WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
I was born and raised in Michigan, and from an early age, I was drawn to science and fashion—an early appreciation for detail and beauty now reflected in my love for retina. I attended the University of Michigan Medical School and went on to complete my residency at the University of Illinois and fellowship at Duke Eye Center.
MY PATH TO RETINA
I was originally deciding between pediatric cardiology and ophthalmology. That changed during my first vitrectomy; I saw the retina through the operating microscope and was captivated. During residency, I tried to keep an open mind, but I kept coming back to retina (pediatrics specifically). I love how retina is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Being entrusted with a patient’s vision is an incredible privilege I approach with the utmost care, and it continues to inspire me every day.
SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY
I’ve been fortunate to have many people shape my career. First and foremost is my family, especially my husband, Matthew, who has been my greatest supporter. I would not be where I am without him and our three wonderful children. In medical school, Maria Woodward, MD, MS, sparked my joy for research and set me on a clinician-scientist path. R. V. Paul Chan, MD, MSc, MBA, FACS, helped me become involved in the pediatric retina community. He invited me to sit in on the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity, Third Edition, meeting, and I was honored to be in a room with leaders in the field, watching history unfold. I am grateful to all the retina faculty at Duke, especially Cynthia Toth, MD, who inspired my dedication to pediatric retina and caring for patients and their families. In addition, my interest in how technological innovation can transform patient care stems directly from her influence. That inspiration continues to drive my current work in robotic OCT. Sharon Fekrat, MD, and Lejla Vajzovic, MD, also supported me early in my career and continue to provide guidance in my professional growth and development.
At the University of Michigan, Cagri Giray Besirli, MD, PhD, has been my primary mentor in pediatric retina and research, supporting all my academic endeavors. I am deeply grateful to all my colleagues at Michigan for their unwavering support of my career and family.
Dr. Valikodath’s advice: Don’t be afraid of change or setbacks. When one path comes to an end, another inevitably appears—and it may lead to the opportunity of a lifetime. Embrace the uncertainty, trust in your growth, and enjoy the journey.
AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER
I will never forget caring for an infant with persistent fetal vasculature (PFV). The family was incredibly loving but understandably anxious about the implications for their child’s vision. In the OR, I encountered a thick PFV stalk inserting in a trigonal pattern across the macula and optic nerve. I proceeded with a lens-sparing vitrectomy, and although the surgery was complex, the traction was successfully relieved. With the retina more relaxed, the fovea was spared. Guiding this family through the preoperative, surgical, and postoperative stages—and watching their baby grow and do well visually at each follow-up—has been profoundly rewarding. It reminds me why I chose this field: the privilege of pairing technical skill with compassionate, lifelong care.
