Departmental Achievements
Faculty Promotions
In July 2025, the faculty members listed below were promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, marking another step forward in our mission to provide exceptional care, train future ophthalmologists, and advance discovery.
- Arjun Dirghangi, MD, MHS
- Arthi G. Venkat, MD, MS
- Tara W. McGehee, MD
Debbie Perry
Awards and Recognition
- Debbie Perry Honored with Inaugural Resident Advocate Award.
On June 13, 2025, as we celebrated the 2025 graduates from the Department of Ophthalmology training programs, the Debbie Perry Resident Advocate Award was presented. With continuous service over more than three decades, Debbie Perry was recognized as the inaugural recipient of this award, reflecting her deep commitment to resident success and well-being. Going forward, the award will annually recognize outstanding support and advocacy for ophthalmology residents.
Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati
Awards and Recognition
- Research featured by HealthCentral:
Could an Oral HIV Drug Treat DME?
Coverage highlights Ambati Lab’s ongoing investigation into HIV medications as possible therapies for diabetic macular edema.
Dr. Michael Cusick
Awards and Recognition
- Awarded the 2025 Clarkson Quality Improvement Award by the
American Board of Ophthalmology
and the
American Academy of Ophthalmology
for the project, “Implementation of an Electronic Medical Record Best Practice Advisory Alert to Improve Screening for Hydroxychloroquine Retinal Toxicity.” - Mentor in the
Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP)
— Summer 2025.
Research Presentations
- Assessing the Diagnostic Capabilities of ChatGPT-4 Omni in Grading Diabetic Retinopathy Fundoscopy Using Color Fundus Photographs
Presented by UVA medical student Sai Samayamanthula at
ARVO,
May 2025. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick. - Geographic Patterns in Public Demand and Supply for Retinal Procedures in U.S. States: A Google Trends Analysis
Presented by UVA medical student Sai Samayamanthula at
ASRS,
July 2025. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick. - Characteristics of Pediatric Eye-Related Emergency Department Visits at the University of Virginia
Presented by UVA medical student Cynthia Wan at the
Women in Ophthalmology Summer Symposium,
August 2025. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick. - Implementation of a Best Practice Advisory to Improve Screening for Hydroxychloroquine Retinal Toxicity
Presented by Dr. Eleanor M. Burton (PGY-4) at
ARVO,
May 2025. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick. - Demographic Variations in Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes in Patients with Retinal Detachments
Presented by Dr. Ryan T. Duong (PGY-4) at
VSEPS,
June 2025 — Outstanding Resident Poster Award. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick. Also presented by Dr. Tuyet-Minh Tran (PGY-1) at
ASRS,
July 2025. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick. - Assessment of Blood Pressure in Diabetic Patients in Ophthalmic Clinics
Presented by Dr. James Williams (Resident, 2021–2025) at
VSEPS,
June 2025 and at
ARVO,
May 2025. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick. - Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Eye-Related Diagnosis in the Emergency Department at an Academic Safety-Net Health System
Presented by Dr. Taylor Gemperline (Resident, 2021–2025) at
VSEPS,
June 2025. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick.
Dr. Bradley D. Gelfand
Awards and Recognition
- Featured in the UVA School of Medicine’s
“Research in Motion” video series.
Introduced as: “Bradley D. Gelfand, PhD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, investigates the causes and treatments for retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration.”
Dr. Chelsea Johnson
Awards and Recognition
- Nominated for UVA Health’s 2025 Exceptional Advanced Practice Provider Award.
Dr. Chelsea Johnson was nominated by the department for UVA Health’s
Exceptional Advanced Practice Provider Award, which honors clinicians who exemplify excellence in clinical practice, professionalism, and compassionate service, consistently going above and beyond in their role.
Dr. Shannath L. Merbs
Awards and Recognition
- Awarded the
2025 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award
by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nominated by
ASOPRS. - Named AAO Councilor for the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (
ASOPRS ). - Awarded NIH U01 grant funding as subcontractor for project, “Maximizing Outcomes of Repeat Trichiasis Surgery Performed by Integrated Eye Care Workers,”
April 2025.
Dr. Shao-Bin Wang
Awards and Recognition
- Selected as Associate Editor for Eye Open, a journal of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (UK). His appointment reflects his growing international impact in ophthalmic research.
Publications
- Co-author on
study published in Molecular Psychiatry:
“Complement C3/C3aR-PF4 axis as a potential therapeutic target for preventing age-related perioperative neurocognitive decline.”
Dr. Ryan T. Duong (PGY-4)
Awards and Recognition
- Awarded the Outstanding Resident Poster Award for
Demographic Variations in Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes in Patients with Retinal Detachments
at
VSEPS
2025.
Research Presentations
- Demographic Variations in Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes in Patients with Retinal Detachments
Presented at
VSEPS,
June 2025. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick.
Dr. Samuel D. Levant (PGY-4)
Community Engagement
- Invited by the Department of Internal Medicine to give a lecture on “Ophthalmology for the Non-Ophthalmologist” to UVA Internal Medicine residents in
August 2025.
Dr. Sedona F. Rosenberg (PGY-3)
Community Engagement
- Invited by the Department of Internal Medicine to give a lecture on “Ophthalmology for the Non-Ophthalmologist” to UVA Internal Medicine residents in
July 2025.
Dr. Tuyet-Minh Tran (PGY-1)
Awards and Recognition
- Featured in the
July 11, 2025
UVA Health Update for appearing on the Academic Medicine podcast:
Incorporating Art into Medical Education – The Artist’s Perspective.
Research Presentations
- Demographic Variations in Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes in Patients with Retinal Detachments
Presented at
ASRS,
July 2025. Mentored by Dr. Michael Cusick.