AVA-Net: A Tool for Identifying Arteries and Veins in Eye Scans

Haneen Alfauri presented and led a thought-provoking discussion on AVA-Net, a powerful new retinal blood vessel analysis tool. Through her presentation, Haneen demonstrated how AVA-Net enables clearer visualization and differentiation of arteries, veins, and even the tiniest capillaries in OCTA (Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography) images. She emphasized the model’s potential to reveal subtle changes in […]

Gateway Curriculum: Eye Movement and Pupillary Abnormalities

In 2020, WashU Medicine introduced the Gateway Curriculum, a forward-thinking initiative designed to transform medical education. As part of this new curriculum, Dr. Andrew Lee and Dr. Cynthia Montana had the privilege of developing the ophthalmology content for second-year medical students, aiming to enhance their understanding of this critical field. Dr. Stunkel also played a […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Ameay Naravane, MD

Meet Ameay Naravane, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Glaucoma Fellow 2024-2025 Where are you from? St. Paul, Minnesota Where did you attend Medical School? University of Minnesota Where did you complete your residency? University of Minnesota Why did you choose Ophthalmology and your specialty? I was first introduced to ophthalmology as a first-year […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Barbara Smith, MD

Meet Barbara Smith, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Cornea Fellow 2024-2025 Where are you from? Knoxville, TN Where did you attend Medical School? University of Tennessee Where did you complete your residency? University of Tennessee, Hamilton Eye Institute Why did you choose Ophthalmology and your specialty? Because the eyes are the best! But […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Siddharth Bhargava, MD

Meet Siddharth Bhargava, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Glaucoma Fellow 2024-2025 Where are you from? Cupertino, California Where did you attend Medical School? Albany Medical College Where did you complete your residency? Eastern Virginia Medical School Why did you choose Ophthalmology and your specialty? Growing up in Silicon Valley, I have always been […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Deena Shaath, MD

Deena Shaath

Meet Deena Shaath, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Cornea Fellow 2024-2025 Where are you from? Dodge City, KS Where did you attend Medical School? University of Kansas Where did you complete your residency? Medical College of Wisconsin Why did you choose Ophthalmology and your specialty? Ophthalmology and cornea/external disease offers a mix of […]

Recap: LASIK Continuing Education Dinner

On May 1, 2024, Washington University LASIK Surgery Center held it’s continuing education dinner at Westwood Country Club. The audience was treated to an insightful and engaging event featuring esteemed speakers, Dr. Stephen Wexler and Dr. Robi Maamari. The event was an enriching experience, filled with valuable discussions and perspectives on pertinent topics in their […]

Glaucoma Awareness: Detecting and Managing the Silent Thief of Sight 

Eyesight is often considered one of our most valuable senses, allowing us to perceive the world around us in vivid detail. However, there’s a condition that silently threatens this precious sense—glaucoma. Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight” because it can cause irreparable damage without showing early symptoms. As we enter […]

LASIK for Military Personnel: Benefits and Considerations

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, commonly known as LASIK, has revolutionized vision correction and provided numerous benefits to individuals in various walks of life. Among those who stand to gain significantly from LASIK are military personnel. Let’s explore the benefits and considerations of LASIK for our service members. Benefits of LASIK for Military Personnel 1. Enhanced […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Kevin La, OD

Where are you from? Seattle, WA Where did you attend Optometry School? University of California, Berkeley Favorite memory of Optometry School? My favorite memory from optometry school would have to be the annual class Tahoe trips Favorite memory between optometry school and starting residency? I got the chance to travel to Asia with some friends […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Aaditya Shah, MD

Where are you from? Munster, Indiana Where did you attend Medical School? Indiana University School of Medicine Where did you complete your residency? Here at WashU! Why did you choose Ophthalmology and your specialty? I chose Ophthalmology because it is a unique field that allows you to medically and surgically help patients in one of […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Sowmya Yennam, MD

Where are you from? Pittsburgh, PA Where did you attend Medical School? Baylor College of Medicine Favorite memory of Medical School? Exploring all of Houston’s coffee shops with classmates who have become lifelong friends Favorite memory of your intern residency year? Attending the medicine and ophthalmology holiday parties with the best group of co-residents! Why […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Eli Pratte, MD

Where are you from?Farmington, MO Where did you attend Medical School?University of Missouri – Columbia Favorite memory of Medical School?Getting to share Match Day with my family! Favorite memory of your intern residency year?Other than the birth of my first child, becoming such close friends with my ophthalmology co-residents! Why did you choose Ophthalmology?It is […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Glory Mgboji, MD

Where are you from? Baltimore, Maryland Where did you attend Medical School? Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Favorite memory of Medical School? I have two! 1. Directing and singing in our “Second Look” welcome video for prospective students! It was such a fun way to connect with my extremely talented class and give incoming […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Nathaniel Blecher, MD

Where are you from? Pittsburgh, PA Where did you attend Medical School? University of Pittsburgh SOM Where did you complete your residency? Washington University in St. Louis Why did you choose Ophthalmology and your specialty? I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, but no body told me I had to choose a specialty […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Viviana Barquet, MD

Viviana Barquet

Where are you from?San Juan, Puerto Rico Where did you attend Medical School?Univeridad Central del Caribe in Puerto Rico Where did you complete your residency?John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, IL Why did you choose Ophthalmology and your specialty?I chose Ophthalmology because it I love having a specialty that is both clinically […]

Residents & Fellows Spotlight: Catherine Gilbert, MD

Where are you from?Seattle, WA Where did you attend Medical School?Tulane University School of Medicine Favorite memory of Medical School?During my research year I was able work on many projects at the same time, some in person and some virtually. One of my projects required me to travel around the country with my best friend […]

Welcome Incoming Residents & Fellows 2023

We are proud to welcome new Residents, Fellows, & Chief of Ophthalmic Trauma to our ranks as they embark on their medical career. We look forward to working with all of you throughout your training. Chief of Ophthalmic Trauma Residents PGY-2 Optometry Resident Fellows

2023 Graduation and Awards Ceremony

Clinical Fellowship Graduates Cornea, External Disease, & Refractive Surgery Karina Somohano, MD Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgeon, Florida Vision Institute, West Palm Beach, FL Jessica Yang Walia, MDAssistant Professor, Washington University and John Cochran Veterans Affairs Hospital, St. Louis, MO Anterior Segment & Glaucoma Surgery Brent Bruck, MD, MA Glaucoma Specialist, Midwest Eye Care, Omaha, […]