Summer Message from the Chair
Welcome to the Summer 2023 edition of the Department of Ophthalmology Insight Newsletter. The entire newsletter is available here.
The research spotlight in this issue shines on Ricky Wang, PhD, George and Martina Kren Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology Research and Professor of Ophthalmology and Bioengineering, who has been selected as the 2023 UW Medicine Inventor of the Year, the school’s highest honor for innovation. The Inventor of the Year Award recognizes a UW researcher whose work has the potential to radically improve healthcare through the translation of research from the bench, with industry partnerships, to products or processes with significant impacts on health.
Ricky’s work in ophthalmology and bioengineering has been transformational, including the development of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography, a technique in which blood flow can be measured in all blood vessels in the eye non-invasively. This technique is now a standard testing modality in ophthalmology offices worldwide. He has also collaborated with Professor of Ophthalmology and Graham and Brenda Siddall Endowed Chair Tueng Shen, MD, PhD, on developing an OCT-based method to measure the cornea's structural integrity. Ricky is a beloved colleague in our department, and we are so proud to see him receive this honor.
In our patient care feature, you will learn about the work of one of our newest faculty members, Assistant Professor Miel Sundararajan, MD, a specialist in both cornea and uveitis who also leads our community outreach efforts. Last month Miel and Eye Institute staff performed vision testing of athletes at the Special Olympics in Tacoma. Our residents and fellows have joined her at other community health clinics throughout the Seattle area.
The Bishop Foundation has been a critical supporter of the department for many years, including the support of Bishop Professor Jay Neitz, PhD. Learn more about the Bishop Foundation in this spotlight on philanthropy.
Finally, in our education spotlight, our 49th annual Resident Alumni Day was held on June 17 with keynote speaker Kuldev Singh, MD, PhD of Stanford University, followed later that evening by our graduation honoring an outstanding group of departing fellows and residents.
Please visit our newly redesigned website at ophthalmology.washington.edu for more news and updates.
We hope you enjoy our summer update!
Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD, Professor and Boyd K. Bucey Chair, UW Medicine Department of Ophthalmology