The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences celebrated its graduating residents, fellows, optometry residents, faculty, and award recipients during the 2026 Graduation Awards Ceremony held on Saturday, June 20. The annual event recognized the achievements of trainees and faculty while celebrating the department’s commitment to excellence in patient care, education, research, and mentorship.
Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI, welcomed graduates, faculty, families, and guests before presenting faculty teaching awards, milestone recognitions, trainee awards, and honoring the department’s newest graduates.
Honoring Excellence in Education and Mentorship
Faculty members were recognized for their outstanding commitment to education through the department’s annual teaching awards:
- Academic Teacher of the Year: Erin Sieck, MD
- Clinical Teacher of the Year: Nicole Lowrey, MD, PhD
- Research Teacher of the Year: Carla Siegfried, MD
The department also recognized volunteer faculty for significant years of service:
- William Becker – 35 years
- Bruce Cohen – 40 years
- Shipla Thornton – 20 years
Celebrating Outstanding Trainees
Several fellows, residents, and medical students were honored for excellence in research, education, clinical care, and leadership.
Fellow Award
- “Golden Apple” Award: Arjun Merchant, MD
Resident Awards
- Ron Burde “Good Egg” Award: Alexandra Zdonczyk, MD
- Rosenbaum Research Award: Raj Mahal, MD
- Dr. James Song and Linda Duan-Song Award for Clinical and Surgical Excellence: John Wilson, MD
- Doris P. and Harry I. Wexler Prize: John Wilson, MD and Jason Zhang, MD
- Mat Guirgis Award: Jessica Sun, MD
- Morton E. Smith Excellence in Medical Student Education Award: Jessica Sun, MD
Medical Student Awards
- Max & Evelyn Grand Prize: Blake Katsev
- Dr. William Ellis Research Prize in Ophthalmology: Alisha Dhallan
Recognizing the Class of 2026
The ceremony celebrated graduates completing clinical fellowships, residency training, and the optometry residency program as they begin the next stage of their careers.
Clinical Fellowship Graduates
Cornea, External Disease, & Refractive Surgery
- MariMac Collins, MD – Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates (Charlotte, NC)
- Jillian Liu, MD, PhD
Anterior Segment & Glaucoma Surgery
- Benjamin Katz, MD – Midwest Center for Sight (Des Plaines, IL)
- Sharon Sabapathypillai, MD – WashU Medicine (St. Louis, MO)
Retina
- Arjun Merchant, MD – South Coast Retina Center (Los Angeles, CA)
- Georgia Wilke, MD, PhD – Midwest Eye Care (Omaha, NE)
Oculoplastics
- Christine Ryu, MD – Eye Health Northwest (Portland, OR)
Chief of Ophthalmic Trauma
- Gregory Bligard, MD, PhD – WashU Medicine (St. Louis, MO)
Optometry Residency Graduate
- Abigail Kuborn, OD – Staff Optometrist, University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI)
Ophthalmology Residency Graduates
- Catherine Gilbert, MD – Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship, WashU Medicine
- Glory Mgboji, MD – Chief of Ophthalmic Trauma, WashU Medicine
- Eli Pratte, MD – Refractive Surgery Fellowship, Pepose Vision Institute
- Maggie Xing, MD – Refractive Fellowship, Kugler Vision
- Sowmya Yennam, MD – Chief of Ophthalmic Trauma, WashU Medicine
Looking Ahead
The department also introduced its 2026–2027 Chiefs of Ophthalmic Trauma, recognizing Glory Mgboji, MD, and Sowmya Yennam, MD, who will continue the department’s longstanding tradition of clinical excellence and leadership in ophthalmology.
The Graduation Awards Ceremony serves as an annual celebration of the accomplishments of the department’s trainees, faculty, and educators, while recognizing the lasting impact they make on advancing ophthalmic patient care, research, and education.