In this episode, I am joined by Nicolas Yannuzzi, MD. Dr. Yannuzzi is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and a vitreoretinal surgeon at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL.

We discuss Dr. Yannuzzi's  early background and non traditional path in oncology, finance, and ultimately how he came to ophthalmology with an interest in retina. Dr. Yannuzzi details his experience training at Bascom Palmer as one of the Chief Residents and how this experience shaped him for his fellowship there as well. We discuss his approach to staffing fellows, the differences in learning styles applicants to residency in ophthalmology should consider,  what he looks for in residency applicants, and what he has learned in his recent experience in the job hunt.

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Kalla Gervasio, who resides as one of the Chief Residents at Wills Eye Hospital.   

Dr. Gervasio shares her journey into ophthalmology and what led her to pursue two fellowships in neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery upon completion of her residency training this year. Dr. Gervasio describes these two subspecialties and what makes them unique for any medical student interested in ophthalmology who may not have heard of them. We discuss how she is the co-founder of the Journal of Narrative Vision, her previous background studying the classical humanities, and how all this experience ties into navigating daily with her role as Chief Resident. Finally, we discuss some tennis so stick around for that if you are a fan of the game!  

You can follow Dr. Gervasio on Twitter @Kalla_Gervasio and Instagram @dr.kallagervasio. Be sure also to follow Wills Eye Hospital on Twitter @Wills_Eye and the residents on Instagram @willseyeresidents.

In this episode, I chat with Edmund Tsui, MD. Dr. Tsui is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at UCLA, where he specializes in uveitis.   

We discuss Dr. Tsui's early exposure to ophthalmology through his undergrad research.  Dr. Tsui also shares his experiences with the collaborative nature of working in uveitis, an area many medical students may not know much about within the field of ophthalmology. From there, we discuss Dr. Tsui's work as a social media editor of numerous academic journals and how he sees these networks as potential avenues for sharing cited studies and educational or mentorship purposes.  Finally, Dr. Tsui shares information on the ARVO Global Mentorship Program where you can find more on here: https://www.arvo.org/education/arvo-global-mentorship-program/

You can follow Dr. Tsui on Twitter @EdmundTsuiMD and Instagram @edumundtsuimd.

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Michael Klufas. Dr. Klufas is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University and a Vitreoretinal Surgeon on the Retina Service at Wills Eye Hospital with Mid Atlantic Retina.  

Dr. Klufas discusses his journey into ophthalmology and his reflections on his career path. As a vitreoretinal surgeon and reviewer of surgical videos for Eyetube, Dr. Klufas walks through a recent case, representing some of the technology and techniques commonly used in his specialty. With his recent induction this year into the Retina Society, Dr. Klufas shares his experience with key mentors who have guided him and how hard work and collaboration combined led him to be at this point in his career.   

You can follow Dr. Klufas on Twitter @NJRetinaDoc and the Wills Eye Hospital @Wills_Eye. Be sure to visit Dr. Klufas' website at www. drklufas.com

In this episode, I chat with Dr. John Miller. Dr. Miller is the Director of the Retinal Imaging and the Associate Director of the Vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary. He is also an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School.

We discuss Dr. Miller's work in the retinal imaging lab and the focus on bringing together the brightest minds at all training levels from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Miller leads his field in 3D telementoring in vitreoretinal surgery, broadcasting opportunities for trainees at institutions worldwide to watch live-streamed vitreoretinal surgeries.

You can follow Dr. Miller on Twitter @JohnBMillerMD. You can also follow the Harvard Retinal Imaging Lab on Instagram @harvardretinalimaginglab.

In this episode, I chat with Alexis Warren, MD. Dr. Warren is one of the Chief Residents in ophthalmology at the University of Iowa.

We discuss her beginnings in ophthalmology and how she is now pursuing a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery. Dr. Warren reflects on her experience training at the University of Iowa and what she has learned in being a leader as a chief resident for her junior residents while taking on more responsibility in the OR and clinic with the patients she serves. With a passion for advocacy, she encourages medical students to continue to take ownership of the causes that fit their niche. We discuss her experiences at the Women in Ophthalmology conferences and her role in state societies representing ophthalmology in organized medicine.

You can learn more about Dr. Warren and the rest of the residents at the University of Iowa here: https://gme.medicine.uiowa.edu/ophthalmology-residency/our-people/current-residents-and-interns

Be sure also to check out the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences on Twitter and Instagram @UIowaEye.

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Richard Davidson. Dr. Davidson is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado. He resides as the Co-medical Director of the Rocky Mountains Lions Eye Bank, the Co-director for the Cornea/External Disease and Refractive surgery fellowship, and the Vice-Chair for Clinical Affairs and Quality at UCHealth Eye Centers.   

We discuss Dr. Davidson's beginnings in ophthalmology and what drew him to pursue his subspecialty of cornea. As a former Director of Medical Student Education for the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Davidson gives insights on how medical students in their preclinical years can take initiative to find ways to learn more about ophthalmology through seeking mentorship opportunities.   

Finally, Dr. Davidson shares what makes the University of Colorado a top-ranking residency program and helps listeners with some tips on what to keep in mind when assessing residency programs to come up with a final rank list before match day.  

You can follow Dr. Davidson at @therichdavidson on Twitter; you can also follow the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado @sareyecenter.   

For more information on the residency program, check out the link here to the website: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/ophthalmology/education/residency

In this episode, I chat with Robert Swan, MD. Dr. Swan is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, New York where he is also the Ophthalmology Residency Program Director and a specialist in uveitis.

We discuss he path to the profession, his specialty of uveitis, exciting updates about the program, and what kind of candidate would make a great fit in the residency program.

For more information on the residency program including a virtual tour, click here: https://www.upstate.edu/eye/education/residency/index.php

In this episode, I chat with Yoshihiro Yonekawa, MD. Dr. Yonekawa is a pediatric and adult retinal surgeon at Wills Eye Hospital and Mid Atlantic Retina and resides as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.

We discuss his early fascination with microsurgery and how the mentorship of Dr. Paul Chan, a former guest of the show and current Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, was instrumental in introducing him to pediatric retina.

Dr. Yonekawa shares what makes the field of pediatric retina so unique within the specialty of vitreoretinal surgery and how worldwide the call to action is being taken by many retina specialists to address the burden of retinopathy of prematurity.

With a passion for clinical research, Dr. Yonekawa and I discuss how he sees the philosophy of collaboration in research as key to driving the field forward in exciting directions. His successful career expands outside clinical care and research initiatives. Dr. Yonekawa is on the Executive Committee for the Vit Buckle Society (VBS) and is also the Vice President for Academic Programing amongst his many other societal memberships and editorial positions for high-impact journals in ophthalmology. He shares the importance of being a part of the community of fellow retina specialists and the spirit of camaraderie at the heart of VBS. With a career that has been decorated in awards from his early days of training at Harvard medical school’s Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary and his vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the Associated Retinal Consultants/William Beaumont Hospital, Dr. Yonekawa reflects on this recent honor he had of being inducted into the Retina Society.

Finally, we touch on the advice Dr. Yonekawa has for prospective ophthalmology applicants and what he views as crucial pieces to a successful match. Dr. Yonekawa believes the drive, sense of mission, and passion for bettering the lives of patients and colleagues is the foundation of a career rooted in purpose. You can follow him on Twitter @YoshiYonekawaMD.

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Ike Ahmed. As a world-renowned leader in ophthalmology and the founder of what is known as Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery or MIGS, Dr. Ahmed has approached innovation in his own way by breaking down barriers. With an accomplished career in Canada, he continues to be a leader in North America and worldwide in the medical/surgical approach of managing complex eye disease.   

You can learn more about Dr. Ahmed's work at the Prism Eye Institute and read more about his many accolades here: https://www.prismeyeinstitute.com/about/our-doctors/dr-ike-ahmed/.  

You can watch over 140 of Dr. Ahmed's widely popular surgical videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/journey104  

For all the latest updates on virtual content, Dr. Ahmed continues to share and the work being done at the Prism Eye Institue, follow Dr. Ahmed on Twitter @IkeKAhmed and Instagram @ikeahmed.