“I always feel very welcomed by the staff and faculty of this conference. My sincerest thanks go to the organizers for their hard work putting together such a wonderful event. ”
OUR AMAZING PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Whitsett Vision Group Director of Research
Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine
Zaina Al-Mohtaseb, MD, is an ophthalmologist specializing in cornea, external disease, cataract, and refractive surgery. Dr. Al-Mohtaseb earned her medical degree with honors from Baylor College of Medicine. She completed her ophthalmology residency at the Cullen Eye Institute at Baylor College of Medicine and was elected Chief Resident in her final year of training. She finished her training at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (top program in the nation) with a fellowship in cornea/external disease, cataract, and refractive surgery. She has excelled in three main aspects during her career—clinical and surgical, research, and education. She has authored more than 50 scientific publications and book chapters and is an active peer-reviewer. She has taken an active leadership role and presents at multiple national and international conferences and has become a key opinion leader in ophthalmology. She truly enjoys education and is the chair of the ASCRS Young Eye Surgeons committee.
Director of Drs. Berrocal & Associates
Past President of the Pan-American Vitreo-Retinal Society
María H. Berrocal, MD, is Director of Drs. Berrocal & Associates in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Illinois. She completed her ophthalmology training at the University of Puerto Rico where she received the best surgeon award. She completed her surgical and medical retina training at the department of Ophthalmology New York Hospital/Cornell University. She then completed a medical retina fellowship with Dr. J Donald Gass at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and received the prestigious Heed Fellow Award. Her research interests include new techniques in vitreo-retinal surgery, with a particular interest in complications of diabetic retinopathy. She has participated in numerous studies of novel treatments for the management of diabetic complications. She is principal investigator in the PACORES international research group and in several clinical trials performed at Berrocal & Associates. She belongs to and has held leadership positions in the Pan-American Vitreo-Retinal Society, Pan-American Ophthalmological Society, Retina Society, American Society of Retinal Specialists (ASRS), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and Women in Ophthalmology (WIO). She is past president of the Pan-American Vitreo-Retinal Society. She is on the editorial board of Retina Today. She has received the American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award, and American Society of Retinal Specialists Senior Honor Award. She has received the Doctors Choice Award yearly since 2002. Dr. Berrocal has been an invited speaker and visiting surgeon in over 20 countries. She has authored and co-authored over 50 articles and book chapters. Dr. Berrocal has held numerous positions in philanthropic societies. She has established educational scholarships for cancer survivors, scholarships for the Sacred Heart University, and Our Children’s. She has also helped establish a drug rehabilitation center in San Juan. She is Board Certified in Ophthalmology.
Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Medical Director of the Retinopathy of Prematurity Service at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Audina Berrocal, MD, is currently Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Medical Director of the Retinopathy of Prematurity Service at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Berrocal originally earned a degree in political science at Princeton University before deciding to pursue ophthalmology, a field that her father, the first retinal specialist in Puerto Rico, and her elder sister excelled in. She earned her MD at Tufts University, completed an internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City, and did her residency in ophthalmology at Tufts University Medical School and a vitreoretinal and uveitis fellowship at Bascom Palmer, where she has remained since.Dr. Berrocal is one of few ophthalmologists in the country who are willing to work on pediatric patients, and many of hers are premature babies born with various retinal conditions whom she sees in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital. She also works with adult patients suffering with vitreoretinal conditions, often performing delicate surgery in order to treat them.
Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
John T. Flynn Chair in Ophthalmology
Director, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
University of Miami School of Medicine
Hilda Capó, MD, was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico. She obtained her medical doctorate and ophthalmology residency training at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and completed a pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and a neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at New York University.
After completing training, she joined the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she holds the J.T. Flynn Professor of Ophthalmology Chair and works as Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Service Director and Fellowship Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology. Her dual fellowship training has allowed her to develop a robust clinical and surgical practice with a focus in adult strabismus. Dr. Capó has a strong commitment to academics and education as evidenced by publication of over 60 articles in major journals, 10 book chapters and over 100 presentations including invited and named lectures including the “Angeline M. Parks,” “Gunther von Noorden” and “Lois Young” Lectureships. She has trained almost 200 ophthalmology residents and 35 fellows and participates as an American Board of Ophthalmology associate examiner and mentor examiner. Mentoring medical students and residents is important to her, thus the involvement with the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program of the AAO.
Dr. Capó is active with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is currently the Chair of the Educational Resources Sub-Task Force of the Disparities in Eyecare Task Force and past Chair of the Annual Meeting Program Committee in pediatric ophthalmology. Within the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus she is the Vice-Chair of the Adult Strabismus Task Force and member of the Program Committee. Her accomplishments have been acknowledged by the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s prestigious Secretariat Award and the Senior Achievement Award and the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Honor Award. In addition, she was selected by The Ophthalmologist to the 2021 Power List: Top 100 Women in Ophthalmology.
Director
Office of Health Technology 1 | Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, Respiratory, ENT, & Dental Devices
Office of Product Evaluation and Quality
CDRH | Food and Drug Administration
For 25 years, as an Expert Medical Officer, Senior Medical Advisor, and Director of FDA’s Office of Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, Respiratory, ENT, & Dental Devices, Dr. Eydelman has played a key role in assuring the safety and effectiveness of medical devices.
Dr. Eydelman guided development of more than 50 international and national standards, oversaw development of numerous regulations and guidance, and convened over 30 public meetings of FDA Medical Device Committees. She originated numerous symposia and workshops to facilitate device innovation and has been instrumental in expediting development of novel endpoints for clinical trials of pioneering technologies.
Dr. Eydelman has organized multi-stakeholder public-private partnerships and spearheaded many clinical and laboratory studies designed to improve the safety of medical devices.
Dr. Eydelman received her M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School and a Doctorate in Health Sciences and Technology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.).
Dr. Eydelman has been granted a U.S. patent; published nearly 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and monographs; and presented over 200 lectures worldwide.
President, Colombian Society of Ophthalmology
Executive Vice President, Latin America Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology
Second Secretary for the Spanish Language, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologist, Rosario University, Bogota, Colombia
Ophthalmologist, Barraquer Institute of America, Colombia
Pediatric Ophthalmologist, New England Eye Center, Tufts University
Oncologic Ophthalmologist, National Cancer Institute, Colombia
Head, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Nueva Granada Military University, Hospital Militar Central, Colombia
Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogota University Hospital, Colombia
Cornea Specialist
Eye Health Services, MA
Gerri L. Goodman, MD, received her Doctor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. Following a Residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she completed a Fellowship in Corneal Diseases at The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
She is a corneal specialist and was involved in the early development of the Excimer Laser for vision correction techniques. Dr. Goodman has published many articles in peer-reviewed journals and enjoys participating in lectures and training courses related to cornea and external disease.
Dr. Goodman is on the medical staff of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, South Shore Hospital, Carney Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton, Good Samaritan Medical Center, and New England Eye Surgical Center
Bonnie An Henderson, internationally-recognized expert in cataract and refractive surgery, is a Past President of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and a Clinical Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Henderson is the Associate Editor for the Journal of Refractive Surgery and is on the editorial board of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Henderson has authored over 175 articles, papers, book chapters, and abstracts and has delivered over 300 invited lectures worldwide including 32 invited Visiting Professorships and 16 Named Lectures. She has published 5 textbooks in cataract and refractive surgery. Her textbook, Essentials of Cataract Surgery, is one of the most commonly used textbooks to teach cataract surgery in the United States. Dr. Henderson created EnVision Summit, the international ophthalmology meeting to support and empower women leaders in medicine.
Dr. Henderson has received an Achievement Award, the Secretariat Award twice, and the Senior Achievement Award by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Best of” awards from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery for her research and films, and the “Teacher of the Year” award from Harvard Medical School. She has been inducted into the honorary International Intra-ocular Implant Club and awarded the Lans Distinguished Award by the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the Suzanne Veronneau-Troutman Woman of the Year Award by Women in Ophthalmology, the Gold Medal by the Indian Intraocular Implant and Refractive Society, and the Visionary Award by the American-European College of Ophthalmic Surgeons. She is featured on the 2019 Power List as one of ten people chosen for the Champions for Change, on the 2020 Power List as one of the Most Influential Figures in Ophthalmology, and in 2021 Top 100 Women as selected by the readers of The Ophthalmologist.
Dr. Henderson completed her ophthalmology residency at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. She graduated from Dartmouth College and from Dartmouth Medical School with high honors. She serves on the Board of Advisors of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and the Board of Directors for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation and has served on the Physician Board of Directors at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Married with three children, her interests include culinary arts and competing in triathlons.
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Wilmer Eye Institute
Johns Hopkins Medical Institute
Mona Kaleem, MD, is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University. She specializes in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery. In addition to running a busy clinical and surgical service, she is also a dedicated researcher, educator, and volunteer. Dr. Kaleem is best known for her interest in improving quality of life for glaucoma patients. She currently holds research grants from the American Glaucoma Society and the Abell Foundation. She has published numerous peer reviewed articles and book chapters. Dr. Kaleem is among the authors of the AAO’s Preferred Practice Patterns on Vision Rehabilitation and the AAO’s Education Division which is responsible for writing and editing the Basic and Clinical Science Course (BCSC). She is involved in grass roots legislative efforts for ophthalmology as a member of the ASCRS Government Relations Committee and Maryland Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.
Professor of Ophthalmology
Dr. Richard K. Forster Chair in Ophthalmology
Dr. Ronald and Alicia Lepke Professorship in Corneal Diseases
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Carol Karp, MD, is a tenured Professor of Ophthalmology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and holds the Richard K. Forster Chair in Ophthalmology. She is an expert in the management of ocular surface tumors and anterior segment surgery. Dr. Karp joined the faculty of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in 1994, after completing a fellowship in cornea and external diseases at the center. In the late 1990s, Dr. Karp pioneered the use of interferon for the treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia. She designed protocols to study the drug in patients with ocular surface tumors, curing them of their cancer without surgery. A leader in the area of ocular surface oncology, her research has produced several landmark articles on the topic. Her current interests are in the management of ocular surface tumors and ocular surface imaging using the ultra-high resolution OCT. She lectures and teaches nationally and internationally on the management of ocular surface tumors. Among the significant recognition, Dr. Karp has received the Secretariat Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) in 2015 and the Mentorship Award from Women in Ophthalmology and the American Medical Association Women Physicians Sector in 2013. In addition, she was honored with the Senior Achievement Award for her accomplishments and service to the AAO, where she served on numerous task forces, and regularly teaches at the annual meetings. She is currently a co-chair of the Cornea Day. Along with her service to the AAO, Dr. Karp serves on the executive committee of the Pan-American Academy of Ophthalmology as the secretary of English language, and is an associate examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology. She is the co-director of the Inter-American Course in Clinical Ophthalmology (Curso). She has repeated inclusion in “Florida Superdoctors” and “Best Doctors in America”. Outside of Bascom Palmer, Dr. Karp is an avid athlete, exercising daily in the wee hours of the morning.
Vice President of Operations, Front Range Colorado
Cataract & Refractive Surgeon, Uveitis Specialist
Medical Director, Icon Eyecare
Eva Kim, MD, is the Front Range Medical Director and Vice President of Operations for ICON Eyecare in Denver, CO, as well as an ophthalmologist who is fellowship-trained in Uveitis and Cornea/External Diseases. She specializes in cataract surgery and refractive surgery and uveitis. She enjoys high volume cataract surgery with a high percentage of upgraded lens use and Femtosecond laser-assistance. She also performs corneal and intraocular refractive surgery. Dr. Kim is also a speaker for various industry-leading companies such as Alcon, Staar Surgical, RxSight, and ArcScan.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science from Stanford University, Dr. Kim went on to obtain her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco. Her ophthalmology residency took place at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary before finishing her clinical fellowship in Uveitis and Cornea/External Diseases at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. Kim practiced with Northern California Kaiser Permanente from 2006–2016 as a comprehensive ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon, uveitis specialist, and Chief of Patient Service. For seven years, she also held the role of Lead Communications Consultant, focusing on elevating the quality of physician-to-physician and physician-to-patient communication and service experience. For five years straight based on patient feedback, Dr. Kim was ranked 1st patient service scores out of 258 Ophthalmologists in Northern California.
In 2013, Dr. Kim was elected to the Northern California Permanente Medical Group Emerging Leaders Cohort, a two-year leadership and business course led by professors from the most prestigious business schools in the United States. She also has over 18 years of medical research and resident teaching experience and is a member of the AAO and ASCRS and has co-authored many published medical chapters, papers, and posters.
Outside of work, Dr. Kim loves spending time with her family. She and her husband, Chuck, have three amazing children who inspire her to be the best mother and doctor that she can be. As a family, they love to ski and attend the many sporting events in which the children are involved. She is also a lover of music and dance.
Dr. Koetting practices at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the Department of Ophthalmology in Denver, CO. Her primary focus is in anterior segment and ocular surface disease, neuro-optometry, and peri-operative care. She partakes in clinical research and has served as Externship Director and adjunct faculty for several schools and colleges of optometry.
Dr. Koetting is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, and active member of AOA and has served as both local and state officers within AOA. She was named Young Optometrist of the Year in 2019 by the state of Virginia. Dr. Koetting lectures locally, nationally, and internationally at conferences and continually contributes articles to and serves on editorial board for multiple publications.
Retina Specialist
Rocky Mountain Retina Associates
Geeta Lalwani, MD, founded Rocky Mountain Retina Associates in Boulder, co. She earned her Bachelor Arts from Smith College with a dual degree in Chemistry and Japanese Studies. She completed her medical degree from the MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine, Drexel University and her ophthalmology residency at Case Western University. She received her medical and surgical vitreoretinal training at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where she joined the faculty. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, mainly focused on age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. After several years, she returned to her home town of Boulder, CO to start Rocky Mountain Retina Associates where she practices medical and surgical retina.
Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Dermatology
Oculofacial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Orbit and Oncology
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Wendy Lee, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, specializes in oculoplastic surgery with a special interest in aesthetic surgery. Dr. Lee earned her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. She holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a master of science degree in physiology from Georgetown University. She completed both her residency and internship at her medical school alma mater, and a fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Lee treats an extraordinarily broad spectrum of oculoplastic disorders, including eyelid cancers, trauma, tearing disorders, eyelid malpositions, orbital tumors, and infection and inflammation of the lids and orbit. In addition, Dr. Lee provides the full range of services offered at the Institute’s Aesthetic Center, including blepharoptosis surgery; blepharoplasty of the upper and lower lids; brow and forehead lifts; and non-surgical cosmetic enhancements including Botox treatments, dermal fillers, and photorejuvenation. She also performs laser skin resurfacing to rejuvenate the face, neck, hands and eyelids. Dr. Lee dedicates time to the teaching of residents and fellows. As well she lectures around the nation on oculoplastic disorders and aesthetic treatments as related to the eye. She has been featured on CNN for her charitable work on patients flown in from other nations and more recently was featured on NBC for a segment on ‘Fraxel of the Eyelids’.
Clinical Professor
Assistant Dean of Clinical Education
University of Houston College of Optometry
University Eye Institute
Danica Marrelli received her doctor of optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) and completed a residency in hospital-based optometry at the Baltimore VA Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. She is currently a clinical professor at UHCO, where she serves as Assistant Dean of Clinical Education and staffs the glaucoma, retina, and general eye disease clinics.
In the classroom, Dr. Marrelli teaches ocular pharmacology, glaucoma, and case-based learning courses. Dr. Marrelli became a diplomate in the ocular disease section of the American Academy of Optometry in November 2009 and is the vice president of the Optometric Glaucoma Society.
Assistant Dean for Diversity
Global Health Chair for Chicago Medical School
Professor of Ophthalmology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
Mildred M. G. Olivier, MD, is Assistant Dean for Diversity, Global Health Chair for Chicago Medical School and Professor of Ophthalmology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Her academic work includes clinical instruction of medical students and residents in glaucoma. She is the founder and CEO of the Midwest Glaucoma Center, P.C. Dr. Olivier is a member-at-large of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Past President of Women in Ophthalmology. She serves on the Diversity Issues Committee at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). She previously served on the Advisory Council of the National Eye Institute, and is an AAO delegate to the American Medical Association. Since 2004, she has been a member of the steering committee for AMA’s Commission to End Health Care Disparities. In addition, she is past president of the Chicago Glaucoma Society and is Treasurer of the American Glaucoma Society Foundation. Dr. Olivier served on the board for Prevent Blindness America. She is also a board member of the DuSable Museum of African American History. Dr. Olivier has published in peer-reviewed journals and has co-authored books and book chapters. She served on the AAO’s COMPASS panel for glaucoma. Dr. Olivier has been conducting regular medical missions to Haiti since 1993. She is frequently called upon to speak on glaucoma, health care disparities and global health at national and international medical conferences.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
University of Chicago
Dr. Mary Qiu is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Chicago. She specializes in glaucoma surgery and cataract surgery in patients with glaucoma. She completed her undergraduate studies at Stanford University, medical school at UCSF, residency at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, and glaucoma fellowship at the Cole Eye Institute at Cleveland Clinic.
Her clinical practice focuses on the surgical and medical management of complex glaucoma patients, and she has a special clinical interest in neovascular glaucoma and tube revisions/exchanges. Her academic work is related to neovascular glaucoma, outcomes after both minimally invasive as well as traditional glaucoma surgical techniques, developing new surgical techniques, and glaucoma education for ophthalmology residents. Dr. Qiu has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, edited a textbook about neovascular glaucoma, and presented her work locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. She also serves as an ad hoc reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Qiu is passionate about resident and medical student education, and in 2023 she was awarded the University of Chicago ophthalmology residents’ teaching award and the University of Chicago Women Surgeons Committee medical student faculty mentorship award.
Outside of work, Dr. Qiu loves traveling with her husband Chris and spending time with their chow chow Hopkins.
Uveitis Specialist, Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston
Director, Uveitis Service, New England Eye Center
Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Tufts School of Medicine
Dr. Rifkin is a uveitis specialist at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston as well as the Director of the Uveitis Service at New England Eye Center and Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA. She received her medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky. After completing her internship at Sound Shore Medical Center in New Rochelle, NY, she went on to a residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. Rifkin continued her training at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL where she completed a 2-year clinical fellowship in Uveitis under Dr. Debra Goldstein. She also served as a Clinical Instructor in Ophthalmology at Northwestern University School of Medicine, where she helped to train medical students and residents.
As an undergraduate, she attended Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a minor in Spanish. During that time she studied abroad in Madrid and Segovia, Spain.
Dr. Rifkin is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and has published many peer-reviewed research papers and book chapters on eye inflammation topics. She serves as an ad hoc reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals. She is involved in several clinical trials in uveitis and is a frequent presenter at regional and national conferences.
Dr. Rifkin is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and is actively involved in the American Uveitis Society, the Young Uveitis Society as well as the New England Ophthalmological Society. Dr. Rifkin was born in Minsk, Belarus, grew up in Louisville, KY, and lives in the Boston area with her husband, two daughters, and twin sons.
Tenured Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Co-Director of the Intermountain Ocular Research Center at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah
Liliana Werner, MD, PhD, is a Tenured Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Co-Director of the Intermountain Ocular Research Center at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah. She has an MD/Ophthalmology degree from Brazil and a PhD degree (Biomaterials) from France (Université Paris V, René Descartes). She is the 2003 Research to Prevent Blindness Olga Keith Wiess Scholar awardee, member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (JCRS), member of the International Intra-Ocular Implant Club, member of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Utah, as well as chair of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Committee of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). She is also a former Judge and Chief Judge of the ASCRS Film Festival and former member of the Cataract Subcommittee and the Ophthalmic News & Education Network (O.N.E.) of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Dr. Werner’s research is centered on the interaction between ocular tissues and different intraocular lens (IOL) designs, materials, and surface modifications. These include IOLs implanted after cataract surgery, phakic lenses for refractive surgery, and ophthalmic implantable devices in general. She has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on the subject, co-edited three books, and received numerous awards in international meetings for scientific presentations, videos, and posters. She has also been a guest speaker in different international meetings in at least 20 countries. Also, Dr. Werner is a consultant for different companies manufacturing IOLs and other ocular biodevices, as well as a consultant for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Professor of Ophthalmology with a joint appointment in Biomedical Engineering
Associate Medical Director at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Sonia H. Yoo, MD, is currently professor of ophthalmology with a joint appointment in biomedical engineering and associate medical director at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Yoo received her BA at Stanford University in California and her MD at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. She completed residency and fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of Harvard Medical School in 1998. Dr. Yoo’s areas of clinical practice are cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery. Her areas of research interest are in laser applications in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery, and restoring accommodation. She holds several patents and has authored more than 150 book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles as well as serving as the principal investigator in numerous drug and device trials. Dr. Yoo has a history of service to her field. Last year, Dr. Yoo has served as the program chair of the Refractive Surgery subspecialty day program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and received the International Society of Refractive Surgery’s prestigious Founder’s Award for her accomplishments in cataract and refractive surgery. She serves on the AAO’s Practicing Ophthalmologists Curriculum Refractive Management/Intervention Panel for refractive surgery. She has been a board member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and served on the board for the Cornea Society. She is a reviewer for numerous ophthalmology journals and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Refractive Surgery. Dr. Yoo served as the cornea fellowship director at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute from 2000–2013 and has trained numerous residents, clinical fellows, and international research fellows during her career. Performing eye surgery for the past 20 years, Dr. Yoo continually strives to improve patient outcomes. She is currently working on the use of optical coherence tomography imaging to aid visualization during surgery. She is also using this technology to develop a novel imaging device for the early detection of keratoconus.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Carrie B. Zaslow, MD, is a comprehensive ophthalmologist, specializing in cataract, cornea and external disease. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She received a B.A. in International Relations and French Studies at the University of Pennsylvania where she was inducted into the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society in recognition of her campus leadership. She then went on to complete the post-baccalaureate premedical education program at Columbia University. She received her MD degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where she founded a chapter of Unite for Sight. After completing a transitional year residency in medicine and surgery, she went on to complete her ophthalmology residency at North Shore – LIJ in New York where she served as chief resident during her final year. She completed a fellowship in cornea and external diseases at Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital. Dr. Zaslow practices in private practice in Bayside, Queens and is passionate about her work as Assistant Clinical Professor with the ophthalmology residents at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. She was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. She has presented at several meetings and has co-authored peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Dr. Zaslow has a passion for helping the underserved and has participated in ophthalmology volunteer endeavors in Ghana and Haiti.