Honestly Bilal

In this episode, I chat with former guests and recently matched applicants in the 2021 ophthalmology residency cycle. Listen in on what we learned, what worked well, advice for incoming applicants, and other takeaways from the virtual interview cycle. Panel Bilal Ahmed (Twittee: bilal_1712) -MS4 University of Toledo -Incoming resident at the University of Iowa Sanah Aslam (Twitter-@Sanah_Aslam) -M...

In celebration of this 50th episode of Honestly Bilal, co-host Ankur Parikh (MS4 NEOMED) and I chat with our mentor Dr. Jay Sridhar. Dr. Sridhar is an Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and the Associate Residency Program Director at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Sridhar is also the creator and host of the award-winning podcast, Straight From The Cutter's Mouth: A Retina Podcast....

In this episode, I chat with José-Alain Sahel, MD. Dr. Sahel is the chair and Distinguished Professor of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, director of the UPMC Eye Center, and the Eye and Ear Foundation Endowed Chair of Ophthalmology. Dr. Sahel studied medicine at University Denis Diderot, Paris VII, and Ophthalmology at University Louis Pasteur St...

In this episode, I chat with Ian Seddon from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Ian is a third-year medical student at NOVA Southeastern University and plans to pursue a career in ophthalmology.    We discuss Ian's interest in ophthalmology, what he expects from clerkships this year, and how his college days of being a rower draw parallel to what he sees is crucial in being a team player in ophthalmology.    You...

In this episode, I chat with Anapatricia Maldonado Cerda, MD, a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. Ana bravely shares her inspiring story of facing setbacks by not matching in ophthalmology in the previous application cycle and what she has done to overcome it.    We discuss how processing that experience felt in that moment and how she got back on her feet with her love...

In this episode, I am joined by Nicolas Yannuzzi, MD. Dr. Yannuzzi is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and a vitreoretinal surgeon at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL. We discuss Dr. Yannuzzi's  early background and non traditional path in oncology, finance, and ultimately how he came to ophthalmology with an interest in retina. Dr. Yannuzzi details his experience train...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Kalla Gervasio, who resides as one of the Chief Residents at Wills Eye Hospital.    Dr. Gervasio shares her journey into ophthalmology and what led her to pursue two fellowships in neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery upon completion of her residency training this year. Dr. Gervasio describes these two subspecialties and what makes them unique for any medic...

In this episode, I chat with Edmund Tsui, MD. Dr. Tsui is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at UCLA, where he specializes in uveitis.    We discuss Dr. Tsui's early exposure to ophthalmology through his undergrad research.  Dr. Tsui also shares his experiences with the collaborative nature of working in uveitis, an area many medical students may not know much about within the field of ophtha...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Michael Klufas. Dr. Klufas is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University and a Vitreoretinal Surgeon on the Retina Service at Wills Eye Hospital with Mid Atlantic Retina.   Dr. Klufas discusses his journey into ophthalmology and his reflections on his career path. As a vitreoretinal surgeon and reviewer of surgical videos for Eyetube, Dr...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. John Miller. Dr. Miller is the Director of the Retinal Imaging and the Associate Director of the Vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary. He is also an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. We discuss Dr. Miller's work in the retinal imaging lab and the focus on bringing together the brightest minds at all train...

In this episode, I chat with Alexis Warren, MD. Dr. Warren is one of the Chief Residents in ophthalmology at the University of Iowa. We discuss her beginnings in ophthalmology and how she is now pursuing a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery. Dr. Warren reflects on her experience training at the University of Iowa and what she has learned in being a leader as a chief resident for her junior reside...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Richard Davidson. Dr. Davidson is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado. He resides as the Co-medical Director of the Rocky Mountains Lions Eye Bank, the Co-director for the Cornea/External Disease and Refractive surgery fellowship, and the Vice-Chair for Clinical Affairs and Quality at UCHealth Eye Centers.    We discuss Dr. Davidson's beginni...

In this episode, I chat with Robert Swan, MD. Dr. Swan is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, New York where he is also the Ophthalmology Residency Program Director and a specialist in uveitis. We discuss he path to the profession, his specialty of uveitis, exciting updates about the program, and what kind of candidate would make a great fit in the residency progra...

In this episode, I chat with Yoshihiro Yonekawa, MD. Dr. Yonekawa is a pediatric and adult retinal surgeon at Wills Eye Hospital and Mid Atlantic Retina and resides as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. We discuss his early fascination with microsurgery and how the mentorship of Dr. Paul Chan, a former guest of the show and curr...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Ike Ahmed. As a world-renowned leader in ophthalmology and the founder of what is known as Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery or MIGS, Dr. Ahmed has approached innovation in his own way by breaking down barriers. With an accomplished career in Canada, he continues to be a leader in North America and worldwide in the medical/surgical approach of managing complex eye dis...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Lindsay De Andrade. Dr. De Andrade is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa. As an alum of the University of Iowa's medical school and ophthalmology residency program, she shares her perspective on strengths of one of the nation's top-ranked residency programs. Dr. De Andrade discusses how she came to find her specialty of choice in pedi...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Rishi Singh. Dr. Singh is a Staff Surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic's Cole Eye Institute, the Medical Director of Informatics at the Cleveland Clinic, and an Associate Professor at the Lerner College of Medicine. We start by discussing Dr. Singh's journey into ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery. Dr. Singh shares insights into what big data means in the healthcar...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Preeya Gupta. As an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology specializing in Cornea and External Disease at Duke University, Dr. Gupta shares insights on her story in ophthalmology and her expertise in dry eye disease. She discusses finding a niche, the importance of persistence and grit, and why staying true to your authentic self is the key to making a difference and...

In this episode, I chat with Alice C. Lorch, MD, MPH. Dr. Lorch is the Program Director for the Ophthalmology Residency Training Program and an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School (HMS). She is also the Associate Chief of Quality for the Department of Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear (MEEI). Dr. Lorch shares her journey in ophthalmology as a Harvard Medical Sch...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Nimesh Patel. Dr. Patel is a vitreoretinal surgeon in adult and pediatric retina at Mass. Eye and Ear and Boston Children's Hospital. He is also a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School We discuss Dr. Patel's path to ophthalmology and his experiences completing his residency and fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Patel was instrumental in dev...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Eduardo Alfonso, MD. As the Director of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Alfonso shares his origin story in ophthalmology. We discuss his appproach to servant leadership, the importance of social media, and how Bascom Palmer continues to push the envelope in oph...

In this episode, I chat with Sanah Aslam. Sanah is a fourth-year medical student at the Medical College of Georgia and recently applied for residency in ophthalmology. We discuss Sanah's path to finding ophthalmology and how her passion for neuroscience and drew her to the field. Sanah shares some experiences from her ophthalmology rotation at her medical school and how she had a blast taking call...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. William Park, MD. As program director for the ophthalmology residency program and Clinical Assistant Professor at Loyola University, Dr. Park provides his insights on the program's culture and what he is looking for in applicants.   Dr. Park is an alum of the residency program and resides as the director of ophthalmology alumni affairs for Loyola University. He is...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Luis Berrocal, MD PGY-1 at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois at Chicago.    Luis and I discuss his interest in ophthalmology and how he felt the calling to pursue the specialty. He shares what drew him as an applicant to UIC and what he believes applicants should keep in mind when thinking of programs that fit who they are as a person...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Peter MacIntosh, M.D. from the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine (UIC). Dr. MacIntosh and I discuss his journey into ophthalmology and his origin story. As the current ophthalmology residency program director, he shares exciting updates going on at UIC and the focus of global health partnerships available th...