News & Notes: Honors and Awards

• Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, CEO of the John A. Moran Eye Center and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, received the Copic Humanitarian Award in recognition of his longtime work increasing access to eye care worldwide. Pettey donated the award’s accompanying $10,000 to Moran’s Global Outreach Division.

• Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, director of the Moran Eye Center's Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation, was ranked among the Top 50 most influential ophthalmologists worldwide by The Ophthalmologist magazine. Ahmed appeared in the glaucoma section of its annual Power List.

• Lilliana Werner, MD, PhD, Nick Mamalis, MD, and Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, received multiple awards for their video, “Handheld Fragmentation Device: Paradigm Shift in Lens Extraction.” Among the organizations honoring the video were the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the Brazilian Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

• Suva Roy, PhD, received a Ben B. and Iris M. Margolis Scholar Award at the University of Utah. The award, bestowed on outstanding new junior faculty members, includes $91,300 to support Roy’s research on advancing understanding of the functions of retinal cells and circuits in normal vision and in diseases such as glaucoma.

• Fiona McDonnell, PhD, received a national Shaffer Research Grant from the Glaucoma Research Foundation. McDonnell will use the $55,000 award to further her glaucoma research to improve treatments for lowering intraocular pressure by understanding the mechanisms that cause it.

• Robert C. Kersten, MD, FACS, received the American Society of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Foundation’s inaugural Rick Anderson Award for Surgical Innovation, recognizing outstanding contributions to the art and science of oculofacial surgery.

• Griffin Jardine, MD, was recognized for his pediatric eye care through Moran’s clinic at Primary Children’s Hospital with a Living Our Values Everyday — or L.O.V.E. Award. The Intermountain Health award asks patients to nominate caregivers who have made a difference in their lives and provided an exceptional care experience.

• Rachel G. Simpson, MD, vice-chair of education, was honored by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology with a “Shark Tank” Award for Moran’s Surgical Mentorship and Resident Wellness programs. The award honors educational innovation.

• Craig J. Chaya, MD, medical director of Moran’s Global Outreach Division, received the American Glaucoma Society’s Humanitarian Award for his efforts to preserve vision and improve the quality of life for those in need.

• Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, director of the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation, received the American Glaucoma Society’s Innovator Award.

• Barbara Wirostko, MD, FARVO, received a Glaucoma Research Foundation Visionary Award. The award was presented at the foundation’s Glaucoma 360 Gala, part of a three-day series of events including a meeting dedicated to innovations in glaucoma therapies.