Honestly Bilal

In this episode, I chat with Dr. R.V. Paul Chan, MD, MSc, MBA, FACS. Dr. Chan is the Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). We discuss Dr. Chan's calling to ophthalmology, finding an academic interest in retinopathy of prematurity, the importance of mentorship, being a founding member of the...

In this episode, I chat with Sayyada "Maela" Hyder. Maela is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine who recently applied for residency in ophthalmology. Maela shares her inspiring story about coming to America and overcoming the trials of a new language, a new healthcare system, and being the sole provider for her family. We discuss her journey working 80 h...

In this episode, I hang out with Ogul Uner. Ogul is a fourth-year medical student at Emory University who recently applied for residency in ophthalmology. From his days as a college student at UPenn after leaving his home country of Turkey, to reading journal articles about Retinoblastoma, Ogul's journey has been marked by a willingness to go above and beyond to satisfy his intellectual curiosity....

In this episode of Honestly Bilal, I am joined by two guests: Dr. Audina Berrocal, M.D., and Dr. Thomas Albini, M.D. Both Dr. Berrocal and Dr. Albini are Professors of Clinical Ophthalmology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. Dr. Berrocal is the Director of the Pediatric Retina Service and is also the Director of the Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship. Dr. Albini is the Co-Directo...

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Malik Kahook M.D. We discuss Dr. Kahook's journey to ophthalmology and specializing in glaucoma, which started in Akron, Ohio.  As a former trainee and now Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado, Dr. Kahook discusses in detail the values and culture of the ophthalmology residency program. He resides as the Slater Family Endowed Chair in Ophthalm...

On this episode, I am joined by Dr. Jennifer Lindsey M.D. Dr. Lindsey is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute. Dr. Lindsey is also the Program Director for the Ophthalmology Residency Program. We discuss how her path to ophthalmology was born from early curiosities in high school biology and undergraduate research. Dr. Lindsey touches on the importance of the Wom...

In this episode, I am joined by Chad Lewis, MPH. Chad is a fourth-year medical student at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth who is applying for residency in ophthalmology this fall. Chad has a story of resilience, determination, service, and passion. We discuss his early upbringing in the Bay Area and how the loss of his father at a young age framed his views on health disparities and hel...

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. John Kitchens MD. Dr. Kitchens is a world-renowned name in vitreoretinal surgery and has trained at top-ranked institutions such as the University of Iowa and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institue. He is a partner at Retina Associates of Kentucky, a private practice of 15 retina specialists. The practice participates in a joint vitreoretinal surgery fellowship with the...

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Daniel Moore MD.  Dr. Moore is a Glaucoma specialist, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, and Program Director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Kentucky. We talk about the new and only nationwide residency track in Global Ophthalmology UK is offering, the collegial culture and attitude of the program and department, what Dr. Moore lo...

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Thomas Oetting MD, MS. Dr. Oetting is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa where he serves as Program Director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program, the Rodolfo N. Perez Jr, MD, and Margaret Perez Professor in Ophthalmology Education, and Deputy Director of the VA Medical Center Surgical Service We talk about his background in engine...

In this episode, I am joined by fourth year medical student Meghana Kalavar. Meghana is an alum of Johns Hopkins University where she did her undergraduate studies and Master’s degree in public health. Meghana is currently a student at the University of Miami School of Medicine. This fall, she will be applying for residency training in ophthalmology. Meghana has had a variety of unique professiona...

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Rohit Ross Lakhanpal MD F.A.C.S. Dr. Lakhanpal is a renowned expert in the medical and surgical management of vitreoretinal disease. His contributions to the field have made major impacts in the use of 25 gauge vitrectomy surgery and the use of intraocular retinal prosthesis. Dr. Lakhanpal was appointed by OSN as one of the Top 150 Medical and Surgical Retina In...

In this episode, I'm joined by my guest Dr. Andrea Tooley MD. Upon completing her residency at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Tooley went on to complete a fellowship in Oculoplastic Surgery and Orbital Disease at Cornell University before coming back to Rochester, Minnesota to join the faculty at the Mayo Clinic as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. Dr. Tooley has had an illustrious career followed by...

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Andrew Hendershot MD. Dr. Hendershot is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center where he serves as Program Director for the Ophthalmology Residency Program. We talk about his non-traditional path to getting into ophthalmology residency, what are the challenges and rewards of being a program director, his advice...

In this episode, I catch up with Dr. Harris Ahmed DO, MPH. We virtually met through a chance encounter on Twitter and since then have collaborated on a webinar which had over 200 attendees from 9 different countries. Harris is a leader in health policy for the next generation of physicians. In medical school he even was an extra in a movie with Chris Hemsworth! You can follow him on Twitter @drhar...

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Radiation Oncology at Stanford University Medical Center. Dr. Mruthyunjaya is the Director of Ocular Oncology and the Director of the Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship Program. We talk about his early path to medicine and ophthalmology, the role of serendipity and seizing opportunities, how a constant...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Rukhsana Mirza MD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Medical Education at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. We discuss her path to the field of ophthalmology and medical retina, her take on the effects COVID-19 has had on prospective applicants for residency in ophthalmology, what she herself looks for in applicants, and how to make an app...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. David Wu MD PhD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University's Wilmer Eye Institute. Dr. Wu is a vitreoretinal surgeon and scientist who balances making breakthroughs in gene therapy related to retinal disease, and training fellows in dealing with complex retinal surgery. We talk about his journey in the field from an early interest in research...

My guest in this episode is Dr. Gary Wörtz MD. He is a renowned name in the field of cataract and refractive surgery in ophthalmology. He is the host of one of the biggest podcasts in ophthalmology, "Ophthalmology Off the Grid", Chief Medical Advisor for Omega Ophthalmics, and the Editor in Chief of "MillenialEye". Dr. Wörtz is based in Lexington, Kentucky and we met via Twitter after I reached ou...

In this episode, I hang out with Victoria Ly. As a now fourth year medical student at the University of Arkansas, Victoria is applying for residency in ophthalmology this fall. We chatted about how she found her interest in the field, and her recent rotation experience at her home program. Victoria loves to cook and hangout with her little sister Sophia, who is also in medical school there with he...

In this episode, Dr. Tim Steinemann MD returns to talk overcoming adversity and challenges through grit, what ophthalmology applicants should look for in a residency program, his journey in advocacy and policy making, the importance of branding, and the challenges the millennial generation faces ahead in ophthalmology. Dr. Steinemann is an accomplished ophthalmologist, cornea specialist, educator,...

In this episode, I get to hang with Angie Choudhury and her sister, Eileen Choudhury Bowden. Angie is a rising fourth-year medical student at the University of Texas-Rio Grande applying for residency in ophthalmology this fall, while Eileen is finishing up her fellowship in Glaucoma at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami. These two share both a sisterly bond a...

In this episode, I meet and talk with Melissa Yuan. Melissa is a rising fourth year medical student at Cornell University and graduated from Harvard for her undergraduate education. We chat about her love of animals, how she found ophthalmology, her research experience in neuroscience, and her year abroad in Spain. Melissa is as down to earth as she is accomplished and it was a pleasure to hang wi...

In this episode, I sit down with a mentor who I have had the pleasure of getting to know through Twitter.  Dr. Tim Steinemann is a Ophthalmic clinician, surgeon, researcher, and teacher. His specialty is focused on corneal disease and transplant. He practices at MetroHealth In Cleveland, Ohio and is an affiliate of Case Western Reserve University where he teaches residents in ophthalmology. He is...

In this premiere episode, I got to chat with Dr. Ravi Parikh from Manhattan Retina and Eye in New York City. We talked about his journey into ophthalmology, why he chose to specialize in treating retinal disease, the heroes who inspired him, and his passion for global health