Brian P. Conway, MD
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Brian P. Conway has completed his remarkable tenure with the UVA Department of Ophthalmology after more than four decades of service. Known for his surgical skill, dedication to resident education, and unwavering commitment to patient care, Dr. Conway leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shape the department for years to come.
When Dr. Conway arrived at UVA in 1978, the department was a much smaller operation with no full-time faculty and a residency program dependent on visiting instructors. Over his 30 years as department chair, Dr. Conway expanded the faculty, enhanced resident training, and maintained a strong focus on education. His approach to leadership was unconventional — rather than detailed strategic planning, he relied on instinct and responsiveness. “If there’s a need, I’ll fill it,” recalled Leslie A. Olsakovsky, MD, a former resident and now Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, summarizing his guiding principle. Despite this unorthodox style, his ability to spot talented physicians and recruit them to UVA created a thriving environment for both patient care and education.
Dr. Conway’s passion for resident education defined his career. He ensured residents had ample surgical experience and was a tireless advocate for their growth. Early in his tenure, he established a Resident Education Fund, using faculty billing revenues to ensure residents could attend conferences and expand their training. His commitment to strengthening educational resources was evident throughout his career. Reflecting on his motivations, Dr. Conway explained, “I always felt that if you give residents the tools they need, they’ll rise to the occasion. I’ve always believed in giving people a chance, even if they came from unexpected places.” Supporting their education, he believed, was the best investment he could make.
He took pride in UVA’s global impact, recalling that “several of our fellows went on to lead departments around the world.’ This international influence was one of the highlights of his career, and he spoke fondly of the fellows he mentored who now lead institutions worldwide. ‘We took some chances on fellows from overseas,’ Dr. Conway recalled. ‘They were some of the sharpest minds I’ve ever worked with.’ Now as a lead donor for the department’s Surgical Training Simulator, Dr. Conway once again invested in future generations by ensuring residents had access to advanced training tools. Colleagues recall that his efforts were never about recognition — for Dr. Conway, these investments were simply about ensuring that residents were equipped with the best resources to succeed.
In the operating room, Dr. Conway was calm and adaptable. Those who worked with him noted his remarkable ability to remain composed no matter what challenges arose. Dr. Olsakovsky recalls an early moment in her training when a surgical block she administered resulted in a significant hemorrhage — a complication that often leads to canceled surgeries. “He just calmly moved me out of the way, applied pressure, and said, ‘No big deal.’ Then he completed the surgery flawlessly,” she recalled. It was characteristic of Dr. Conway’s approach — steady, patient, and always focused on the best outcome for his patients and his residents.
Though known for his surgical skill, Dr. Conway’s mentorship deeply impacted those who trained under him. His support extended well beyond the clinic. Dr. Olsakovsky recalls that during her early years in faculty practice, Dr. Conway would frequently reassure patients who were hesitant about having a female surgeon. “When I need cataract surgery, she’s the one I want doing it,” he would say confidently, leaving a lasting impression on both patients and colleagues.
Dr. Conway’s dedication to patient care was unwavering. Whether covering a weekend emergency or traveling between clinics, he consistently placed patients above personal time. Even after stepping down as department chair and entering private practice, Dr. Conway found himself drawn back to UVA. “I knew almost immediately that I’d made the wrong choice,” he admitted. “I missed the residents, the energy, the constant learning — I just couldn’t stay away.” Private practice’s focus on revenue and business metrics did not sit well with him, and he quickly returned to the department. Declining a full faculty salary, he made clear that his return was motivated not by compensation but by a desire to remain engaged in the work and community he valued most.
His colleagues knew retirement never came easily to Dr. Conway. As his most recent retirement approached, he considered reentering clinical work when a colleague departed. Ultimately, he decided it was time to step back — hopefully for good this time, though those who know him wouldn’t be surprised if he shows up in clinic with a white coat and a to-do list. Even in stepping away, his dedication to UVA’s residents remained evident. Reflecting on this transition, Dr. Conway joked, “I’m not sure I’m very good at retiring,” before adding more sincerely, “It was hard to say goodbye, but I knew the department was in good hands. The important thing is that UVA Ophthalmology keeps thriving.”
While Dr. Conway’s surgical skills and leadership were widely recognized, his greatest legacy lives on in the people he trained and mentored — many of whom are now prominent physicians and leaders in ophthalmology worldwide. ‘Several of our fellows went on to lead departments around the world,’ Dr. Conway reflected. ‘That’s what makes me most proud — knowing that what we built here has spread far beyond Charlottesville.’ His humility remained constant throughout his career. ‘I never put my name on anything,’ he once remarked. ‘I just wanted to be remembered as a good doctor and a good teacher.’ In fact, the Brian P. Conway Visiting Lectureship was not initiated by him, but by a trainee who sought to honor his influence and ensure continued support for resident education well into the future. With a career that influenced hundreds of residents and faculty members, Dr. Conway’s impact on ophthalmology — and the UVA Department of Ophthalmology — will endure for generations.