Retina Today (RT): When did you know that you wanted to become a retina specialist?
During medical school, before I knew what specialty to pursue, a few classmates persuaded me to attend a talk by Carol L. Shields, MD. That lecture proved to be a serendipitous moment in my medical training, unexpectedly introducing me to ophthalmology and retina. Dr. Shields discussed how a fundus examination revealed choroidal metastases and ultimately led to a diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma. The revelation that the retina could disclose so much about systemic health sparked a fascination with the field that has only grown deeper.
RT: Who do you look to as mentors?
I’ve had exceptional mentors throughout my training. Dr. Shields was instrumental in guiding me to ophthalmology and exemplifying the profound effect one physician can have on patients and the profession. From residency, my biggest mentors have been Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, MD, MHS; Carolyn Pan, MD; and Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, MSc. More than amazing clinicians, they are also committed to the growth of their trainees, and I can only hope to influence my mentees as profoundly as they have me.
During fellowship, I have learned from the world-class retina team at Wills Eye/Mid Atlantic Retina under the leadership of Carl Regillo, MD; Allen Ho, MD; and Arunan Sivalingam, MD. I consider all the Wills Eye attendings to be my close mentors, particularly Yoshihiro Yonekawa, MD; Omesh Gupta, MD; Jason Hsu, MD; Michael Klufas, MD; David Xu, MD; Anton Orlin, MD; Michael Cohen, MD; Jordan Deaner, MD; Joshua Uhr, MD; Meera Sivalingam, MD; and Samir Patel, MD. From the clinic to the OR, their mentorship continually challenged me to grow and brought out the very best in me.
RT: What has been one of the most memorable experiences of your fellowship?
One of the most rewarding aspects of surgical training is when something finally clicks—when the technique connects or the mechanics become intuitive. In the final months of fellowship, I had more opportunities to staff residents and first-year retina fellows. Watching that same moment of clarity occur for a junior trainee has been such a fulfilling experience. It is a privilege to be part of those breakthroughts, and moments like these fuel my passion for academic medicine.
RT: What advice can you offer to residents who are considering retina?
Retina is an incredibly rewarding subspecialty, offering a balance of complex medical cases and intricate surgical challenges. If you are interested in retina, don’t hesitate to put yourself out there—opportunities will come if you seek them. In addition to connecting with attendings, remember to share your interest with your retina fellows, too. As a medical student and resident, I learned so much from my fellows, and those relationships were instrumental in shaping my path.
