WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
As a child, Dr. Mackin was captivated by her parents’ clinical and research work—her father is an orthopedic surgeon, and her mother is a clinical pathologist. She was determined to one day be a physician, too. She received a bachelor’s degree with distinction in biochemistry and integrative physiology and attended medical school at the University of Colorado. Several of Dr. Mackin’s core clinical rotations took place in underserved rural counties in south-central Colorado, which gave her a great appreciation for the desperate need for care among rural communities.
HER PATH TO RETINA
Dr. Mackin quickly realized that ophthalmology was her career aspiration during medical school clinical rotations. She remembers the feeling of curiosity and awe when examining the eye in search of the answer to the patient’s symptoms; she still feels this way when examining a patient. She helped to research novel therapeutic approaches to AMD with her mentor, Jeffrey Olson, MD. This was only the beginning of her discovery that exciting therapies and diagnostic techniques play an integral role in the everyday practice of vitreoretinal surgery. Once in residency at the University of Colorado, Dr. Mackin was drawn to the complex and diverse pathology of retinal diseases. Residency at UCHealth Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center exposed her to the full gamut of vitreoretinal pathologies, including inherited retinal disease, pediatrics, ocular oncology, and uveitis, confirming her decision to dedicate her career to the field of retina. Dr. Mackin matched at her number one program, the Snyder Family Endowed Fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at the University of Chicago.
Dr. Mackin's Advice: Look for a practice where the clinical and administrative teams share your goals and strive to facilitate your efforts to practice ethically, effectively, and efficiently.
SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY
Dr. Mackin is forever grateful to her residency and fellowship mentors for teaching her invaluable clinical and surgical skills and providing guidance and support on her professional journey. She would like to extend a special thank you to her fellowship director, Seenu M. Hariprasad, MD, for teaching the medical side of patient care and emphasizing efficiency and cost-consciousness. Every time Dr. Mackin is in the OR, she hears Dr. Hariprasad’s voice, urging her to make every second of the surgery count. Dr. Hariprasad also taught her the importance of industry collaboration. Working closely with industry allows clinicians to bring the interests of patients to the forefront of clinical discovery and ensures that everyday clinical experiences can lead to safer and more effective therapies for the community at large.
AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER
During Dr. Mackin’s first night of attending call, she took care of a monocular patient with an acute retinal detachment in his good eye. The surgery went well, and the patient regained his sight and independence. She was honored to use her skills to make such a difference and provide sight-saving care at that time and every day since. Many of her patients travel more than an hour to see a retina specialist, and it is rewarding to care for a community in need.
