The Scoop, August 2026

August 2026 Volume 57 Recognition Best Hospitals for Ophthalmology For the first time, the Department of Ophthalmology has made the list of Best Hospitals for Ophthalmology, coming in at #12!

Check out the ranking Read more about the methodology

Peter Santa Maria, MD, PhD, posted on his Instagram on July 24: Pittsburgh hospitality meets Mozambican partnership.

Tonight we celebrated real momentum on a collaboration that’s been years in the making: the University of Pittsburgh, the Gorongosa Restoration Project, and Mozambique’s Ministry of Health working together to bring world-class research, training, and clinical care to central Mozambique.

What started as a public-private partnership between the Mozambican government and the Gorongosa Project to restore one of Africa’s greatest ecosystems has grown into something bigger — a shared vision for a regional hospital and health research center in Gorongosa, built on the same spirit of longterm investment and partnership.

And of course, no Pittsburgh celebration is complete without a proper introduction to the cookie table.

🍪

Mozambique’s Minister of Health loved it!

Grateful for partners who show up ready to build something lasting.

PRIMA The PRIMA wireless retinal implant has received a CE mark, which is the European version of the FDA. Read about PRIMA

LiDIA LiDIA – the affordable, compact hearing screening and amplification tool developed by the Department of Audiology – has reached a significant milestone by becoming United States Patent No.12,672,797 B2 on July 7, 2026.

Read about LiDIA

Top 5 Young American Scientists Xing Chen, PhD, was listed as one of the top 5 young scientists 'on the radar' in Scientific American in July. Dr Chen is a highly productive early-career researcher who has made tremendous impact in her field and beyond, performing at the cutting edge of innovation.

Read the Scientific American article

Retina Hall of Fame Jay Chhablani, MD, has been selected for induction into the Retina Hall of Fame.

The Retina Hall of Fame Board of Directors has recognized Dr. Chhablani for his outstanding contributions to retina care, research, innovation, and education.

Selected through peer nomination, this prestigious distinction acknowledges individuals whose work has fundamentally advanced the field and improved the lives of countless patients worldwide.

Dr. Chhablani’s pioneering research, clinical excellence, and unwavering dedication to improving outcomes for patients with retinal diseases have made a profound impact on ophthalmology. His achievements in multiple fields have helped shape modern retinal practice and have inspired colleagues and trainees in our institution and across the globe.

The induction was formally announced at the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Annual Meeting in Montreal on July 17, 2026.

Honorary Doctorate Marlene Behrmann, PhD, is receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Copenhagen in the fall, a well-deserved tribute to her landmark contributions to cognitive neuroscience and ophthalmology.

Read about Dr. Behrmann's research

Editor-in-Chief, Cornea Vishal Jhanji, MD, FRCS (Glasgow), FRCOphth, FARVO, has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of Cornea, the official journal of the Cornea Society and a premier publication in corneal and external eye disease. This is a tremendous honor that reflects Dr. Jhanji's expertise, dedication, and leadership in the field.

Articles

Pittsburgh Hosting Blind and Low Vision Tennis Tournament The UPMC Vision Institute is a sponsor for the national Blind and Low Vision (BLV) Tennis tournament, which is being held in Pittsburgh on August 7-9 at Brady’s Run Tennis Facility in Beaver Falls.

Read More

Grant Aims to Close Hearing

Bringing Vision Care to Women in

Health Gap for Individuals with IDD

Recovery

The Pittsburgh Hearing Institute has received a $1,500,000 grant from the Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust to advance hearing health care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The grant will

A collaboration between the Department of Ophthalmology and POWER (PA Organization for Women in Early Recovery) resulted in the first outdoor mobile optometry clinic.

Read More

disseminate $500,000 per year for three years.

Read More

Radiofrequency Therapy Now Available in Dry Eye Clinic Thanks to a $100,000 grant, radiofrequency therapy (RF) is now available in the Vision Institute’s Dry Eye Clinic.

Read More

Residency Program Changes As of July 1, Jessica Maxwell, MD, MPH, FACS is the Residency Program Director for the Department of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery, replacing Noel Jabbour, MD, MS, FACS. While the role is still in a transition phase, Dr. Maxwell has many goals for the program.

Read More

Donate

Subscribe

Eye & Ear Foundation | 203 Lothrop Street Suite 251, Eye & Ear Institute | Pittsburgh, PA 15213 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice