Blog | ABO Diplomate Digest

Nov 13, 2019
1 min

ABO Director Steven Gedde, MD, Inducted into University Honor Society

American Board of Ophthalmology Director Steven Gedde, MD, was tapped into Iron Arrow this month at a traditional tapping ceremony. Iron Arrow is the University of Miami’s highest honor society. Based on Seminole Indian tradition, Iron Arrow recognizes those in the university community who exemplify the qualities of leadership, character, humility, scholarship, and love of alma mater. A glaucoma specialist, Dr. Gedde is Bascom Palmer’s vice chair of education and the residenc

Apr 30, 2019
1 min

Emeritus Director Shares Little-Known Facts About Pulitzer Prize Founder's Eye and Vision Health

You may have seen American Board of Ophthalmology Emeritus Director Daniel M. Albert, MD, in a recent PBS documentary on the life of Joseph Pulitzer, the late 19th century newspaper publisher whose fortune funded the launch of the journalism school at Columbia University as well as the famous prizes for writing that bear his name. Ophthalmic history expert and OHSU professor Dr. Albert, who served as an ABO Director from 1998-2005, provided research and commentary for the pro

Apr 30, 2019
2 min

On Public Trust

When Washington state Senator Maureen Walsh recently suggested that nurses “play cards” during their shifts, the backlash from nurses, the medical community, and, notably, the public, was swift. She quickly backtracked, and after an online petition reached more than 500,000 signatures (it’s now upwards of 700,000), Walsh agreed to spend 12 hours shadowing nurses to see what they actually do. One reason the public was so quick to condemn Walsh’s remarks? People trust their nur

Apr 25, 2019
1 min

In the News: ABO Emeritus Director Explains What We See When Our Eyes Are Closed

This week, American Board of Ophthalmology Emeritus Director Ivan Schwab, MD, FACS, introduced readers of the Wall Street Journal to entoptic phenomena, or what a person sees with closed eyes. From eighth-century Taoist monks who could generate phosphenes while in a hypnagogic state to modern scientific research on what "visual noise" actually is, Dr. Schwab, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of California, Davis, explained how and why people are able to sense li

Apr 24, 2019
2 min

ABO Vice Chair Featured as April's "NANOS Hero"

American Board of Ophthalmology Vice Chair Lanning B. Kline, MD, was featured as the North-American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society's (NANOS) "Hero of the Month." In the interview, Dr. Kline was asked about the most important things he'd learned in fellowship along with the top three things he'd learned within the last five years of his practice. Dr. Kline cited "listening to the patient," as the most significant clinical pearl he'd heard during his training. Today, he explained,

Mar 21, 2019
2 min

Remembering Dr. John T. Flynn, Emeritus Director

The American Board of Ophthalmology extends its deepest condolences to the family of renown pediatric ophthalmologist and educator John T. Flynn, MD, who passed away March 18 at the age of 88. Dr. Flynn served as a Director of the ABO from 1987 to 1995 and was a dedicated Oral Examiner for the Board. Even after his ABO service concluded, Dr. Flynn's training videos on how to deliver the Oral Examination continued to offer guidance to nearly two decades of ABO volunteers and a

Feb 8, 2019
1 min

ABO Director Dr. Debra J. Shetlar Named President-Elect of AAOOP

The American Board of Ophthalmology congratulates Director Debra J. Shetlar, MD, who was recently voted president-elect of the American Association of Ophthalmic Oncologists and Pathologists (AAOOP). She will remain president-elect of the society for two years before serving as president for two years. Dr. Shetlar is an associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Pathology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She is also a staff physician at the Michael E.

Feb 7, 2019
3 min

American Board of Ophthalmology Adds Drs. Keith A. Warren and Martha M. Wright to its 2020 Board of

The American Board of Ophthalmology is pleased to announce that board-certified ophthalmologists Keith A. Warren, MD, of Kansas, and Martha M. Wright, MD, of Minnesota, will join the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2020. As part of a new on-boarding process for incoming ABO directors, both Drs. Warren and Wright will attend ABO meetings throughout 2019 as non-voting members. Keith A. Warren, MD Dr. Warren serves as Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University

Jan 16, 2019
1 min

In the News: ABO Emeritus Director and Examiner Work to Study Genetic Eye Condition

American Board of Ophthalmology Emeritus Director Keith Baratz, MD, and Examiner Sanjay Patel, MD, of Mayo Clinic, were recently featured by Minneapolis television station KARE for their efforts to study and treat Fuchs' dystrophy, a swelling of the cornea that causes blurry and foggy vision. The news broadcast told the story of two sisters who needed surgery following their Fuchs' diagnosis. Once their procedures were completed and their vision improved, their concern turned

Dec 5, 2018
2 min

Drs. Sheth, Kline Named to 2019 American Board of Ophthalmology Leadership Posts

The American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) announced the appointment of directors Bhavna P. Sheth, MD, MBA, as chair, and Lanning B. Kline, MD, as vice chair, beginning January 1, 2019. Dr. Sheth is a tenured professor of ophthalmology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), chief of comprehensive ophthalmology at the Eye Institute, and chief of ophthalmology at Zablocki VA Medical Center, all located in Milwaukee. In 2019, she will begin the eighth and final year of her te

Nov 21, 2018
1 min

Two New Directors Set to Join the ABO in 2019

The American Board of Ophthalmology will welcome Chris V. Albanis, MD, and Bennie H. Jeng, MD, to the Board of Directors in 2019. Dr. Albanis is a Managing Partner at Arbor Centers for EyeCare, a Clinical Associate at the University of Chicago, and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Chicago, where she practices comprehensive ophthalmology. Dr. Albanis has held numerous leadership posts with the Illinois Society of Eye Physicians and

Oct 24, 2018
2 min

How a Mid-Career Fellowship Changed One Ophthalmologist's Perspective

American Board of Ophthalmology Director Jane Bailey, MD, enjoyed a comfortable life in Nebraska with an active family and a busy private practice. But after 21 years, she longed for a new professional challenge: to experience the work she loved in a whole different way. So, in 2017, at the age of 51, she left her successful practice behind, packed her bags, and moved her family 250 miles to enroll in a neuro-ophthalmology fellowship training program at the University of Iowa

Sep 24, 2018
2 min

Remembering Dr. Martha Farber (1950-2018), First Woman Ophthalmologist to Chair the American Board o

The ophthalmic community mourns the loss of Martha J. (Gilmore) Farber, MD, 67, of Delmar, NY. Dr. Farber, who became the first woman ophthalmologist to chair the American Board of Ophthalmology in 2009, was a distinguished physician and educator who dedicated her life to serving veterans in Albany. Dr. Farber graduated with honors from SUNY Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn and went on to complete her internship at Albany Medical Center. She then entered residency trainin

Aug 4, 2018
2 min

Thank You, 2018 Exam Development Volunteers

The American Board of Ophthalmology thanks the following groups of diplomate-volunteers who contributed their knowledge and ophthalmic expertise to the 2018 Exam Development Meeting in Philadelphia from August 2-4. Cataract Geoffrey Emerick, M.D. Robert Fish, M.D. Gregory Katz, M.D. Yousuf Khalifa, M.D. Amy Lin, M.D. Leslie Olsakovsky, M.D. Bhavna Sheth, M.D. Sonal Tuli, M.D. Brian Welcome, M.D. Comprehensive Jane Bailey, M.D. Sean Breit, M.D. John Campagna, M.D. Francesca Gi

Jul 2, 2018
1 min

New Directors Set to Join the ABO in 2019

At its June meeting, the American Board of Ophthalmology voted to invite Chris V. Albanis, M.D., and Bennie H. Jeng, M.D., to join the Board of Directors in 2019. Dr. Albanis is a Managing Partner at Arbor Centers for EyeCare, a Clinical Associate at the University of Chicago, and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Chicago, where she practices comprehensive ophthalmology. Dr. Albanis has held numerous leadership posts with the Illino

May 4, 2018
1 min

Emeritus Director Receives Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology Service Award

The ABO extends its congratulations to Emeritus Director J. Douglas Cameron, M.D., MBA, who will receive the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology's 2018 Budd Appleton, M.D., Award for Service to Ophthalmology. The Appleton Award is presented to a member of the Minnesota Academy who has performed the greatest service to the field of ophthalmology through patient care, public education, and political advocacy. Dr. Cameron holds the titles of Director of Research and Professor in

Dec 20, 2017
1 min

American Board of Ophthalmology Director Honored for Service to Academy Council

American Board of Ophthalmology Director Debra M. Shetlar, M.D. was recognized for her service to the Council of the American Academy of Ophthalmology during AAO 2017 in New Orleans. Dr. Shetlar served for two years as a councilor representing the ABO. Her term as the ABO’s representative concludes December 31. Director Sarah Nehls, M.D., will represent the ABO on the AAO Council in 2018. Representatives to the Academy’s Council are elected by each state ophthalmology society

Oct 19, 2017
1 min

ABO Chair Paul P. Lee, M.D., J.D, Elected to National Academy of Medicine

Paul P. Lee, M.D., J.D., chair of the American Board of Ophthalmology, became one of 80 new members elected to the National Academy of Medicine this month. Election to the Academy, formerly the Institute of Medicine, is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. Dr. Lee is the F. Bruce Fralick Professor and chair of the University of

Oct 4, 2017
2 min

ABO Mourns Dr. William H. Spencer, 1925-2017, Former Executive Director and Emeritus Director

It is with deep sadness that the American Board of Ophthalmology notes the passing of William H. Spencer, M.D., Director of the Board from 1974 to 1981 and Executive Director of the organization from 1986 to 1995. Dr. Spencer was born in New York City in 1925. His enthusiasm for ophthalmology was lifelong. As a child, Dr. Spencer had been treated for a hypermetropic accommodative squint in his left eye by an uncle who was an ophthalmologist. From him, Dr. Spencer learned how

Sep 7, 2017
2 min

Meet the ABO's Newest Director: Dr. Ann Acers-Warn

Oklahoma ophthalmologist Ann Acers-Warn, M.D., MBA, will join the American Board of Ophthalmology as a Director beginning in January 2018. Her four-year term begins in January and is renewable for an additional four years. As a Director of the ABO, Dr. Acers-Warn will contribute to the development of certification standards and assessments for new and practicing ophthalmologists, participate in organizational governance, and monitor operational performance. The appointment of