary 3D Modeling in Head and Neck Reconstruction
• Advancing Survivorship Care Through Research
• Protecting and Preserving Your Voice
• Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline
