Speakers’ Short Biographies |
|
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Refractive Surgery Service, Corneal and External Diseases Service Director, Cornea & Refractive Surgery Fellowship Medical School Stanford University Residency Harvard University Fellowship Harvard University Background Natalie Afshari, MD, FACS, is a full-time faculty member at Duke Eye Center, where she serves as both a clinician and a research scientist. Afshari’s achievement in patient care has been recognized by her peers who have named her as one of The Best Doctors in America in 2003-2004, 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 editions. She is a highly skilled cataract surgeon and holds national positions on the professional committees of cataract specialists. Afshari is also a recognized expert in corneal transplantation, descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK), intacs for keratoconus, and refractive surgery. Her research interests include an NIH funded study of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy as well as DSEK surgery. Afshari’s dedication to clinical care and research also inspires her teaching. For her commitment to teaching and training ophthalmologists, she has earned accolades such as the Teacher of the Year award at Duke University Eye Center. In her spare time, Afshari, has been active as an international volunteer eye surgeon. She has travelled to West Africa, Central America, and Mexico, to volunteer her surgical expertise to the needy and indigent.
|
|
|
|
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Service Medical School The University of Minnesota Medical School Residency & Chief Residency The University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center Fellowship Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Duke Eye Center Background Christopher Boehlke, MD, is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in medical and surgical diseases of the cornea and anterior segment of the eye. Boehlke performs the latest surgical techniques, including DSEK for corneal transplantation, as well as cataract surgery using astigmatism and presbyopia correcting intraocular lenses. He performs vision correction surgery including bladeless IntraLase LASIK as well as surface ablation photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Boehlke sees patients at both the Duke Eye Center of Cary and the Duke Eye Center of Raleigh. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the International Society of Refractive Surgery.
|
|
|
|
Professor of Opthalmology Chief, Corneal and Refractive Surgery Services Medical School Duke University Medical School Residency Cullen Eye Institute Baylor College of Medicine Fellowships Corneal and External Diseases, Cullen Eye Institute Baylor College of Medicine Corneal and External Diseases, Duke Eye Center Background Alan N. Carlson, MD, specializes in refractive surgery, cataract surgery, and corneal transplantation. His interests include the latest developments in Laser Vision Correction and he also offers the new multifocal intraocular lenses designed to correct presbyopia after cataract surgery. Dr. Carlson helped pioneer several aspects of the new DSEK procedure offering a safer and more rapid recovery after corneal transplantation. He has built an international reputation for his innovative work in the management and prevention of complications associated with eye surgery and has been honored among the “Best Doctors in America” for over 10 consecutive years.
|
|
|
|
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Director of Residency Program University of Florida College of Medicine Internship Emory University Hospital Residency University of Florida Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Fellowship Duke Eye Center Research Fellowship Duke Eye Center Pratap Challa, MD, specializes in glaucoma management including medical, laser, and surgical treatments for glaucoma. He is experienced in all forms of glaucoma surgery, including trabeculectomy with antimetabolite therapy, tube implants, cataracts, and revision of glaucoma surgery. As a physician-scientist investigator, Challa has a special research interest in the genetic basis of inherited eye diseases. Challa is fellowship trained and board certified.
|
|
|
|
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Cornea and External Disease Service Refractive Surgery Service Medical School Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Residency UPMC Eye Center University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Fellowship Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Duke Eye Center Background Anthony Kuo, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in medical and surgical diseases of the cornea. With his surgical expertise, he is highly skilled at performing the latest surgical techniques for corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, and other corneal procedures. Kuo also specializes in laser vision correction surgery. His research focuses on advanced laser imaging of the cornea in early diagnosis of disease and in evaluating corneal transplants. Kuo is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
|
|
|
|
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Corneal and External Disease Service Refractive Surgery Service College Duke University Bachelor of Science, Biology Graduation Honors With Distinction Medical School Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Residency Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Fellowship Duke Eye Center Background Corneal, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Terry Semchyshyn, MD, is a member of the full-time faculty of the Duke Eye Center and serves as assistant professor and director of the Corneal and Refractive Surgery Service at the Winston-Salem branch office. He completed his subspecialty fellowship training at the Duke Eye Center, renowned as a leader in laser vision correction surgery as well as corneal transplantation. Semchyshyn specializes in laser vision correction surgery, including LASIK, LASEK, and Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) procedures. He is skilled in the latest forms of cataract surgery, including procedures designed to reduce astigmatism and refractive error after surgery. Semchyshyn is actively involved with the entire Duke faculty in advancing innovative corneal transplantation techniques.
|
|
|
|
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Director of Low Vision Rehabilitation Program Optometry School University of Houston College of Optometry Externships Womack Army Medical Center Cape Fear Eye Associates, PA Background Diane Beasley Whitaker, OD, is a comprehensive optometrist with a specialization in low vision rehabilitation. Her experience includes low vision training at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Houston, Texas and providing low vision services at the UNC Department of Ophthalmology. Whitaker also has extensive experience with refractive and cataract surgery care. She is a member of the American Optometric Association Low Vision Section and the North Carolina State Optometric Society. Whitaker is interested in research designed to measure outcomes of low vision intervention and the psychosocial aspects of visual disability. Specifically, she is interested in the impact of early detection and treatment for clinical and subclinical depression on the vision rehabilitation process.
|
|
|
|
Duke Eye Center Health Center Administrator As health center administrator of Duke Eye Center, Kelly oversees the day-to-day operation of the clinics. She has prior experience working with both teaching hospitals and private practices and uses her experience to evaluate and to streamline the Eye Center’s processes and to find ways to work more efficiently as a team to support physicians and to provide great quality care for Eye Center patients. She works behind the scenes to maintain a liaison between all levels of administration, physicians, patients, and outside organizations to coordinate clinic business, to accomplish directives, and to facilitate the resolution of problems. Kelly also monitors operations and ensures that Eye Center patients have a positive experience. She has been a national speaker for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) for many years, teaching billing and practice management to physicians around the country. Kelly started in the field of ophthalmology over 20 years ago—first working with a prestigious retina practice in San Francisco. She was then hired by the American Academy of Ophthalmology as the program manager for the practice management department. After her stint at AAO, she was recruited to the Cleveland Clinic. A few years later, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she served as director of reimbursement and compliance for the Cincinnati Eye Institute.
|
|
Copyright 2009 - The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation All rights reserved. No part of this website may, for commercial, profit-making or other non-personal purposes, be reproduced in any form, or stored in a database or retrieval system, or transmitted or distributed in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written or electronic permission of the Author, Submit all inquiries to said person via email to the foundation’s Executive Director
|
Natalie Afshari, MD, FACS
Christopher Boehlke, MD
Alan Carlson, MD
Pratap Challa, MD
Anthony Kuo, MD
Terry Semchyshyn, MD
Diane Whitaker, OD
Evelyn Kelly
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |