Currently, there are 23 members of Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine Faculty who are alumni of Wilmer's ophthalmic residency program. They span many different generations and decades, serve as experts and leaders in their respective fields and are instrumental in cultivating and mentoring the next generation of ophthalmologists. We asked them about their time as residents and how it has contributed to their careers.
1960s
Morton F. Goldberg, M.D. (1966), Assistant Chief of service (ACS) (1967) — Retina
5th Director, Wilmer Eye Institute
Joseph Green Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
The program was recommended to me by the eye department chairman at Harvard University.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
The program was outstandingly educational and enjoyable.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
Go for it!! I have never met an unhappy ophthalmologist! Ophthalmology is the Queen of medical specialties.
1970s
Harry A. Quigley, M.D. (1975) — Glaucoma
A. Edward Maumenee Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
Dr. Maumenee sought out Hopkins med students to develop our interest in ophthalmology. Two of my older student friends were having a great time doing research in Wilmer.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
Amazing, developed independent clinical thinking, had wonderful co-residents, did research despite a busy schedule.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
Take advantage of faculty mentorship instead of spending so much time asking fellows for clinical advice. Learn how to read primary clinical and research literature and do so, rather than simply memorizing the BCSC books. Think about the entire patient and get to know who they are. Become part of the research team, even if you are not becoming an academic.
David L. Guyton, M.D. (1976), ACS (1978) — Pediatric Ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus
Zanvyl Krieger Professor of Pediatric Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
Dr. Ed Maumenee, then Chairman of Wilmer Eye Institute, had interest in the automated refracting instrument that I had invented and built as a medical student. Also, my uncle Jack S. Guyton was a Wilmer resident and faculty member, so Wilmer was already “in my blood.”
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
Hard work but very good. I resented the time that the Wilmer Skit took at first, but with the camaraderie that that created, I became something of a skit animal and videotaped the Wilmer Skits for the next 15 years.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
Find an area that excites you, one where you can make a difference, and self-study to become a super-specialist in that area, if you wish to leave a legacy. But be careful – if you chose an area that others are not interested in, you will quickly become the local expert in that area – so be sure it is an area where you can grow and be happy!
Alternatively, a career in teaching across a broad swath in ophthalmology can be quite rewarding, especially if you may wish to be a chairman of a program in the future.
1980s
Henry D. Jampel, M.D. (1986) — Glaucoma
Odd Fellows Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
My father, who was an ophthalmologist, told me I should go to Wilmer if I could get in. I ranked it first.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
There were some tough moments, but overall a great time. The camaraderie was terrific.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
Soak it all in. Learn from your peers. Make sure that you take some time for yourself.
Peter J. McDonnell, M.D. (1986), ACS (1988) — Cornea, Cataract, External Eye Disease
Director, Wilmer Eye Institute
William Holland Wilmer Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
Although I never considered a career in ophthalmology prior to arriving here for medical school, I was impressed and inspired when I met Wilmer faculty during my clinical rotation. They obviously loved their work, were able to make their patients’ lives better and were wonderful and dedicated teachers. I also observed that the Wilmer residents took pride in their work and had a great esprit de corps.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
Particularly in the first (PGY-2) year, I found the residency challenging and tiring. There was so much to learn! But with my Chief Residents and faculty looking out for me, plus a great group of fellow residents always willing to help, I was able to make it through. I found that the nascent field of refractive surgery appealed enormously to me as an area in which innovation might be able to dramatically improve how we cared for patients, and ultimately focused my career in that area after residency.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
Take advantage of the opportunity to be exposed to all the different specialty areas and work closely with your faculty during the different rotations. Then, when you find the particular field of ophthalmology that most excites you, you can do what you love and have a long and satisfying career helping your patients.
2000s
Pradeep Ramulu, M.D., Ph.D. (2006) — Glaucoma
Chief, Glaucoma Division
Sheila K. West Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
The best faculty.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
Loved the independence and the spirit of discovery.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
While there is a lot to learn clinically, try to imbibe all Wilmer has to offer — its research, spirit of collaboration, and innovation. Sometimes in a busy clinical life, these essential aspects that make Wilmer what it is can be missed.
Divya Srikumaran, M.D. (2009) — Cornea, Cataract, External Eye Disease
Vice Chair of Education, Wilmer Eye Institute
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
I always wanted to come to the world-famous johns Hopkins since I was little, and then when I had the opportunity to rotate as a medical student at Wilmer Eye Institute I had the opportunity to see firsthand just how unique and special Wilmer was, with the super-dedicated faculty with excellence in teaching, research and patient care.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
I have many fond memories of my time training as a resident and building bonds with my fellow residents, fellows and faculty.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
Take advantage of all of the available opportunities to see as many patients as possible to enhance your clinical skills and experience while you still are under the safety umbrella of a training program.
2010s
Fasika A. Woreta, M.D., M.P.H. (2011), ACS (2014) — Cornea, Cataract, External Eye Disease
Eugene de Juan, M.D. Professor of Ophthalmic Education
Director, Ophthalmology Residency Program
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
Wilmer Eye Institute was #1 choice for residency. The world class faculty teaching and mentorship and diversity of the patients we serve are some of the many reasons it was my top choice.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
Residency at Wilmer was an incredible experience, which helped serve the basis for my career as an educator. Many of the dedicated faculty who served as mentors to me are still at Wilmer, and their dedication to trainees is what inspired me to become a residency program director.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
My advice for future ophthalmology residents is that the 4 years of residency fly by, so learn all you can while being the biggest advocate for your patients who are your best teachers.
Jefferson James Doyle, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., Ph.D., M.H.S. (2017), Co-ACS (2019) — Pediatric Ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus, Genetic Eye Disease
Andreas C. Dracopoulos and Daniel Finkelstein M.D. Rising Professor of Ophthalmology
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
Ultimately, you are a product of your training environment. At Wilmer, you are surrounded by phenomenal faculty and amazing co-residents, both ahead of you and following closely behind. The quality of the training you receive is therefore excellent, and you are continuously pushed on a daily basis to improve yourself and to make you a better physician and surgeon.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
It was as good as I had hoped it would be when I applied. One of my favorite aspects was the continuity clinic we had for all three years, where we built our own patient relationships that sometimes lasted for several years. It was a hugely valuable experience and one of the most enjoyable aspects of it that served me so well as I matriculated on to the next stage of training.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
Take every opportunity you can. Your training will go quickly, and some of the patient and professional relationships you take with you will be invaluable.
Thomas V. Johnson III, M.D., Ph.D. (2018), ACS (2020) — Glaucoma
Shelley and Allan Holt Rising Professor of Ophthalmology
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
I think the most exceptional quality of the Wilmer Eye Institute is that so many of its faculty are not only world-class clinicians and scientists, but also that they are incredibly dedicated to teaching and mentorship of trainees. This is what makes Wilmer such an outstanding environment for residents.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
I had an incredible experience as a resident. I learned clinical ophthalmology and surgery from the world’s leaders in the field while also being stimulated on a daily basis to not simply learn facts but to consider what we don’t know and how applied clinical and translational research can help answer unknown questions and develop new therapies to help our patients.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
Recognize that learning does not end with residency or fellowship. Being an exceptional physician is about life-long learning and constant reflection, adaptation and self-improvement.
Sophie Cai, M.D. (2019), ACS (2022) — Retina
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
What attracted you to the Wilmer Eye Institute residency program?
The opportunity to take care of patients longitudinally and truly be their doctor from day one of residency, plus the unique way that the Wilmer ACS and residency clinic model lead to a team-based approach to patient care.
How was your experience as a Wilmer resident?
I loved my residency experience. I learned so much from my patients, co-residents and faculty, and can't think of a better place to have learned to become an ophthalmologist.
What advice would you give to future ophthalmology residents?
Being a doctor and especially a surgeon is very rewarding but also challenging. Learn as much as you can, but do not be afraid if you find that there is always much more you do not know. Ask questions and read broadly. Pay attention to ergonomics and health habits - these will allow you to continue to love what you do for as long as you can. Remember that the friendships you make during residency will last a lifetime.
Current Notable Faculty Once-Residents:
1980s
Douglas A. Jabs, M.D., M.B.A., M.S. (1981) — Ocular Immunology
Joint Appointment in Ophthalmology
1990s
Elia Junyat Duh, M.D. (1999) — Retina
A. Edward and G. Britton Durell Professor of Ophthalmology
2000s
Albert S. Jun, M.D., Ph.D. (2001), ACS (2004) — Cornea, Cataract, External Eye Disease
Chief, Cornea, Cataract and External Eye Diseases Division
Walter J. Stark, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology
Akrit Singh Sodhi, M.D., Ph.D. (2008) — Retina
The Branna and Irving Sisenwein Professor of Ophthalmology
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
2010s
Shameema Sidker, M.D. (2010), ACS (2012) — Cornea, Cataract, External Eye Disease
L. Douglas Lee and Barbara Levinson-Lee Professor of Ophthalmology
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Adam S. Wenick, M.D., Ph.D. (2010) — Retina
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Bryn M. Burkholder, M.D. (2011) — Ocular Immunology
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Allen O. Eghrari, M.D., M.P.H. (2013) — Cornea, Cataract, External Eye Disease
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Fatemeh Rajaii, M.D., Ph.D. (2013) — Oculoplastics & Reconstructive Surgery
Odd Fellows Rising Professor of Ophthalmology
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Mira Sachdeva, M.D., Ph.D. (2014), ACS (2017) — Retina
Wilmer Rising Professor in Ophthalmology
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
T.Y. Alvin Liu, M.D. (2016) — Retina
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Jithin Yohannan, M.D., M.P.H. (2017), Co-ACS (2019) — Glaucoma
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Cindy X. Cai, M.D. (2018) — Retina
Jonathan and Marcia Javitt Rising Professor of Ophthalmology
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology