Please join us in congratulating our colleagues on these many wonderful achievements!

Esen K. Akpek, MD: Dr. Akpek has been named the Chair of The Frances and C. Stephen Foster Center for Ocular Immunology at Duke Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine.

Bradley C. Black, MD: Dr. Black received the Marshall M. Parks Silver Medal from the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) and the Children's Eye Foundation of AAPOS (CEF-AAPOS). The Parks Silver Medal is the highest honor awarded by AAPOS and CEF-AAPOS.

Chi-Chao Chan, MD: Dr. Chan presented at the Symposium on Global Collaboration of Eye Research which was the title of the GEGC Session at the 16th Congress of the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-Retina Society (APVRS) in Hong Kong in December 2023. The Symposium speakers were Drs. Gyan "John” Prakash (NEI), Calvin Pang (CUHK), Emily Chew (NEI), Michael Chiang (NEI), Mingguang Ho (HKPU), Kapil Bharti (NEI), Wei Li (NEI), and Chi-Chao Chan (NEI).

Teresa C. Chen, MD: Dr. Chen received the Women in Ophthalmology Scientific Contribution Award at the 2023 American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. This award recognizes a physician or non-physician scientist who has made a significant contribution to the field of ophthalmology.

Michael F. Chiang, MD: Dr. Chiang received the Heed-Gutman Award and was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine in October 2024.

Reza Dana, MD, MSc, MPH: Dr. Dana received the 2024 Harvard Ophthalmology Distinguished Research Achievement Award. He also delivered the Robert B Nussenblatt, MD, MPH Memorial Lecture during the American Uveitis Society Spring Meeting on May 4, 2024. Additionally, he was invited to serve as the 2024 Anderson Lecturer for the Robert Eugene Anderson MD PhD Lectureship at the University of Oklahoma's Dean McGee Eye Institute.

Tamara R. Fountain, MD: Dr. Fountain received the 2024 WIO Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman Award at Women in Ophthalmology's annual Awards Ceremony & Networking Reception in Chicago during AAO 2024. This award is given to an ophthalmologist who has done the most in the immediate preceding year to advance and enhance the position of women in ophthalmology.

Mary E. Hartnett, MD: Dr. Hartnett was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigation on April 5, 2024, as an Honorary member. She was also awarded the Michael F. Marmor, M.D., Professor of Retinal Science and Disease from Stanford University in June 2023.

Ula V. Jurkunas, MD: Dr. Jurkunas performed the first cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell transplantation (CALEC) transplant in the United States as part of a clinical trial at Mass Eye and Ear in April 2018. She and her team have achieved remarkable Phase I results, demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of this innovative procedure for restoring vision in patients with severe corneal damage.

Jennifer I. Lim, MD: Dr. Lim received the Chinese American Ophthalmological Society Pioneer Award on October 20, 2024, during the AAO Annual Meeting in Chicago. It is the CAOS Award given yearly to one Chinese American ophthalmologist. It was given "for distinguished contributions to ophthalmology, in academic scholarship, leadership, and retina, for being a mentor and leading the way for future generations."

Christopher J. Rapuano, MD: Dr. Rapuano was officially installed as the Peter and Ruth Laibson Cornea Service Chief Endowed Chair at Wills Eye Hospital on May 13, 2024.

Alan L. Robin, MD: Dr. Robin was named the medical director of the International Eye Foundation.

Richard F. Spaide, MD: Dr. Spaide was the keynote speaker at the Nordic Ophthalmology Congress and Taiwan Retina Society. He was also named the presenter for the Arnall Patz Award lecture at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting on October 20, 2024.

Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM: Dr. Seddon received the 2024 WIO Scientific Contribution Award at Women in Ophthalmology's annual Awards Ceremony & Networking Reception in Chicago during AAO 2024. This award recognizes a physician or non-physician scientist who has made a significant scientific contribution to the field of ophthalmology.

Donny W. Suh, MD: Dr. Suh, a protégé of Dr. John Graether, has been chosen to lead the pediatric ophthalmology team that will mentor fellows supported by the newly established Irene and John Graether, MD Endowed Vision Fellowship. After a five-decade career as a pioneering ophthalmologist and medical innovator, John Graether has donated $1 million for the training of pediatric ophthalmologists at UC Irvine. A cataract specialist, Graether is best known for developing several commonly used surgical tools. The Irene and John Graether, MD Endowed Vision Fellowship will support ophthalmologists coming to UC Irvine for a yearlong training in pediatric eye surgeries – ranging from treating preemies with detached retinas to teens and young adults with strabismus or crossed eyes. He also showcased his team’s groundbreaking invention, Omni Glasses—a 3D-printed, adjustable, and cost-effective eyewear solution for children, particularly those in underserved areas—at the 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting in Chicago. Their successful pilot study conducted in Ensenada, Mexico, yielded remarkable evaluations for user effectiveness and satisfaction.

Edward J. Wladis, MD: Dr. Wladis received the Merrill Reeh Pathophysiology Award at the Fall Meeting of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). He also received the Orkan G. Stasior Leadership Award at the Spring Meeting of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS).

M. Edward Wilson, Jr., MD: Dr. Wilson received the 2024 AAO Humanitarian Service Award at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting in October 2024. He also received the inaugural AAPOS Humanitarian Award at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus in Austin, Texas, on April 8, 2024. The award reads, in part: "The Outstanding Humanitarian Award is a fitting acknowledgment of your decades-long dedication to quality patient care, education, and training around the world. Your ability to inspire positive change and your tireless efforts exemplify the true spirit of humanitarianism. Through your efforts, you have not only touched the lives of so many individuals but have also played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of global community and unity for pediatric ophthalmology."