John A. Moran Eye Center Focus 2022

FOCUS

SPARKING INNOVATION

CONTENTS

CHAIR MESSAGE

Lighting the Flames of Innovation

INNOVATION

Crandall Center Offers

Hope for Glaucoma

RESEARCH

AMD Breakthroughs to Share with the World

RESEARCH

A Surprise Retina Cell Discovery

PATIENT CARE

Moran Adds Ocular Oncology Care

Official Publication of the John A. Moran Eye Center

University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132

John A. Moran Eye Center

65 Mario Capecchi Drive

Salt Lake City, Utah 84132

801-581-2352

Co-Editors

Anna Cekola, Communications Editor

Elizabeth Neff, Director, PR, Communications, Marketing

External Relations Team/Contributors

Natalie Lam, Administrative Assistant

Tawnja S. Martin, Development Officer

Heidi G. Reid, Director of Development

Lynn Ward, Executive Director, External Relations

Consultants

Virginia Rainey, Writer/Editor

Catherine Reese Newton, Copy Editor

Graphic Design

Spatafore Design Photography

Michael Schoenfeld, Major Portrait Photography

Austen Diamond

James Gilman, CRA, FOPS

Dan Hixson

Kristan Jacobsen

Matthew Hepworth

Scott Peterson Printing

Sun Print Solutions, West Valley City, Utah

A special thanks to the many hard-working Moran Eye Center employees, management, health care workers, physicians, patients, and researchers who generously contributed their time and talent to make this publication possible.

Research work highlighted in this publication was supported by an Unrestricted Research Grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, New York, to the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah.

©️2022 John A. Moran Eye Center. All rights reserved. The Moran Eye Center does not assume responsibility for any representation therein, nor the quality or deliverability of the product itself. Reproductions of articles or photographs, in whole or in part, contained herein are prohibited without the publisher’s express written consent, unless otherwise stated.

LIGHTING THE FLAMES OF INNOVATION

Ittakesjustonepersonwithasparktolighttheflamesofinnovation.Hereatthe JohnA.MoranEyeCenter,wehavequiteafewofthem.

Icouldnotbemorepleasedtosharethenewservicesandinitiativeslaunchedby ourtalentedphysiciansandresearchersin2021.Iknowtheywillimprovethelives ofsomanypatientswholooktotheMoranEyeCenterforhope,understanding, andtreatment.

Wehaveaddedanocularoncologyservice,ledbyDr.EricHansen,whichallows Morantoprovidecareinallophthalmicsubspecialties.Wealsobegananinitiative tosharedataontheexcellentoutcomesourcaregiversprovidetopatients.Moran joinsHarvardUniversityandClevelandClinicinpublishingthistypeofdata,both inprintandonanewwebsite.

Ontheresearchside,wehavecreatedtheAlanS.CrandallCenterforGlaucoma Innovation.Therecouldn’tbeamorefittingeffortnamedafterthelateDr.Crandall sincethecenterwillworktowardbetterdiagnostics,saferandmoreeffectivetherapiesandsurgicaldevices,adeeperunderstandingofglaucomaanditsgenetics, andexpandedaccesstocare.World-renownedcataractandglaucomasurgeonand surgicaldeviceinnovatorDr.IkeAhmed,whocompletedglaucomatrainingwith Dr.CrandallatMoran,directsthisnewcenter.In2022,hewillbeginpracticingat Moranpart-time,offeringhiscelebratedsurgicalskillsrighthereinUtah.

Ourresearchersalsoareshakingupthefieldwithmajorpublications.NingTian, PhD,causedquiteastirwhenhediscoveredanewtypeofneuronintheretina. AndtheSharonEcclesSteeleCenterforTranslationalMedicine(SCTM)issharing theyearsofgroundbreakingresearchbehinditspotentialnewtherapyforagerelatedmaculardegeneration.

TheGlobalOutreachDivisioniscompletingitsfirststatewideneedsassessment toguidethecontinuedexpansionoflocaloutreach.ThenewlyformedAlanS. CrandallEndowmentinGlobalOutreachforPatientCare, Teaching,andTraining willalsosupportthehumanitarianworkthatwassodeartoAlan.

Pleaseenjoy Focus 2022. Ihopereadingitsparksinnovationforyou,too.

Sincerely,

Randall J Olson, MD

Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah CEO, John A. Moran Eye Center

2021-2022

MORAN ADVISORY COUNCIL

TONI BLOOMBERG

La Jolla, California

WILLIAM “BILL” CHILD

Salt Lake City, Utah

THOMAS “TIM” DEE III

Salt Lake City, Utah

CHRISTENA HUNTSMAN DURHAM

Salt Lake City, Utah

SPENCER F. ECCLES

Salt Lake City, Utah

CHRISTINE A. FAIRCLOUGH

Salt Lake City, Utah

WAYNE A. IMBRESCIA

John A. Moran Eye Center

CLAUDIA S. LUTTRELL

Salt Lake City, Utah

JOHN A. MORAN

Palm Beach, Florida

RANDALL J OLSON, MD

John A. Moran Eye Center

LYNN WARD

John A. Moran Eye Center

JOHN E. WARNOCK, PhD

Los Altos, California

NORM A. ZABRISKIE, MD

John A. Moran Eye Center

From left: Drs. Iqbal “Ike” K. Ahmed and Alan S. Crandall, who passed away in 2020.

A DRIVE TO DISCOVER

Ike Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, Directs Moran’s New Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation.

It can permanently damage your eyes before you notice any vision loss. Although it’s a major cause of blindness, doctors can easily miss it. And when it’s caught, it can be difficult—and expensive—to treat.

These are the hallmarks of glaucoma. But Iqbal “Ike” K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, says it’s time to change all that.

Renowned and sought out as one of the most experienced surgeons for complex eye conditions globally and the leading expert on glaucoma, Ahmed is off to a good start.

O ver the past decade, he has led a glaucoma care revolution by designing a new class of surgical devices and proving the benefits of using them earlier in the disease. Now, he’ll continue shaking up the field at the Moran Eye Center.

A hmed recently joined Moran as a part-time clinician and director of the newly formed Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation. At the center, named for the late Moran glaucoma physician and legendary humanitarian, Ahmed is combining his drive to innovate with Moran’s unique resources to build a global center of glaucoma excellence.

He feels it's been a long time coming.

“Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, but there are so many unanswered questions that remain, and many projects are very siloed,” says Ahmed, a Canadian who will maintain a practice in Ontario. “Creating a center of excellence allows us to incorporate basic science, translational medicine, and clinical work under one roof to superpower and accelerate our ability to find cures and innovations—to make breakthroughs in one of the most difficult-to-treat eye diseases."

For Ahmed, the place is Moran, and the time is now.

“The Moran Eye Center is really at the forefront of basic science at the cellular level in the retina. Therapeutics and surgical devices have been innovated here, and Moran has attracted some of the best talent in the world, both in terms of human capital as well as the resources we have,” he says. “The time has come to pull this together, and in my opinion, there’s no better place in the world to do it than right here.”

Ahmed completed a glaucoma fellowship at Moran under the tutelage of Crandall. Ahmed's return to the Moran Eye Center brings their story full circle to spark new hope for glaucoma.

Glaucoma Worldwide

Nearly 80 million people worldwide are living with a disease that, if left untreated, will rob them of their eyesight.

U nless we act now, the World Glaucoma Association estimates over 112 million people will suffer from moderate to severe glaucomarelated vision loss and blindness by 2040.

UNDERSTANDING GLAUCOMA

To understand the nature of Ahmed’s work is to know his foe. Glaucoma is all about the optic nerve.

Th is bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers transfers visual information collected by light-sensitive cells in the back of the eye to the brain. It’s there that visual images are formed. In glaucoma, the optic nerve atrophies and dies. Its killer is usually high fluid pressure, or intraocular pressure (IOP), inside the eye.

Glaucoma specialists face a Goldilocks dilemma to find an IOP sweet spot for their patients—not too high, not too low. Traditional treatment options have been hit-or-miss with eye drop medications and surgical procedures that had high complication rates. That’s where Ahmed stepped in.

At Moran, Ahmed worked with Crandall on alternative surgical approaches for glaucoma, and he continued to innovate in private practice.

In 2005, Glaukos Corp. asked Ahmed to help develop a next-generation surgical device that would change everything: a microscopic stent implanted into the eye to relieve pressure. Just 1 millimeter long, the first-generation iStent received FDA approval in 2012. Ahmed dubbed the new surgical approach micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

MIGS devices decrease or eliminate the need for eye drops with few complications— and Ahmed has had a hand in testing and fine-tuning the 11 MIGS devices on the market today as defined by the FDA.

He has shown that performing MIGS earlier in the course of glaucoma and lowering IOP targets for patients with moderate disease preserves more vision.

His approach, known as interventional glaucoma, has earned Ahmed the field’s highest recognitions and accolades. Even so, for patients, researchers, and physicians, including Ahmed, the ultimate goal of glaucoma treatment is neuroprotection— finding a way to protect or restore the optic nerve.

The Crandall Center will aggressively pursue neuroprotective therapies and a host of other initiatives to increase our understanding of the disease and find new solutions to detect and treat it.

WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the part of the eye that carries visual information to our brain, where images are formed.

HOW GLAUCOMA AFFECTS VISION

Known as the silent thief of sight, glaucoma first affects peripheral vision and then, over time, can reduce vision to a narrow tunnel. Glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness. Most people who have glaucoma do not notice any symptoms until they begin to lose some vision.

Healthy Eyes

Peripheral Vision Loss Due to Glaucoma

DEVICE INNOVATIONS

I ke Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, has designed and tested numerous surgical instruments and devices as well as implants used to manage dislocated cataracts, iris reconstruction, and glaucoma. Among them:

A capsular tension segment used for dislocated cataracts. Courtesy of FCI Ophthalmics, Pembroke, MA (fci-ophthalmics.com)

A line of microsurgical instruments, two pictured here, used to trim and position micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) devices. Courtesy MicroSurgical Technology

MIGS devices like the iStent inject W, a 0.36-mm-long microscopic device, are inserted into the eye to lower intraocular pressure. Courtesy of Glaukos

CRANDALL CENTER INITIATIVES

INITIATI VE SURGICAL THERAPEUTICS

Director: Ike Ahmed, MD, FRCSC

This initiative will provide a clearinghouse to assist companies with MIGS product development, testing, and research. It’s modeled after Moran’s Intermountain Ocular Research Center (IORC).

Working closely with IORC co-directors Nick Mamalis, MD, and Liliana Werner, MD, PhD, Ahmed is conducting comparative and preclinical testing on device design, materials, and placement.

He’s also working to create inexpensive surgical devices and products that can be used in low-resource nations where many cannot access ophthalmic care, much less glaucoma treatment.

The initiative will rapidly advance MIGS device development, just as the IORC advanced the use of artificial intraocular lenses (IOLs)—now commonly used to replace the eye’s natural one during cataract and other surgeries. When Moran formed the center in 1982, outcomes for patients were poor, and both academia and the National Institutes of Health had declined to fund IOL research.

Independent research by the IORC drastically improved the quality and design of IOLs. The center has produced more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications that guide IOL companies and physicians worldwide as they vet new technology and associated complications.

“Nick Mamalis and Liliana Werner have developed a superb program under the IORC,” says Ahmed. “My goal is to take what I've been doing in glaucoma devices and use their same methodology to improve how glaucoma devices can work in the eye and take future designs to the next level.”

PATIENT CARE

In addition to directing the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation, Dr. Ike Ahmed will see patients and perform surgery part-time at the Moran Eye Center.

He is now accepting referrals and consultation requests for the surgical management of glaucoma, complex cataracts, iris reconstruction, and intraocular lens complications.

To schedule an appointment at Moran, call 801-585-3071.

The Center’s work is divided into four distinct initiatives, each tapping into resources found only at the Moran Eye Center.

CRANDALL CENTER INITIATIVES

INITIATI VE TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

Director: Gregory S. Hageman, PhD

This initiative will strive to understand the biology of glaucoma to develop effective therapies.

Using unique resources, the Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine (SCTM) fast tracks drug development by focusing less on academic publishing and more on bringing together university departments, international academic collaborators, philanthropists, and private industry. The SCTM, directed by Gregory S. Hageman, PhD, is steadily unraveling the mysteries of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of blindness for people age 55 and older, and has produced a potential new therapy.

The initiative will employ the SCTM’s collection of nearly 10,000 donor eyes to compare glaucoma-diseased eyes to healthy ones. It will also include glaucoma patients already enrolled in a robust macular degeneration clinical study that collects genotype, phenotype, and retinal images. These are cross-referenced with the Utah Population Database, a rich resource supporting health and genetic research that contains genealogical, public health, medical, and environmental exposure records for more than 20 million people.

Moran’s world-class Utah Retinal Reading Center (UREAD), directed by SCTM scientist Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg, MD, will also play a significant role. UREAD analyzes high-definition images of the retina to determine how disease progresses and the best time to administer new therapies.

The SCTM has clarified the genetic risks for and protections against developing AMD and shown how a patient’s genetics impact rates of disease progression and vision loss. Hageman says he’s looking forward to exploring a potential connection noticed during SCTM research: genetic variants on chromosome 1 that increase a person’s risk for developing AMD also appear to increase a person’s risk for developing glaucoma.

“Having the ability to look at eyes that have been donated along with their different genetics, clinical findings, medical histories, and information from the Utah Population Database will allow us to find links and clues about glaucoma,” says Ahmed. “We need to identify how the disease affects different patients in different ways.”

From the Marclab for Connectomics, this image shows a section of the retina. Researchers used antibodies to assign colors to cells, allowing them to visualize cell metabolism to better understand diseases like glaucoma.

INITIATI VE

NEUROPROTECTION-BASED THERAPIES

Director: To Be Announced

Moran faculty making groundbreaking discoveries related to neuroprotection will be key collaborators in this initiative. Of the prominent researchers focusing on neuroprotection in the field today, the work of Moran’s David Krizaj, PhD, is among the most promising.

For a decade, Krizaj has worked to understand exactly how the eye’s drainage system, a muscular tissue called the trabecular meshwork, senses pressure to regulate the flow of fluid out of the eye. His search led him to a target: Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), an ion channel that can sense tiny changes in pressure and translate them into cellular responses. Krizaj determined that inhibiting TRPV4 tells the trabecular meshwork to increase fluid outflow, lowering IOP. The best news may be that it also appears to be neuroprotective by reducing the damage that retinal ganglion cells experience from high pressure.

Collaborating with the University of Utah’s Department of Organic Chemistry, Krizaj developed an eye drop medication for human use. Now, backed by a Utah venture capital firm, he plans to begin clinical trials to test in humans in the near future.

“David’s work is incredible and it mirrors well what I’m doing, because I’m working on trying to surgically enhance drainage from the eye to help the flow of the eye and he’s looking at pharmaceutical ways to achieve the same outcome,” says Ahmed.

“So this is where we have a lot of cross-pollination and can use the same kind of models to test and hypothesize how this will all work.”

A healthy optic nerve, left, and one damaged by glaucoma.

INITIATI VE GLOBAL CARE

Director: Craig J. Chaya, MD

In under-resourced nations with few ophthalmologists, the rate of glaucoma detection and treatment is low.

The problem is severe in Africa, where many people are genetically predisposed to developing a rapidly progressive form of glaucoma. Approximately 4% of the population over the age of 40 has the disease. Of those, 90% are already blind in one eye before a diagnosis is made.

This initiative will work to find ways to detect glaucoma earlier, creating systems where local health care workers can screen for it as they check vision and fit patients for eyeglasses. It will also work to develop and manufacture affordable surgical devices for glaucoma that can have a lasting effect.

“The burden of glaucoma globally is immense,” says Ahmed. “These initiatives that we’re all looking at, we’re looking at through the lens of not only helping people here but those in lowresource nations and vulnerable populations. That truly, I think, is what medicine is about.”

Key to its success are the experience and partnerships of Moran’s Global Outreach Division.

Founded by Crandall, the division is a premier institution for ophthalmology outreach in the United States and has relationships with eye care providers worldwide. The internationally recognized program works to build sustainable access to high-quality eye care in Utah and low-resource nations. Moran is a North American academic partner of India’s Aravind Eye Care System, the world’s largest eye health care provider. Aravind is renowned for its unique ability to manufacture safe, effective, low-cost surgical devices for use in low-resource countries.

Craig J. Chaya, MD, with a patient during a Moran outreach trip to the Federated States of Micronesia.

COLLABORATING FOR CHANGE

Bringing together all four initiatives to change the course of a disease affecting millions requires Ahmed to manage collaborations among industry, philanthropy, glaucoma surgeons, and scientists on a global scale.

But if anyone is up for the task, it’s Ahmed, who describes himself as a “professor, researcher, surgical innovator, and dreamer.” Born in an immigrant family and raised in northern Canada, Ahmed has said feeling a bit different from his peers made him an outsider. He often found his own way to do things.

He earned an undergraduate degree from McMaster University before enrolling in medical school at the University of Toronto. The son of a psychiatrist, he learned to value medicine at an early age and looked forward to becoming a surgeon even before completing medical school. When he got his first look at ophthalmology, he fell in love with surgery because of the precise, microscopic work the eye requires and the ability to restore sight.

Ahmed completed his medical degree and a residency at the University of Toronto. He then came to Utah for a Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Surgery Fellowship at Moran with Crandall between 2000 and 2001.

In interviews, Ahmed has called himself a “rebel” when describing his out-of-the-box mindset. He’s not afraid to poke fun at himself, expresses his desire for deep human connections, and eschews pretension. He’s said his greatest achievement is giving colleagues courage to rethink the system, crediting his training with Crandall for teaching him to respectfully challenge the status quo.

W hen asked what keeps him motivated professionally, he has said, “For me, it’s internal motivators. To inspire and

be inspired. It’s the drive to discover and to always want more. Asking the right questions, trying to answer them, and learning from our failures. I always want to answer questions and, furthermore, to be the first one to do it. Again, critically looking at ourselves and taking it apart. I use the term blowing things up. I like blowing things up.”

Ahmed has developed new approaches for the treatment of not only glaucoma but also cataract and lens implant surgery. He has designed microsurgical instruments, devices, surgical implants, and techniques for the management of glaucoma, dislocated cataracts, and iris reconstruction. He’s even invented a line of diamond scalpels.

In Canada, Ahmed has headed up the ophthalmology department at Trillium Health Partners since 2013 and practices at Prism Eye Institute.

At Moran, Ahmed will treat an international patient base.

“I can’t overstate the magic that I see in the people here— the collective spirit of collaboration, the positive energy, the humbleness, and the humility. It all starts with Dr. Olson and permeates the entire building,” says Ahmed. “That just builds up my energy and passion for this, and I know we’re going to find the answers to these problems.”

Moran CEO and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Distinguished Professor and Chair Randall J Olson, MD, notes Crandall had always hoped Ahmed would continue his legacy at Moran.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have an amazing visionary like Dr. Ahmed leading the way on glaucoma and swinging for the fences,” says Olson. “It’s what we do at Moran, and we do it well.”

IN MEMORIAM

Alan S. Crandall, MD, was one of the Moran Eye Center’s founding physicians and instrumental in shaping its culture of excellence and innovation. He passed away in October 2020 and is remembered as the epitome of caring, teaching excellence, and surgical skill. His love of humankind inspired his travels worldwide to treat eye disease in under-resourced communities.

Crandall was beloved by his patients as an advocate and friend, and the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation will serve as an enduring legacy of his passion for helping others.

Technology gives us the ability to do things that change paradigms. I love changing paradigms.

Ike Ahmed, MD, FRCSC

THE SCTM SHARES ITS STORY WITH THE WORLD

Moran’s SCTM Team Broke New Ground in 2021 to Turn Genetic Discoveries into New AMD Treatment Strategies.

The promise of personalized medicine is clear: researchers and physicians alike are working toward the day when our genetic makeup can guide disease treatment and prevention. Yet, realizing this next evolution of care hasn’t come easily. It requires big money, big data, big collaborations, and time to develop a clear picture of how genetics plus lifestyle factors—think smoking, diet, or exercise—put someone at risk for or protect them against disease. Since scientists first sequenced the human genome in 2003, the FDA has approved just two gene therapies that introduce genetic material into the body.

But the Moran Eye Center’s Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine (SCTM) is connecting the dots between genetics and disease and developing personalized treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness for people age 55 and older.

The SCTM recently shared its work in a string of research papers appearing in some of the field’s most respected scientific journals.

The discoveries deepen our understanding of genetic protections against developing AMD and indicate that a therapy the SCTM and its corporate partner are preparing for human clinical trials could benefit even more patients than initially thought.

The SCTM has also provided more evidence supporting its advanced understanding of AMD as not one disease but as at least two biologically distinct diseases.

“It’s been a wonderful year for us,” says Gregory S. Hageman, PhD, executive director of the SCTM. “I’m so proud of this team and the strides we’ve made to help patients with AMD. It’s exciting to share this story with the world.”

Researcher Nathan A. Seager works in the SCTM lab.

WHERE THE DAMAGE OCCURS

A MD affects the eye's macula, responsible for central and fine acuity vision. It begins where the retinal pigment epithelium meets Bruch's membrane.

Genetic Therapy on the Horizon

Years of SCTM research, including conducting one of the world’s largest ocular gene expression studies, have shown genes on chromosomes 1 and 10 account for about 90% of a person’s risk for developing AMD. A cluster of six genes on chromosome 1, which plays a critical role in the immune system, directs one form; a pair of genes on chromosome 10, associated with maintaining ocular health as we age, causes a second. Also in the mix are genetic variants that offer protection against developing AMD.

The first treatment developed by the SCTM in conjunction with its corporate partner is a gene therapy that targets chromosome 1-directed AMD by delivering genetic material to the eye through an injection.

“The ultimate goal is to slow or halt AMD with a single injection into the eye,” says Hageman. Researchers have been fine-tuning the drug dosage and best injection site in the retina, the light-sensitive layers of nerve tissue at the back of the eye. The SCTM and its corporate partner are seeking clearance from the FDA to start clinical trials in humans, the first step toward FDA approval. The Moran Eye Center and other locations, including Ireland and Israel, would start testing safety in a small number of AMD patients who have already lost their vision. Once clinicians determine the drug is safe over a six-month testing period, the trials would test efficacy over two years in up to 400 patients with chromosome 1-directed AMD.

W hile working to finalize the therapy for chromosome 1-directed AMD, SCTM scientists made a welcome discovery: the treatment may also help patients with chromosome 10-directed AMD. Publishing in Human Genomics in fall 2021, SCTM scientists explained combinations of genetic variants, or haplotypes, on chromosome 1 are so protective that they outweigh risk for people with a combination of risk and protective haplotypes. It’s an ace in the hole that can guard against developing chromosome 1- and hopefully 10-directed AMD.

“This finding opens up the possibility that therapeutics designed to target the form of AMD driven by risk on chromosome 1 may also be effective in treating a vast majority of AMD, regardless of genetic cause,” explained SCTM researcher Moussa Zouache, PhD, the lead author of the study.

Retinal Pigment Epithelium Bruch’s Membrane Retina Macula

Connecting Genetics to Disease Progression

At Moran’s Utah Retinal Reading Center (UREAD), researchers are connecting the genetics of AMD to clinical symptoms of disease. Under the direction of SCTM clinician-scientist Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg, MD, they are using advanced imaging software and patient study data to link genetics to rates of disease progression and vision loss.

Publishing in the prestigious journal JAMA Ophthalmology in February 2022, the team examined data from three subgroups of AMD patients with genetic backgrounds that put them at risk for developing AMD. The scientists determined patients with two copies of genetic risk variants (homozygous) at both chromosomes 1 and 10 reached sight-threatening, late-stage AMD the earliest, within a median of 4.4 years. In comparison, patients homozygous at chromosome 1 only reached late-stage within 6.3 years and patients homozygous at chromosome 10 only within 10.4 years.

“We can now employ this information to design more effective clinical trials to evaluate new therapies for AMD,” says Schmitz-Valckenberg.

The research provides further support for a new way of thinking about AMD. Schmitz-Valckenberg and SCTM clinicianscientist Monika Fleckenstein, MD, published in collaboration with an international group of researchers in Nature Reviews Disease Primers in 2021 to provide an overview of AMD.

“We hope to inspire our colleagues to see AMD not as one single disease, but rather as a disease spectrum,” says Fleckenstein, lead author of the Nature Reviews article.

Shaking Up the Field

SCTM research also pointed to a potential treatment for chromosome 10-directed AMD that boosts the amount of a protein called HtrA1 in the retina.

Led by Brandi L. Williams, PhD, the SCTM’s chromosome 10 research team shared groundbreaking findings in a paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America. Using tissue resources only available at Moran, the research showed for the first time that HtrA1 is essential in maintaining ocular health. The findings contradict previously published research from other teams that suggests reducing HtrA1 can help AMD patients.

The team found that during normal aging, the HtrA1 protein increases in the retina, where it may prevent the accumulation of abnormal deposits.

Yet people with genetic variants on chromosome 10 make half as much HtrA1 in this part of the retina as they age, causing damage to the eye.

“It is intriguing to think that restoration of normal levels of HtrA1 may be a viable therapeutic option for AMD,” Hageman says.

Brandi L. Williams, PhD, left, leads the SCTM’s chromosome 10 research team, and Burt T. Richards, PhD, leads the chromosome 1 group.

THE SCTM APPROACH

A unique approach and unmatched resources drive SCTM research and drug development:

 Donor and Institutional Funds: In a time of limited federal funding, the Moran Eye Center and individuals, corporations, and foundations provide financial support to hire top researchers and rapidly advance their work.

 Better Tools: Since no other organism develops AMD, researchers must work with study subjects and donated human tissue. SCTM resources include the world’s largest donor eye tissue repository of its kind with nearly 10,000 eyes.

Spreading the Word

Hageman will travel the world in 2022 to share the SCTM research advances. His invitations include giving the keynote address to an elite group of AMD scientists and clinicians at the Stephen J. Ryan Initiative for Macular Research annual conference.

“W hen Dr. Hageman started his AMD-related research nearly 30 years ago, he was a marine biologist who decided to shift gears at a time when this horrible, blinding disease was simply accepted as something no one could do anything about,” says Randall J Olson, MD, Moran Eye Center CEO.

“He didn’t accept that. I didn’t accept that. In 2009, we teamed up to create what is now the SCTM as a unique academic model…and it’s working.”

 Combined Expert Knowledge: The SCTM, as part of University of Utah Health, brings together local, national, and international scientists and clinicians from multiple disciplines for research collaboration.

 One of the World’s Largest Genetic Patient Cohorts: An SCTM study has enrolled over 4,700 people, with and without AMD or a family history of the disease, and has obtained more than 60,000 DNA samples from other AMD-, ethnic-, population-, and disease-based cohorts. Researchers employ the data to fully understand the underlying genetic and biological bases of AMD and its related diseases.

Learn more about the SCTM at uofuhealth.org/sctm

Gregory S. Hageman, PhD.

An image of an isolated Campana cell (green). The cell spans several layers of the retina, the light-sensitive region of nerve tissue at the back of the eye that receives images and sends them as electric signals through the optic nerve to the brain.

A SURPRISE CELL DISCOVERY

Moran Eye Center scientist Ning Tian, PhD, surprised the scientific community by discovering a new type of nerve cell, or neuron, in the retina.

In the central nervous system, neurons in a complex circuitry communicate with each other to relay sensory and motor information to the brain. Socalled interneurons serve as intermediaries in the chain of communication.

Publishing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), Tian’s research team identified a previously unknown type of interneuron in the retinas of mammals. The discovery marks a notable development for the field as scientists work toward a better understanding of the central nervous system by identifying all classes of neurons and their connections.

“Based on its morphology, physiology, and genetic properties, this cell doesn’t fit into the five classes of retinal neurons first identified more than 100 years ago,” says Tian. “We propose they might form a new retinal neuron class.”

The research team named the cell discovery after its shape, which resembles a handbell. (Campana is the Latin word for bell.) Campana cells relay visual signals from light-sensing rod and cone photoreceptors in the retina, but their precise purpose is the subject of ongoing research. Experiments showed Campana cells remain activated for an unusually long time—as long as 30 seconds—in response to a 10-millisecond light flash stimulation.

“In the brain, persistent firing cells are believed to be involved in memory and learning,” says Tian. “Since Campana cells have a similar behavior, we theorize they could play a role in prompting a temporal ‘memory’ of a recent stimulation.”

The Tian lab expects to publish a series of papers as it reveals the mysteries of Campana. The PNAS study, “An uncommon neuronal class conveys visual signals from rods and cones to retinal ganglion cells,” was authored by Brent K. Young, Charu Ramakrishnan, Tushar Ganjawala, Ping Wang, Karl Deisseroth, and Tian.

The newly identified Campana retinal nerve cell could play a role in visual signal processing.

At right, Ning Tian, PhD.

COMPREHENSIVE OCULAR ONCOLOGY SERVICE IS FIRST IN MOUNTAIN WEST

The Moran Eye Center and Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah joined together in 2021 to add a comprehensive eye cancer service for adults and children, directed by fellowship-trained surgeon Eric D. Hansen, MD.

The new service is the only resource of its kind in a fivestate region encompassing Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, and Idaho. Hansen works closely with experts at Moran, Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital to diagnose and develop innovative treatment plans for eye tumors and cancers.

“Eye cancer is a multidisciplinary disease that requires coordinated care among a team of uniquely trained specialists,” says Hansen. “Until now, patients in the region have had to travel to other parts of the country for certain necessary treatments. We created this service to lift that burden and to provide patients with a full spectrum of oncologic care that is some of the best in the country.”

Depending on their needs, patients receive care from a team that includes specialists in oculoplastics, medical and pediatric oncology, radiation oncology, interventional radiology, dermatology, and clinical social work.

A lthough eye cancer is rare, the most common forms include melanoma in adults, which can occur inside or outside of the eye; retinoblastoma, the most common pediatric eye cancer; and metastatic tumors—the result of cancer spreading from other parts of the body to the eye.

Diagnostic tools and treatments available through Moran’s ocular oncology service include minimally invasive biopsies; ultra-high-resolution imaging and ultrasonography; targeted radiation and advanced chemotherapy options; genetic counselors and a full array of genetic testing; and excellent eye prosthesis options.

Eric D. Hansen, MD.

Directed by Eric D. Hansen, MD, the new service provides collaborative care and greater access for patients.

With the addition of Hansen and the partnership of Huntsman Cancer Institute, Moran now offers care in all ophthalmic subspecialties.

“We are truly excited to introduce Dr. Hansen and this unique, integrated care to the Mountain West,” Moran CEO Randall J Olson says. “The Moran Eye Center is known for providing exceptional care in the most complex of cases. Huntsman Cancer Institute provides patients with access to state-of-the-art, compassionate cancer care. Dr. Hansen and the team will provide muchneeded hope and healing to eye cancer patients.”

Hansen completed a dedicated fellowship in ocular oncology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami. Bascom Palmer is perennially ranked as one of the top eye institutes because of its leaders and innovators in the field. Hansen completed fellowships in vitreoretinal surgery and global ophthalmology at Moran.

Hansen additionally treats medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous, including retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. He dedicates significant time to Moran’s Global Outreach Division to increase access to eye care in Utah and low-resource countries.

New Surgeries

In 2021, Eric D. Hansen, MD, along with Huntsman Cancer Institute radiation oncologist Don Cannon, MD, and medical physicists Jessica Huang, PhD, and Hui Zhao, PhD, established the inaugural ocular brachytherapy program at the University of Utah.

O ften used for treating patients with uveal melanoma, this integrated service is critical for treating tumors and cancers that affect the eye.

Brachytherapy is a radiation treatment in which ricesized pellets, or “seeds,” are placed very close to the tumor for a short period. This provides a large dose of radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure

to the rest of the body. Surgery is performed under anesthesia to suture a small seed-filled disc, known as a plaque, to the eye. The plaque is removed via a second surgery several days later.

T he radiation plan for each patient is designed to optimize treatment outcomes. Hansen utilizes state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatments to maximize vision following radiation.

He also is bringing research collaborations to the program to advance the science behind effective patient care.

VISION REHABILITATION: IT’S ALL ABOUT HOPE

The first thing Robert M. Christiansen, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist, will tell you about his profession is that he loves it.

“My work is all about hope,” says Christiansen, the vision rehabilitation specialist for the Moran Eye Center’s nationally renowned Patient Support Program. “We are here to improve the quality of life for people with low vision. What’s better than that?”

Christiansen uses the term “low vision” to describe eye impairment that can’t be fixed with standard eyeglasses, contacts, medication, or surgery. Low vision, caused by incurable eye disease or aging, can make everyday activities such as reading, cooking, or shopping a challenge.

Yet, Christiansen points out, just as patients expect physical rehabilitation after heart or knee surgery, people with low vision can go through rehab for lost or compromised vision. Drawing upon more than 40 years of experience, Christiansen combines practicality and technical finesse to find ways to help patients with low vision continue doing what they want to do

Patients with low vision, like Janna Finerfrock, credit Robert M. Christiansen, MD, with having a direct and very positive effect on their quality of life.

M otivated by Compassion

Christiansen learned about vision rehabilitation as a specialty during his ophthalmology residency training at what is now the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.

“I was drawn to the specialty because I truly feel compassion for people who have compromised vision,” he says. “There is always something we can do. If I can provide a means for them to see better and continue their lives, that’s a great feeling for them—and for me, even if they have to make some big adjustments.”

Christiansen says his work always begins with listening to his patients. He takes a good hour to learn about their situation, challenges, and concerns about vision loss. This interview is the longest time many patients have spent discussing themselves and their challenges with a physician.

Next, a session moves to the technical side of things. Christiansen does an extensive refraction exam, spending up to 25 minutes using a phoropter, the ophthalmologist’s tool for finding the perfect lens or combination of lenses for a patient’s eyeglasses or contacts.

“If we can go from 20/80 to 20/60, that’s a significant improvement. From 20/70 to 20/40 means they can drive again, and that’s an incredible thing. It also means they can read menus posted on walls—that’s something most don’t realize is a challenge for many people struggling with distance vision," he says.

When improving close-up vision, Christiansen works directly with Moran’s optical shop to make super highpowered bifocals. “People may only be able to read a word at a time when looking at enlarged letters, but they catch on quickly,” he explains.

Beyond glasses, Christiansen says, “We live in a time of wonderful innovations: magnifiers with LED lights that last forever, telescopes for distance vision, closed-circuit TVs that read the newspaper to you, and of course all the advantages of computers with talking text and smartphones. There are cell phones designed for people with vision impairment.”

L ifelong Caring

Moran’s Patient Support Program, directed by Lisa Ord, PhD, LCSW, includes support groups, counseling, and an occupational therapist. The program conducts home visits to assess needs and help with solutions in a patient’s environment—whether it’s the kitchen or an art studio.

“Dr. Christiansen has made a difference in the lives of countless patients,” says Ord. “His skills are beyond compare. On top of that, he brings patience, kindness, and a positive attitude to every situation he encounters.”

Patients involved with the program say the care Christiansen provides means the world to them.

“I didn’t realize there was such a thing as actual ‘low vision’ until I met with Dr. Christiansen when I was 14 years old,” says Janna Finerfrock, who was born with conditions severely affecting her vision. “He has helped me every step of the way, encouraging me to focus on what I can do, giving me the confidence to move ahead.

“Between contact lenses and magnifying glasses, which I wear together, I ended up being able to drive, graduate from college, and teach second grade for 19 years.”

More about Moran’s Patient Support Program at healthcare.utah.edu/moran/vision-loss-support-program/

SEEING A GROWING NEED, TEAM EXPANDS CARE LOCALLY

The Moran Eye Center’s Global Outreach Division continued its expansion of local care initiatives in 2021, focusing on reaching under-resourced Utahns with the support of donors committed to saving sight close to home.

Funded solely by donations, the division delivers eye care to thousands of Utahns each year—providing free or low-cost eye exams, treatments, surgeries, and eyeglasses at clinics around the state and on the Navajo Nation. Yet, the needs of the community are evolving and often outpace the capacity for care.

“Utah has a growing population of people who have difficulty accessing eye care,” says Craig J. Chaya, MD, co-medical director of the Global Outreach Division.

“We are completing a statewide vision care needs assessment that will provide a roadmap for our future outreach. Meanwhile, we’re moving forward based on real-time situations we can affect right now.”

New Initiatives

New initiatives include the local Hope in Sight Retina Clinic that treats diseases affecting the retina, the lightsensitive part of the eye that receives images and sends them to the brain to create vision. Common retinal diseases include diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

A Pterygium Day now assists those who need surgery to remove blinding growths that can occur over the white of the eye.

Operation Sight Day, a yearly Saturday event where Moran doctors perform sight-restoring cataract surgery for those who cannot afford it, expanded to offer surgery throughout the year. By integrating patients into Moran’s weekday schedule, doctors are restoring sight for more patients than ever before.

The global outreach team has also increased the number of yearly trips it makes to care for patients on the Navajo Nation, which has no practicing ophthalmologists for about 173,000 people. The team now travels to schools and clinics in the remote region every month to do eye exams, distribute eyeglasses, and perform surgeries.

A new grant will fund training for Navajo health care workers to become certified ophthalmic assistants. They will take patients’ health histories, perform time-consuming vision screenings, check eye alignment, and measure for glasses. It’s an essential step in building a sustainable eye care program in the Navajo Nation, says Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, co-medical director of the division.

The division plans to extend its outreach efforts into Ogden in the near future. Meanwhile, the team continues to serve people experiencing homelessness and under-resourced populations at the People’s Health Clinic in Park City and the Maliheh and Fourth Street clinics in Salt Lake County.

A patient receives a retinal examination during an outreach event at People’s Health Clinic in Park City in February 2021.

Monthly Retina Clinic Meets Dire Need

Launched in January 2021, Moran’s Hope in Sight Retina Clinic at the Midvalley Health Center embodies the outreach team’s work to serve a dire need. The majority of the clinic’s patients have diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults.

A kbar Shakoor, MD, and Moran colleague Eric Hansen, MD, launched the monthly clinic because a significant number of their retinal patients had stopped coming in for treatment, saying the cost was so high they could not afford it. Other retina specialists who noticed the same trend are also volunteering in the clinic. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals donates needed medications.

“It’s our duty and privilege to offer this vital clinic,” says Hansen. “Thankfully, we have donors who make it possible.”

Shakoor, who grew up in Pakistan, says the lack of access to health care for many people in the U.S. surprised him when he moved here.

“At Moran, we realized that some patients were choosing between getting treatment for their eye condition and preventing vision loss or putting food on the table. That is not a choice we felt they should have to make,” says Shakoor. “Health care should be a right, not a privilege. Until that changes, we can play a small part in providing care for deserving patients.”

Diabetes is relentless, Shakoor explains.

“It can cause irreversible vision loss as it changes the blood vessels of the retina. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, the vessels may swell and leak fluid. In others, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. Once the retina ceases to function, it’s hard to recoup any vision,” he says. “Timely treatments, including laser procedures or injection in the eye, can prevent further vision loss and sometimes help regain lost vision. That’s life-changing.”

After losing his father to diabetes and watching it take his mother’s sight, Kapiolani Pauni was terrified when his vision began to fade. Pauni has diabetic retinopathy, which can cause irreversible harm to the retina.

A father of eight, he lost his ability to work as his vision started to fail. He had to rely on his children to drive him and help with everyday tasks. His independence was fading as quickly as his vision, but he felt he didn’t have a choice. He simply could not afford the costly treatments to stop the damage caused by the disease.

Pauni received a referral to Moran’s donor-funded charitable eye care program and retinal specialist Akbar Shakoor, MD. Pauni’s retinopathy was severe, but Shakoor has administered injections and used a specialized laser to repair and preserve his sight.

“There are no words to describe the feeling of gratefulness I have for the Moran Eye Center and how they have given me my life back,” Pauni says.

“Early detection, timely treatment, and follow-up care make all the difference,” says Shakoor. “With diabetes rates continuing to rise, especially in under-resourced populations, charitable care for diabetic retinopathy is more crucial than ever.”

RETINA CLINIC PROVIDES LIFE-CHANGING CARE

“The treatment has dramatically helped my vision,” says diabetic retinopathy patient Kapiolani Pauni, with his daughter at Moran’s Midvalley clinic. “I’m able to see more and do more things now.”

Left: Navajo Nation Kayenta Elementary School, October 2021

Hope in Sight Redwood Outreach Clinic, August 2021

People’s Health Clinic in Park City February 2021

Pterygium Day April 2021

Teddy Bear Clinic, August 2021

ENGINEERING A SOLUTION FOR EYE EXAMS IN REMOTE AREAS

Performing comprehensive eye exams under challenging conditions—including a lack of power and reliable equipment in temperatures well over 100 degrees—is nothing new for the Moran Eye Center’s Global Outreach team.

W hether on the far-flung islands of Micronesia or remote villages in sub-Saharan Africa, Moran physicians and the local health care providers they train do their best with what is available.

The late Alan S. Crandall, MD, the founder and senior medical director of Moran’s Global Outreach Division, experienced those conditions firsthand. Shortly before he passed away in October 2020, Crandall’s decades of global humanitarian work and his love of mechanics and innovation inspired collaboration with the University of Utah Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Capstone Design Program. In the senior-level design program, engineering students demonstrate they can integrate everything they have learned into a deliverable product.

Meeting a Basic Need in Outreach Care

What’s often missing in low-resource ophthalmic outreach situations is basic: a sturdy flat table, a frame to support patients’ heads and keep them stationary during eye examinations, and charging options for a portable electronic slit lamp. One of the key components of a comprehensive exam, the lamp is a vital tool in determining eye health and detecting eye disease.

With input from Crandall and Moran’s outreach team, a group of fourth-year mechanical engineering students led by Mechanical Engineering Professor Kenneth d’Entremont, PhD, PE, conceived and created a portable solution that addresses all those needs. And it fits into one neat package—a Pelican Air 1615 case.

“One goal we have as engineers is to find and create solutions that have a positive effect on humanity. Dr. Crandall and the outreach program gave us a platform that allowed us to link that goal with something real.”

—JAMIE HUGHES, fourth-year mechanical engineering student

The Field Equipment for Eye Examinations project includes a:

 Sturdy, 3D-printed head support that holds up to 10 pounds and easily attaches to multiple surfaces.

 Worktable with slide-out tables on both sides to create a larger workspace. The team used collapsible trekking poles as table legs, allowing users to adjust the table height.

 Power bank to charge the portable slit lamp. Three lithium-polymer batteries provide a total of 444 watt-hours of battery capacity, enough to charge all of Moran’s commonly used equipment at least once during a workday.

“I’m most proud of the battery bank and charging capabilities of the case,” says student Jamie Hughes. “There are plenty of backup battery storage devices on the market similar to what we have, but I have yet to see one with removable batteries like ours. This capability means they can take the case on an airplane. Otherwise, the combined battery capacity would be too large, and airlines wouldn’t allow it.”

The design team described its solution as “robust, versatile, functional, and easily maneuverable.”

“I would agree with that description,” says Global Outreach Division Co-Medical Director Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA. “Everything about this invention makes it a great fit for any international trip. The battery bank alone is impressive, as it includes a cooling system that can survive in temperatures well over 100 degrees.”

Moran physicians and medical personnel have volunteered their time in more than 20 countries as part of the donor-funded division’s mission to create sustainable eye care systems worldwide. In Utah, teams provide care on the remote Navajo Nation, in community clinics, and to under-resourced populations.

Friendship Spurred Cross-Campus Collaboration

“My connection with Dr. Crandall goes back decades by way of my wife, who was familiar with his outreach work around the world,” says d’Entremont.

W hen d’Entremont began seeking projects and sponsors for the Capstone Design Program, Moran’s Global Outreach Division seemed like the perfect fit.

“Alan never had a shortage of ideas,” says d’Entremont. “The students met with Dr. Crandall, and some also traveled with the program to the Navajo Nation to experience the work firsthand. It’s been a great collaboration for a worthy mission, saving sight for people in need.”

At top, Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, tries out the exam table and built-in 3D-printed head support with outreach Program Manager Lori McCoy and a student design team member. Below, students assemble the table out of a portable case, with slide-out extensions on both sides to create a larger workspace. The team used collapsible trekking poles as table legs, allowing users to adjust the table height.

Video: More about the project at youtu.be/wKimnQxQ8Yg

THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORING IN OPHTHALMOLOGY, THEN AND NOW

A conversation with Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA.

At the end of his Moran residency in 2010, Jeff Pettey, MD, was unsure about the next stop on his career roadmap. He found a mentor in Moran CEO Randall J Olson, MD. Today, Pettey is an associate professor who serves as the institution’s Vice Chair of Education and CoMedical Director of Moran’s Global Outreach Division.

How did Dr. Olson approach mentoring you about the next step in your career?

Although he knew me reasonably well, Dr. Olson asked about my passions, and he listened. He told me not to sell myself short, keep my options open, and talk to him again in a week.

The next time we met, he proposed a plan. Based on what I had expressed about numerous goals adjacent to ophthalmology, he offered to create a fellowship that would allow me to pursue leadership and global outreach while specializing in cataract surgery. He essentially outlined what my dream career could be, and his support gave me the confidence to believe I could do it.

He was absolutely right. From that day on, I have tried to pay it forward.

A fter your experience as a mentee and now as a seasoned mentor, what do you consider “best practices” when advising medical students and young ophthalmologists? As mentors, we need to remember it’s human nature for students and early-career ophthalmologists to sell themselves a bit short, to lack an understanding of all their capabilities.

The biggest thing mentors can do is help them broaden their horizons, tap into skill sets they may not even know they have, and be hands-on when it comes to creating a plan.

It takes time. You have to ask the right questions and listen intently instead of thinking you already have the answers. Meet regularly and to make sure you’re a good match. Mentors may change as mentees go in different directions.

Adapted from a presentation given by Drs. Olson and Pettey at the 2021 American Academy of Ophthalmology’s panel on Mentoring in Ophthalmology.

Moran resident Mubarik Mohamed, MD, left, meets with Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA.

SUPPORTING STUDENT PHYSICIAN-SCIENTISTS

The Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation awards $15,000 annually to at least one incoming Moran Eye Center resident to support research.

This gift allows promising young scientists to pursue research during their residencies with the hope they will choose careers that continue their scientific investigations. Moran matches the award for the following two years of residency, providing a total of $45,000.

This year, ARCS named two recipients: Nnana Amakiri, MD, who received the Mark and Kathie Miller Award in honor of Moran CEO Randall J Olson, MD; and Ashley Polski, MD, who received the ARCS Foundation Utah Chapter Award.

Amakiri earned his medical degree at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, where he was elected president of his medical school’s Gold Humanism Honor Society and president of the Dean’s Ambassadors group.

Amakiri is one of four siblings whose Nigerian parents immigrated to the United States several years before his birth. This strong international connection spurred his interest in global health. At Texas Tech, Dr. Amakiri also spent time researching the effects of amyloid beta cell components and their interaction with microRNA in the genetic makeup of Alzheimer’s disease.

As a Moran resident, Amakiri will focus on extending sustainable, high-quality eye care to resource-poor areas worldwide. Like the role models who shaped his career growth, he also plans to make a special effort to mentor students from under-resourced backgrounds.

Polski earned her medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, where she graduated with highest honors and distinction in research. Among her many projects in medical school, Polski helped evaluate tissue biopsy and staging in managing patients with ocular surface squamous neoplasia, a tumor that grows on the eye’s surface.

Her honors include the USC Dean’s Research Scholarship and Wright Foundation Research Award, which allowed her to spend a dedicated research year at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as a third-year resident. There, she investigated a minimally invasive biopsy technique for retinoblastoma, the most common type of eye cancer in children.

She plans to participate in glaucoma research and continue pursuing interests in translational medicine and community outreach.

Ashley Polski, MD, left, and Nnana Amakiri, MD.

MORAN EYE CENTER

Residents and Fellows 2021-2022

Moran offers one of the nation’s top educational programs, providing excellent didactic training and extensive surgical experience. The latest Ophthalmology Times survey of chairpersons and residency program directors at eye centers across the country ranked Moran No. 10 in the nation for Best Residency Program. A 2021 survey by physician website Doximity placed Moran’s residency program at No. 6 in the country and No. 2 in the West.

A Unique Approach

Residents leave our program exceptionally prepared for their next steps . Interns complete a combined ophthalmology and internal medicine program . They spend three months in ophthalmology, including one half-day a week at Moran’s Continuity Clinic, where they follow a patient’s care throughout their ophthalmology rotation. Interns may use additional elective time to improve their preparation for ophthalmology training.

Moran goes beyond traditional models to teach residents and fellows how to provide patients with the best outcomes at the lowest cost. Recent resident-driven initiatives include a dynamic, interactive ophthalmology curriculum, wellness program, and scholarship for applicants from underrepresented groups in medicine.

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2021-2022

RESIDENCY PROGRAM 2021-2022

FIRST YEAR

NEUROOPHTHALMOLOGY

SECOND YEAR

THIRD YEAR/CHIEF RESIDENTS

Hong-Gam Le, MD Joseph Simonett, MD

RETINA

CORNEA

Kyle Jones, MD

Colin Ip, MD

Theresa Long, MD

Tyler Etheridge, MD Brandon Kennedy, MD Anthony Mai, MD Lydia Sauer, MD

Allie Simpson, MD Sean Collon, MD Abigail Jebaraj, MD Cole Swiston, MD

Katherine Hu, MD

Ariana Levin, MD Marshall Huang, MD

Michael Murri, MD

Jack Li, MD Eric Caskey, MD

Ian Danford, MD

GLAUCOMA

UVEITIS

Christopher Bair, MD

Rachel Patel, MD

MORAN EYE CENTER Residents and Fellows

INTERNS & OPHTHALMIC PATHOLOGY/RESEARCH FELLOWS

Program Growth

Residency and fellowship training continues to be in high demand. Moran received 678 resident applications for four spots in 2021. Including interns, Moran trains 16 residents and up to 12 fellows in specialties like cornea and refractive surgery, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, retina and vitreous surgery, and uveitis.

High Surgical Volumes

Clinical faculty members perform more than 9,000 surgeries per year and see about 157,000 patients, ensuring residents and fellows have a full range of clinical and surgical experiences. In a typical three-year period, one Moran resident, on average, performs about 740 surgeries and procedures. More than 300 are cataract surgeries—86 is the national requirement. Board-certified attending faculty supervise all surgeries and procedures. A wet lab and surgical simulators give residents additional opportunities for hands-on experience.

Dedicated Research Time

Moran residents may receive up to one-half day of dedicated research time per week for projects during their training. We also provide funding opportunities such as the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation’s scholars program. Each year, at least one resident is awarded $15,000, and Moran matches funds for his or her second and third year.

Outreach Opportunities

Moran residents complete four-week international rotations during training, and many fellows travel with faculty to a number of countries in partnership with Moran’s Global Outreach Division.

ADVANCING GLOBAL OPHTHALMOLOGY

Moran welcomed a panel of international ophthalmology experts and fellows to the Second Annual Global Ophthalmology Fellowship Retreat in 2021.

The July event included sessions on the growing challenge of blindness and vision impairment worldwide, key concepts for public health for eye care, and a virtual update from physicians Moran works with in Tanzania and Haiti.

There was also a day of learning in Moran’s wet lab and on the HelpMeSee surgical simulator, designed to help surgeons develop their skills in manual small-incision cataract surgery, a technique often used in low-resource parts of the world.

Moran education and outreach leaders helped create the symposium to begin discussions and collaborations that will strengthen an international effort to increase access to sustainable eye care.

Sam Wilkinson, MD

Se Eun “Sally” Park, MD

OCULAR PATHOLOGY/RESEARCH

Jordan Desautels, MD

Nnana Amakiri, MD

Mubarik Mohamed, MD Ashley Polski, MD

Minal Baldota, MD, lower left, works with Emory Eye Center fellow Duaa Sharfi, MD, on the HelpMeSee Simulation-Based Training System at the Second Annual Global Ophthalmology Fellowship Retreat.

NIGHT FOR SIGHT CELEBRATES A LEGACY OF CARE AND GIVING

Donors participating in the Moran Eye Center’s 2021 Night for Sight online event exceeded a fundraising goal of $1 million, generously funding the Global Outreach Division’s work to end curable blindness by increasing access to eye care in Utah and worldwide.

The October 9 gala and silent auction honored the life and legacy of the late Alan S. Crandall, MD. Proceeds will support general outreach program initiatives as well as the new Alan S. Crandall, MD, Endowment in Global Outreach for Patient Care, Teaching, and Training.

“I am awestruck by the outpouring of support we’ve received and I am just ecstatic that we met our fundraising goal,” says Moran CEO Randall J Olson, MD. “It’s an amazing tribute to Alan. I want to thank all of you—our sponsors, donors, committee members, board members, colleagues, patients, and friends—for seeing the need and rising to meet it. Alan would be proud and profoundly grateful to each of you.”

Olson joined auctioneer Bill Menish, a favorite from past Night for Sight events, onstage at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City for a broadcast streamed live via GiveSmart.

Supporters contributed more than $1.2 million as part of the event, including a $500,000 donation match from an anonymous donor.

Crandall, who passed away in October 2020, founded Moran’s earliest outreach program in 1992, following his own work in Ghana.

Funded solely by donors, Moran’s Global Outreach Division is now the largest academic ophthalmology outreach program of its kind in the United States.

The evening’s program included an emotional video tribute to Crandall. Moran also presented its Global Ambassador Award posthumously to Crandall. His wife, Julie Crandall, accepted the award from Olson.

At left, Moran CEO Randall J Olson, MD, and auctioneer Bill Menish during the Night for Sight live stream at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. At right, the hotel’s online production crew behind the scenes during the fundraising gala.

About The Alan S. Crandall, MD, Endowment in Global Outreach for Patient Care, Teaching, and Training

This new endowment will ensure Crandall’s legacy of charitable eye care continues to have a lasting impact.

Crandall was a brilliant, caring surgeon who dedicated his many talents to helping others, training young surgeons, and providing eye care outreach in Utah and more than 20 countries worldwide.

O ver his 39 years at the Moran Eye Center, Crandall’s care and consideration for his patients and colleagues shaped a culture of family.

Thanks to Night for Sight supporters and other donors, Moran is close to reaching an endowment fundraising goal of $2 million.

The funds from the endowment will go directly to Moran’s Global Outreach Division to provide excellent patient care and teach and train ophthalmologists in Utah and worldwide.

Th rough private investment and smart fiscal management, endowment funds vest over time, ensuring Moran will be able to continue Crandall’s legacy in perpetuity.

MORE INFORMATION

If you have questions or would like to contribute to The Alan S. Crandall, MD, Endowment in Global Outreach for Patient Care, Teaching, and Training, contact Moran’s External Relations team at 801-585-9700 or moran.info@hsc.utah.edu.

Alan S. Crandall, MD, examines a patient during an outreach trip to Tanzania.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS

Presenting Sponsors $25,000

Christine and Fred Fairclough

Huntsman Foundation

David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation

The Judelson Family Foundation

The Mitchell and June Morris Foundation

John and Marva Warnock

Visionary Sponsors $5,000

Dr. Paul and Ann Bernstein

Brickwork Offices

The Gallivan Family

The Lipman Family Foundation

Semnani Family Foundation

Platinum Sponsors $10,000

A ltabank

Bonneville Real Estate Capital

Grandeur Peak Funds

Karen and Douglas K. Kelsey, MD, PhD

Lindsey and Jon Little

The Mark and Kathie Miller Foundation

Table Sponsors $2, 50 0

Debbie and Byron Barkley

Bill and Vicki Bennion

Boyer Corporon Wealth Management

BMW of Murray

BMW of Pleasant Grove

Cadenza Family Dentistry

Culligan

Tom and Lynn Fey Foundation

FFKR Architects

Firmco Group of Companies

Dr. Nick and Mercy Mamalis Family

Markosian Auto

Mini of Murray

O.C. Tanner

Mimi Sinclair

Liz and Jonathan Slager

University of Utah Health

WCF Insurance

Moran Global Vision Board

Christine A. Fairclough, Chair

Deborah and Byron Barkley

Laurie Burt

Fred Fairclough

Lynn Fey

Carol Firmage

Night for Sight Event Committee

Lindsey Fairclough Little, Chair

Karen Bachman

Ann Bagley

Vicki Bennion

Ann Bernstein

Jane Cobabe

Julie Crandall

Christine Fairclough

Carol Firmage

Luella Freed

Heidi Furlong

Jill James

Marilee Latta

Anna Maidon

Mercy Mamalis

Karen Marsden

Lisa Peterson

Gretchen Pettey

Lincoln Shurtz

Mimi Sinclair

Liz Slager

Hayden Hull Williams

Luella Freed

Heidi Furlong

Lindsey Fairclough Little

Kathie Miller

Patrick Reddish

Hayden Hull Williams

Lisa Wirthlin

AWARDS & HONORS

National Rankings

U.S. News & World Report ranked the Moran Eye Center 11th in the nation for providing excellent patient care. The ranking, released as part of the 2021-2022 Best Hospitals for Ophthalmology report, is based on voting results asking ophthalmologists across the nation where they would send patients with the most complex eye conditions.

“We’re grateful our peers recognize the Moran Eye Center is providing some of the best ophthalmic care the country has to offer,” says Moran CEO Randall J Olson, MD. “Our extensively-trained physicians provide comprehensive care in all of our field’s subspecialties. I couldn’t be prouder of this recognition of their skill and dedication.”

In other national rankings, Ophthalmology Times named Moran as the 11th Best Overall Program in the nation, 10th for residency education, and 11th for clinical care; physician website Doximity named Moran’s residency education program as 6th in the nation and 2nd in the West.

Excellence in Patient Care

The Moran Eye Center at Midvalley Health Center earned a 2021 Pinnacle of Excellence award from Press Ganey, a national company that works with more than 41,000 health care facilities to improve overall safety, quality, and patient experience.

The preeminent, competitive award recognizes Midvalley for achieving and sustaining superior patient experience performance over the last three years.

“These awards celebrate the work of every team member at these locations,” says Mari Ransco, senior director of patient experience at University of Utah Health. “It takes focus, leadership, and a commitment to fostering culture to achieve and sustain patient- and family-centered care.”

AWARDS & HONORS

Randall J Olson, MD, Moran CEO and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, has been awarded the rank of Distinguished Professor by the University of Utah.

The distinction is reserved for faculty whose achievements exemplify the highest goals of scholarship as demonstrated by recognition accorded to them by peers with national and international stature and whose record includes evidence of a high dedication to teaching as demonstrated by recognition accorded to them by students or colleagues.

“Dr. Olson is truly an extraordinary physician, researcher, teacher, mentor, and leader known throughout our state, nation, and the world for his many contributions to visual science,” wrote Kathleen B. Digre, MD, in her nomination of Olson. “His remarkable achievements and their impact on the University of Utah, the state of Utah, and the field of ophthalmology are cause for recognition and celebration.”

The late Alan S. Crandall, MD, was honored posthumously with the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award at its 2021 virtual gathering.

Over the years, Crandall won multiple awards at the ASCRS Film Festival and probably gave more than 100 film and video instructional presentations, said Moran colleague Liliana Werner, MD, PhD.

“The ASCRS Film Festival is probably the best known and the most prestigious scientific film festival in the world regarding anterior segment surgery,” she notes.

“Many innovations in this area were first introduced to the ophthalmology community at this festival. It is an honor for any ophthalmologist to receive an ASCRS film festival award, and, as a former judge, I can attest that it is very competitive.”

Alan S. Crandall, MD, receives an ASCRS Film Festival award in 2011.

AWARDS & HONORS

Kathleen B. Digre, MD, Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD, and Liliana Werner, MD, PhD, were named to The Ophthalmologist magazine’s 2021 Power List of the Top 100 Women in Ophthalmology.

Each year the magazine compiles a list of the most influential people in ophthalmology. The 2021 issue showcased the powerful impact of leading female professionals in ophthalmic clinical practice, research, education, and industry.

Leah Owen, MD, PhD, was among 28 elite, early-career vision scientists selected to present their research to Utah’s congressional delegation at the Seventh Annual Emerging Vision Scientist Day, a virtual event held in September 2021.

The National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research and the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research sponsored the event to show Congress the critical work investigators are doing early in their careers and advocate for federal research funding.

Owen’s work to prevent retinopathy of prematurity—a potentially blinding eye disease affecting premature babies—helped raise awareness about the lifelong impact of pediatric vision impairment, the costs of eye disease, and the need for continued federal funding support to minimize vision loss across the lifespan.

Brian C. Stagg, MD, received the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 2021 Secretariat Award. The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to the academy and to ophthalmology.

The academy called him a valuable reviewer for Ophthalmology Glaucoma in the areas of cataract surgery and geriatric ophthalmology, his areas of specialization at Moran. Ranked among the Top 10 reviewers for the journal in 2020, he consistently provides rigorous critiques for author submissions.

From left: Kathleen B. Digre, MD, Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD, and Liliana Werner, MD, PhD.

AWARDS & HONORS

Eileen Hwang, MD, PhD, received a highly competitive Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF) Career-Starter Research grant of nearly $70,000 to investigate the role of the vitreous, a transparent gel that fills the eye, in Stickler syndrome.

The syndrome is a hereditary childhood disorder and a cause of retinal detachment in children and young adults. If left untreated, it can cause blindness. Hwang’s laboratory investigates all aspects of the vitreous and wants to find out whether diseases may be prevented or treated by altering its biochemistry and structure.

Since 1956, KTEF has supported work to improve vision through research, education, and access to care. By focusing on research, the organization hopes to prevent vision loss first and foremost and to correct conditions early.

Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD, received the 2021 Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman Award from Women in Ophthalmology (WIO). The award recognizes the ophthalmologist who has done the most in the immediately preceding year to advance and enhance the position of women in ophthalmology.

Among her many professional activities, Hartnett serves as editor of Women’s Eye Health, a website written by and for women and produced in partnership with the National Eye Health Education Program and WIO. The site (w-e-h.org) offers helpful insights and detailed explanations of eye diseases and conditions that affect women in more significant numbers.

Hartnett is a Distinguished Professor and holds the Calvin S. and JeNeal N. Hatch Presidential Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. She is Director of Moran’s Pediatric Retina Center as well as principal investigator of a National Institutes of Healthfunded laboratory that studies conditions including retinopathy of prematurity and age-related macular degeneration.

Uveitis Fellows Forum

The Moran Eye Center hosted the 13th Annual Uveitis Fellows Forum on January 14, 2022, with 35 in attendance. Chaired by Moran’s Albert T. Vitale, MD, the American Uveitis Society event served as a robust career planning and mentoring conference. It included case presentations by uveitis fellows from institutions around the U.S. and a lively discussion of these cases by

a roster of distinguished volunteer faculty. The group also spent hands-on study time in Moran’s wet lab. An educational grant from Bausch + Lomb supported the activity. Other generous Forum sponsors included Allergan Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and EyePoint Pharmaceuticals.

Ophthalmology Fellowship for Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine

Moran now offers $1,000 scholarships for summer clinical and research rotations to rising second-year medical students (MS2) who identify as an underrepresented group in medicine as designated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). The academy defines the groups as Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and/or Native American (American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian).

The program aims to provide motivated second-year medical students with early exposure to ophthalmology with the ultimate goal of increasing diversity within the profession. During a four-week experience, students will work with full-time faculty preceptors and research mentors. They will also have direct patient care opportunities in clinical and surgical settings, all covering a broad range of comprehensive and/or subspecialty ophthalmology.

“We cannot underestimate the importance and impact of mentoring underrepresented students,” says Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, residency program director and vice chair of education. “It’s our collective responsibility to help them tap into their talents at an early stage and make them aware of all the opportunities available.”

Application submissions are set March 1-31 and selected applicants will be notified by mid-April. More information at medicine.utah.edu/ophthalmology/education/residency/.

HIGHLIGHTS

Translational Research Day

Michael Chiang, MD, director of the National Eye Institute (NEI), joined Moran’s Translational Research Day 2021 as the research keynote speaker.

He gave attendees an exclusive preview of the new NEI Strategic Plan “Eliminating Blindness & Improving Quality of Life” and presented “Artificial Intelligence in Eye Care: Promises and Challenges.”

The annual conference, co-chaired by Bryan W. Jones, PhD, and Leah Owen, MD, PhD, was held in-person and via Zoom. It featured 10 presentations on a wide range of work underway at Moran that will allow researchers to continue translating scientific discoveries into life-changing clinical interventions for patients.

Iqbal “Ike” K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, who directs Moran’s Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation, delivered the clinical keynote speech: “Surgical Enhancement of Outflow in Glaucoma: From Bench to Bedside and Opportunities Ahead.”

Other Moran scientific presenters were:

 Paul Bernstein, MD, PhD: “Lutein and Zeaxanthin for Ocular Health: They’re Not Just for AMD Anymore”

 Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD: “Erythropoietin Signaling Pathway Involved in Retinal Neural Regeneration after Vascular Occlusion: Implications in ROP and Diabetic Retinopathy ”

 Christopher Rudzitis: “Therapeutic Potentials of Mechano-gated Ion Channels in the Treatment of Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma”

 Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg, MD: “Monitoring Early Features of Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration”

 Brian Stagg, MD: “Clinical Decision Support for Glaucoma”

 Frans Vinberg, PhD: “Ex Vivo Physiology of the Human Macula: A New Model to Study Human Central Vision”

 Haibo Wang, MD, PhD: “Phenotypic change in Choroidal Endothelial Cells and Senescence in RPE: Implications in AMD”

 Moussa Zouache, PhD: “Age-Related Macular Degeneration: From Genetics to Mechanisms”

Moran Eye Center Shares Cataract Outcomes Data

The Moran Eye Center is routinely recognized for its exceptional care and has been ranked among the best eye centers in the nation as surgeons complete more than 9,000 procedures each year.

In 2021, the institution launched an effort led by Vice-Chair of Quality and Value Judith E. A. Warner, MD, to share patient outcome information that details the quality of care patients receive. The initial data sets provide information on patient outcomes from cataract surgery, the most commonly performed surgery. Moran will continue to expand these data sets in the future.

“We are committed to transparency, and hope this new data assists physicians, patients, and the public,” says Moran CEO Randall J Olson, MD. Moran’s rigorous data monitoring program includes digitally recording every surgery and documenting every case. Surgeons must report if there was or was not a complication to ensure comprehensive tracking. Moran reviews and verifies the reports, comparing them with independent data points to look for patterns. These data points include equipment or supplies the surgeons have used in surgical cases with complications.

“Improving patient outcomes, safety, or other operational issues requires an understanding of the processes involved,” says Warner. “Measuring processes to establish baseline data can, at times, be challenging. Yet since I joined Moran’s Quality Improvement Committee in 1994, I have seen our institution rise to meet these challenges.”

Judith E. A. Warner, MD

MORAN EYE CENTER Ophthalmologists 2021-2022

CEO of the John A. Moran Eye Center

Randall J Olson, MD, is a Distinguished Professor, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and CEO of the John A. Moran Eye Center. He specializes in research dealing with intraocular lens and cataract surgery. Dr. Olson is the author of more than 300 professional publications and has given many named lectures all over the U.S. and worldwide. He was selected to receive the 2016 Jan Worst Medal by the International Intra-Ocular Implant Club, the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award by AAO, the 2014 Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence by the University of Utah, the 2014 Kelman Award by AAO, the 2012 Binkhorst Medal by ASCRS, and the 2019 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology. Dr. Olson’s practice is limited to consultations and his long-term patients at this time.

SPECIALTIES

• Cataract Services and External Eye Diseases

Doctors in alphabetical order

Iqbal “Ike” K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, is recognized as one of the most experienced surgeons for complex eye conditions worldwide and renowned for his groundbreaking work in the surgical treatment of diseases, including glaucoma, and surgical complications. He has an international patient base and in 2020

The Ophthalmologist magazine Power List named him the second most influential ophthalmologist worldwide. Dr. Ahmed has done pioneering work in innovative glaucoma therapeutics and coined the term micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) as a new genre of surgical approaches and devices. He is the Director of the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation. The center conducts research to understand glaucoma’s impact on vision and the genetics of the disease. It is developing new diagnostic tools and designing safer and more effective treatments that will increase access to care. Dr. Ahmed consults for more than 50 companies and has authored more than 170 professional publications in addition to several books. He has received the prestigious ASCRS Binkhorst Medal and many of the field’s top honors and awards.

SPECIALTIES

• Glaucoma

• Cataract Surgery

• Lens Implant Complications

William Barlow, MD, is a comprehensive ophthalmologist and ocular surgeon with a specific interest in cataracts, complex cataract surgery, pterygium removal, and refractive eye surgery such as LASIK and PRK. He provides medical and surgical care for these conditions as well as general ophthalmic concerns. Dr. Barlow is a team ophthalmologist for the Utah Jazz.

SPECIALTIES

• Comprehensive Ophthalmology

• Cataract Surgery

• Refractive Surgery

Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD, is the Val A. and Edith D. Green Presidential Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. He specializes in AMD, with emphasis on the role of nutrition and environment in its treatment and prevention; inherited retinal and macular dystrophies; and surgical treatment of vitreoretinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachments.

SPECIALTIES

• Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery

• Retinal Biochemistry

• Macular and Retinal Degeneration

Craig J. Chaya, MD, is Co-Medical Director, Moran

Global Outreach Division. He specializes in the medical and surgical management of adult and pediatric cataracts, glaucoma, and anterior segment surgery. He is actively involved in Moran’s resident and glaucoma fellow training programs and local and international outreach work. His research interests include the management of cataracts and glaucoma in the developing world and glaucoma surgical techniques and devices.

SPECIALTIES

• Cataract Surgery

• Glaucoma

• Anterior Segment Surgery

James Beson, DO, specializes in comprehensive ophthalmology with a focus on the medical management of routine and complex glaucoma.

SPECIALTIES

• Comprehensive Ophthalmology

• Glaucoma

Susan Chortkoff, MD, specializes in the management and treatment of glaucoma as well as comprehensive ophthalmology. She is a member of the American Glaucoma Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

SPECIALTY

• Glaucoma

Alison Crum, MD, specializes in both oculoplastics and orbital surgery—the reconstruction of the bones around the eyes after traumas, correcting drooping eyelids, and aesthetic surgeries, such as eyelid lifts. She also practices neuro-ophthalmology and provides medical and surgical treatments for visual disorders. Her interests include treatment of Graves’ disease and papilledema.

SPECIALTIES

• Neuro-Ophthalmology

• Oculoplastics and Facial Plastic Surgery

Kathleen B. Digre, MD, is a Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology. She is past president of the American Headache Society and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. She specializes in neuro-ophthalmology and evaluates and treats complex visual complaints. Her clinical research focuses on gender differences in neuro-ophthalmic disorders, pseudotumor cerebri, photophobia, headaches, and eye pain. She has authored over 250 professional publications and five textbooks. She lectures nationally and internationally. She worked with the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and the University of Utah Eccles Health Sciences Library to develop the Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Educational Library (NOVEL), novel.utah.edu. She chairs Moran’s Clinical Ophthalmology Resource for Education (CORE), morancore.utah.edu, and library committees. Honors include the Rosenblatt Prize, an honorary degree from the University of Zurich, and a Distinguished Alumna award from the University of Iowa.

SPECIALTY

• Neuro-Ophthalmology

David C. Dries, MD, provides medical and surgical care for eye diseases and visual impairments in children as well as the evaluation and management of strabismus in children and adults. His interests include amblyopia, esotropia, exotropia, retinopathy of prematurity, infant and childhood cataracts, and nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

SPECIALTIES

• Pediatric Ophthalmology

• Adult Strabismus

• Complicated Adult and Child Strabismus

• Craniofacial Disorders

Eric Hansen, MD, specializes in treating tumors and cancers of the eye and medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous. He is Director of Ocular Oncology at Moran, with clinical and research interests in intraocular tumors, such as uveal melanoma and retinoblastoma, as well as tumors of the surface of the eye. His clinical and surgical interests also include retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy, epiretinal membranes and macular holes, and macular degeneration. Dr. Hansen is actively involved in local and international outreach work, with a focus on building capacity through education and systems development.

SPECIALTIES

• Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery

• Ocular Oncology

Monika Fleckenstein, MD, specializes in degenerative retinal diseases, with special focus on AMD and clinical expertise in the management and treatment of all forms of the disease. Working with Moran’s Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine (SCTM), Dr. Fleckenstein is an international authority on the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials in retinal diseases. Her particular research focus includes the characterization of AMD subtypes by high-resolution retinal imaging and medical sensitivity testing.

SPECIALTIES

• Treatment and management of AMD

• Degenerative Retinal Diseases

An image of an iris taken using a Gonio lens, by James Gilman, CRA, FOPS.

Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD, is a Distinguished Professor and holds the Calvin S. and JeNeal N. Hatch Presidential Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. She is Director of Moran’s Pediatric Retina Center and one of a few retina specialists internationally trained to diagnose and treat pediatric retina disorders. As PI of an NIH-funded laboratory, she studies conditions including retinopathy of prematurity and AMD. Dr. Hartnett has authored 214 peer-reviewed publications and over 40 book chapters, and created the first academic textbook on the subject, Pediatric Retina. She has delivered numerous national and international invited lectures. Her awards include the Weisenfeld Award, the highest award for clinician-scientists given by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), in 2018. She received the 2019 Paul Kayser/Retina Research Foundation Global Award, the Macula Society’s 2016 Paul Henkind Award and its 2019 Arnall Patz Medal, and the 2021 Suzanne VeronneauTroutman Award, the most prestigious award from Women in Ophthalmology.

SPECIALTIES

• Pediatric and Adult Retinal Diseases and Surgery

Robert O. Hoffman, MD, is Chief of the Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Eye Muscle Disorders, and Co-Medical Director of the Moran Global Outreach Division. He has special interests in retinopathy of prematurity, ocular genetics, craniofacial disorders, pediatric cataracts, and complicated strabismus, as well as local, regional, and international pediatric ophthalmology outreach.

SPECIALTIES

• Pediatric Ophthalmology

• Adult Strabismus

Rachael Jacoby, MD, specializes in diseases of the retina and vitreous. Her clinical and surgical interests include retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy, and macular and retinal degeneration.

SPECIALTIES

• Retinal Diseases and Surgery

• Macular, Retinal Degeneration

Bradley J. Katz, MD, PhD, specializes in neuro-ophthalmology, cataract services, and comprehensive ophthalmology. He evaluates patients with diseases that affect the optic nerve and diseases of the brain that affect vision and eye movements.

SPECIALTIES

• Cataract Services

• Neuro-Ophthalmology

• Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Eileen Hwang, MD, PhD, specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of children and adults with retina conditions such as AMD, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusions, myopic degeneration, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, retinal tears, retinal detachment, retinopathy of prematurity, Stickler sydrome, Coats disease, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, and traumatic eye injury.

SPECIALTIES

• Adult and Pediatric Retina Conditions and Surgery

Griffin Jardine, MD, is Director of Medical Student Education for the Department of Ophthalmology. He specializes in pediatric eye diseases and adult strabismus. He offers medical and surgical treatment for amblyopia, strabismus, pediatric glaucoma, anterior segment disorders, pediatric cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity, and nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

SPECIALTIES

• Pediatric Ophthalmology

• Adult Strabismus

Marissa Larochelle, MD, specializes in cataract surgery and the diagnosis and management of patients with infectious and inflammatory eye conditions. She collaborates with rheumatologists, pediatricians, and internists to ensure uveitis patients receive optimum care.

SPECIALTIES

• Uveitis and Ocular Immunology

• Comprehensive Ophthalmology

• Cataract Surgery

Amy Lin, MD, specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of corneal and anterior segment diseases. She is Medical Director of the Utah Lions Eye Bank. Her interests include corneal transplantation, anterior segment reconstruction, cataract surgery, refractive surgery, and teaching residents and fellows.

SPECIALTIES

• Corneal Transplantation

• Cataract Surgery

• Vision Correction Surgery (LASIK, PRK, Phakic Intraocular Lenses)

• Ocular Surface Disease/Dry Eye Syndrome

Nick Mamalis, MD, is Director of the Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory. He focuses his clinical practice on comprehensive ophthalmology, including cataract and other anterior ocular surgeries. Dr. Mamalis is immediate past president of the 8,000-member American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). He is the editor emeritus of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and is the author of over 280 peer-reviewed publications, one textbook, and 48 book chapters. He is also Co-Director of the Intermountain Ocular Research Center and is performing research involving intraocular lenses and postoperative inflammation. Dr. Mamalis lectures throughout the world and was selected by Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today as one of 50 international opinion leaders. His awards include the 2015 Life Achievement Honor Award from AAO and the 2013 Binkhorst Medal from ASCRS.

SPECIALTIES

• Cataract Services

• Ophthalmic Pathology

• Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Douglas Marx, MD, specializes in pediatric and adult oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery, particularly pediatric and adult orbital tumors, eyelid and orbital reconstruction, and congenital defects. His research interests include congenital ptosis; eyelid and orbital defects; thyroid disease; orbital inflammation; neoplasms; and reconstruction.

SPECIALTIES

• Eyelid Reconstruction

• Ptosis, Brow Ptosis

• Ectropion and Entropion

• Nasolacrimal Diseases

• Orbital Tumors, Fractures

• Pediatric Eyelid, Eye Socket, Tear Duct Abnormalities

Austin S. Nakatsuka, MD, specializes in the newest micro-invasive glaucoma techniques, advanced cataract surgery, and surgical correction of congenital or traumatic conditions affecting the iris. Dr. Nakatsuka volunteers with Moran’s outreach team and has authored peer-reviewed journal articles related to his clinical work.

SPECIALTIES

• Cataract Surgery

• Medical and Surgical Glaucoma

• Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Mark D. Mifflin, MD, is the Director of Cornea and Refractive Division, Chief of Surgical Services at Moran, and Associate Medical Director of the Utah Lions Eye Bank. He specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of corneal and anterior segment eye diseases, including expertise in all types of corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, and vision correction using lasers and intraocular lenses. Dr. Mifflin also directs Moran’s prestigious Cornea Fellowship Program.

SPECIALTIES

• Cornea Transplant Surgery (Penetrating Keratoplasty, Lamellar Keratoplasty, Stem Cell Transplantation, and Eye Banking)

• Cataract Surgery (Premium Intraocular Lenses, Monovision)

• Vision Correction Surgery (LASIK, PRK, Phakic Intraocular Lenses)

Leah Owen, MD, PhD, specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of pediatric eye disease, including cataract, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, amblyopia, retinopathy of prematurity, and strabismus. She also specializes in the surgical treatment of adult strabismus.

SPECIALTIES

• Pediatric Ophthalmology

• Adult Strabismus

An Optos technology image of chorioretinitis, by James Gilman, CRA, FOPS.

Bhupendra C. K. Patel, MD, FRCS, is a general surgeon, plastic surgeon, and ophthalmic surgeon, with training in the United Kingdom and the United States. He has advanced fellowships in cosmetic and reconstructive head and neck surgery and also in ophthalmic plastic surgery, including orbital surgery, lacrimal surgery, socket surgery, and eyelid surgery. He has published three textbooks, including the 2020 edition of Orbital Tumors. He has developed and published many new surgical techniques and designed surgical instruments used worldwide. He has an international practice and sees new patients as well as patients seeking second and third opinions. He regularly operates in Africa, Asia, and Europe. He is recognized as an expert in the management of thyroid orbitopathy, facial fractures, orbital tumors, blepharospasm, lacrimal surgery, and facial and eyelid tumors.

SPECIALTY

• Oculoplastic and Facial Plastic Surgery

Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, is Moran’s Vice Chair of Education; Residency Program Director; and Co-Medical Director, Moran Global Outreach Division. Dr. Pettey specializes in post-traumatic and complex cataract surgery. His international work focuses on building training capacity through education and academic development. He was recognized by the American Academy of Ophthalmology for his ongoing local and international outreach work.

SPECIALTIES

• Complex Cataract Surgery

• Complex Anterior Segment Surgery

• Post-Traumatic Eye Injury

Meagan Seay, DO, specializes in neuro-ophthalmology and treats patients with neurological disorders that cause decreased vision or double vision, including abnormalities of the brain, optic nerve, and eye movements.

SPECIALTY

• Neuro-Ophthalmology

Rachel G. Simpson, MD, is Associate Program Director of Education. She specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma and cataracts and in advanced anterior segment surgeries.

SPECIALTIES

• Glaucoma

Cataract Surgery

Anterior Segment Surgery

Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg, MD, is a Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair at the University of Utah. He specializes in clinical and surgical treatment of macular and retinal diseases, including AMD, and is an expert in highresolution retinal imaging. He is Director of the Utah Retinal Imaging Reading Center (UREAD) at Moran, which has a key role in the SCTM’s drive to take a new therapy for a prevalent form of AMD into clinical trials.

SPECIALTIES

• Macular and Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery

Brian C. Stagg, MD, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. He also performs cataract surgery and has a special interest in geriatric ophthalmology. During his residency at the University of Michigan, he practiced as a comprehensive ophthalmologist and was a national clinician scholar research fellow studying population health. He participates in the University of Utah Vice President’s Clinical & Translational Research Scholars Program.

SPECIALTIES

Glaucoma

Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Cataract Services

• Geriatric Ophthalmology

Jean Tabin, MD, provides urgent vision care and comprehensive ophthalmology services at Moran’s Triage Clinic. There, she treats patients for any emergency or urgent concerns regarding their vision or eyes while often teaching medical students and residents interested in learning more about ophthalmology.

SPECIALTY

• Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Michael P. Teske, MD, is Director of Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery. Dr. Teske specializes in medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous. His primary surgical interests include retinal detachment, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, epiretinal membranes, macular holes, and posterior segment trauma.

• Retinal Diseases and Surgery

Judith E. A. Warner, MD, is Chief of Neuro-Ophthalmology and Vice-Chair of Quality and Value. She evaluates complex visual complaints, which can be due to optic nerve or brain disease, and provides treatment for these disorders. Her interests include diplopia, giant cell arteritis, papilledema, optic neuritis, episodic vision loss, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, ischemic optic neuropathy, and unexplained vision loss.

SPECIALTY

• Neuro-Ophthalmology

Marielle Young, MD, provides medical and surgical care for children with eye disease as well as adults and children with strabismus. Her clinical expertise includes the evaluation and treatment of amblyopia, strabismus, infantile and developmental cataracts, and nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

SPECIALTIES

• Pediatric Ophthalmology

• Adult Strabismus

Albert T. Vitale, MD, is Director of Moran’s Uveitis Division and a member of the Vitreoretinal Division. He specializes in complex ocular inflammatory and infectious conditions, as well as diseases of the retina and vitreous. His research interests include ocular festations of systemic diseases, novel therapeutic agents, new drug delivery systems in the treatment of ocular inflammatory disease, uveitic macular edema retinal vascular disease, and the pharmacotherapy of AMD. Dr. Vitale is co-author of the definitive text, with Dr. C. Stephen Foster, titled Diagnosis and Treatment of Uveitis.

SPECIALTIES

• Uveitis and Ocular Immunology

• Vitreoretinal Diseases

Barbara M. Wirostko, MD, FARVO, is Resident Research Director and Adjunct Clinical Professor in Ophthalmology, with fellowship training in glaucoma. She treats glaucoma and specializes in clinical research. As a serial entrepreneur, she has large and small pharmaceutical company expertise and focuses on drug development for glaucoma pharmaceutical therapies. Her research interest is in sustained delivery of therapeutics for ocular pathologies and in better understanding the genetics and associated systemic diseases of exfoliative syndrome, a common cause of open-angle glaucoma.

SPECIALTY

• Glaucoma

Norm A. Zabriskie, MD, is Professor, Vice Chair and Medical Director of Clinical Services, and Executive Director of Clinical Operations, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. He specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma and cataracts and has a research interest in the genetics of glaucoma.

SPECIALTIES

• Glaucoma Services

• Cataract Services

Ophthalmologists continued

OTHER SPECIALTIES

Brian E. Zaugg, MD, specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of corneal and anterior segment eye diseases, including expertise in all types of corneal transplantation, routine and complex cataract surgery, anterior segment reconstruction, pterygium removal, and refractive surgery, including LASIK, PRK, phakic intraocular lens, and clear lens extraction. His research interests focus on improving efficiency and safety in cataract surgery as well as refractive surgery outcomes. Dr. Zaugg is a team ophthalmologist for the Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake.

SPECIALTIES

• Cornea Transplant Surgery

• Ocular Surface Reconstruction (Pterygium Excision)

• Cataract Surgery (Premium Intraocular Lenses, LaserAssisted Cataract Surgery, Monovision)

• Vision Correction Surgery (LASIK, PRK, Phakic Intraocular Lenses, Clear Lens Extraction)

Patrick G. Bakke, MD, is the Medical Director of Anesthesia Services at Moran. Dr. Bakke provides and directs anesthesia care for ophthalmic patients before, during, and after surgery. His clinical interests also include anesthesia for labor and delivery, neurosurgery, and liver transplant, as well as the general practice of anesthesia.

SPECIALTY

• General Anesthesiology

Donnell J. Creel, PhD, is Director of the Electrophysiology Service at Moran. The Electrophysiology Service provides examinations, including visually evoked potentials, full-field electroretinograms, auditory brainstem responses, electrooculograms, multifocal electroretinograms, and multifocal visual evoked potentials. These tests quantitate retinal, optic pathway, visual cortical, and brainstem auditory pathway function. Dr. Creel has written some of the most-read online chapters on these tests.

SPECIALTY

• Electrophysiology

Lisa Ord, PhD, LCSW, is Director of the ophthalmology-based Patient Support Program for people with visual impairment and their families. Services include counseling, support and education groups, vision rehabilitation, occupational therapy, information and referral services, and the Orientation to Vision Loss Program.

SPECIALTY

• Psychosocial and Functional Issues Related to Vision Loss

Robert M. Christiansen, MD, FACS, provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation services through Moran’s ophthalmology-based Patient Support Program. A nationally known expert in low-vision rehabilitation, he has been recognized by AAO with the Achievement Award and the Senior Achievement Award and by other organizations for his work with the partially sighted.

SPECIALTY

• Vision Rehabilitation

Roger P. Harrie, MD, directs the Ophthalmic Ultrasound Department at Moran. He has been the senior instructor in the ocular ultrasound course at the annual AAO meetings and has published numerous articles, book chapters, and two textbooks. Dr. Harrie has made more than 50 humanitarian trips, mostly training doctors in developing countries in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. He directs the outreach program in examining and giving glasses to residents of the Salt Lake Valley Youth Detention Center.

SPECIALTY

• Ophthalmic Ultrasound

Shandi M. Beckwith, OD, provides a full range of optometry services for adults and children, with special interests in myopia management and contact lenses.

Farmington Health Center Redwood Health Center South Jordan Health Center

Robert H. Corry, OD, specializes in ocular pathology, pediatric and general optometry, and contact lenses.

Redwood Health Center South Jordan Health Center

Ryan Coyle, OD, provides a full range of optometry services with an emphasis on primary care, contact lenses, and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases. Redstone Health Center

Brandon J. Dahl, OD, FAAO, specializes in comprehensive optometry, pediatrics, disease management with special emphasis on anterior segment disease, and contact lenses. Farmington Health Center

Timothy L. Gibbons, OD, specializes in comprehensive eye care with special interest in contact lenses, pediatrics, and ocular disease.

Stansbury Health Center Westridge Health Center Redwood Health Center

OPTOMETRISTS

Gabriel A. Hulewsky, OD, provides comprehensive optometry services, with special interests in contact lenses, dry eye management, and sports vision.

Parkway Health Center Westridge Health Center

Mark A. McKay, OD, specializes in full-scope optometric care, including adult and pediatric care, contact lenses, and job- or hobby-related visual needs.

John A. Moran Eye Center Redwood Health Center

David Meyer, OD, FAAO, is the Director of Contact Lens Services, specializing in fitting lenses for keratoconus, post-surgical corneas, pediatrics, irregular or high astigmatism, and eye trauma. He also provides comprehensive eye care for glasses and soft contacts.

John A. Moran Eye Center Midvalley Health Center

Spencer D. Mortensen, OD, FAAO, specializes in contact lenses, sports vision, and general optometry. Westridge Health Center

Dix H. Pettey, OD, MS, specializes in fitting contact lenses for keratoconus, pediatrics, post-surgical, and eyes with severe or irregular astigmatism. He also provides comprehensive eye care for glasses and soft contacts.

Midvalley Health Center John A. Moran Eye Center

Colleen S. Schubach, OD, offers full-scope optometric eye care and contact lens services for all ages, with an emphasis on children and sports vision.

Redstone Health Center

MORAN EYE CENTER

Optometrists continued

Research Team 2021-2022

Craig M. Smith, OD, specializes in children’s vision, sports vision, contact lenses, and general optometry.

Midvalley Health Center

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Director, Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation

SPECIALTIES

Glaucoma, Cataract, and Lens Implant Surgical Therapeutics; Novel Device and Surgical Technique Development

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Mary H. Boesche Endowed Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Visual Cerebral Cortex Structure and Function; Development of Novel Technologies

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Ralph and Mary Tuck Presidential Endowed Chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Membrane Protein Transport in Photoreceptors for Inherited Retinal Disease; Photoreceptor Biochemistry; Molecular Cell Biology

Bryan H. Vincent, OD, specializes in ocular pathology and contact lenses.

Midvalley Health Center

John A. Moran Eye Center

Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Retinal Electrophysiology; Retinal Degenerative Diseases; Diabetic Retinopathy; Photoreceptor Physiology

Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD

Professor and Vice-Chair for Clinical and Basic Science Research; Val A. and Edith D. Green Presidential Endowed Chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Nutritional Biochemistry; Macular and Inherited Retinal Degeneration; Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Ophthalmoscopy

Lara Carroll, PhD

Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Corneal and Retinal Neovascular Diseases

Research Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Neurobiology and Anatomy; Neuroscience

SPECIALTY Electrophysiology

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

AMD, Degenerative Retinal Diseases; High-Resolution Imaging; Identification of Prognostic Biomarkers for Disease Progression; Validation of Clinical Endpoints for Interventional Trials

Jeanne M. Frederick, PhD

Research Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTY Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology

Alessandra Angelucci, MD, PhD

Iqbal “Ike” K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC

Monika Fleckenstein, MD

Silke Becker, PhD

Donnell J. Creel, PhD

Wolfgang B. Baehr, PhD

John A. Moran Presidential Endowed Chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Executive Director, Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine

SPECIALTIES

Genetics and Assessment of Pathways Involved in AMD Etiology; AMD Target Identification and Therapeutic Development

Research Team 2021-2022

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Photophobia (abnormal light sensitivity); Migraine: its effects on visual quality of life; Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD

Distinguished Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Calvin S. and JeNeal N. Hatch Presidential Endowed Chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Retinal and Choroidal Angiogenesis

Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Vitreous; Collagen; Extracellular Matrix; Aging; Protein Aggregation

Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Direc tor, Marclab for Connectomics

SPECIALTIES

Retinal Degeneration Disorders; Retinal Neurotransmission and Neurocircuitry; Metabolomics

David Krizaj, PhD

Binxing Li, PhD

Professor (Emerita), Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah; Doctor Honoris Causa, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Spain; Editor, webvision.med.utah.edu

SPECIALTY

Retinal Anatomy

Professor and Deputy Director of Research; krizajlab.vision.utah.edu; John Frederick Carter Endowed Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Glaucoma and Intraocular Pressure Regulation; Photoreceptor Signaling; Calcium Regulation in Neuropathological Disorders

Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Biochemistry and Biophysics of Macular Carotenoids; Mouse Models of Retinal Disease; Raman Imaging of Nutrients in the Retina

Nick Mamalis, MD

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Co-Director, Intermountain Ocular Research Center

SPECIALTIES

Ocular Pathology; Comprehensive Ophthalmology; Intraocular Lens Research; Postoperative Inflammation

Robert E. Marc, PhD

Distinguished Professor (Emeritus), Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Retinal Neurotransmission and Networks; Retinal Degenerations; Metabolomics

Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Computational Neuroscience; Neural Mechanisms of Visuospatial Perception

Richard A. Normann, PhD

Professor (Emeritus), Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering, University of Utah; Doctor Honoris Causa, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Spain

SPECIALTIES

Artificial Vision/Neural Prosthetics

Gregory S. Hageman, PhD

Eileen Hwang, MD, PhD

Bryan W. Jones, PhD

Bradley J. Katz, MD, PhD

Helga E. T. Kolb, PhD

Neda Nategh, PhD

BUILDING BRIDGES FROM RESEARCH TO PATIENT CARE

Behrad Noudoost, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Cognitive Neuroscience; Prefrontal Modulation of the Visual Cortex

Leah Owen, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Translational Analysis of Genetic and Molecular Disease Pathophysiology for Blinding Diseases, Including ROP, Strabismus, and Amblyopia; AMD

Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA

Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Phacoemulsification Platform Efficacy and Efficiency; Ophthalmology Training Methods and Outcomes

Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg, MD

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair; Director, Utah Retinal Reading Center, uread.org

SPECIALTIES

AMD; Retinal Imaging; Structural-Functional Correlation

Brian C. Stagg, MD

Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Clinical Decision Support in Glaucoma; Personalized Medicine; Health Informatics; Population Health

Ning Tian, PhD

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Adjunct Professor, Neurobiology

SPECIALTIES

Retinal Neurobiology; Synaptic Plasticity

Frans Vinberg, PhD

Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Retinal Electrophysiology and Calcium Signaling; Phototransduction and Visual Cycle; Retinal Disease

Haibo Wang, MD, PhD

Research Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Vascular Biology: Abnormal Vessel Growth Implicated in Pathological Neovascularization in AMD, ROP, and Diabetic Retinopathy

Liliana Werner, MD, PhD

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Co-Director, Intermountain Ocular Research Center; Vice-Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

SPECIALTIES

Ocular Biodevices Research; Different Intraocular Lens Designs; Materials and Surface Modifications; Interactions between Ocular Implants and Ocular Tissues

Jun Yang, PhD

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Retinal Degeneration; Cell Biology of Photoreceptors

Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

Retinal Degeneration Diseases; Neuroscience; Gene Therapy

Moussa A. Zouache, PhD

Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SPECIALTIES

AMD; Engineering Ophthalmology; Retinal Mass Transport Systems; Drug Development

MORAN EYE CENTER ADJUNCT RESEARCH TEAM

INTERNAL University of Utah EXTERNAL

Paul Bressloff, PhD

Brittany Coats, PhD

Karen Curtin, PhD, MStat

Michael Deans, PhD

Kristen Kwan, PhD

Maureen A. Murtaugh, PhD

Jon Rainier, PhD

Jason Shepherd, PhD

Monica Vetter, PhD

Barbara M. Wirostko, MD, FARVO

Ferhina Ali, MD

Catherine Bowes Rickman, PhD

Carter Cornwall, PhD

Margaret DeAngelis, PhD

Adam Dubis, PhD

Eugene de Juan, MD

Eduardo Fernandez, MD, PhD

Yingbin Fu, PhD

Sabine Fuhrmann, PhD

Werner Gellermann, PhD

Wen Fan Hu, MD, PhD

Li Jiang, MD, PhD

Tiarnan Keenan, MD, PhD

Edward Levine, PhD

Anat Loewenstein, MD

Philip Luthert, MBBS, FRCP, FRCPath, FRCOphth

Debra Schaumberg, ScD, OD, MPH

Larry A. Wheeler, PhD

Barry Willardson, PhD

Lloyd Williams, MD, PhD

ADJUNCT VOLUNTEER OPHTHALMOLOGISTS 2021-2022

Adjunct volunteer faculty collaborate on research projects, participate in clinical studies, attend teaching opportunities, and assist on our outreach medical missions.

Jason Ahee, MD St. George, Utah

Arwa Alsamarae, MD Santa Rosa, California

Lisa Arbisser, MD Sarasota, Florida

Nicholas Behunin, MD St. George, Utah

John Berdahl, MD Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Ashlie Bernhisel, MD Merced, California

Ronnie Bhola, MBBS St. Augustine, Trinidad

Kristin O. Bretz, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Eric Brinton, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Gregory Brinton, MD Murray, Utah

Michael Burrow, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Joseph Chen, MD Ventura, California

Robert J. Cionni, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Richard P. Corey, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

David A. Crandall, MD West Bloomfield, Michigan

Sonya Dhar, MD New York, New York

Jane Durcan, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Jayson David Edwards, MD St. George, Utah

David Faber, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Sophia Fang, MD Tigard, Oregon

William J. Fishkind, MD Tucson, Arizona

Roger C. Furlong, MD Butte, Montana

Mitchell J. Goff, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Reeta Gurung, MD Kathmandu, Nepal

Anna Gushchin, MD Hines, Illinois

Arezu Haghighi, MD Ventura, California

Tara Hahn, MD Houston, Texas

Bradley Hansen, MD Idaho Falls, Idaho

Matheson A. Harris, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

James G. Howard, MD Murray, Utah

Todd Jackson, MD Las Vegas, Nevada

Zachary Joos, MD Renton, Washington

Khizer Khaderi, MD Sacramento, California

Victoria Knudsen, MD Murray, Utah

Elliott Kulakowski, MD Park City, Utah

Robert C. Kwun, MD Murray, Utah

David P. Lewis, MD Brigham City, Utah

Majid Moshirfar, MD Draper, Utah

Valliammai Muthappan, MD Sewickley, Pennsylvania

Anastasia Neufeld, MD Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Tom Oberg, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Samuel F. Passi, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Hreem Patel, MD Stickley, Illinois

David B. Petersen, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Marcos Reyes, MD St. George, Utah

Trent Richards, MD Layton, Utah

Christopher Ricks, MD Provo, Utah

Sanduk Ruit, MD Kathmandu, Nepal

Derek J. Sakata, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Joshua Schliesser, MD St. George, Utah

Loren S. Seery, MD Kennewick, Washington

Avni Shah, MD Santa Rosa, California

D. Snow Slade, MD St. George, Utah

Robert E. Smith, MD West Valley City, Utah

R. Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD Atlanta, Georgia

Russell Swan, MD Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Scott O. Sykes, MD Ogden, Utah

Geoff Tabin, MD Palo Alto, California

Robert L. Treft, MD Layton, Utah

James Tweeten, MD Boise, Idaho

Albert Ungricht, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

Jeremy Valentine, MD Provo, Utah

Aaron N. Waite, MD Lehi, Utah

Gary Wallace, MD Idaho Falls, Idaho

Matthew S. Ward, MD Provo, Utah

Charles H. Weber, MD Oregon City, Oregon

Eric Weinlander, MD Madison, Wisconsin

Robert C. Welch, MD Twin Falls, Idaho

John Welling, MD Medford, Oregon

Brice J. Williams, MD, PhD Ogden, Utah

Darcy Wolsey, MD, MPH Salt Lake City, Utah

Gilbert C. Wong, MD West Jordan, Utah

DonRaphael Wynn, MD Boise, Idaho

Zachary J. Zavodni, MD Salt Lake City, Utah

The following individuals and organizations contributed to the Moran Eye Center from July 1, 2020-December 31, 2021.

DONORS

gifts of $1,000,000 and above

Bequest from Richard R. and Susan D. Burton Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust

Olson-Huntsman Vision Foundation

Steinbeis Transfer GmbH

Voyant Biotherapeutics, LLC

gifts of $100,000 and above

Anonymous | The ALSAM Foundation | Val A. Browning Foundation | Eveline Bruenger*

Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation | Christine A. and Fred W. Fairclough

Foundation Fighting Blindness | Lynn and Foster Friess

The Judelson Family Foundation | LensGen, Inc. | Lowy Medical Research Institute

John A. and Carol O. Moran | The Mitchell & June Morris Foundation

Ruth L. and Randall J Olson, MD | Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc.

Hazel M. Robertson* | Janet M. Schaap | Sharon Steele-McGee

gifts of $50,000 and above

Anonymous | Ruby Alvi, MD, and Iqbal “Ike” K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC

Rodney H. and Carolyn H. Brady Foundation | Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.

William H. and Patricia W. Child | The Chrisman Foundation

Howard S. and Betty B. Clark | Thomas and Candace Dee Family Foundation

Willard L. Eccles Charitable Foundation | Thomas H. and Carolyn L. Fey Family Foundation, Inc.

Harvard University | Long Bridge Medical | The Mark and Kathie Miller Foundation

David and Donna Newberry | Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Ken and Holly Reynolds | Rose Sun | Naoma Tate | Haru H. Toimoto

gifts of $10,000 and above

Anonymous

Alpharet Pty, LTD

ASCRS Foundation

Atia Medical

Bamberger-Allen Health and Education Foundation

William J. and Sara S. Barrett

Burningham Foundation

The Jeffrey and Helen Cardon Foundation

David L. and Kerry E. Carlson

Glenn and Kara Clapp

E. Steve Crandall and Sukie Davis-Crandall

Julie and Alan S. Crandall, MD*

James Arthur and Vicki Jo Davison

Stephen G. and Susan E. Denkers Family Foundation

Jane Durcan, MD, and John Hoffman, MD

William and Fern England Foundation

Jane and Stuart Engs

John H. and Carol W. Firmage

John H.* and Joan B. Firmage

Teri and Dean Flanders Foundation

Cecelia H. Foxley, PhD

Douglas Keith Freeman

Grandeur Peak Funds

James Grice

Margaret D. Hicks

Drue B. Huish

James Hunter and Vicki Jo Davison

Stephen and Lynda Jacobsen Foundation

John W. and Helen B. Jarman Family Foundation

The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation

G. Frank and Pamela M. Joklik

Karen and Douglas K. Kelsey, MD, PhD

Daniel C. Kline, MD

Klintworth Family Foundation

Donald and Susan Lewon

The Lipman Family Foundation

Jared and Alice Lynch

Andrew Moschetti

Ocumetics Technology Corp

The Olch Family Alaskan Trust

Margaret and Gilman Ordway

Cynthia and George Petrow

Thomas C. Praggastis and Michelle Dumke Praggastis

Retina Research Foundation

Helene H. Richer

Richard A. and Carmen Rogers

Sidra Tree Foundation

Liz and Jonathan Slager

James M. Steele and Linda L. Wolcott

Susan O. Taylor

Gretchen and Michael P. Teske, MD

Utah Lions Foundation

Marva M. and John E. Warnock, PhD

James W. and Jeanne J. Welch

James R. and Linda R. Wilson

Lisa and William M. Wirthlin

Terry L. Wright

gifts of $5,000 and above

Curtis and Susan Anderson

American Surgical Instruments Corp.

Neil Atodaria

Fred and Linda Babcock

Bonnie Barry

Janette H. Beckham

Joseph C. and Gainor L. Bennett

Ann P. and Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD

Michelle and Craig J. Chaya, MD

Helen and Robert Cionni, MD

Dustin Coupal

Robert W. and Carol N. Culver

Jim and Penny Ellsworth

Jacob Fairclough

The Gallivan Family

Gordon Field & Wolf Family Foundation

John H. Haines, MD

Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD, and William H. Coles, MD

Launa and Peter Harvey

Andrea and Michael Heidinger

John B.* and Jean M. Henkels Rev. Trust

Ellen and Larry Henkels

Carolyn S. and Robert O. Hoffman, MD

Adam Jorgensen

Rishi Kumar, MD

Dan Lundergan and Elizabeth Winter

Michael Manship and Andrea Dumke-Manship

William and Suzelle McCullough

Nanci S. and Charles H. McLeskey, MD

Vicki B. Merchant

Sharon Moore Bettius

Donald Nickelson

Nancy and Randy Parker

Gretchen and Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA

Linda Rankin, PhD

William K. and Julia D. Reagan

Judy and Reginald Robbins

Florence Rothman

Steven R. and Debra Rowley

Semnani Family Foundation

Stephen and Marji Bailey Sofro

Michael and Kris and Swenson

Hank and Sally Tauber

John Cramer Terrill

Allan and Frances Tessler

Janis and James P. Tweeten, MD

Joseph S. and Margaret P. Viland

Colleen and John W. Warner

gifts of $1,000 and above

Anonymous

George M. Ahn

Daniel and Laura Alter

David and Marie Anderson

Ronald I. Apfelbaum, MD, and Kathleen A. Murray

Christine and Mark Archibald

Karen S. and David R. Bachman

Brock K. Bakewell, MD

Eugene and Evelyn Banks

Byron B. and Deborah K. Barkley

Michael and Jill Beck

William F. and Victoria F. Bennion

Arun and Vanamala Bidwai

Betsy T. Bradley

Michael J. and Patricia Brill

Florence G. Butler*

California Eye Clinic

Randall C. Carlisle

Blaine Carlton and Marilyn Bushman-Carlton

Levi and Marcie Carrigan

Robert S. Carter Foundation

Irene G. Casper and Ruth A. Morey

Donald A. Cathcart

Danielle Charlot

Ben Chortkoff, MD, and Susan Chortkoff, MD

James A. and Margaretha Church

The Honorable Suzanne B. Conlon

Richard L. and Janice M. Corbin

Frank H. and Susan L. Countner

Lisa Z. and David A. Crandall, MD

F. Anthony and Joyce G. Crandall

Dorothy B. Cromer Family Trust

William and Phyllis Crowley

Peter and Lizabeth D’Arienzo

Michael and Allison Daun

Summer Davis

Kevin and Susan Deesing

Timothy E. Delaney

Kathleen B. Digre, MD, and Michael W. Varner, MD

The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation

Ronald and Rita Dykes

Errol P. and Sonja Chesley EerNisse

Henry W. & Leslie M. Eskuche Foundation

The Eye Institute of Utah

Richard “Reese” Feist Jr., MD, and Stephanie Schick

Carlton Fenzl, MD

Jack M. and Marianne Ferraro

Howard I. and Vicky Fine

Michael and Davene Forche

Thomas Findlan and Heather Forsyth

Scott and Petria H. Fossel

Elaine T. and Frank W. Fox, PhD

Nicole Fram

Lauri and Herman Franks Jr.

Claire Freedman

Richard K. Frerichs and Jean Zancanella

Brian L. and B. J. Fullmer

Heidi L. and Roger C. Furlong, MD

James and Barbara Gaddis

Donald and Mary Ann Garner

J. Kelly Goddard

Nathaniel Goodman

Robert M. Graham, JD

Elizabeth Gray

Mark H. and Mildred M. Hafey

Jill and Gregory S. Hageman, PhD

Gareld D. and Betty Hanson

Patricia Harte

Harvest Africa Children’s Foundation

C. Charles and Elise Hetzel

Hi-Health

Deon Hilger

Einar B. and Madora I. Hoff

Clair and Julia Hopkins

Wes and Sonja Howell

Jerry S. and Claudia F. Howells

Daniel C. and Gloria J. Hurlbutt

Ivan P. Hwang, MD

Intermountain Bobcat

Roy Jenkins

Hilari and Bryan W. Jones, PhD

Marian Connelly-Jones and Gary Jones

Desnee and Paul Joos, MD

Kandon Kamae, MD

Kamas Valley Lions Club Service Project

Richard Kanner, MD, and Suzanne Stensaas, PhD

Tracey Conrad-Katz, Bradley J. Katz, MD, and Family

Louise and J. Clinton Kelly

Kim Kelsey

Rick and Beth Kent

Tae and Michelle Y. Kim

Josephine S. Kimball

Judd P. and Lori R. King

Douglas D. Koch, MD

Gerald G. Krueger, MD, and Melissa Weidner

Krystkowiak Seven

Michael J. and Kate Lahey

Christine Lake and Heber Jacobsen

Lamb’s Ear Floral

Mel and Wendy Lavitt

S. Whitfield and Christina Calvert Lee

Robert B. Lence Jr.

Kathryn Lenton

Judy Levine

Amy Lin, MD

Paul and Ruth Lyon Family Foundation

James L. Macfarlane

Dr. Nick and Mercy Mamalis Family

Tad and Mary Mancini

Milo S. and Karen J. Marsden

Tawnja Stout Martin

William W. Mautz

Ted McKay

Diane McMaster

Esther R. and Juan E. Medina

Marvin and Renee Melville

Lawrence Meyer

Marc Michaelson, MD

Marisa Moran Sullivan

Moreton Family Foundation

J. Bill and Judith E. C. Moschetti

George and Pauline Mulligan

New World Medical

Nine Quarter Circle Ranch

Van B. and Maude E. Norman

Suzanne E. Oelman

Ranae and Harald Olafsson, MD

James and Bonnie Parkin

Hreem Patel, MD

Sally Patrick and Christopher Latour

Sarah Patrick

Herbert H. and Dana D. Pollock

Lillian Pontacolone

Julia Potter

David P. and Suzanne J. Razor

Ronald and Laura Reaveley

Don B. Reddish

Heidi G. and Jeff A. Reid

Gail and Bill Reisinger

Burt T. Richards, PhD

Gladys Richardson

Lon and Zoe Richardson

Arnold and Mary Richer

Ed Robinson

Thomas D. Rosenberg, MD

Gregory Rothman

Hermine Rothman

Michael and Bonnie Rothman

Patricia Rothman

Derek Sakata, MD, and Cindy Sumarauw, DDS

Salt Lake City Lions Club

David and Maria Sanchez

William and Joanne Sanders

Joseph and Maurine Schumann

Suzanne Scott

Seva Foundation

Tueng Shen, MD, PhD, and Johannes Thijssen

Shiebler Family Foundation

Cory and Mimi Sinclair

Susan Skankey

Dean Smart, MD, and Carolynn S. Sonda

Howard S. Spurrier, DDS

Marland L. and Rachel Stanley

Julie and Ronald Steele

Kent P. and Dana L. Strazza

Mano Swartz, MD

Thomas and Marsha Swegle

Stephen D. and Sonnie S. Swindle

Lary J. and Judy W. Talbot

Virginia S. and Verl H. Talbot, MD

Karyn Teel

David Theobald

Daniel M. and Carol C. Thomas

Roger L. Tucker

Jim and Candy Turnbull

Ingrid and Stephen Tyler

Ann T. Wagstaff

Thornton Waite

Cynthia A. and Gary W. Wallace, MD

Sue R. Wallace

Lynn W. and Matthew Ward

Charles H. Weber, MD, and Lana Smith Weber, MD

Mitchell Weikert

Liliana Werner, MD, PhD

Dan and Lisa Williamson

Jennifer Wilson and Trell Rohovit

David B. and Jeralynn T. Winder

Barbara M. Wirostko, MD

Jean A. and Harry C. Wong, MD

Robbin Yee

Selena and Cody Young

Louise M. and Norm A. Zabriskie, MD

Robert C. and Patience Ziebarth

gifts of $100 and above

Anonymous

Carolyn C. Abravanel

Laurie Adams

Hans G. Ahrens

Alcohol Servers Training of Utah, LLC

Anne Davis Alexander

Eduardo Alfonso

Karen K. and Archie Brooks Allison, MD

Brock John Alonzo, MD

Balamurali K. Ambati, MD, and Esther Pomeroy

James A. and Carol A. Anderson

Kathryn Anderson

Kristin and Richard Anderson, MD

Milton M. and Emily D. Anderson

Jody and William Andes

Brent and Cheri Andrus

Amir Arbisser, MD, and Lisa Arbisser, MD

Scott Arndt

Staci and Anthony Arnone

Art Floral

Asart Design

John and Neena Ashton

Peter B. and Judith S. H. Atherton

Pamela J. Atkinson

Ekhlas A. Attia

Robert K. Avery and C. Frances Gillmor

Mary C. Bardone and William J. Platte

J. Richard Baringer, MD, and Jeannette Townsend, MD

Margaret D. and Bryce G. Barker, MD

Anne F. Barley

Fern E. and Ralph E. Bartholomew

Howard W. and Leslee Bartlett

William T. and Karen Barton

Jan L. and F. Robert Bayle Jr.

Timothy C. Beals, MD, and Marcella R. Woiczik, MD

James C. and Larue Beardall

Wendy Bebie

L. Steven and Melody Beck

David W. Becker Jr., MD, JD

Cynthia Beckstrand

Mary and Charles Behrens, MD

Bruce N. and Judith E. Bell

Collin Benear

Jay B. Benear

Laura M. Benear

James D. Bennett

Patricia A. Bennion

Donna L. Benson

Betsy and Kurt T. Bernhisel, MD

Amber and Dan Bettis, MD

John A. and Dee Bianucci

Patricia A. Biggs

Margaret N. and Peter W. Billings

Maryann Billington

Roger and Susan Bird

Carol O. Bishop

Ann C. Blackner

Bonnie B. Blanchard

Christie and BJ Blaser

Elmen D. and Monika Bloedel

Paula S. and Hari Bodhireddy, MD

Arlyn R. and Norma J. Bodily

Susan M. and Robert G. Bolte, MD

Robbin S. and Barry Bonham

Heather F. and William J. Bonn III

Peter and Billie Borgerding

Robert Lee Bossard

A. Gary and Herlinda B. Bowen

Kathleen and H. Kent Bowen, PhD

Kevin Boyle

Kathy and Dennis Brandon

Colin A. Bretz, PhD, and Kristin O. Bretz, MD

Brevium, Inc

Hoyt W. and Judith T. Brewster

Patty and Michael Brimley

Merle Y. Broadbent

Lyman R. and Jane Brothers

Tim W. Brough

Michael J. and Patricia Brill

Reid H. Brown

Sandra Thorne-Brown and Robert L. Brown

Susan J. Brown

Judith and Jan H. Brunvand, PhD

Xinya Bu and Dasen Luo

Jean Buhl

Colleen A. and John C. Burgeson

Billie N. Burke

Steve W. and Mary Ann Butcher

Raymon A. Bybee

Julia M. Byrd, MD

Cactus & Tropicals

Monika Cannon Living Trust

James D. Caras

Ann Janette L. and Robert A. Carlson

John K. and Shirley Carmack

John D. Carnahan

Nancy D. Carter

Anna Cekola and Matthew Potolsky

Kathleen Chatelain

Jeremy Chatterton

Gino Chewning

Richard and Lee Child

Anne P. and Daniel R. Chisholm

Qing Chong

Mary T. and Andrew B. Christensen, PhD

Paul R. Christenson

Kurt P. Christiansen

Joann Coyte Cissel*

Marilyn Christensen Clark

Phillip W. and Susan D. Clinger

Sherman W. and Susan Clow

Jeffrey and Jane Cobabe

John Cofer

Coral L. and James E. Coffey

Colton Marsala Photography

Cynthia Conner and Igor Best-Devereux

Nancy C. and Joseph V. Cook, MD

Craig Cooper and Suzanne A. Harris Cooper

Angela Corbett

Natalie Corbett

Pamela J. Cosby

Natalee Crook Carter

Paul B. and Tonita M. Crookston

Culligan Water

Charles H. Culp

Karen P. Curtin, PhD, and William B. Wegesser, PA-C

Yohannes Dagne and Negedework S. Gebreselassie

John and Inger Darden

Linda P. and Nathan C. Dean, MD

Susan D. DeGroot

Edward R. and Terri L. DeJulis

Jack Dellastatious

Ramona Demery

Carl Dennison

Denver Eye Surgeons, P.C.

University of Utah, Department of Dermatology

Inci Irak Dersu, MD

Catherine R. DeVries, MD, and Scott Lucas

Wesley G. and Laura W. Dewsnup

Deepinder Kaur Dhaliwal and Sanjiv Singh

Sandra Diamond

T. Jerald and Carol D. Diana

J. Hope Hornbeck and Ty Triston Dickerson, MD

Cameron and Rachel Diehl

John Dinwoodey

Marilyn E. Domenick

Anita and John Drew

Elwin J. and Lois M. Dutson

Phyllis B. and Steve Dyer

Dorothy A. Earl

George H. and Joan D. Earl

T. Garry and Barbara C. Earl

Gary and Sherry Eckman

John S. Edwards

Paul Edwards

Peter M. and Bonnie H. Edwards

Eleanor G. Egli

Karen Ehresman

Steven C. and Jackie Elsnab

Jessie Embry

Helen L. Emerick

Susan P. Etheridge, MD, and Michael A. Pond

Dennis D. and Carma B. Ewing

Colleen M. Eyre

Jason Famiglietti

Parisa Farhi

Connie Farnham

Florence and David S. Farnsworth

Toni C. and Rick C. Farr

Cynthia L. and Tony E. Ferguson

Theresa Ferraro

Sandra L. Ferry

Linda E. Fiedel

Carole E. Fishburn

Leslie and Jon R. Fishburn, MD

Jameen Fitzgerald

Barbara Fitzpatrick

Monika Fleckenstein, MD, and Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg, MD

Diane Florez

Paul Fluehe

Robert D. Folker

Janice T. and Stanley Foutz

Michelle and Todd France

Marilyn Francesco and Paul Askounis

Pam Freeze

The Front Climbing Gym

G. S. and Kay Gallacher

D. Jay Gamble, JD

K. Gary and Linda S. Garff

Paul Garland, MD

Marcus Gerhardt

Jeffrey Allen and Gail Gidney

Suzanne Gilbert

William A. and Claudia M. Gislason

Leslie C. Glaser*

Stephen V. and Leslie Goddard

John C. and Beth B. Goebel

Lawrence K. Goldsmith

Agripina Gonzalez

Joni L. and Kurt Goodfellow

Cameron Gorelick

Carol and Marc Gorelick

Merrilee and Steve Gottfredson

Gramoll Construction Company

Adrienne Graves

Neil J. and Stephanie D. Gray

Kay B. Greene

Michael Greenwood

Glynis D. and Martin C. Gregory, MD

Shirley S. Griggs

Bernard I. Grosser, MD, and Karen J. McArthur

Sharon C. and Neal D. Grover

Ruiling Guo

Duane L. and Margaret Haas

Melissa Hager

Vicky Hall

Rick Halprin

Brad and Gaylene B. Halvorsen

Steven and Julie Halvorson

Kathleen D. Hamas

Ronald C. Hamblen

Gloria J. and Jim Hannon

C. Reed and Kathleen N. Hansen

Debra and Mark Hansen

Heather B. Hansen

Michelle and Dennis Hansen

Timothy and Gloria Hanson

Christine M. Hardten

Brad D. and Jolie Coleman Hardy

Julie and Ryan Harmon

Deborah Harrison

Joan Harrow

Maureen T. Harte

Peter M. Harvey and Barbara J. Cox

Douglas Hattery

James V. and Gail Hawkins

Susan D. Heath and William R. Tanner

James A. and Arlene M. Helfand

Jeffrey L. Heninger

Jessica Henning

Arlene and Vernon L. Henry

Jerusha and Jared Hess

Francoise and John B. Hibbs, MD

R. Jeff and Amy Higgins

Kae T. Hill

Kathy and Chris P. Hill, PhD

Sandra C. and Harry R. Hill, MD

Shayne and Claire Hill

Holladay Lions Club

Carol Holman

Ernest M. Horne

Katherine Hu, MD

Samuel T. and Sandra A. Hunter

Virginia H. Hylton

Thelma P. Iker

Nauman Imami

Albert Imesch

Marian Ingham

Kathleen A. Isaac

Eric and Rachael Jacoby, MD

Jim S. and Jeanne N. Jardine

Jasperson Cattle Company

Donna and William Jasperson

Eileen G. and Roy Jenkins

Martha Lewis Jennings Trust

Jensen Charitable Foundation

Alison E. Jensen

Lawrence J. and Terri F. Jensen

Linda H. Jensen

Norman S. and Gail R. Jensen

Robert and Kathy Jensen

Brett and Judith Johnson

David and Donna Johnson

Lynley E. and Corey G. Johnson

Marie Johnson

Merlyn W. and Bonnie T. Johnson

Billie Jo and Curt Jones

Robin and J. S. Roger Jones, MD

Ryan C. and Jaime L. Jones

Carol A. Jost

David and Anne Karcher

Mary M. Katsanevas

Joette and Kurt Katzer

Richard F. and Carolyn M. Kawabata

Leslie G. and Joyce A. Kelen, DSW

Dennis and Connie Keller

Richard A. and Kathleen O. Kennedy

Robert and Pamela Kennedy

Franklin S. Kidd

Lisa G. and David B. Kieda, PhD

Paul and Geraldine Kilpatrick

Terry Kim

Virginia A. Klair, MD

Julia J. Kleinschmidt, PhD

Connie Koenig

Barbara Brittain Korous

Christoph Kranemann

Paul Kriedeman and Sarah Werner-Kriedeman

Sergey and Irina Krikova, PA-C

Kuhl Clothing

Marilyn and Bob Kukachka

Mary H. and James P. Kushner, MD

Frank B. and Denise A. Ladenburg

Roger O. and Sue Ladle

Nelson V. Laird

Natalie and Steven Lam

David M. and Mary Jane Lamoreaux

Robert and Carole E. Lapine

Marissa Larochelle, MD

Jean Larsen

John Larsen

Leslie Larsen

Reed W. Larsen

Paul H. Laver

Harriet T. Lawrence

Steven L. Leishman

Martha Lewis Jennings

Stephen and Janet Lewis

Katy M. and Dean R. Lillquist, MSPH, PhD

Lindsey and Jonathan Little

Christopher and Susan Lockwood

Richard and Susan Lockwood

Theresa Long, MD

Michael and Memory Lowe

Matthew Loynachan

Lucia Lucci and Michael Graham

Maureen K. Lundergan, MD, and Stephen Tiffany

Dorothy Burton Lyon and James K. Lyon

Jeanne Y. Macy

Susan Makov

Jon and Leslie Maksik

Mark and Anna Mancini

Sharon and Chris Mancini

Timothy and Kassi Mancini

Chris C. and Brent V. Manning

Colton Marsala

Glenna Marshall

Collette Marthia

Alyson R. Martin

Samuel Masket, MD

Kurt Matzen

Jacob B. Mauss

Christopher S. and Amy Mautz

Les E. and Therese Mayes

Richard Mayfield

Brayden McCairns

Suzanne S. and David L. McClintock

Gary and Suzanne F. McCloskey

Daniel McCown

Harold G. McCown

Lori Leeann McCoy

Marshall Wade McEntire

Scott E. McIntosh, MD

Jerilyn S. McIntyre, PhD, and W. David Smith

Mark S. McKay and Chris Beck-McKay

William M. McLeish, MD

James and Heather McVey

Betsy Meadows

Medical-Surgical Eye Care, P. A.

Tim and Jean Mehrens

Marjorie R. and Lloyd R. Merrill

Sheri and David A. Meyer, OD

Jennifer Michelson

Suzanne H. Mihalopoulos

Frederick W. and Therese J. Milad

Patricia L. Milazzo and Robert E. Briggs

Ann M. and Kenneth G. Miller

Betsy J. Minden

Moab Lions Club

Casey E. and Daysha Moore

James and Patricia Morgan

Tony and Mary Morgan

Michael and Paula Morris

Anna and Grant Morshedi, MD

Kathleen and Spencer Mortensen, OD

Bruce Morton

Kenyon Moss

Jeanne and Eugene Mowlds

Lisa and Gary W. Mulcock

Yvonne and Kirk Mullins

Margaret K. Mumford

Gina and Derek Murdock

Maggi and Nick Murdock

Stella A. Myott

Darlene Nagao

Nailed

H.S. Nak

Jeff Nalder

Anna Marie and Ronnie Naylor

Marilyn H. Neilson

Ray Nejad, MD, and Maryam Beigi, MD

Justin and Katie Nelson

Marie W. Nelson

Richard and Julie Kristl Nelson

Wendy and Lamont Nelson

Sylvia C. Newton

Jeanette Nice

Jay B. and Deanna L. Nielsen

Brent T. Nilsen

David W. and Patricia M. Noall

Dr. Ruth L. Novak

Beverly A. and Robert R. Noyce

Josephine C. and Merrill C. Oaks, MD

Joan J. Odd

Richard B. and Linda M. Odemar

Sandra C. and Jim O’Hearn

Stephen H. and Barbara J. Olchek

Stephen L. and Barbara F. Olsen

Marilyn Olson

Rolland L. Ooley

OPHTEC USA, Inc.

Lisa Oransoff

Lisa Marie Ord, PhD, LCSW

Kelly Ordean

Greg Osmundson

Eugene Overfelt

Patricia Owen

Brent Palfreyman, DVM

Joan B. and Douglas D. Palmer

L. Anne Parish

Tammi and Ian Parish

Marylyn P. and Stephen M. Pauley

Ann B. and Maunsel B. Pearce, MD

Jordan and Aurelia Pederson

Andrew Pendleton

Bruno E. Perri

Pershing, LLC

Elaine Peterson

Gary G. and Lynn Peterson

Raymond R. Peterson*

Mary L. and Larry J. Petterborg

Nancy Phibbs

David and Laura Phillips

Sheldon Phillips

Tamara Phillips

Warren S. Phillips

Lyddia and Robert D. Pierce

Virginia Pinder

Martha A. Pittard

Platte Bardone Family Trust

Howard and Sharon Poch

Ashley Polski, MD

Donald and Joyce M. Polster

Richard Potvin

Brent Price

Charles G. and Karen L. Primich

Jacqueline Kim Pullos

Scott and Karin Pynes

Quick Quack Car Wash

Virginia Quinn

Donna P. and Irv Mel Raber

Dan and June Ragan

Jennifer and J. Woodson Rainey

Virginia Rainey

Diana L. Ramirez

Glenda and William Ramsay

V. Raman and Elizabeth D. Rao

Adam Rasky, MD, and Julie Falardeau

Harriet and W. E. Rasmussen

Jan J. Rasmussen

Barbara G. and Jerry Reese

Daniel and Judith Regan

Lynette and Daniel Reichert

Ronald L. Rencher, JD

Elva Richman-Robins

Merrill K. and CoDele C. Ridd

Michael D. Robis and Rebecca L. Wilson

Rockwell

Tonya Rogers

Kathleen M. and Alan Rohlfing

Rossignol Ski Company

Dylan and Erin Rothwell

Judy and Duane Rupp

Rachelle Rupp

Susan W. and William J. Rusho

Leonard H. and Alene M. Russon

Salon & Spa 5th Avenue

Salt Lake Country Club

Thomas W. and Carol Samuelson

Patricia L. Sandberg

Angela R. Scott

David M. and Debra R. Scott

Jeffrey and Sarah Scott

Karen and Loren Seery, MD

Janet B. Serle, MD, and Ira B. Malin

Marguerite V. Shaw and Steven Summers

Nanette A. Shea

William and Merideth Shorter

David K. and Patricia Sias

Joanne Slotnik and Stephen Trimble

Vicki Ann Slotte

Richard and Jenny Smartt

Quentin and Margot Smelzer

Marilyn and Craig Smith, OD

Richard Smith

Rosanne Smith

John and Gayla Snowdon

Cindi and Kerry Solomon

Reid and Nan Sondrup

Donald and Sidnee Spencer

Roy A. Spjut

Laura J. Springhetti

Marianne Stacey

Stephanie and Brian Stagg, MD

Pamela Stalnaker

Joshua D. Stein and Cristina M. Cohen

Balladyna W. Stelow

Barry and Judith Stern

Michael and Ruth Stevens

Carol and Ed Stewart

Michael and Karla Stoker

David and Londa Stout

Russell Swan, MD

Carlyn Sweet

Edward Sweet

Arthur J. Swindle

Kathleen H. Switzer, JD

Kathy B. and Sonny Tangaro Jr.

Michelle Taylor

R. Burke Teichert

Louis G. and Carole D. Tervort

Teton Eye Clinic Optical, DBA

Constance and Marcus Theodore

Steven and Michele Thiese

John R. Thomas and Jennifer C. Lawton

Ray Thomas

Mary Thompson

Sally B. L. Thompson

Patricia R. and John W. Thomson, MD

Mersadees O. Thorne

Rio and Pamela Thorum

Shanna and Donald A. Thurman

Ping Wang and Ning Tian, PhD

Barb Tingey

Melanie B. and Kim C. Tingey

Joyce M. and Verl R. Topham

Dinny T. and Michael A. Trabert

Frances M. Tucker

Timothy J. and Patricia K. Tulon

V. Randall and Susan F. Turpin

Sandra Tyson Knecht

Douglas Unger

Wayne O. Ursenbach

V Chocolates

Deane Van Wagenen

John Vassiliades

Kerrie N. Vaughan

Frans Vinberg, PhD

Verdon R. and Laurene S. Walker

Susan Wintrobe Walker and John L. Walker, MD

W. Jeffrey and Mona Walters

Everett Lee Ward

Lynne N. and Mark E. Ward

Adam and Judith Warden

Garda Wardle

James C. Warenski, MD

Judith E. A. Warner, MD

Maysie E. and Wallace J. Watts

Sonia A. and Nolan Weil

Eric J. Weinlander, MD

Timothy Wells

C. Richard and Charlotte Welsh

Lisa Weston

Bart L. and Marlene Wheelwright

Gloria H. and David C. Whipp

Thomas G. and Janis M. White

Joseph N. Wilkinson

Joleen Willey

Emily and Lloyd B. Williams, MD

Janet C. and H. James Williams, MD

Rose M. Williams

Stephen P. and Nancy Z. Williams

Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

Kurt and Chris Wimberg

Pamela J. and Robert W. Wing, MD

Kim Winters

Lucy K. and Scott Woolsey

Hope H. Worner

Wright Homes

Cardel S. and Ardene C. Wright

Jeffrey and Vanessa Di Palma Wright

Karin and Myron Yanoff, MD

Florence R. and John A. Yee, PhD

Kristina P. Zimmerman

John F. Zudis

IN MEMORY OF

Those in whose memory gifts were made to the Moran Eye Center from July 1, 2020-December 31, 2021.

Martha S. Ahrens

Fern O. Anderson

Marjorie Bacon

Carole Barkema

Barnie P. Bobbitt

Colleen H. Bowman

Rourke H. Bowman

Lauren Elyse Bradley

George Bromfield

William Browning

William Buhl

Shirley Burke

Richard Burton

Betty Ann Chepin

Ronald Christensen

Richard O. Christiansen

Bianca Coppa

Ruth Haglund Craig

Alan S. Crandall, MD

Yuriko Dennison

Wayne E. Egan

Joseph Everton Sr., PhD

Phyllis Everton

Lynda S. Gamble

Daniel Alva Gillespie

Suzanne Goldsmith

Dorothy Louise Hall

Hazel Heslop

Henriette P. Imesch

Lois Iverson Clays Griebel

Tracey Jenkins

Norman C. Jensen

Benjamin Katz, MD

Marie Kneeland

Ray Larsen

Madelyn Leonard

James Loveless

Theodore G. "Bud" Mahas

Margaret Weber Martinez

Paul R. Martinez

Lois Maxwell

Howard McQuarrie, MD

Nassim A. Mostaghel

Steven Nichols

Jerold Ottley

Julie C. Palfreyman

Darcy Peterson

Darlene M. Phillips

Anna K. Picco

Ruth Gallacher Rodman

Gary Lloyd Taylor

Randall S. Taylor

James W. Thompson

Howard Mac Vance

Julene V. Wilcox

Hugh Zumbro

IN HONOR OF

Those in whose honor gifts were made to the Moran Eye Center from July 1, 2020-December 31, 2021.

Jamison Applebach

David W. Bernolfo

Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD

Marilyn Bushman-Carlton

Craig J. Chaya, MD

Susan Chortkoff, MD

Margaretha Church

B. Travis Dastrup, MD

LaVerne A. Diehl

Kathleen B. Digre, MD

Jane Engs

Christine A. Fairclough

Fred W. Fairclough Jr.

Roger C. Furlong, MD

Rebecca Green

Jason Groce

Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD

Griffin Jardine, MD

John A. Moran Eye Center External Relations Team

Billie Jo Jones

Curt Jones

Gracie Jones

Douglas Marx, MD

Allie M. Mecham

Mark D. Mifflin, MD

Majid Moshirfar, MD

Pauline Mulligan

Joseph Nak

Randall J Olson, MD

Jo Ann Ottley

Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA

Charles Pieper

Heidi G. Reid

Akbar Shakoor, MD

Mary Catherine Strazza

Russell Swan, MD

Michael P. Teske, MD

Candy Turnbull

Lynn W. Ward

Norm A. Zabriskie, MD

Brian E. Zaugg, MD

Ruth Zweigart

PLANNED GIFTS

Those who have planned gifts in place to the Moran Eye Center as of December 31, 2021.

Anonymous

JoAnne Ambrose

Neal R. Anderson

Karen S. and David R. Bachman

Bonnie Barry

David W. Bernolfo

Elmen D. Bloedel

Toni F. Bloomberg

Irene G. Casper and Ruth A. Morey

Donald A. Cathcart

Thomas and Candace Dee

Richard A. and Carol M. Fay

Daniel G. Forman, MD

Elaine T. and Frank W. Fox, PhD

Bernard I. Grosser, MD, and Karen J. McArthur

Cliff Hammer

Joseph L. Hatch, MD

Jerry S. and Claudia F. Howells

Curtis C. and Lynne P. Kennedy

Josephine S. Kimball

Thomas and Wendy Lacy

Ted Albert McKay

Nanci S. and Charles H. McLeskey, MD

John A. and Carole O. Moran

Ruth L. and Randall J Olson, MD

Sylvia E. Prahl-Brodbeck

Linda Rankin, PhD

Don B. Reddish

Ken and Holly Reynolds

Janet M. Schaap

Edward H. Skinner

Daniel Soulia

Sharon Steele-McGee

Susan O. Taylor

Alice G. Telford

Mary E. Thompson

Haru H. Toimoto

The Moran Eye Center is grateful for the contributions made to support our mission and goals. We have made every effort to ensure that this July 1, 2020-December 31, 2021, Donor Report is as accurate as possible. Should you find an error or wish to change your listing, please contact us at 801-585-9700.

*Deceased

SURGERIES PERFORMED

9,161

MORAN EYE CENTER

At a Glance

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

Best Hospitals for Ophthalmology

No. 11 Nationwide

VIZIENT

University of Utah Health

Top 10 Nationwide in the Quality and Accountability Ranking System for the 12th Consecutive Year

No. 2 for Ambulatory Quality

JULY 1, 2020-JUNE 30, 2021

By Specialty : PATIENT VISITS

157,177 (includes telehealth)

DOXIMITY

No. 6 Nationwide for Residency Education

No. 2 in the West

OPHTHALMOLOGY TIMES

No. 11 Nationwide

Best Overall Program

No. 10 Nationwide

Best Residency Program

No. 11 Nationwide

Best Clinical Care Program

LAST LOOK

VIEW FROM THE THIRD-FLOOR BRIDGE

By James Gilman, CRA, FOPS, October 5, 2021

Physicians provide comprehensive care in all ophthalmic subspecialties, making Moran a major referral center for complex cases. Services include:

Cataracts

Cornea & External Eye Disease

Electrophysiology

Emergency Care

Glaucoma

LASIK and Vision Correction

Surgery

The John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah is the largest ophthalmology clinical care and research facility in the Mountain West, with more than 60 faculty members, 10 satellite clinics, and 16 research laboratories and centers.

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Oculoplastic and Facial

Plastic Surgery

Ocular Oncology

Optometry

Patient Support Program for

Patients with Vision Loss

Pediatric Ophthalmology

Pediatric Retina

Retinal Diseases

Strabismus

Ultrasound

Uveitis

moran.info@hsc.utah.edu moraneyecenter.org