These five incredible young people have spent the past three years as residents at Wilmer, learning and developing their skills and talents. Now, as they prepare for the next chapter in their careers, we asked them to share with us what they learned, where they’re headed and the lessons they’ll take with them when they go.
Inas Aboobakar
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
Many important clinical pearls, including 1) The endothelium is NOT your third instrument; 2) Aqueous misdirection is a silly term; and 3) Always check inside a patient’s mouth! :-)
What most impressed you about Wilmer?
The incredible dedication of the faculty, many of whom are leaders in their respective subspecialties, to the resident clinical and surgical experience, as well as research endeavors.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
The surgical experience, especially the depth and breadth of complex cataract and anterior segment cases done as a third-year.
What’s next for you?
I will be going to Mass Eye and Ear for a glaucoma fellowship. Subsequently, I hope to pursue a clinician scientist career path.
What will you miss about Wilmer?
The people!
Narine Viruni
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
Inspired by my colleagues and faculty, I am determined to challenge myself to become a lifelong learner.
What is the thing that impressed you most about Wilmer?
I was impressed by how approachable and available our faculty make themselves to the residents, despite being incredibly busy. They are dedicated to teaching, mentorship, and advocating on our behalf.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
Aside from great training, some of the best experiences at Wilmer were finding mentors and creating lifelong friendships.
What’s next for you?
I will be pursuing a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at Wilmer.
What will you miss about Wilmer?
I am very fortunate to stay at Wilmer for a few more years to complete my fellowship, but I will miss working with my co-residents, regularly attending grand rounds, and seeing my resident clinic patients.
Tracy Krick
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
I learned that you should always look in a patient's mouth in an ophthalmology clinic (thanks to Dr. Knox), that a garage can be the center of ophthalmologic inventions (thanks to Dr. Guyton), and that it is possible to be an amazing clinician, researcher, mentor, and family member all at the same time (thanks to Dr. Bressler).
What most impressed you about Wilmer?
I am impressed by how everyone at Wilmer, from the chairman to the most world-renowned and experienced professor, treats learners with respect. They do not hesitate to spend time to teach, advise, discuss ideas, or just hang out with the residents.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
Learning from and getting to know the faculty at Wilmer was the best experience.
What’s next for you?
I'll be completing a cornea fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic.
What will you miss about Wilmer?
I'm going to miss all the amazing faculty, residents, and staff at Wilmer.
Kapil Mishra
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
When I was a first-year resident, the last case presented at Wilmer Grand Rounds had just finished. It was a case of severe uveitis with impressive pathology, and the severity of the case and exam findings certainly left an impression on the audience. As the other first-year residents and I sat for a moment while the rest of the audience got up from their chairs to resume their day, Dr. Morton Goldberg, former director of the Wilmer Eye Institute, came up to us and said, "Isn't it amazing how sick the eye can be?" Those words have stuck with me throughout residency, as I have pursued learning this complex organ and the breadth of disease to which it succumbs. Wilmer has taught me to never give up on a disease, look for solutions and treat the patient (not just the eye).
What most impressed you about Wilmer?
Without a doubt, the faculty. They are Renaissance people, excelling in all facets both within and outside of ophthalmology. It is motivating seeing someone excel in research, teaching, and patient care without compromising quality.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
My first cataract surgery with Dr. Shameema Sikder. She guided me through the case, and although cataract surgery is one of the most difficult dexterous tasks I have had to learn, I always felt safe and in control with her next to me. It was gratifying that the patient did well, and it fortified my interest in intraocular surgery.
What’s next for you?
I will be joining the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University as a vitreoretinal surgical fellow.
What will you miss about Wilmer?
I will miss my co-residents, the faculty and the staff. I have been fortunate to learn and interact with the most admirable group of people who want to cure blindness.
Jenny (Jiawei) Zhao
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
I learned that dedicated mentorship from faculty is critical in helping us build the foundation for a successful career in ophthalmology.
What most impressed you about Wilmer?
I am most impressed by our institute’s history of excellence and innovation.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
One of the best experiences at Wilmer is attending our weekly Grand Rounds, with its thought-provoking conversations and frequently entertaining faculty banter.
What’s next for you?
I will be heading to MD Anderson for a 2-year fellowship in oculoplastic surgery.
What will you miss about Wilmer?
I will miss the brilliant faculty, our amazing program director, helpful support staff, and my co-residents.