In this occasional series, we check in on alumni of Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine ophthalmology residency program to see what they’ve been up to since graduating.

Dante Pieramici, M.D., 1995

An honors graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dante Pieramici was subsequently accepted into Wilmer’s residency program, and graduated in 1995. He returned to the institute a year later to serve as assistant chief of service, guiding and mentoring residents. Pieramici says the residency experience was challenging but very rewarding in that it fundamentally formed his career as a clinician and research scientist. “The challenges, failures and successes during residency prepared me to meet the challenges and demands of a clinician-scientist,” he says. “My mentors during residency provided examples of how to embrace innovation in the kind and careful care of patients with serious medical and ocular diseases.”

A clinical research scientist and vitreoretinal surgeon, Pieramici is a managing partner at California Retina Consultants and the medical director of clinical research at the California Retina Research Foundation. Currently, his research is focused on creating a novel drug delivery system for retinal vascular diseases. Among many honors and awards, Pieramici received an Honor Award from the American Society of Retinal Specialists and an Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is a member of many ophthalmological organizations, including the Macula Society, the Retina Society and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

What advice would he give to ophthalmology residents? “Take the time to really get to know the faculty at the Wilmer Eye Institute,” he says. “Their mentorship and friendship will serve you throughout your career, no matter where you end up or what you end up doing.”