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Alumni of our Residency Program are making a difference in the lives of people with eye disease. Meet a few of the leaders who were residents in the U-M Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
Associate Professor
University of Wisconsin
Completed fellowship in 1993
Dr. Blodi completed her retina fellowship at the Kellogg
Eye Center and spent two years on the faculty. Today,
she practices at the University of Wisconsin and pursues
research interests at the University's Fundus Photograph
Reading Center. She enjoys participating in clinical trials. "In
this way, we can offer patients the latest in patient care and can
answer clinical questions regarding which treatments are most effective,"
she says. Her mentors at U-M helped her grow as a teacher, clinician, and
clinical researcher, she adds. "My years at Kellogg provided me with the
confidence and competence to be successful in my career. And I met my
husband (Justin Gottlieb) in the process, too!"
Director, National Ophthalmic Disease Genotyping Network, NEI
Director, Ophthalmic Genetics Clinic, Children's National Medical Center
Washington, D.C.
Completed residency in 2001, fellowship in 2002
One of only a handful of physicians in the country who is board-certified both by the American Board of Medical Genetics as well as the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Brooks is leading the nationwide effort to create a repository of DNA samples from patients with inherited eye diseases, called the National Ophthalmic Disease Genotyping Network, or eyeGENE . "Our hope is that this network will empower patients and their physicians with molecular genetic knowledge," he says.
Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences,
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Completed residency in 1987
After serving as both medical director of clinical services and director of resident education at the University of Iowa, Dr. Carter was tapped to lead the department of more than 30 clinicians and scientists. "It is an honor to help direct this talented group of individuals," says Dr. Carter, a specialist in oculoplastic surgery. His own research interests include Graves eye disease, inflammatory orbital disease, anophthalmic socket reconstruction, and predictive factors for eyelid reconstruction.
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Vanderbilt Eye Institute
Nashville, Tennessee
Completed residency in 1981
Dr. Estes is one of three pediatric ophthalmologists at Vanderbilt Eye Institute. He has won four resident teaching awards in the last nine years. Because he trains others, he is able to pass on the commitment to excellence that is emphasized at the University of Michigan, multiplying our reach many times over. "My residency experience at the University of Michigan is the foundation on which my career has been
based, intellectually, technically, philosophically, and ethically," he says.
Associate Professor
University of Wisconsin
Completed residency in 1994
Training vitreoretinal fellows is a highlight of Dr. Gottlieb's
career at the University of Wisconsin, where he works with
his wife, Barbara Blodi. "Our section has trained six fellows
since I arrived, and I would gladly refer family and friends
to each one of them for excellent care," he says. He is also
involved in clinical trials for the treatment of vitreoretinal disease.
Working with a full-time academic faculty devoted to patient care, resident education,
and research at the Kellogg Eye Center made an impression on him, he
says. "Their dedication to academic medicine inspired me to pursue the same."
Retina-Vitreous Associates, P.C.
Nashville, Tennessee
Completed residency in 1973
Nurturing the growth of one of the premier retina practices in
Tennessee has been a labor of love for Dr. Gutow, who was the first
fully trained retina specialist in Nashville when he arrived in the mid-1970s.
The practice he founded now has seven retina specialists. "What's really wonderful
is that we are able to help people today we could not have helped before," he says.
Dr. Gutow has seen many advancements in care over the years and regularly
participates in clinical trials. His training at U-M prepared him well, he says. "The
faculty members were accessible, and my fellow residents were first rate. The
residency had a good mix of practical experience and didactic learning."
Retina Associates
Fargo, North Dakota
Completed residency in 1991
Dr. Haynie is at his best "when a
patient presents with something a
little unusual, and I get the time and
opportunity to learn something new,"
he says. His residency at the Kellogg
Eye Center fueled his appreciation for
learning. And because it was his second
residency—the first was in internal medicine—he had a good perspective on what made for a good
experience. "It was very comprehensive," he says. "Not
only did we have good coverage in departments such as
cornea, glaucoma, and retina, but we also had instructors
in disciplines not always available elsewhere, such as
pathology and plastics." Best of all, he says, was the
good will that emanated from faculty. "I always looked
forward to going to work."
Assistant Professor
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Completed residency in 2004
Dr. Houghton's proudest moment in her residency
came when her first phacoemulsification
patient had 20/20 vision the first day
after surgery — and as a clinician, teacher
and researcher, she continues to reach for
excellence. A faculty member at the University
of North Carolina Chapel Hill, she specializes
in vitreoretinal surgery. "My patients come from a
variety of backgrounds, and I appreciate the opportunity to manage
and treat the challenging pathology that academic institutions
attract," she says. Her residency at the Kellogg Eye Center laid the
foundation for her career and opened doors for her because of its
strong reputation. "I have had the right education to be able to
take good care of my patients in the most professional and ethical
manner," she says. "I strive to be as good a teacher and physician
as those who trained me."
Head of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
The Eye Institute, National Healthcare Group
Singapore
Completed fellowship in 2005
Coming from Singapore to Michigan to complete a fellowship
at the Kellogg Eye Center wasn't easy for Dr. Leo because
of paperwork and family ties. But the clinical and surgical
experience she gained made the effort more than worthwhile,
she says. In Singapore, she leads a pediatric ophthalmology
and strabismus service for the National Healthcare Group, a
public health care entity that serves 3 million people. "I enjoy
helping patients, especially the very young ones, who really
depend on the doctor's clinical acumen to diagnose and treat
them," she says. Dr. Leo also holds an academic position at
the National University of Singapore.
Arizona Pediatric Eye Specialists
Mesa, Arizona
Completed residency in 1982
Dr. Pachtman's drive to do his
best for patients has its roots
in Ann Arbor, he says. "We were
encouraged to constantly strive to
provide the highest level of care in
a compassionate and professional
manner." Today the managing partner
of a 9-physician group practice
that specializes in pediatric
ophthalmology and adult strabismus,
Dr. Pachtman is proud that
his practice makes subspecialty
pediatric ophthalmic care easily
accessible to children in Arizona,
regardless of their socioeconomic
or immigration status.
Private practice, Coeur D' Alene Eye Clinic
Coeur D' Alene, Idaho
Completed residency in 1984
The wide range of cases Dr. Parden saw as a resident at U-M prepared him for the variety of patients he has in Coeur D' Alene, a growing community in northern Idaho, and on surgical missions to Mexico, Guatemala, and China. "The most rewarding part of eye practice is the positive impact that we have on our patients’ quality of life," he says. "We also have a tremendous opportunity to help abroad."
Retired
San Diego, California
Completed residency in 1973
Instrumental in establishing the Ukrainian Eye Project after the fall of the Soviet Union, Dr. Selezinka says simply that he was “just doing what I like to do.” With Dr. Selezinka serving as the project's medical director, the 15-year effort has resulted in 500 surgical procedures and has provided more than $2 million of donated ophthalmic surgical supplies, equipment, and medicines as well as invaluable training for Ukrainian physicians in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. It serves as a model for other medical outreach programs.
Associate Professor
Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology and
Adult Strabismus
Residency Director,
University of California Irvine Eye Institute
Completed fellowship in 1999
Restoring or preserving vision in children
has an impact that lasts a lifetime for
patients, and that's extremely rewarding,
says Dr. Simpson. As residency director
at the University of California Irvine
Eye Institute, she is training others to
make that kind of difference as well.
Dr. Simpson credits Kellogg with helping
her build a strong residency program
in her growing department. "Learning in an
environment with such high standards
for patient care, education, and teaching
provided me with a template from which
to build my own academic practice," she
says. In addition to her teaching and
clinical duties, Dr. Simpson's research
involves the evaluation of novel therapeutics
for cystinosis, a rare disease
affecting children's vision.
Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology
Director, Glaucoma Service
Director, Ophthalmology Residency Program
University of Minnesota
Completed residency in 1988
Spending time as a volunteer in India and Nepal just after her residency gave Dr. Wright a perspective that continues to influence her. "It was a wonderful experience in which I learned more than I taught and received more than I gave," she says. Today she especially enjoys establishing relationships with patients and training residents.
Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Pediatrics
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Completed residency in 1999
As a pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Yen participates in a number of NIH -funded clinical trials, including work on retinopathy, amblyopia, nasolacrimalduct obstruction, and congenital cataracts. Her responsibilities include educating residents, fellows, and medical students, helping others achieve their career goals just as faculty members at the Kellogg Eye Center assisted her. "My mentors helped me get where I am today," she says.
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Robert L. Estes, M.D.
Justin L. Gottlieb, M.D.
Gary S. Gutow, M.D.
Gary D. Haynie, M.D.
Odette M. Houghton, M.D.
Seo Wei Leo, M.D.
Michael A. Pachtman, M.D.
Jennifer Simpson, M.D.
