First Year Ophthalmology Residents

Ophthalmology Fellows

Susannah Brown Subspecialty: Oculoplastics

Originally a native of Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Susannah Brown completed medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, SC and subsequently stayed on to complete her ophthalmology residency at MUSC’s Storm Eye Institute. She has been recognized for her commitment to patient care with multiple patient-care awards including the prestigious national Veteran’s Association ICARE Award for Distinguished Resident Physician. While at MUSC, she also received the Program Director’s Award, given to the resident who most exemplifies ‘the behaviors and attitudes each of us looks for in our own personal physician’. During her residency, Dr. Brown was selected by her peers and faculty to serve as Chief resident and received the Richard A. Saunder’s Award for ‘academic potential, surgical excellence and outstanding teaching ability’. During her free time, Dr. Brown enjoys spending time with family, horseback riding and learning to fly fish.

Hamza Pasha Subspecialty: Cornea

Dr. Hamza Pasha grew up in Boulder, CO where he graduated from University of Colorado with a B.A. in Integrative Physiology with distinction. He then obtained his medical degree from University of Colorado School of Medicine. After completion of his transitional year at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI, he moved to Galveston, TX for ophthalmology residency at University of Texas Medical Branch/Houston Methodist. He also served as chief resident in his final year. During his residency, Dr. Pasha was recipient of the Senior Resident Teaching award. In his free time, Dr. Pasha enjoys running, hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with friends and family.

Laura Palazzolo Subspecialty: Cornea

Dr. Laura Palazzolo graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Public Health and Policy. She completed her M.D. at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. As a medical student, she was President of the Ophthalmology Club and implemented a vision screening program for uninsured patients in Central Brooklyn. She also coordinated national community service initiatives as Vice Chair of the American Medical Association’s Community Service Committee. She was presented the Ophthalmology Departmental Award, the Jennifer Timbrook Award for significant contributions to student life, and inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Dr. Palazzolo then completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Northwell Health and ophthalmology residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where she served as chief resident in her final year. She has authored several textbook chapters and presented clinical research at national conferences including the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Outside of work, Laura enjoys running (she completed 2 marathons) and spending time outdoors. She is also a former ballet dancer, and now enjoys seeing live performances. THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS 05

Ophthalmology Fellows (continued)

Sarah Ullah Subspecialty: Glaucoma

Dr. Sarah Ullah grew up in Federalsburg, Maryland and graduated from Salisbury University. She obtained her medical degree from University of Maryland School of Medicine. After completion of her intern year at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, she moved to Hershey, PA to complete her ophthalmology residency at Penn State Hershey Eye Center. After residency and prior to fellowship, she was employed as a comprehensive ophthalmologist at Geisinger Eye Institute in Danville, PA. Outside of ophthalmology, she enjoys reading, baking, walking and spending time with her husband and 3 year old daughter.

Emily Hughes Subspecialty: Glaucoma

Dr. Emily Hughes graduated from the National University of Ireland, Galway with a first-class honors medical degree in 2010. She completed her internship in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin before progressing to do a two-year research degree in University College Dublin. Through cell culture and histological study, she investigated the potential role of the retinal pigment epithelial cell in glaucomatous optic nerve head cupping. She completed her ophthalmology residency with the Irish College of Ophthalmology in 2020 and holds a diploma from the European Board of Ophthalmology as well as Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. Outside of ophthalmology, Dr Hughes enjoys yoga, abstract painting and catching up on the latest movie releases with her husband.