WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
While growing up in New Jersey, I explored a variety of activities, including soccer, Tae Kwon Do, piano, camping, and robotics. These hobbies helped shape who I am today: a person with a deep curiosity about how things work and a strong appreciation for both teamwork and individual perseverance. I attended Columbia University, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering. However, it wasn’t until I worked as an emergency medical technician that I truly felt drawn to patient care. Interacting directly with patients and helping them in their time of need opened my eyes to the privilege and responsibility that comes with caring for others.
Dr. Choi’s advice: Be honest with yourself about your goals and values. Once you have a clear sense of direction, reach out to your mentors for guidance—they are invaluable resources. And don’t forget to give back by supporting the next generation of retina specialists; we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.
MY PATH TO RETINA
My journey into the field of retina began as an MD/PhD student when I conducted research on retinal regeneration using a frog model of retinitis pigmentosa. The more I learned, the more captivated I became by the complex yet beautiful role the retina plays in vision.
During residency at the Moran Eye Center, I worked with an outstanding team in the uveitis and retina departments. It was there that I discovered my passion for diagnosing and treating retinal diseases and uveitis. Managing some of the most complex ocular diseases was both challenging and immensely rewarding, and I was humbled by the opportunity to help patients in these critical areas.
SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY
I have been fortunate to receive the support and guidance of many exceptional mentors, for whom I am deeply grateful. At SUNY Upstate Medical University, my mentors included Michael Zuber, PhD; Samuel Spalding, MD; and Anthony Andrews, MD. During my time at the Moran Eye Center, I was mentored by Paul Bernstein, MD, PhD; Albert Vitale, MD; and Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD.
At the Casey Eye Institute and Devers Eye Institute, I learned from Thomas Hwang, MD; Andreas Lauer, MD; Christina Flaxel, MD; Steven Bailey, MD; J. Peter Campbell, MD; Paul Yang, MD; Mark Pennesi, MD; Sirichai Pasadhika, MD; Merina Thomas, MD; Brandon Lujan, MD; James Rosenbaum, MD; Phoebe Lin, MD, PhD; Alison Skalet, MD, PhD; and Eric Suhler, MD. These mentors selflessly invested in my training, and I continue to seek their advice on patient care and professional development.
AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER
Early in my career, a patient presented with acute vision loss in her only seeing eye due to a large submacular hemorrhage caused by wet AMD. Her other eye had already been affected by geographic atrophy, and she was terrified of losing the ability to see her grandchildren, read, and garden. I was deeply moved by the connection we formed as I listened to her fears and concerns. She told me that, regardless of the outcome, she was grateful that I listened—because it made her feel truly cared for. That moment reinforced the power of empathy in medicine and reminded me that, while we can’t always control outcomes, showing our patients that we genuinely care can make a significant difference in their lives.
I performed a vitrectomy and used subretinal alteplase with intravitreal gas to displace the hemorrhage, ultimately restoring her vision to nearly baseline levels.
