News and Events

Tonia Rex, PhD, takes on new role as Vice Chair for Basic and Translational Research as David Calkins, PhD, steps into Vice Chair for Strategy Role.

     Tonia Rex, PhD         David Calkins, PhD


A "Site" for Sore Eyes

Four years ago, Roger Lasater went outside to look at the stars and the moon and couldn’t see them. He was was in the beginning stages of age-related macular degeneration, one of the many eye diseases studied by physician-scientists at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute.
Link to full article here


Dora Mathe, MS, OD, FAAO named Optometry Division Chief

In this role, Dr. Mathe will provide oversight of both pediatric and adult optometry services, ensuring high quality care and high patient satisfaction. Congratulations, Dr. Mathe!


Jeff Hunter, MD joins VEI

Dr. Jeffrey Hunter, MD, Ophthalmology Specialist - Tyler, TX | Sharecare

Jeffrey S. Hunter, MD is originally from Dallas Texas, but spent 27 years in private practice as a Pediatric Ophthalmologist in Tyler, Texas. He recently moved up to the Nashville area to be near all of his children and grandchildren. Graduating from Baylor University with a B. S. in Biology, he then headed to University of Texas at Houston ( McGovern) Medical School. After  his internship in Internal Medicine at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, he stayed in the Metroplex area to train as an Ophthalmologist , completing his residency at UT Southwestern. From there, he headed east to Duke University, where he completed a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus . He returned to Texas  serving the East Texas region in private practice for many years before moving to join Vanderbilt Eye Institute. Dr. Hunter enjoys any activity with his family and traveling with his wife and working outdoors.


Dr. Nicholas Volpe gave the 18th Annual Paul Sternberg Sr. Lectureship

nv
From left to right: David K. Wallace, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Nicholas Volpe, MD, Mrs. Gloria Sternberg, Paul Sternberg, Jr., MD, Former Director, Vanderbilt Eye Institute


The New York Times reporter, Gina Kolata interviewed David Calkins, PhD, Director, Vanderbilt Vision Research Center, for a story about safety and viewing of the solar eclipse coming in April.

d

Click to go to VUMC article
 


Congratulations to our 2024 Gass Fellows, Drs. Nicolaas DeRuyter and Tahreem Mir.

gass

It was a very special night for VEI Retina, remembering a legendary clinician, Dr. J. Donald M. Gass.


Dr. Lori Ann Kehler named Associate Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs

LAK

Lori Ann Kehler, O.D. has been named Associate Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs. In this role, Dr. Kehler will organize and oversee our departmental mentoring program, and she will partner with Vice Chair, Dr. Milam Brantley in leading faculty-related initiatives such as appointments and promotions, career development, faculty engagement, and award nominations. Dr. Kehler also serves as the Chief of our Optometry Division. 


Large, Diverse Genetic Study of Glaucoma Implicates Vascular and Cancer-related Genes

joos

An international genetic study using multiancestry biobanks has identified novel genetic locations associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common type of glaucoma and the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.
CLICK HERE to read the full article in the VUMC Reporter


VEI Announces 2024 Fellowship and Residency Match Results

res

fel