Visiting Professor Series [2025-2026] (NON-CME)

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In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Dr. Maria (Mia) Woodward is a cornea specialist and a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Michigan. She is focused on healthcare delivery specifically for the anterior segment of the eye. Her research focuses on applying low-cost technologies and novel care models to address eye problems to improve patient outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations. She is the section lead for the Cornea service at the University of Michigan. She currently serves on the Cornea Society board, The AAO’s Health Policy Committee, and the AAO council. She leads the AAO’s Task Force on Ophthalmology and Community Health Centers and the AAO Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Grant Award committee. She has published 140 peer-reviewed articles and been awarded grants from the NIH and Research to Prevent Blindness. She received the Surgical Teaching award from the Kellogg residents.

This series is not certified for CME credit. 

Click here to register for the livestream!

In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Dr. Maltry is an ophthalmic pathologist and comprehensive ophthalmologist. She is an Associate Professor with a dual appointment in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Minnesota. She practices comprehensive ophthalmology at the Southdale Eye Clinic in Edina, MN, and serves our veterans at the Twin Cities VA Medical Center where she teaches cataract surgery to residents from the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic. 

Dr. Maltry was recognized in the "TopDoctor" issue of Minneapolis/St.Paul magazine as a Rising Star for three consecutive years, and she has been listed as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year since 2020. She was honored with an Achievement Award by the American Academy of Ophthalmology for her commitment to advancing the profession and positively impacting patient health. She was voted Best Teaching Faculty and the Surgical Teacher of the Year by the ophthalmology residents at the University of Minnesota. 

Dr. Maltry is a member of the Verhoeff-Zimmerman Society, Eastern Ophthalmic Pathology Society, and American Academy of Ocular Pathology and Oncology in addition to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She sits on the AAO BCSC Section 4: Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors Subcommittee.  In addition, she is the current President of the Minnesota Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons where she advocates for safe vision care in Minnesota. 

A Midwesterner at heart, Dr. Maltry grew up in Wisconsin, received her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Iowa State University, and then earned her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She completed her ophthalmology residency, followed by a fellowship in ophthalmic pathology, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

This series is not certified for CME credit. 

Click here to register for the livestream!

In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Dr. Erick Bothun is a Professor and Quality Chair in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota with expertise in pediatric cataract and strabismus. Dr. Bothun has contributed over 100 manuscripts and is recognized as a principal investigator and author for multiple national multicenter studies, including Infant Aphakia Treatment Study, the Toddler Aphakia and Pseudophakia Study, and the PEDIG cataract registry. Dr. Bothun serves on the Board of Directors for both the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the Minnesota Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and on the Executive Committee for PEDIG (the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group). Dr. Bothun has enjoyed teaching around the globe for almost 3 decades with recurrent areas of focus in Zimbabwe and India.

This series is not certified for CME credit. 

Click here to register for the livestream!

In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Benjamin Xu, M.D., Ph.D. received his B.S. from Yale University and M.D. and Ph.D. in neuroscience from Columbia University. He then completed his ophthalmology residency at the USC Roski Eye Institute and glaucoma fellowship at the UCSD Shiley Eye Institute. He is now Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Chief of the Glaucoma Service, and Director of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the USC Roski Eye Institute. His NIH-funded research focuses on developing novel diagnostic tools to detect patients at high risk for glaucoma using non-invasive ocular imaging and AI. He also uses epidemiological and electronic healthcare data to study the impact of glaucoma on diverse patient populations and devises strategies for delivering more effective care. Dr. Xu has published 85 peer-reviewed papers, received over a dozen research awards, and delivered more than 50 lectures nationally and internationally.

This series is not certified for CME credit. 

Click here to register for the livestream!

In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Medical Director of Cleveland Eye Clinic and Clear Choice LASIK Center divisions of Midwest Vision Partners (MVP.) He is an active board member of Midwest Vision Partners. Dr. Wiley has helped innovate numerous new technologies within the eye care space. He assisted in the pioneering of Intra-operative aberrometer through the early clinical trials from the original device to the current commercialized product. He helped develop the Less-drops formulation and MKO melt sedation products from Imprimis Pharmaceuticals.  Active investigator in numerous protocols, including the light adjustable IOL, trifocal IOLs, corneal inlays, toric IOLs, therapeutic dry eye treatments, excimer laser technology, and extended-release drug therapy.  Current President of OOSS (Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society), Founding member of Vanguard Ophthalmology Society, past president of Society for Excellence in Eye care, past president and current Chair of AECOS, member of CEDARS/ASPENS Program Chair of Caribbean Eye Meeting, associate editor of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today, Founder ad Director EyePrentice. 

This series is not certified for CME credit. 

Click here to register for the livestream!

In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Richard C. Allen MD PhD FACS is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.  Dr. Allen attended Duke University where he received a BS in Chemistry followed by Baylor College of Medicine where he received his MD and PhD degrees. He completed a residency in ophthalmology and a fellowship in oculoplastic surgery at the University of Iowa under the mentorship of Jeffrey Nerad and Keith Carter.  Dr. Allen is a member of ASOPRS, ESOPRS, and the Orbital Society.  He is a past-president of ASOPRS, Editor-in-Chief for the journal Orbit, President-elect for IJCAHPO, and Chief of Ophthalmology at Ben Taub Hospital.  Dr. Allen has authored over 135 peer-reviewed publications, was section editor for Oculoplastics and Orbit for Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, and is a reviewer for over 30 journals.  He has lectured extensively, nationally and internationally.  His on-line oculoplastic surgery video atlas, available at www.oculosurg.com, is recognized worldwide. 

This series is not certified for CME credit. 

Click here to register for the livestream!

In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Dr. Berdahl is most motivated by the trust his patients place in him during their moments of vulnerability. That patient trust has, first and foremost, driven him to become an accomplished surgeon. However, as he meets patient needs and learns more about the problems they face, he’s had several opportunities to stretch his skills as an inventor and problem-solver. He co-invented the MKO melt, an innovation used in our Sioux Falls clinic that provides sedation during cataract surgery without the use of an IV or opioids, and developed Interfeen, a rare disease drug that helps with ocular conditions. He created astigmatismfix.com, a resource that has helped tens of thousands of surgeons eliminate residual astigmatism after cataract surgery, and he co-founded ExpertOpinion.MD, a site where patients can request medical opinions from authentic world experts. He also is the founder of Balance Ophthalmics, the first non-surgical, non-pharmacologic way to lower eye pressure for glaucoma treatment, which was FDA approved in 2024.

Dr. Berdahl is equipped to employ the most innovative and tested techniques available to effectively treat most diseases of the anterior segment (front part of the eye). He is exceptionally skilled at diagnosing the best treatment for varying stages of glaucoma, corneal diseases, and cataracts. He is also a meticulous refractive surgeon. To advance the technologies available to our patients, Dr. Berdahl collaborates with numerous ophthalmology companies as a consultant. However, to minimize potential bias, all consulting fees are donated to charity.

This series is not certified for CME credit. 

Click here to register for the livestream!

In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Dr. Vajzovic is a vitreoretinal surgeon and tenured Professor of Ophthalmology, Pediatrics and Biomedical Engineering at Duke University with expertise in adult and pediatric retinal diseases and surgery.  

Dr. Vajzovic is passionate about translational research and collaborates closely with Duke biomedical engineers to develop imaging devices to improve ophthalmic care.  She serves as a principal investigator for numerous national clinical trials in early to late stages of development.  Her research interests span from pediatric to adult retinal diseases such as dry and wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and venous occlusive diseases, as well as vitreoretinal surgical diseases. 

In addition, Dr. Vajzovic is interested in cutting edge technologies and recovery of vision in hereditary and common retinal diseases with gene-therapy, stem cell technology and retinal implants. She is a co-director of the Duke Pediatric Retina and Optic Nerve Center, and directs the Duke Center for Artificial and Regenerative Vision, where she performs gene-therapy delivery, and devices implantation to restore vision to individuals with total blindness. 

An influential educator, she organizes and directs several highly successful national and international courses, including the first-of-its-kind Advances in Pediatric Retina Course at Duke and the international Duke fellows and general Advances in Vitreous Surgery Course. She is director of prestigious Duke Vitreoretinal Surgical Fellowship and director of Duke Eye Center’s Continuing Medical Education program. 

Dr. Vajzovic completed her vitreoretinal fellowship training at Duke and residency training at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL.  While in training, she received Heed Fellowship Award, Society of Heed Fellows Award and Retina Society Research Award. She is active on the Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) Board of Directors where she serves as Vice President and a Chair of Clinical Trial Training Program.  In addition, she serves as a Retina Society American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Council Representative and American Society of Retina Specialist (ASRS) Research and Safety in Therapeutics Committee Member.  She is elected member of the Retina Society, Macula Society and Club Jules Gonin Society.  Dr. Vajzovic has been awarded the AAO Achievement Award, ASRS Senior Honor Award, Vit Buckle Society Mentorship Award, Real World Ophthalmology Mentorship Award, WIO Emerging Leader Award and Emerging Leader Award by Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Medical Alumni Association.

This series is not certified for CME credit. 

Click here to register for the livestream!

In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Dr. John J. Chen completed his undergraduate and combined MD/PhD degrees at the University of Virginia, followed by Ophthalmology residency and Neuro-Ophthalmology fellowship at the University of Iowa. He joined the Mayo Clinic in 2014, where he specializes in Neuro-Ophthalmology and currently serves as Consultant and Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurology, as well as Fellowship Director.  

Dr. Chen is a nationally recognized educator and leader, honored with the AAO Achievement Award, Heed Fellowship, Real World Ophthalmology Inspiring Academic Leader Award, and multiple teaching awards, including four-time Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Teacher of the Year and induction into the Educators Hall of Fame. In 2023, he received the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator Award, recognizing the institution’s top educator. 

He is Secretary of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, active in AAO committees, and a member of the American Ophthalmological Society and American Eye Study Club. He previously served as President of the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology and completed leadership programs through AAO and AUPO. 

Dr. Chen has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications, received multiple research awards, and serves as co-PI for the TIMELY-PLEX randomized trial on early plasma exchange for severe optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. He has delivered more than 200 oral presentations, including named lectureships and visiting professorships, with expertise in ophthalmic imaging, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and optic neuritis, especially NMOSD and MOG antibody-associated disease. 

This series is not certified for CME credit. 

Click here to register for the livestream!

In this series, we welcome influential ophthalmologists from around the country and the world to speak at Wills Eye Hospital for the benefit of residents and practicing ophthalmologists. Presentations and lectures include clinical and non-clinical content, and reflections on each guest's professional journey. 

Dr. Hunter Cherwek is a global ophthalmologist with a specific career interest in using training and technologies to eliminate avoidable blindness and vision loss in low-resource communities around the world. Dr. Cherwek joined Orbis International (www.orbis.org) immediately upon completing his residency and went on to lecture and work in over 20 countries aboard the Flying Eye Hospital, the world’s only fully accredited teaching hospital on an aircraft, and helped build the organization’s telemedicine and distance learning platform, Cybersight (www.cybersight.org). He was then based in Beijing, China, for six years, working with Alcon as the Medical Director of Strategic Markets to help improve surgical training efforts and access to quality cataract care in Asia and Russia. Most recently, Dr. Cherwek returned to Orbis International in 2017 to continue to support its clinical training efforts and patient care programs as Vice President, Clinical Services & Technologies. When not on an Orbis program, he is happiest fishing and loves to do anything that involves the water, especially if there is a fly rod nearby.

This series is not certified for CME credit.