The Newsletter of the D epartment of

EyewitnessSpecial Graduation Issue

Spring/Summer 2011 #17 notes from the chair procedures. As a graphic artist his visual The Vision of perception was particularly precious to him, and he certainly mourned its One Special Patient loss. However, he set out to find ways s an ophthalmologist specializing to adapt. A in blinding retinal diseases such as Rob moved into a senior independent age-related (AMD), living facility so that he wouldn’t spend I have always believed in life-long learning all of his energy managing day-to-day through journal articles, professional living. He discovered that many others societies, and the probing questions of our in the facility had vision problems and brilliant trainees. But it is from my patients developed a program of lectures and that I learn what no seminar or publication Dr. Joan Miller with Seymour Robins an exhibition by vendors of visual aids can teach: how they cope day-to-day with in 2008. Photo by Don Victor and equipment. He started to write the trappings of their disease, what they about living with macular degeneration, lose (and sometimes gain) along the way, how medical sharing his witty anecdotes in his prose. With his treatment affects their vision and their lives, and how they observational skills heightened by his training as a graphic often transcend the challenges of visual disability. artist, Rob fastidiously documented his altered visual Seymour “Rob” Robins was a remarkable individual and perceptions. In 2005, he published Vision Junkie: Essays a patient of mine from 1999 until his recent death at and Other Writings from the Parallel World of the Legally age 97. After military service in World War II, Rob lived Blind. I often share copies of his book with patients so and worked in New York City as a graphic designer. His they may benefit from another patient’s perspective on the cut paper designs were included as part of a 1985 exhibit experience of coping with and even thriving with AMD. at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, and one of his designs Rob met adversity head on and was never defeated by was a great favorite among the cards sold by the Museum his disability; he adjusted and moved on. I was honored of Modern Art. In 1970, he relocated to Sheffield, MA in to be a part of his remarkable life. Below we share some the Berkshires, living and working in a 250-year-old barn excerpts from articles he wrote in 2009, at age 95, titled he converted to a home and studio, where he produced “How I See: A Legally Blind Nonagenarian Tells All; or, posters for such classic Berkshire venues as Tanglewood Reversing Salomé’s Dance of the Seven Veils” and “How Music Series and the Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival. I See, Part 2: The Nitty Gritty of My Day,” revealing his In 2008, the Sheffield Historical Society mounted a remarkable talent for observation and inspirational zest retrospective of his graphic accomplishments, including for life. many of his cut paper holiday cards and designs. I am officially legally blind. That is a weird and After experiencing diminishing vision for a number of baffling description of a problem that puts a limit on years, Rob was referred to Mass. Eye and Ear in 1999 by some of my best behavior for living. Years ago, when my his local ophthalmologist who felt he might benefit from ophthalmologist found that my visual acuity had a number some of the cutting-edge treatments we were developing greater than 20/200, she sent that information to the for AMD. I was privileged to take care of him through his proper government agency. Good as well as undesirable initial diagnosis of dry AMD which, over time, progressed things began to happen to me. to the more severe neovascular form. Rob’s condition did not respond to treatment, despite repeated medical continues on page 12 I n the Spotlight

Lloyd P. Aiello, MD, PhD

In this issue: Lloyd P. Aiello, MD, PhD Promoted Notes from the Chair...... Cover Lloyd P. Aiello, MD, PhD Promoted to Professor of Ophthalmology to Professor of Ophthalmology . . . 2 loyd Paul Aiello, MD, PhD, Director of the Beetham Eye Institute at Joslin 2011 Resident and Fellow Graduates. 4 L and Head of the Section of Eye Research at Joslin, has been promoted to 2011 Frederick A. Jakobiec Lecturer: Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Aiello received John Irvine, MD...... 7 his doctorate in biochemistry and medical degree from Boston University New Lectureship Honors MEEI’s School of Medicine. He completed in ophthalmology at the Wilmer First Fellow...... 8 Ophthalmological Institute at Johns Hopkins University and Hospital before Alumni Giving Society ...... 9 coming to the , where he completed both a clinical Michael S. Gilmore Appointed First vitreoretinal and a research fellowship. He joined the Joslin staff in 1994. Sir William Osler Professor of Ophthalmology...... 10 A third-generation Joslin ophthalmologist [son of HMS Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology Lloyd M. Aiello and grandson of Dr. William P. Beetham], News from All Over...... 13 Dr. Aiello is committed to eliminating vision loss due to Published three times a year: and other diabetes-related pathologies of the eye. These maladies account for Joan W. Miller, MD, Editor the majority of blindness among working-age individuals in America and other Judy Gibian, Staff Writer developed countries. His research aims to determine the underlying biochemistry Suzanne Ward, Staff Writer and molecular mechanisms of these diseases, then develop and test novel therapeutic interventions through rigorous translational and clinical trial research. Dr. Aiello and collaborating Joslin scientists – including George L. King, M.D., Head of the Section on Vascular Cell and Director of Research at Joslin – were key members of the HMS teams working on research (a field founded by HMS Professor M. ) and its role in eye disease. Their pioneering work demonstrated the role of vascular endothelial growth continues on page 3

2 Eyewitness Lloyd P. Aiello, continued from page 2

factor (VEGF) in diabetic retinopathy and the therapeutic potential of VEGF inhibitors. In related research, Dr. Aiello’s laboratory made significant progress toward understanding and manipulating the expression, regulation and signaling functions of VEGF and its receptors. Dr. Aiello published the first evidence that Dr. Aiello is the author of protein kinase C-beta (PKC-beta) is involved in excessive blood-vessel growth and 134 original papers and 215 vascular leakage in diabetic retinopathy. The team went on to develop a PKC-beta publications. He has received inhibitor that interrupts the actions of this protein, thus opening a new therapeutic 40 national and international avenue for diabetic and other retinopathies. awards and honors, including: Dr. Aiello is recognized The Alcon Research Institute internationally for his leadership Award “Lloyd P. Aiello is a joy to in diabetic retinopathy research. have as a faculty member In 2002, he founded and served as ARVO/ Ophthalmics Translational Research Award and is extremely deserving of the inaugural chair for the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research his promotion to Professor of Award of Merit in Network (DRCR.net), a national Research from the Retina Ophthalmology. He is the ideal collaborative network dedicated Society clinician-scientist, combining to facilitating multi-center clinical research for diabetic retinopathy, Senior Achievement Award clinical insight with scientific diabetic macular edema and related from the American Academy rigor. He is a wonderful mentor disorders. Funded by the National of Ophthalmology and a skilled administrator Eye Institute, the DRCR.net is now comprised of 150 centers The Dolly Green Scholar both in his home department nationwide representing academic Award, the Special Research and nationally in the DRCR medical institutions and private Scholar Award and the Lew R. practice groups. In its brief history, Wasserman Merit Award Network.” the network has rapidly emerged from the Research to Prevent — Joan W. Miller, MD as the premier clinical trial group Blindness Foundation in diabetes – mentioned in the Rosenthal Foundation Award U.S. Congressional Record – and and the Paul Henkind Memorial lauded by the National Institutes of Health as establishing the paradigm for Award from the Macula Society collaborative clinical trials. Dr. Aiello has been a leader in DRCR.net-led clinical trials. A recently published major finding of the network demonstrated that a Charles Schepens Award in VEGF inhibitor () either with prompt or deferred laser therapy for Research the treatment of diabetic macular edema is superior to laser therapy alone – the standard therapy for the past 25 years. With nearly twice as many patients gaining Outstanding Foreign Investigator vision and only one third as many losing vision, this represents a significant Award from the Japan Society of advance in the standard of care for this condition and clinical validation of the Diabetic Complications early VEGF studies in diabetic eye disease. The Award in Diabetes In 2008, Chief and Chair, Joan Miller, MD named Dr. Aiello Vice Chair for Centers of Excellence (COE) in the HMS Department of Ophthalmology. These centers are designed to coordinate the department’s efforts in patient care, research and training in key areas of ophthalmology in order to leverage the expertise and core strengths of faculty across affiliates. As Vice Chair, Dr. Aiello brings a wealth of collaborative insight, experience and energy to this role. Initial COE targets include diabetic eye disease, AMD, cornea, and glaucoma. n

Spring/Summer 2011 #17 3 S pecial Graduation Issue

HMS Department of Ophthalmology Congratulations to Our 2011 Resident & Fellow Graduates 2011 Resident Graduates Anthony Daniels, MD, MSc Justin Kanoff, MD Career Plans: Vitreoretinal Fellowship, Career Plans: Chief Resident & MEEI/HMS Director of Ocular Trauma Service, Born in Tel Aviv, Anthony grew up in 2011-12, MEEI/HMS Toronto, Canada. He attended medical Justin was born in Dallas, TX. He school at the University of Pennsylvania received his medical degree from on their highest full scholarship, the University of Texas Southwestern Gamble Scholarship, where he also Medical School. As an intern at Beth received the Epidemiology Research Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Prize, the Jeffrey Berger ophthalmology research award, Boston, he conducted research in Genechip analysis of the Max Kade fellowship, and an American Society of keratocytes from patients diagnosed with keratoconus, Hematology research scholarship. In medical school, his identifying numerous genes of interest. He was awarded a research focused on idiopathic intracranial hypertension, Southwestern Medical Foundation Scholar. retinal nerve fiber layer loss in multiple sclerosis, and Justin published several first author papers while in residency, immunologic receptor signaling pathways. two in Cornea, one in American Journal of Ophthalmology Anthony’s passion for ophthalmology and his drive to and a fourth that is currently in press. He is regarded as a excel have been apparent from the very beginning of his gifted teacher. Preceptors have commented on his accurate training. Throughout residency, he has lectured nationally examination skills and good judgment and have described him and has authored more than a dozen journal articles. As as an excellent surgeon. We look forward to his leadership as a resident, his research has focused on uveal melanoma Chief Resident and Director of the Eye Trauma Service in the genetics, genotyope-phenotype correlations in Bardet-Biedl coming year. syndrome, and pediatric retina. His abstract received best clinical abstract prize at the 2010 Annual/Alumni Meeting of S ahar Kohanim, MD the HMS Department of Ophthalmology. He was selected Career Plans: Cornea & External to attend the 2010 Heed Residents Retreat in Chicago, and, Disease Fellowship, MEEI/HMS just recently, was chosen as the Harvard Ophthalmology Sahar was born in Tehran, Iran and Alcon Scholar for 2011-2012 to continue his work studying immigrated to the US with her family metastasis in uveal melanoma. when she was 15. In college, Sahar was selected to complete a Biomedical Rebecca Hunter, MD Research Program at MD Anderson Career Plans: Immunology/Uveitis Cancer Center, where she developed Fellowship, MEEI/HMS a radiotracer for use in imaging head and neck cancers. Rebecca was born in San Juan, PR She attended medical school at Johns Hopkins School of and grew up in New Haven, CT. She Medicine, where she was awarded the Dean’s Research received her MD from Yale University Grant and published several papers on urological cancers and School of Medicine, where she held the ocular surface immunology. Richard K. Gershon Student Research Having worked during her residency with Drs. Deborah Fellowship. At Yale, Rebecca conducted Langston, Kathryn Colby, Pedram Hamrah, and James research on the analysis of the murine cytomegalovirus Chodosh, Sahar completes training having authored a total Open Reading frames. of 22 publications, 9 abstracts, and one educational video. Rebecca recently submitted her Residents Course paper While a resident, she won an ASCRS Excellence in Residency with Dr. Anne Marie Lobo, “Current diagnostic approaches Award, an AAO leadership grant, and attended congressional to infectious anterior uveitis.” She has done research with advocacy day. Preceptors have remarked on her excellent Dr. Shizuo Mukai on a retrospective analysis of vitreous diagnostic skills, her eagerness to learn, and her enthusiastic hemorrhage in pediatric patients. Her preceptors have participation in post-clinic rounds. commented on her excellence in the clinic and in the operating room, describing her as “a well-rounded and continues on page 5 intelligent physician” with a great bedside manner and superb surgical skills.

4 Eyewitness 2011 Resident Graduates, continued from page 4

Zhonghui “Katie” Luo, MD, PhD Hana Takusagawa, MD Career Plans: Cornea & External Career Plans: Glaucoma Fellowship, Disease Fellowship, MEEI/HMS Devers Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Katie was born in Shanghai, China. Science University She received a BS in Biochemistry Born in Patchogue, NY, Hana received and MS in Molecular Biology from her MD from Mount Sinai School of Nanjing University, China and then Medicine, NY where she conducted matriculated to the MD-PhD program research in carcinoid tumors metastatic at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, to the eye and orbit with Alan Friedman. earning her Ph.D. in Pathology & Cell Biology. She conducted During residency, Hana has been involved in several novel research in the molecular biology of IG class switching. She clinical projects, including two studying risk factors in open was awarded an Outstanding Graduate Student Fellowship. globe injuries and the use of the ReCam II in young children, both of which led to ARVO presentations in 2009 and 2010. Throughout residency, Katie’s preceptors have consistently She co-authored a manuscript with Drs. Louis Pasquale remarked on her work ethic and eagerness to learn. At the and Teresa Chen on “Bilateral uveal effusion and angle October 2010 Cornea Society meeting, she gave a well- closure glaucoma secondary to bupropion use” submitted to received talk about keratoprosthesis and is currently writing Archives of Ophthalmology. She had a poster presentation up results for publication. Her presentation on this topic “Glaucoma Drainage Device Exposure in Patients with Boston earned her first prize at the New England Ophthalmology Keratoprosthesis” at 2011 American Glaucoma Society Society poster contest in 2009. meeting. She is also collaborating with Dr. Janey Wiggs in studies of infectious theories of Posner-Schlossman, and Rajesh Rao, MD recently began working with Dr. Teresa Chen on projects Career Plans: Vitreoretinal Fellowship, involving spectral domain OCT and the ISNT rule. Barnes Retina Institute, Washington University, St. Louis, MO Hana drafted the original Massachusetts Eye and Ear Emergency Ward Manual, and is an assistant Editor for the Raj was born in Milwaukee and received Digital Journal of Ophthalmology. She recently received a his medical degree from Yale University Visionaries of Boston Award and an AAO Mid-Year Forum of Medicine. Since October 2009, Raj Travel grant. Since 2009, she has mentored medical students has worked in the laboratory of Dr. Dong through the HMS Residents Advising Medical Students Feng Chen where he has devised Program. Preceptors have characterized her as a “talented and completed basic science projects in burgeoning field and knowledgeable resident” with great surgical skills. of retinal epigenetics. His first-authored paper, published in IOVS, was the first report of the role of histone methylation patterns in the developing retina, and the first to show Kimberly Trinca-Golde, MD histone methyltransferases as a pharmacologic target to Career Plans: Plans unspecified promote survival of retinal neurons. His Residents Course Born in Houston, TX, Kimberly paper, written with Dr. Chen and Joan Miller, MD details the received her MD with Honors from potential of novel epigenetic targets against ocular herpes Baylor College of Medicine. She did virus infection. In May, Raj received an ARVO Foundation research with Stephen Pflugfelder, MD for Eye Research/ Retina Research Foundation Award. It is on lacrimal inflammation using a k.o. partly due to Raj’s success, that Dr. Chen has added retinal mouse model of APECD (autoimmune epigenetics as a new focus in her laboratory. polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy) and was awarded the AOA & Killson Benjamin Klibnoff, O.D. Scholarship. Optometric Resident Certificate In her second year of residency, Kimberly helped organize Private Practice, Providence, Rhode the Chandler Lecture. She has presented at ARVO and Island, Academic Part-Time, New at the AAO Annual Meeting. Preceptors have frequently England College of Optometry, Boston commented on her fund of knowledge and outstanding exam and surgical skills, as well as the great rapport she fosters with patients. Faculty have also described her as “conscientious, thorough and always curious.” continues on page 6

Spring/Summer 2011 #17 5 S pecial Graduation Issue

2011 Resident Graduates, continued from page 5

C hief Resident medical student Emergency Room curriculum with fellow resident Dr. Nicole Benitah. Lynn has also been involved in Lynn J. P. Perry, PhD, MD the development of our interactive cataract training software Career Plans: Clinical Fellow in program, the Mass. Eye and Ear Cataract Mentor, and has Ophthalmic Pathology, MEEI/HMS; co-authored a book chapter with Bonnie Henderson, MD Heed Fellow on correcting astigmatism via cataract surgery. Lynn was Lynn was born in Durban, South Africa recently awarded a prestigious Heed Fellowship for the but her family traveled back and forth 2011‑2012 academic year. between South Carolina and Durban Lynn is a superb teacher and mentor. She is an accomplished during her childhood. She completed a PhD. in Biochemistry, clinician with excellent surgical skills, and has worked closely Cellular and Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins University with Residency Program Director, John Loewenstein, MD, in 2001 and received her MD from Medical University of Associate Residency Director Carolyn Kloek, MD, and Joan South Carolina at Charleston. As a resident, Lynn participated Miller, MD to strengthen surgical training within the resident in research projects that resulted in ARVO abstracts in curriculum. 2008 and 2009. During her junior year, she co-authored the

2011 Fellow Graduates

Cornea Ocular Immunology/ Pediatric Ophthalmology Jason Noble, MD Career Plans: Private practice, John Clements, MD Uveitis Aparna Ramasubramanian, MD Toronto, Canada Career Plans: Interim Medical N icole Benitah, MD Career Plans: Ophthalmology David Shih-wei Pan, MD Director, Boa Vista Eye Clinic, Career Plans: Private practice, resident, Indiana University Career Plans: Private practice, Benguela, Angola Los Angeles, CA Ankoor Shah, MD, PhD Lincoln, NE Kristen Hawthorne, MD Rajiv Shah, MD Career Plans: Marc-Andre Rhéaume, MD Career Plans: Private practice, Career Plans: Clinical Plans unspecified Career Plans: Private practice, Oceanside, CA Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Marielle Young, MD Part time Academics, Janie Yoo, MD Surgery, Wills Eye Institute, Career Plans: Full-time University of Montreal, Canada Career Plans: Ophthalmologist/ Philadelphia academics, University of Utah Administrator, Lusaka Eye Babak Jian Seyedahmadi, MD Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia Ophthalmic Pathology Retina Career Plans: Private practice, Boston, MA Major J. Richard Townley, MD Maria Kirzhner, MD N etan Choudhry, MD Career Plans: Full time Career Plans: Full time Career Plans: Private practice, Research Fellows Academics, Wilford Hall Academics, University of Toronto, Canada Kai Hu, MD Medical Center, Lackland Air Virginia, Charlottesville, VA Prisca Diala, MD Force Base, San Antonio, TX Career Plans: Andrea Cruzat, MD Ophthalmic Pathology & Plans unspecified Sahaharu Miyazono, PhD Glaucoma Neuro-Ophthalmology Ahad Fazelat, MD Aliya Jiwani, BA Mouhab Aljajeh, MD Rebecca Stacy, MD, PhD Career Plans: Private practice, Maki Kayama, MD, PhD Career Plans: Private practice, Career Plans: Full time Manchester, NH Xanthi Koufoumichali, MD New Hampshire Academics, Mass. Eye and Aristomenos Thanos, MD Michael Horsley, MD Ear/HMS Jun Suzuki, MD, PhD Career Plans: Private practice, Phoenix, AR Ophthalmic Plastic and Julie Kim, MD Reconstructive Surgery This year’s graduation ceremonies include the presentation of the inaugural Evangelos S. Career Plans: Y vette Santiago, MD Gragoudas Prize for outstanding research Plans unspecified Career Plans: Private practice, publication by research trainees. The award this year Tarek Shazly, MD Part time Academics, St. Luke’s Career Plans: Medical Center, Quezon City, goes to Research Fellows Yusuke Murakami, MD and Plans unspecified Philippines former Research Fellow Georgios Trichonas, MD for their paper, “Receptor interacting protein kinases N euro-Ophthalmology mediate retinal detachment-induced photoreceptor I vey Thornton, MD necrosis and compensate for inhibition of apoptosis,” Career Plans: Private practice, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Cleveland, OH Science, USA.

6 Eyewitness 2011 Frederick A. Jakobiec Lecturer: John Irvine, MD he Frederick A. Jakobiec Lecture was established of Ophthalmology, Perry Rosenthal, MD at the Boston T to honor the academic leadership of Frederick Foundation for Sight. The PROSE model can restore Jakobiec, MD, DSc, who served as Chief and Chair of the vision, reduce pain and support healing for patients with HMS Department of Ophthalmology from 1989 until 2002. complex corneal disease through the use of custom-designed He is now the Henry Willard Williams Emeritus Professor prosthetic devices to replace or support impaired ocular of Ophthalmology and Emeritus Professor of Pathology surface system functions. and serves as Director of the David Cogan Ophthalmic Dr. Irvine’s teaching efforts have a widespread audience, Pathology Laboratory, where he has reinvigorated and including medical students, residents, fellows, community expanded the laboratory’s mission in clinical care, teaching, ophthalmologist and non-ophthalmic physicians and and research. practitioners. He currently serves as a group mentor in the The tenth Frederick A. Jakobiec Lecturer, John Irvine, MD Keck School of Medicine of USC curriculum, meeting is a native of California. He received his BA in zoology from weekly with first-year medical students in the course entitled Pomona College and Master’s degree in physiology from “Professionalism in the Practice of Medicine.” He is the University of Southern California-Los Angeles. He attended Director of Continuing Medical Education at the Doheny Keck School of Medicine, USC, receiving his degree in Eye Institute and regularly participates in CME courses 1982. He then headed east for his ophthalmology residency locally, nationally, and internationally. training at Mass. Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School From 1994 to 1998, Dr. Irvine flew with ORBIS and remained at Mass. Eye and Ear for fellowship in cornea International, the world ophthalmic service organization, and external disease. On completing fellowship training teaching and performing surgery in Myanmar, Jamaica, in 1987, he joined the faculty at the USC Department of China, and India. Administratively he continues to Ophthalmology and Doheny Eye Institute as Assistant contribute on many levels to the Keck School of Medicine, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, rising to the rank of USC University Hospital, and Doheny Eye Institute. He Professor in 1997. Dr. Irvine is currently the A. Ray Irvine supports his profession through service on numerous local Chair in Clinical Ophthalmology at USC, Chief of the and national organizations, including the Los Angeles Ophthalmology Service at the USC University Hospital, and Society of Ophthalmology, the Research Study Club of Los Medical Director of the Doheny Eye Medical Group. Angeles, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Clinically, Dr. Irvine’s practice has focused on ocular surface where he served for six years on the Annual Program tumors, infectious conditions of the anterior segment, Planning Committee as Chair of the Cornea-External and intraocular lenses. He has participated in over two Disease Section. dozen clinical trials, testing pharmacotherapies, surgical Dr. Irvine has received both an Achievement Award and the techniques and devices in anterior segment oncology and Secretariat Award from the Academy for his sustained and disease. At USC Dr. Irvine heads one of nine clinical sites outstanding contributions. in the U.S. and abroad offering the Prosthetic Replacement of the Ocular Surface Ecosystem (PROSE), a treatment Dr. Irvine, the 2011 Frederic Jakobiec Lecturer, will speak model developed by HMS Assistant Clinical Professor on “Connections.”

Spring/Summer 2011 #17 7 New Lectureship Honors MEEI’s First Glaucoma Fellow rofessor of Ophthalmology and Vice Chair of Ophthalmology P at Duke University School of Medicine, Paul Lee, MD, JD, former Mass. Eye and Ear glaucoma fellow (’90-’91), has established the Dr. Pei-Fei Lee Lectureship in Ophthalmology to honor the memory of his late father. The endowed fund will be used to support a lectureship in ophthalmology with first preference given to topics related to glaucoma. Dr. Pei-Fei Lee was a dedicated clinician-scientist whose interests spanned the clinic, classroom and laboratory. His son, Dr. Paul Lee, notes that Mass. Eye and Ear held a special place in his father’s heart. Dr. Pei-Fei Lee was Mass. Eye and Ear’s first glaucoma fellow where he was mentored by two MEEI luminaries, Drs. Paul Chandler and Morton Grant. According to his son, the late Dr. Lee “conveyed not only the thinking but also the Pei-Fei Lee, MD importance of the principles and character of both his mentors.” The teachings of Drs. Chandler and Grant, whose extraordinary body of clinical and research work led to understanding and defining treatments for glaucoma, have been borne out over the last 50 years. On “The lectureship holds a personal level, Dr. Lee felt indebted to “My father would have Mass. Eye and Ear and for the outstanding special significance as we been very pleased with training and education he received during currently explore academic his fellowship. As a child, Dr. Paul Lee the energy, enthusiasm partnership opportunities remembers visits to MEEI and The Retina with colleagues from and accomplishments of Foundation (now Schepens Eye Research Shanghai Eye and Ear, Dr. Miller and the MEEI Institute) where his father also worked with famed retina surgeon and pioneer, Nose, and Throat Hospital faculty. The lectureship Dr. Charles L. Schepens. at Fudan University.” gift not only honors Following retirement, Dr. Pei-Fei Lee – Joan W. Miller, MD his appreciation of the devoted himself to building educational Infirmary but will carry bridges between the U.S. and China. “My father would have been very pleased with the energy, enthusiasm and on his personal legacy accomplishments of Dr. Miller and the MEEI faculty,” said Dr. Lee. “The by continuing to advance lectureship gift not only honors his appreciation of the Infirmary but will carry on his personal legacy by continuing to advance the education of future the education of future ophthalmologists.” ophthalmologists.” “We are honored that Dr. (Paul) Lee chose MEEI to establish this lectureship – Paul Lee, MD in memory of his father which pays tribute to the wonderful work carried out by our faculty every day,” said HMS Department of Ophthalmology Chair, Dr. Joan Miller. “Given Dr. Pei-Fei Lee’s commitment to education, I think the lectureship holds special significance as we currently explore academic partnership opportunities with colleagues from Shanghai Eye and Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital at Fudan University.” Dr. Lee passed away in May, 2009 at the age of 83. n

If you would like more information about establishing a legacy gift to Mass. Eye and Ear, please contact Melissa Paul at 617-573-4168.

8 Eyewitness FY11 Alumni Giving Society of HMS Ophthalmology @ Mass Eye and Ear We’re halfway there with less than halfway to go!

onsider a contribution and help us C meet our 2011 AGS membership goal of 100+ HMS alumni. Your generosity supports the vital work carried out across the department and gives momentum to exciting new initiatives in the classroom, clinic and laboratory. How you designate your support is your choice. Members are invited to department events throughout the year and are recognized in this newsletter and Mass. Eye and Ear publications. The Society recognizes individuals who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more within the fiscal year (October 1-September 30). To learn more, contact Melissa Paul at [email protected] or call 617-573-4168. Gifts are tax-deductible.

Friend – Gifts of $1,000-$2,499 Every Vote Counts – Many thanks to the Manuel Agulto, M.D. Literally! Dean Francis Arkfeld, M.D. following members: James V. Aquavella, M.D. Don’t forget to cast your Wing Chu, M.D. vote in the summer, 2011 Visionary – Gifts of $10,000 or more Peter C. Donshik, M.D. Dimitri Azar, M.D. and Ophthalmology Times peer- Nathalie Azar, M.D. Philip M. Falcone, M.D. rated survey. Your support can Ronald B. Frenkel, M.D. Kenneth R. Kenyon, M.D. help increase visibility of the Dasa V. Gangadhar, M.D. Paul P. Lee, M.D., J.D. HMS/MEEI clinical and academic Joan W. Miller, M.D. Herbert Giller, M.D. Richard J. Simmons, M.D. Melanie R. Graham, M.D. and programs. Just 328 physician Kenneth B. Graham, M.D. subscribers determined last Innovator – Gifts of $5,000-$9,999 Peter S. Hersh, M.D. year’s rankings. If you don’t John C. Barber, M.D. Ula V. Jurkunas, M.D. Michael E. Hettinger, M.D. Jeffrey C. Lamkin, M.D. subscribe to Ophthalmology Deborah Pavan Langston, M.D. Simmons Lessell, M.D. Times, then consider Steven J. Rose, M.D. W. Wynn McMullen, M.D. signing up at their website: Kazuo Tsubota, M.D. Victor L. Perez, M.D. www.modernmedicine.com/ Michael D. Wagoner, M.D., PhD Tuyet-Mai M. Phan, M.D. modernmedicine/ophthalmology/ Pioneer – Gifts of $2,500-$4,999 Roberto Pineda, II, M.D. Anthony P. Adamis, M.D. William J. Power, M.D. home/40207. If you’re already a Frank G. Berson, M.D. Jonathan D. Primack, M.D. subscriber, your vote may make Donald J. D’Amico, M.D. and John W. Reed, M.D. the difference! Kimberly C. Sippel M.D. Bradford J. Shingleton, M.D. Deborah R. DiStefano, M.D. Stephen U. Stechschulte, M.D. B. Thomas Hutchinson, M.D. Roger F. Steinert, M.D. Michael A. Lemp, M.D. Amyna Sultan, M.D. Robert A. Lytle, M.D. Jonathan H. Talamo, M.D. Shizuo Mukai, M.D. Felipe I. Tolentino, M.D. Oliver D. Schein, M.D. Hidenao Toyofuku-Ideta, M.D. Shelby R. Wilkes, M.D., MBA and Ira J. Udell, M.D. Jettie M. Burnett, M.D. Albert L. Ungricht, M.D. Sonia H. Yoo, M.D. Lucy H.Y. Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Spring/Summer 2011 #17 9 Michael S. Gilmore Appointed First Sir William Osler Professor of Ophthalmology

(l to r) Joan Miller, MD, Chief and Chair, HMS Department of Ophthalmology; Susan Hilles Bush, MD, daughter of the late Susan Morse Hills; Michael Gilmore, PhD, first incumbent of the Osler Professorship; Nancy Tarbell, MD, HMS Dean for Academic and Clinical Affairs, John Fernandez, President and CEO, Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary.

n March 14, 2011, Michael S. William Osler was a Canadian physician O Gilmore, PhD was celebrated The gift of the Osler who received his MD from McGill by colleagues, friends and family as Professorship was, during University, and subsequently studied the first Sir William Osler Professor Mrs. Hilles’ lifetime, an in London, Berlin, and Vienna before of Ophthalmology at Harvard returning to Montreal in 1874. In 1884 Medical School. The appointment anonymous bequest that he was invited to Philadelphia to become of Dr. Gilmore to this distinguished represented her ultimate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the professorship honors both his gift to Mass. Eye and Ear University of Pennsylvania. Four years achievements and the legacy of Susan and to Harvard. later, he was recruited to Baltimore as Morse Hilles, a generous friend to Physician-in-Chief of the soon-to-open Mass. Eye and Ear, and her remarkable Johns Hopkins Hospital and Professor ancestor, Sir William Osler. The gift of Medicine at the planned school of the Osler Professorship was, during Mrs. Hilles’ lifetime, of medicine. At Hopkins, Dr. Osler pioneered the close an anonymous bequest that represented her ultimate integration of the hospital with the instruction of medical gift to Mass. Eye and Ear and to Harvard. During the students – a model that emphasized bedside teaching. recent ceremony her daughter, Dr. Susan Hilles Bush, During his 14 years at Hopkins, Dr. Osler revolutionized noted that her mother’s generosity made many things the medical curriculum of the United States and Canada, possible at Mass. Eye and Ear. In 1997, in honor of her ushering in the era of scientific medicine. Through lectures $1 million gift, Mass. Eye and Ear dedicated the Susan and his landmark textbook, first issued in 1892, Principles M. Hilles Emergency Department, New England’s only and Practice of Medicine, he had a tremendous influence on 24/7 eye and ear emergency facility. Mrs. Hilles also both clinical practice and medical education in the United provided support to MEEI clinician scientists working in States. Perhaps his most lasting legacy was his vision of ophthalmology research. how a physician ought to be: skillful and competent, yet approachable and compassionate. continues on page 11

10 Eyewitness Michael S. Gilmore, continued from page 10

Sir William Osler is often called “The Father of Modern Medicine” for his emphasis on physical diagnosis and his many innovations in clinical training. Less known was his keen Michael Gilmore, PhD, first incumbent of the interest in infectious disease. Sir William Osler Professor of Ophthalmology receives In a landmark speech before the congratulations from Nancy Tarbell, MD, HMS Dean for Academic and Clinical Affairs. AMA he noted, “Humanity has but three great enemies: fever, famine and war; of these by far the greatest, by far the most terrible, is fever.” Fever, in those days, meant infection. As the first incumbent of the Osler Professorship, Dr. Gilmore is a global leader in the study of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. Former President and Director of Research at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Sir William Osler is often Dr. Gilmore joined the Howe Laboratory at Mass. Eye and Ear in July 2010. called “The Father of Modern Dr. Gilmore studies ocular microbiology, using the eye, a naturally immune-limited Medicine” for his emphasis tissue, to study the subtle host-pathogen balance during bacterial infections. He is on physical diagnosis and world-renowned for his expertise in the pathogenesis of keratitis and endophthalmitis his many innovations in caused by antibiotic-resistant staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci. As Principal clinical training. Less known Investigator of the NIH-sponsored interdisciplinary Harvard-wide Program on was his keen interest in Antibiotic Resistance, Dr. Gilmore is promoting collaborations among HMS, affiliate infectious disease. In a hospitals, the Broad Institute and the landmark speech before the pharmaceutical industry in the fight Dr. Gilmore is promoting AMA he noted, “Humanity against methecillin-resistant Staphylococcus has but three great enemies: collaborations among aureus. This program is identifying and fever, famine and war; of HMS, affiliate hospitals, validating new compounds for treating these by far the greatest, multidrug resistant staphylococcal the Broad Institute and the by far the most terrible, is infection, and studies of bacterial genomes fever.” Fever, in those days, pharmaceutical industry in are identifying new therapeutic targets. the fight against methecillin- meant infection. As the Dr. Gilmore received his Ph.D. in first incumbent of the Osler resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Professorship, Dr. Gilmore is as the Colin MacLeod Fellow, from a global leader in the study of the University of Oklahoma Health antibiotic-resistant bacterial Sciences Center (OUHSC). After postdoctoral training at the University of Wuerzburg, infection. Germany and the University of Michigan, he returned to the OUHSC to join the faculty in 1984. There he rose through the ranks in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Department of Ophthalmology, to hold the titles of George Lynn Cross Research Professor in the College of Medicine, and MG McCool Professor of Ophthalmology. From 2000 to 2004 he also served as OUHSC Vice President for Research. At HMS Dr. Gilmore is an affiliate of the HMS Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and is a member of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program. He serves on the steering committees of the Harvard Microbial Sciences Initiative, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Infectious Disease Initiative. His numerous honors include a Fogarty Senior International Fellowship at Cambridge University, an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, a VH Honeymon Distinguished Lectureship, and the OUHSC Regents Award for Distinguished Research. n

Spring/Summer 2011 #17 11 Notes from the Chair, continued from cover

Many of my friends have said that I really can see because I presentation, and the contrast of the orange liquid in the dark am able to do so many things well and a few of them have blue cup is helpful in enabling me to determine how much taken to jokingly calling me a “ fraud.” To help my doubting is left. friends with unhindered vision understand how I piece Residing in an independent living community gives me the together my visual world, I have worked out the following opportunity to recognize many friends. I can identify them exercise for them to try. I tell them, “Sit very comfortably by size or build or their manner of dress as well as their without stress or tension. Try to close your eyes just a tiny voice. I can identify people after I have known them for a fraction at a time to reduce the amount of light entering while by the way they move or walk. I could not identify your eyes…to the point where barely any light is entering…” my good friend Lou when he was sitting at the dining room This is the way I see. table. When he stood up and walked, I recognized him My eyes no longer respond properly to the stimulus of light. immediately. His shoulders were pressed forward, causing his I compare the reduced light to Salomé’s Dance of the Seven arms to swing in his unique way, and his head was pressed Veils, except in reverse. I am adding forward, too. My other sensory capacities cloudy veil upon cloudy veil to obscure complete the orchestration of being the image I am trying to grasp, rather Try to close your eyes just knowledgeable of my immediate environs than removing veil after veil. I can only a tiny fraction at a time and companions. Some of the women use get a hint of what the almost perceived to reduce the amount of perfume that tells me from ten feet away complete image will contain. But don’t light entering your eyes… who they are. I comment happily on this, treat that lightly. I have learned to use and it never fails to please. reduced light and partial image to behave to the point where barely I frequently receive compliments on my almost as a sighted person at times. I any light is entering… clothing. I have no problems picking out can begin to fathom through the dense This is the way I see. clothing if I have to, including jackets or fog what I might be facing, or a tiny sport coats, because I have had my clothes fragment of cognizance will give me an — Seymour Robins for so long I can identify each article understanding of what the whole picture by touch. I have a sizable and colorful should be. array of suspenders. By examining them with my fingers I can Over the many years that I had excellent vision, I was identify which they are. Some are wider, some narrow, some interested in everything I saw. As an artist and designer, more elastic. When my clean laundry arrives each week, a visual curiosity was paramount. When my eyes went bad, pair of suspenders is attached to each pair of pants. Dressing it was almost as though I had spent a lifetime training to can be tedious, especially if the suspenders get tangled with cross over to the parallel world of the legally blind. Being the pants and I have to start again. I can get impatient; it is engrossed in what was happening visually in my seeing years about the only time I tend to lose my cool. made it easier to understand and describe what happened There is of course more in both gains and losses. I sorely miss when my sight left me. My great experiences with a lifetime reading newspapers and magazines. I’ve learned to find of unhindered vision as an artist are still the major factor television channels and programs that present their broadcasts in enabling me to function in the low-vision life of the in a vivid language that takes the place of pictorials, and I legally blind. greatly enjoy having visual things described to me. My son My eyes still respond with a happy recognition of some Clem, an artist, explains some of the paintings he is working colors. Red, orange, yellow and some greens penetrate my on, and it pleases me. Artists among the residents of my sluggish receptor cells. In our dining hall I frequently will community will also tell me abut their paintings or prints order an omelet. They make excellent ones, but it is really when I ask, and I really enjoy these conversations. I think the the penetrating quality of the yellow-orange egg, especially tremendous advantage I have in this low-vision world is my when joined with cheese, that makes an omelet a desirable great wealth of visual experiences gathered during my sighted dish. Sitting down to the breakfast table with my back to the days. I enjoy my days more now as a writer and author sharp Berkshire morning sunlight, I know where the kitchen because I had those wonderful years as an artist. Having staff has set up my coffee cup. They know to pour me half a both is very, very good. Being legally blind still offers great cup of coffee, and I put the palm of my hand flat over the top opportunities for a full and exciting life. n of the cup to check how hot it is and how much is left. The (Reprinted with permission, estate of Seymour Robbins) orange juice in the dark blue ceramic container is a successful

12 Eyewitness N ews from All Over

November 9, 2011: Pediatric Carolyn Kloek, MD has been Ophthalmology Ophthalmology Visiting Professor named a Rabkin Fellow in Medical Lecture Series, Children’s Hospital Education at the Shapiro Institute Boston [with video link at Mass. Eye for Education and Research at Grand Rounds and Ear] , Graham Quinn, MD, HMS for academic year 2011-12. A cademic Year ’11-12 Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Her fellowship project is entitled “Creation of a standardized, case- Grand Rounds are held every November 16, 2011: The Harvard based ophthalmology curriculum Thursday from 8:00-9:00 AM in Glaucoma Joint Lab Meeting for medical students.” This new Meltzer Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Visiting Professor Lecture: Claude curriculum has the potential to Mass. Eye and Ear. Continuing Burgoyne, MD, Scientist and increase the quality of clinical Medical Education credit is Research Director, Optic Nerve Head training, enhance the ophthalmic available. A monthly list is posted Research Laboratory, Devers Eye learning experience of medical at www.masseyeandear.org. Institute, Portland, OR students (and perhaps encourage S pecial Grand Rounds Events November 17-18: Cornea Visiting them to consider ophthalmology July 28, 2011: Quality, Humanism Professor: Stephen Kay, MD, as a specialty path), and to serve and Professionalism Program University of Liverpool, UK as a model training program for Quarterly Lecture. Speaker: Luis December 9, 2011: Paul A. Chandler institutions around the world. Sanchez, Director of Physician Lecture, Mass. Eye and Ear Second year resident Yao Liu, MD Health Services, Mass. Medical was chosen as an invitee to the Heed Society. Ophthalmic Foundation Residents’ September 22, 2011: Quality, Awards, Grants & Retreat, to be held in Chicago in Humanism and Professionalism September. The goal of the retreat Program Quarterly Lecture. Other Honors is to promote careers in academic Speaker: TBD. P rofessor of Genetics ophthalmology. The retreat (Ophthalmology) Constance L. features 22 invited residents plus Cepko, PhD was awarded the 22 faculty members from academic Upcoming Events prestigious 2011 Alfred W. Bressler departments of ophthalmology The Department of Ophthalmology Prize in Vision Science from the across the U.S. at Mass. Eye and Ear sponsors Jewish Guild for the Blind. Dr. Cepko Nine HMS-affiliated trainees a range of special lectures was cited for her recent research (six Mass. Eye and Ear, two and courses. For further suggesting a new therapeutic Schepens, one Children’s Hospital) information, please consult the approach for retinitis pigmentosa were awarded travel grants to Ophthalmology Education section in humans and for studies that attend ARVO’s 2011 annual meeting. at www.masseyeandear.org. illuminate causes of cone death and July 22-23, 2011: Second possible new ways to slow or stop Annual Harvard Medical School the loss of these critical vision cells. Staff Updates Department of Ophthalmology Anthony Daniels, MD, MSc, a third- C ongratulations to the following Fellows’ Vitreoretinal Course year ophthalmology resident at staff on their HMS promotions/ August 20-24 2011: American HMS who will begin his vitreoretinal appointments: fellowship at Mass. Eye and Ear Society of Retina Specialists A ndrius Kazlauskas, PhD, Schepens in July, has been selected as the 29th Annual Meeting, Boston, MA Eye Research Institute, Professor of Harvard Ophthalmology Alcon Ophthalmology. September 1-2, 2011: Cornea Scholar for 2011-12. As the Alcon Visiting Professor: Anthony Scholar, Dr. Daniels will carry out a P ersonnel Changes: Aldave, MD, Jules Stein Eye research project on uveal melanoma E ric Pierce, Institute, UCLA under the mentorship of Ivana Kim, MD, PhD will join MD. Utilizing a large cohort of tissue September 21, 2011: Pediatric Mass. Eye and Ear in and blood samples gathered from Ophthalmology Visiting Professor September, 2011 as decades of uveal melanoma patients Lecture Series, Children’s Hospital Associate Director seen on the Retina Service and Boston [with video link at Mass Eye of the Berman-Gund employing a new separation method and Ear], Alan Scott, MD, Smith- Laboratory for the developed by Dr. Daniel Haber at the Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, Study of Retinal MGH Cancer Center, Dr. Daniels will San Francisco Degenerations isolate circulating tumor cells and as a clinician and educator, and September 30-Oct 1, 2011: perform gene expression profiling as Director of the new Ocular 27th Biennial Cornea Conference, to elucidate the genetic events that Genomics Institute, where he will Schepens Starr Center for mediate progression from blood- oversee the Genetic Therapies Scientific Communications, borne tumor cells to full metastasis. 185 Cambridge Street program. Dr. Pierce will build on

Spring/Summer 2011 #17 13 Have a program or course the decades of research and clinical Pathology Laboratory. Rebecca care in retinal degenerations to publicize? We would attended Washington University undertaken by Eliot L. Berson, MD, be happy to list it in the School of Medicine’s (St. Louis) the William F. Chatlos Professor of combined MD/PhD program and Ophthalmology at HMS. Dr. Pierce newsletter. Contact us at completed residency training at earned his PhD in biochemistry at [email protected]. Mass. Eye and Ear. University of Wisconsin-Madison Michael K. Yoon, MD will join the and his MD at the HMS-MIT Division MEEI Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery of Health Sciences and Technology. Service in mid-October, 2011. His He completed ophthalmology MD of the Retina Service at MEEI. practice will include orbital, lacrimal residency at Mass. Eye and Ear, Dr. Kim completed his MD‑PhD and eyelid disease in addition followed by a combined research- at Yale University’s Medical to neuro-ophthalmic problems. clinical fellowship in pediatric Scientist Training Program and Dr. Yoon attended the Union ophthalmology at Children’s then on to Doheny Eye Institute- College/Albany Medical College Hospital Boston; he then joined the University of Southern California 7-year accelerated medical training ophthalmology faculty at Children’s, for ophthalmology residency and program, graduating magna cum focusing on retinitis pigmentosa 1 Vitreoretinal Fellowship, where he laude and with the Ophthalmology (RP1) gene research. In 1999, was a Heed Fellow. He is joined in Achievement Award. He completed Dr. Pierce was recruited to Scheie Boston by his fiancée, Grace Lee, his ophthalmology residency at Eye Institute in Philadelphia, where MD, now completing an Ocular Tufts-New England Medical Center. he directed his work toward retinal Pathology/Oncology fellowship For the past three years he has held degenerations. His recent research at Casey Eye Institute in Portland, a Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbital efforts have focused on the use of Oregon and accepted for the 2012-14 Surgery Fellowship as well as an next generation DNA sequencing to ASOPRS Ophthalmic Plastic and ASOPRS Oculofacial Fellowship, identify retinal degeneration genes, Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship both at University of California- and to improve genetic diagnostic at MEEI with Suzanne Freitag, MD. In San Francisco Medical Center testing for patient with inherited the interim, Dr. Lee will be a clinical retinal degeneration disorders. research fellow at MEEI. Assistant Professor of Medicine and Infectious Disease Specialist Dean Eliott, MD Kevin Houston, OD, FAAO will Miriam Baron Barshak, MD will join joined Mass. join Mass. Eye and Ear in July, the Mass. Eye and Ear Infectious Eye and Ear in 2011 under the auspices of the K12 Disease Service in September, 2011. December, 2010. Harvard-Vision Clinical Scientist Dr. Barshak is an HMS graduate and He serves as Development Program. His completed her residency at Brigham Associate Director research work with Professor of and Women’s Hospital. She did of the Retina Ophthalmology, Eli Peli, at Schepens her infectious disease fellowship Service, and his Eye Research Institute will focus in the Partners’ Infectious Disease practice will include on the use of p-prism glasses Program, during which she won the main campus and satellite and computerized perceptual- both the Edward Kass Award for locations. Dr. Eliott was recruited motor training for patients having clinical excellence and the Maxwell from Doheny Eye Institute, Keck hemianopia with visual neglect. Finland Award for excellence in School of Medicine, University of His clinical practice will be based research from the Massachusetts Southern California Medical School, at Mass. Eye and Ear’s Vision Infectious Disease Society. She where he served as director of their Rehabilitation Center, with Mary has a special interest in group B vitreoretinal fellowship program. Louise Jackson, MD. He will also be streptococcal pathogenesis, and is He will be nominated as the first mentored by Joseph Rizzo III, MD. looking forward to devoting herself incumbent of the newly created Dr. Houston obtained a Doctor of full-time to patient care. Stelios Evangelos Gragoudas Optometry at Indiana University Professorship in Ophthalmology. and has been leading its School of Nancy Kim, MD, PhD is Optometry’s Vision Rehabilitation transitioning to employment at Leo Kim, MD, PhD will join the Service in Indianapolis. Harvard Vanguard/Atrius in late Mass. Eye and Ear Retina Service June. Nancy quickly built a practice in July, 2011 under the auspices Rebecca Stacy, MD, PhD will join in Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery at K12 Harvard-Vision Clinical Mass. Eye and Ear in September, MEEI’s East Bridgewater office, and Scientist Development Program. 2011 following completion of her at HVMA since August 2009, while His research program is centered combined fellowship at MEEI getting married and becoming a on intraocular gene delivery of an in Ophthalmic Pathology and mother during the same time! She anti-VEGF antibody delivered via Neuro-Ophthalmology as a Heed has been an important contributor adenovirus vector and will be done Fellowship awardee. She will and we wish her the very best. under the mentorship of Patricia continue as an attending physician D’Amore, PhD, MBA at SERI and in both services, with the majority Joan Miller, MD and Dean Eliott, of her time in the Cogan Ophthalmic

14 Eyewitness I nternational Grand Rounds: HMS faculty from Mass. Eye and Ear and Children’s Hospital Boston participate in Grand Rounds joined by colleagues from the Shanghai Eye and Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital at Fudan University. HMS is hosting a five-member Shanghai team for an eight week visit to explore new opportunities for collaboration and outreach (see story, Eyewitness #16). Upgraded audio and visual technology in Meltzer Auditorium provided a 3-way, high tech link.

careers and lives in the sciences. Service Education Dr. D’Amore’s connection with Irene Kim, now in her sixth year Two HMS faculty and a Mass. Eye of a PhD program in virology has and Ear pharmacist have contributed Updates widened Irene’s network and created to the programs of the New T he American Society of new professional opportunities. England Chapter of The Glaucoma Retina Specialists is holding Dr. D’Amore has become more Foundation during the past few their 29th Annual Meeting in sensitive to the needs of people in months. In February, Mass. Eye and Boston from August 20-24, her own lab: “I didn’t tend to give Ear Clinical Pharmacist Christine 2011. They are sponsoring a much positive feedback. I now realize Finn, PharmaD, presented a talk on specialty refresher day on the what a difference that makes.” glaucoma medications. In March, 20th, and HMS Ophthalmology Associate Professor Janey Wiggs, faculty are contributing their Robert J. D’Amato, MD, PhD, MD, PhD spoke on genetics in the expertise. Assistant Professor Professor of Ophthalmology was glaucoma clinic. In April, Associate of Ophthalmology Roberto nominated for a 2010-11 HMS/HSDM Professor Louis Pasquale, MD Pineda, II, MD will be giving a Excellence in Mentoring Award. discussed the role environmental cornea/anterior segment review; factors play in exfoliation glaucoma. Suzanne Freitag, MD, MEEI’s Director Manager Lynn Bushee and Kim of the Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Alumni News Schoessow, OT of Mass. Eye and Service, will do the oculoplastics S teven H. Cobb, MD (former Ear’s Vision Rehabilitation Center review. Join Mass. Eye and Ear/HMS Mass. Eye and Ear/HMS faculty) visited the Brookwood School in at an early evening reception on reports some exciting growth in Manchester, MA at the request Monday, August 22. Find details in the Department of Ophthalmology of the daughter of MEEI Trustee, your meeting materials! at Mayo Clinic/Arizona in Phoenix, where he is in practice. Because Paul George. Kim and Lynn Professor of Ophthalmology Mayo is a major regional referral demonstrated reading material and (Pathology) Patricia D’Amore, center, the department focuses adaptive equipment that partially PhD, MBA was recently profiled in a great deal of its efforts on the sighted and blind children utilize. the Colloquy, the quarterly magazine ophthalmic aspects of systemic Using magnifiers and distance of the Harvard Graduate School diseases. The possible expansion devices plus some tactile and Braille of Arts and Sciences. The profile of Mayo’s College of Medicine books and blocks, they also spoke was part of a lead article, “The Big to include a Phoenix campus with the students about diversity Picture, the Details, and Everything will expand the practice greatly. and vision-impairment in children. in Between,” on a student-run Dr. Cobb reports that many of mentoring program aimed to help Phoenix’s “snowbird” residents women PhD candidates prepare for are from New England, giving him numerous opportunities to share S eptember 22-22, 2012 in the care of mutual patients with Second Biennial Symposium on HMS colleagues. Age-Related Macular Degeneration Jayakrishna Ambati, MD Organizing Committee Co-Chairs: Patricia D’Amore, PhD, (vitreoretinal fellow alumnus), MBA, Ivana Kim, MD, and Joan Miller, MD Professor of Physiology and Coming in 2012, the second AMD symposium will bring Professor and Vice Chair of together international faculty with expertise in a diverse array of topics Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences as well as leaders from related disciplines outside ophthalmology. at the University of Kentucky An interactive format will focus on current and future topics in AMD College of Medicine, was awarded research including genetics, RPE/Bruch’s membrane/choriocapillaris, the AFER/Pfizer Ophthalmics/Carl inflammation, stem cells and tissue engineering, imaging, animal Camras Translational Research models, and neurodegenerative disease. For information, please visit: Award at the 2011 annual meeting www.schepens.harvard.edu/amd_symposium of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Spring/Summer 2011 #17 15 Non-Profit Org. The Newsletter of the Harvard Medical School D epartment of Ophthalmology US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 51711 Eyewitness BOSTON, MA

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SAVE THE HMS DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY DATES! Special Events

S eptember 30-October 1, 2011 July 22-23, 2011 27th Biennial Cornea Conference Second Annual Mass. Eye and Ear Starr Center for Scientific Communications, Vitrectomy Course 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA Location: Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary Conference Co-chairs: James Chodosh, MD, This course is aimed towards first-year MPH and , MD, MPH, MSc vitreoretinal surgical fellows (fellowship The Biennial Cornea Conference explores current basic beginning in July 2011). The course has been designed and laboratory research developments of the cornea to give the beginning fellow a brief but comprehensive and ocular surface, building links between this exciting introduction to techniques in vitreoretinal surgery, new information and the numerous disease entities that as well as to prepare the fellow for fellowship OR afflict this portion of the eye. Two days of lectures will experience. Consisting of lectures, wet labs, and “dry feature some 30 confirmed national and international labs” using virtual reality simulators, the course is speakers. Session topics include Ocular Pain and taught by renowned faculty from the U.S. and abroad. Sensation, Dry Eye and Ocular Surface, Infection, All meals are provided and there is a gala dinner Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Stem Cells and on the evening of July 23rd. To register, please visit Regenerative Medicine. For information and to register http://www.masseyeandear.org/for-professionals/ please visit: www.schepens.harvard.edu/cornea2011 ophthalmology/meetings-courses/