News and Events

It is an honor to continue to serve as Interim Chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, a role I began
in April 2023. It is also a distinct pleasure to direct the Residency Program and to help train, educate and
develop our bright and enthusiastic residents and ophthalmologists of the future.

On behalf of Women in Ophthalmology (WIO), we extend a warm sincere CONGRATULATIONS to Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM, FARVO, FASRS,  Interim Chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences! Dr. Seddon has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the WIO Scientific Contribution Award.

This award recognizes a WIO member who has made a significant contribution in the field of ophthalmology. The WIO Scientific Contribution Award honors members who are involved in ophthalmic research, have made advancements in their field, and who have shown outstanding promise in this endeavor.

WIO strives to promote women within the field of ophthalmology through awards given for scientific lectures, merit, humanitarian effort, mentorship, Ieadership, service, and impact made on the field.

The award was presented to Darren Lee, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology & visual sciences; Claudio Punzo, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology & visual sciences and neurobiology; and Ann Marshak-Rothstein, PhD, professor of medicine and microbiology for their project, “Fas therapy for the treatment of autoimmune uveitis.”

It was an honor to represent our program in the 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology Mid-year forum at Washington DC this April. I would like to sincerely thank UMass Ophthalmology Department and the Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons for sponsoring me.

Congratulations to Priya Janardhana, MD, Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences for successfully completing the 2022-2023, Physicians Leadership Development Program.

The Umass Ophthalmology Team, provided Vision Screenings at the Worcester Multicultural Community Health Fair at the Fuller Family Park on Saturday September 9, 2023. Special thanks to ophthalmic technicians Sherri Granger, Kara Donnelly, Optometrist Firas Kassira, DO, Ophthalmology resident PGY-1 Elizabeth Eshun, MD, and Ophthalmologist Gabriel Luna, MD. Our CEO Dr. Eric Dickson stopped by to congratulate the eye team for joining this event. This vision screening event was led, and organized by Garbriel Luna, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

UMass Ophthalmology Residents Participate in the 794th Meeting of the New England Ophthalmological Society


The New England Ophthalmological Society (NEOS) is the second oldest American medical specialty society in continuous existence. Founded in 1884, the society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and advancement of ophthalmology. Now well into its second century of existence, NEOS has had the good fortune to count among its members some of the brightest and most influential leaders in ophthalmology.

Today as in the past, NEOS remains committed to educating its members to ensure continuing high standards of ophthalmic care in New England. NEOS is also committed to educating other health care providers and the public about diseases and conditions of the eye with emphasis on detection, treatment, and prevention. NEOS maintains an Educational Endowment Fund to help achieve the society’s mission far into the future.

It is an honor to serve as Interim Chair of Ophthalmology since April and as Director of the Residency Program since June 2023. I appreciate everyone who works in the Eye Center - technicians, staff, faculty and residents.

Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM, FARVO, FASRS, professor, interim chair and residency program director of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, and director of the Retina Service at UMass Memorial Medical Health, Worcester, Massachusetts, is the recipient of the 2023  American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Founders Award. Dr. Seddon is receiving the award for her major contributions to the advancement of vitreoretinal surgery, treatment, research, and patient care

On June 29, 2023, the UMass Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Department came together with faculty and staff to celebrate the accomplishments and promotion of the current residents, and the addition of our new residents to the team. The residents spoke about their research and other projects and their goals for the future.  A special thanks to our guest speakers, Dr. Stacy Potts, Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education, and Dr. Andrew Karson, Interim President of the Medical Group, who joined the event to share their words of wisdom and Dr. Eric Alper, Chief Clinical Informatics Officer, who gave a very insightful and timely talk on the Electronic Health Record system and the advancements of AI. 

Congratulations Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM, FARVO, on your election to the Academia Ophthalmologica lnternationalis (AOI)

Academia Ophthalmologica lnternationalis traces its origin back to 1975 and is currently limited to 100 members. Dr. Seddon's election as a new member will be completed at the next General Assembly Meeting in 2024 after she presents her inaugural lecture.