WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Durga S. Borkar, MD, MMCi, was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. Her parents are engineers who immigrated from India, and they emphasized the value of education for her and her younger sister. She completed her undergraduate degree in mathematics and financial economics at Northwestern University and attended medical school there.
HER PATH TO RETINA
While a resident at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Dr. Borkar spent almost all of her time planning to be a cornea specialist. Later in residency, however, she participated in the retina OR and was hooked. She still remembers being in complete awe the first time she performed a core vitrectomy. Additionally, the fast-paced and high-volume nature of clinic was exciting. The opportunity to handle complex and varied pathology and the idea that retina surgeons are often the “last stop” for many patients appealed to her. She found the retina community to be an incredibly dynamic and fun group that she wanted to be a part of.
Dr. Borkar’s Advice: Although it is important to have a vision for your early career, some of the best professional successes can come from keeping an open mind, being flexible, and seizing unexpected opportunities.
SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY
She has been fortunate to have many wonderful mentors in retina. Dr. Borkar’s mentors at Northwestern University inspired her to become an ophthalmologist and encouraged her to pursue a variety of training opportunities. Her mentors at Massachusetts Eye and Ear introduced her to the wonders of vitreoretinal surgery, as well as the importance of prioritizing teaching and mentoring others. She would not be the surgeon she is today without the training she received as a vitreoretinal surgery fellow at Wills Eye Hospital. Lastly, mentorship does not end once training is complete, and she is grateful for the ongoing mentorship from her senior vitreoretinal colleagues at Duke. They are true role models as surgeons and people.
Two of her longtime ophthalmology mentors who are not retina specialists, but have had a lasting effect, are Nisha Acharya, MD, MS, and Kathryn Colby, MD, PhD, who she met in medical school and residency, respectively. Both inspired her to pursue a career in academic medicine, be persistent in achieving her goals, and always advocate for patients.
AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER
Some of Dr. Borkar’s most meaningful experiences have involved taking care of young patients with diabetic tractional retinal detachments. Operating on this population and improving their quality of life is rewarding and humbling. It has also opened her eyes to the complex interplay between the medical factors and social determinants of health that drive advanced complications from diabetes.
