Humphries Symposium Returns in a New Season

The Forum Hotel, Charlottesville, VA

Conway Lecturer, Ula V. Jurkunas, MD. Presents in Physician Program

Dr. Jurkunas

The 42nd Annual Marion K. Humphries, MD, Jr. Symposium took place on March 21, 2026 at the Forum Hotel in Charlottesville, shifting to a spring schedule after the program’s final fall meeting in 2024. After a pause in 2025, the program resumed this year in a new venue, with the physician and technician programs running concurrently throughout the day.

Albert S. Jun, MD, PhD, Vernah Scott Moyston Professor and Chair with Ula V. Jurkunas, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School

Dr. Jun and Dr. Jurkunas

Our invited Brian P. Conway, MD Lecturer, Ula V. Jurkunas, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and Associate Director of Corneal and Refractive Surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, met with UVA residents for a case review the day before the symposium and joined them for dinner that evening. The case review and dinner gave residents time to discuss cases with Dr. Jurkunas outside the formal program. The next day, she presented on environmental influences in the pathogenesis and treatment of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy.

The physician program was led by Albert S. Jun, MD, PhD, Vernah Scott Moyston Professor and Chair, who moderated sessions throughout the day with Bruce E. Prum Jr., MD. Along with departmental updates and invited lectures, the program included presentations from UVA faculty and visiting speakers. Presenters included current chief resident Eleanor M. Burton, MD, and resident alumni James M. Williams, MD (Class of 2025) and Benjamin D. Nicholas, MD (Class of 2022).

Albert S. Jun, MD, PhD with UVA Technician moderators Nikkie Laramy, COA, and Autumn Shifflett, COA

Autumn Shifflett, Nikkie Laramy, and Dr. Jun

The Humphries Technician Program, moderated by UVA technicians Nikkie Laramy, COA, and Autumn Shifflett, COA, offered a full day of continuing education for ophthalmic technicians from across Virginia. The program included 13 presentations from UVA faculty and residents, with a presentation by Conway Lecturer, Ula V. Jurkunas, MD.

We were pleased with strong attendance across both programs, with networking and conversations continuing during breaks and lunch. With ten vendors supporting the symposium, the exhibit hall also remained active throughout the day.

In our first spring meeting and our first year at the Forum Hotel, the Humphries Symposium resumed with the same combination of lectures, discussion, and informal exchange that continues to bring people together across the program.