Elaine Downie, M.D., and Brittany Simmons, M.D.
Oculoplastics: Building on an Extraordinary Legacy
teaching alongside clinical practice. Dr. Downie plans to receive faculty training to develop as an educator, and Dr. Simmons is involved in building a resident education curriculum in oculoplastics. “Kellogg is now home to one of the largest and The Eye Plastic, Orbital and Facial Cosmetic Surgery most comprehensive oculoplastics programs in the Service at Kellogg provides comprehensive evaluation country,” says Dr. Aakalu. “We are the region’s high and treatment of conditions of the eyelids, orbit, and volume referral hub.” lacrimal (tear drainage) system arising from diseases, The expansive program includes specialty care for malignancies, congenital abnormalities, trauma, or patients with rare and debilitating conditions such as aging. In addition to providing comprehensive, multicongenital anophthalmos—a syndrome in which a baby disciplinary oculoplastics care, the program is known is born without one or both eyes. Dr. Nelson has led internationally for excellence in research and education. groundbreaking research into the condition, and develThe physician team includes Section Lead Vinay oped a regional referral program, in collaboration with Aakalu, M.D., M.P.H., Victor Elner, M.D., Ph.D., Denise Kellogg’s recently expanded Ocular Prosthetics Service. Kim, M.D., Christine Nelson, M.D., and ocular oncology Another example of the program’s depth is multispecialist Hakan Demirci, M.D. To disciplinary ocular surface reconstruccontinue to meet a large and growKELLOGG IS NOW HOME tion, available to patients with severe ing clinical volume, two additional chemical or thermal eye injuries, or TO ONE OF THE LARGEST AND oculoplastics surgeons, Brittany advanced cicatrizing keratoconjunctival MOST COMPREHENSIVE Simmons, M.D., and Elaine Downie, disorders such as Stevens Johnson OCULOPLASTICS PROGRAMS M.D., joined the team in 2023. Syndrome and Graft vs. Host DisIN THE COUNTRY. The Oculoplastics program ease. Dr. Kim works closely with other continues to benefit from consultaexperts at Kellogg, including cornea — Vinay Aakalu, M.D., M.P.H. tion with Terry J. Smith, M.D., Prospecialist Nambi Nallasamy, M.D., fessor Emeritus of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Steven Archer, M.D., from the Pediatric Ophthalmoland Internal Medicine. Dr. Smith’s game-changing ogy and Adult Strabismus Service, Karen DeLoss, O.D., translational research led to the development of teprofrom the Optometry, Corneal, and Contact Management tumumab —the first FDA-approved drug to treat thyroid Service, and rheumatologist April Marquardt, M.D., to eye disease. restore the damaged ocular surface using complex Faculty members guide trainees of all levels, techniques available in very few centers around the including medical students, ophthalmology and plastic country. surgery residents, oculoplastics and ocular oncology “With volume comes experience,” he adds. fellows, research post-docs, and international research “Patients and referring physicians can be confident fellows and observers. In 2023, that, no matter how complex or rare the symptom The team’s newest members are also emphasizing profile, someone on our team has dealt with it before.” 6
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