The format for the department’s annual Resident and Fellow Research Day was a bit different this year but the event continued to deliver excellent research presentations.
COVID-19 restrictions within University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics led the department to alter the event from an in-person meeting to an online format. A handful of socially-distanced attendees gathered in the Braley Auditorium to view presentations while many others tuned in from elsewhere. Faculty, residents, and fellows were joined by alumni from across the country and globe who virtually participated for the first time.
Residents and fellows presented short synopses of a research project or paper they have been involved in during their training. Topic themes included Anterior Segment; Orbits, Tumors, and Education; and Nerves, Retina, and Neurodegeneration. Afterwards, faculty and alumni selected recipients for the distinguished P.J. Leinfelder Award. This year’s Best Resident Paper went to Christopher Fortenbach, MD, PhD (PGY-3), and the Best Fellow Paper was shared by Aaron Ricca, MD (Retina/Vitreous Fellow), and Nitsan Duvdevan-Strier, MD (Neuro-Ophthalmology Research Fellow). Lauren Hock, MD (PGY-3), was also recognized for her research and efforts involving Patient-Initiated Sexual Harassment. She received the Hansjoerg E. Kolder Memorial Humanitarian Award.
“Congratulations to all the trainees for their fantastic presentations, and thanks to the faculty for their mentorship and support.” – Ian Han, MD, Resident and Fellow Research Day program director.
Research at The University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is supported in part by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness.