When the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine opened in the fall of 1925, there were two ophthalmology residents: Cecil Bagley, M.D., and Angus MacLean, M.D. After spending a few years as a general surgery assistant resident, Bagley was appointed senior resident by William Wilmer, M.D. Known as a skilled surgeon and a tactful teacher, Bagley in 1926 performed the first cataract extraction at the institute. During MacLean’s second year as senior resident, he spearheaded a new rotation model that enhanced the clinical and surgical aspects of the residency program. After leaving Wilmer, both Bagley and MacLean led distinguished careers and were regarded as two of the foremost leaders in the field of ophthalmology.

With a nod to the past, Wilmer commends the phenomenal 2025 class of ophthalmology residents who completed the program last month. As interns, the class of 2025 was the first cohort of trainees in the Integrated Internship in Ophthalmology Program, which provides incoming residents with an early clinical experience in ophthalmology. As residents, they learned the importance of patient advocacy, sought to push the boundaries of innovation by advancing patient care and delivered vision-saving care from the clinic to the operating room — all while being mentored and trained by leading experts in the field.

Nur Cardakli, M.D.

What is something you learned at Wilmer?

There are quite literally hundreds of things I could mention, but I think the mentality at Wilmer stands out. Dr. Harry Quigley once told me and a more senior resident in the operating room that our job, “wasn’t to follow the standard of care, but to set the standard of care.” I think that really speaks to the universal culture at Wilmer of seeking excellence and pushing boundaries to innovate and advance patient care.

What most impressed you about Wilmer?

The people, of course! Working with mentors who are phenomenal clinicians and prolific researchers, yet also are extremely passionate about trainee education and mentorship, was a huge reason why I wanted to stay at Wilmer for residency training in the first place, and I haven’t been disappointed. Our faculty involved in resident education are simply wonderful clinical and surgical educators, mentors and advocates.

What was your best experience at Wilmer?

It’s so difficult to pick a “best” experience. About halfway through this year, I remember sitting in the operating room in between cases on a packed resident cataract day and feeling so much gratitude for the opportunity to learn cataract surgery, glaucoma and the whole of clinical and surgical ophthalmology from mentors who are truly giants in their fields, yet who are so invested in resident education and mentorship. It’s not really a singular experience, but more so an appreciation for the people here.

What’s next for you?

I’m thrilled to be staying at Wilmer for my glaucoma fellowship and I envision a career as an academic glaucoma specialist.

What are you most looking forward to while staying at Wilmer?

Continuing to learn from dedicated and passionate mentors and colleagues.

Chris Cho, M.D., Ph.D.

What is something you learned at Wilmer?

Find something that really excites you, and spend the rest of your career doing it. 

What most impressed you about Wilmer?

From the outside, I think Wilmer may come across like this big, grand, daunting place, but really, the people who make up this institution are some of the most kind, thoughtful and generous individuals I have ever met. Specifically, I have been most impressed by (and most grateful for) the faculty at Wilmer who have been our biggest advocates, both personally and professionally. 

What was your best experience at Wilmer?

One of my most fulfilling experiences has been the continuity of patient care over the past three years. As a PGY-2 resident, we encounter some of the most vulnerable and sick patients while on call in the Johns Hopkins emergency department. These patients, many of whom are uninsured and/or underserved, find a safety net in our supervised resident clinic. Over the years, that very special patient-doctor relationship continues to develop, as we treat their ophthalmologic conditions both medically and surgically. As we now say our “goodbyes” at the end of residency, it has been truly heartwarming to see how far our patients have come along.

What’s next for you?

I will be staying at Wilmer as the 2025–2027 oculofacial plastic surgery fellow.

What are you most looking forward to while staying at Wilmer?

I look forward to continuing to be immersed in the Wilmer culture of excellence.

Anupam Garg, M.D., Ph.D.

What is something you learned at Wilmer?

Getting to work with patients longitudinally in our resident clinic taught me the importance of advocating for our patients and providing the best care possible. Our program provides us the opportunity to work with the same patients over the course of our training, which allows us to build and maintain a bond with our patients. This was an extremely educational experience but more importantly it was also rewarding to get to know our patients and I am grateful for the opportunity.

What most impressed you about Wilmer?

The people. All my favorite and most memorable experiences have been the interactions with everyone at Wilmer. My co-residents, faculty, staff and the patients at Wilmer have made my residency experience special and rewarding and make Wilmer an incredible place to train.

What was your best experience at Wilmer?

My best experiences were getting to learn together with my amazing co-residents, chiefs of service, and working with our patients. It was incredible to train at a place with residency, staff and faculty who are experts in their field.

What’s next for you?

I will be staying at Wilmer for medical and surgical retina fellowship!

What are you most looking forward to while staying at Wilmer?

I am so excited that several of my co-residents will be staying as well. I look forward to continuing to learn from our outstanding faculty mentors with the close friends I have made during residency.

Shahriyar Majidi, M.D., Ph.D.

What is something you learned at Wilmer?

I strongly believe that in every moment — even the outwardly mundane — there is a learning opportunity, particularly if one is deeply engaged and curious. The countless enriching moments during my Wilmer residency have made for a truly formative experience, for which I am very grateful. At the beginning of residency, it was challenging to imagine that I would develop into as confident an ophthalmic clinician and surgeon as I have become while at Wilmer. Therefore, one of my major takeaways from my Wilmer residency experience and my unsolicited advice to trainees, is that one should never underestimate one’s potential to grow and transform while striving for excellence. 

What most impressed you about Wilmer?

I have thoroughly enjoyed learning from Wilmer faculty who are committed to continuing the deeply ingrained Wilmer tradition of residency mentorship and teaching. Moreover, this emphasis on mentorship has attracted a truly exceptional cohort of residents, from whom I have also learned a great deal while serving alongside them.

What was your best experience at Wilmer?

As I conclude my resident continuity clinic, I find immense satisfaction in discharging my long-term patients to their local eye care provider. It is deeply rewarding to witness their transformation from the initial emergency department encounter to full stabilization in my clinic. Altogether, it has been a true privilege to accompany my patients during a critical portion of their eye health journey.

What’s next for you?

I am looking forward to starting my glaucoma fellowship here at Wilmer!

What are you most looking forward to while staying at Wilmer?

Learning from the outstanding glaucoma faculty at Wilmer while continuing to serve the East Baltimore community in a new capacity at the resident continuity clinic.

Mohima Sanyal, M.D.

What is something you learned at Wilmer?

At Wilmer, I learned invaluable lessons in diagnosing and managing diverse, complex ophthalmologic conditions, but perhaps the most impactful thing I learned during my time here is the profound importance of building trust with patients, advocating for optimal care and resources and ensuring continuity of care. The opportunity to follow patients longitudinally and address their evolving needs has been a unique and powerful experience that has made me feel truly at home in ophthalmology.

What most impressed you about Wilmer?

The exceptional commitment of Wilmer’s faculty, staff and trainees has been a continual source of inspiration. I was immensely fortunate to be mentored by pioneering experts across subspecialties. Despite their extensive patient care, research and educational responsibilities, they have consistently invested in my development and my clinical, surgical and research skills. I am deeply grateful for the lifelong relationships we formed here, and I am looking forward to staying connected with these mentors throughout my career.

What was your best experience at Wilmer?

My most meaningful experiences have come from building trust with patients, collaborating with my colleagues and delivering vision-saving care both clinically and surgically. I am deeply grateful for Wilmer’s emphasis on serving patients who may not otherwise receive the care they need, and for the opportunities I’ve had to help bridge social, financial and logistical barriers to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care.

What’s next for you?

I am excited to begin my glaucoma fellowship at Duke Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina this July!

What will you miss about Wilmer?

The people, from my wonderful co-residents to our chiefs, faculty and OR/clinic staff. Wilmer is a family of brilliant, kind, thoughtful individuals who consistently go above and beyond to support and uplift everyone around them.

Learn more about the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Ophthalmology Residency Program.