On the heels of three years of incredible growth in all arenas, this past year, we were rewarded with the currency here at Penn that eclipses just about everything else: space. After opening the Richard, Maria, and Kristin Campbell Ophthalmic Suite on the fifth floor of Scheie last spring, this year, we moved our small satellite in Marlton, NJ to a brand new, much larger state-of-the-art facility in Cherry Hill, NJ, and we also opened a brand-new satellite at Rittenhouse, our first foray into Center City. These practice sites are already bustling, with our faculty providing top-notch clinical care at these new locations. As a result, our clinical volumes have hit an all-time high, exceeding 120,000 visits and 5,000 surgeries.
Our research enterprise also had a banner year that was highlighted by our opening of the Mezzanine Branch of the F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, which occupies the entire 3,200 square feet of laboratory space on the Mezzanine level in Stellar-Chance Laboratories, right below the current F. M. Kirby Center on the third floor. This is the first time since the opening of the F. M. Kirby Center in 1994 that we have been given the opportunity to grow our wet lab space in such a manner. Three of our esteemed NIH-funded investigators have already settled into this new space, and they, along with our other scientists, are working on the next breakthroughs. Speaking of breakthroughs: congratulations to Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, and Albert Maguire, MD, for receiving the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences along with collaborator Katherine High, MD, from CHOP, for their pioneering work in gene therapy for inherited retinal degeneration!
Even our educational program is expanding. Our residency program has undergone a transformation over the last year with formal surgical training, mentoring, and research curricula that are equipping our residents with the necessary tools to succeed in whatever direction and passion they choose after their training. In addition, with enhanced clinical and surgical opportunities, we made the decision to expand our residency, receiving approval from the ACGME for a complement increase to six residents per year, the first time our program has expanded in four decades. And yes, we also have new space for the residents earmarked for them for next year!
Now, as you will remember, last year we completed a nearly yearlong process to develop our strategic plan for the next five years (see page 29). One of the clear messages that came out of this strategic plan was our commitment to our community: it is a core part of our vision, mission, and values, and prioritizing our community in our research, clinical work, and education is apparent every day. This annual report specifically highlights many of the incredible initiatives and accomplishments that our faculty have pursued for our community this past year, from research to clinical care to education. We have also been extremely fortunate to have incredible philanthropic partners to help us with this commitment to our community.
As I noted last year, all of our accomplishments could not have been done without the support of our faculty and staff, the health system, the School of Medicine, and friends and supporters like you. So once again, thank you!
As we look to the coming year, our goals continue to be outlined by our strategic plan. We will continue to conduct the most impactful research, aiming to make that next breakthrough that will change lives. We are also looking to continue to expand our clinical footprint, definitively demonstrating the clinical excellence that we bring to the community, delivering cutting-edge care with compassion and efficiency. We also look forward to our expanded educational program that does not just mean our residents, but our staff, as well.
I am incredibly optimistic for the future of our department, and I invite you to join us in seeing what the coming year brings!
With best regards,
Bennie H. Jeng, MD, MS
William F. Norris and George E. de Schweinitz Professor
Chair, Department of Ophthalmology
Director, Scheie Eye Institute University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Bennie.Jeng@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Departmental news
Please join the Department of Ophthalmology and the Scheie Eye Institute in thanking our esteemed guest speakers for the Fiscal Year 2025:
Richard G. Campbell Endowed Lecture
May 22nd, 2025
Steven J. Gedde, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology
John G. Clarkson Chair in Ophthalmology
Executive Vice Chair and Vice Chair of Education
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Bascom Palmer
Eye Institute
The David M. Kozart Memorial Lecture
May 31st, 2025
R. V. Paul Chan, MD, MSc, MBA, FACS
John H. Panton, MD Professor and UIC Distinguished Professor
Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Director, Pediatric Retina and ROP Services
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois
College of Medicine
The Alan M. Laties, MD Lecture in Ophthalmology
May 31st, 2025
Nicholas Mahoney, MD
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Chief, Oculoplastics Division
The Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine
During the Department of Ophthalmology’s annual holiday celebration for faculty and staff, the 2024-2025 Service Excellence Awards recognized various individuals for their outstanding qualities and actions. Honorees’ roles ranged from administrative assistants to technical support and clinical research coordination—each playing a crucial part in the smooth operation of the Department and the well-being of the patients. Through their empathy and leadership, these employees contribute to enhancing patients’ experiences at the Scheie Eye Institute’s various locations.
We also celebrate Shaka Draper, Ophthalmic Diagnostic Imaging staff and recipient of the 2024 CPUP Advocacy Award.
Service Excellence Awards Recipients
- Lisa Albaladejo-Lopez, Surgical Services Associate
- Shalonda Hairston, Diagnostic Imaging Specialist
- Joy Hernandez, Administrative Assistant - Kirby Center
- Emma Iacobucci, Clinical Research Coordinator
- Jasmin Jackson, Surgical Services Associate
- Cathy Lawn, Lead Ophthalmic Technician - Radnor
- Phyllis Robinson, Sr. Surgical Services Associate
- Joy Santos, Ophthalmic Technician - PCAM
- Janeen Strozier, Patient Services Associate - Media
- Shareese Thompson, Ophthalmic Technician - Scheie (Supervisor)
- Michael Weissman, Scheie OR Coordinator
by Maressa Park
The Department of Ophthalmology and the Scheie Eye Institute are charting an exciting course of growth, as evidenced by its expanding geographic footprint spanning multiple new locations across both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Scheie holds to a vision of an inclusive health system that prioritizes access—offering cutting-edge care across ever-expanding landscapes and communities:
Scheie Eye Institute at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC)
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
51 N 39th St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Scheie Eye Institute at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (PCAM)
Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
3400 Civic Center Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Scheie Eye Institute at Penn Medicine Radnor (PMR)
145 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Scheie Eye Institute at Media
605 West State Street
Media, PA 19063
Scheie Eye Institute at Newtown
115 Pheasant Run Suite 114
Newtown, PA 18940
Scheie Eye Institute at Vineland
1318 S. Main Road Building 2, Unit A
Vineland, NJ 08360
Coming Soon:
Scheie Eye Institute at Rittenhouse
1840 South Street, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Scheie Eye Institute at South Jersey (Formerly the Scheie Eye Institute at Marlton)
1940 State Highway 70, 1st Floor
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
by Maressa Park
The Department of Ophthalmology takes immense pride in announcing that three of our faculty members have been honored with the prestigious Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research. This accolade, bestowed by the Helen Keller Foundation in collaboration with the BrightFocus Foundation, recognizes individuals whose research has significantly advanced the field of vision science—embodying Helen Keller's lifelong mission to eliminate preventable blindness.
The late Samuel G. Jacobson, MD, PhD; Jean Bennett, MD, PhD; and Albert M. Maguire, MD—all from the Department of Ophthalmology—have been named the 2023 Helen Keller Laureates alongside Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD, from Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and T. Michael Redmond, PhD, from the National Institute of Health. Their incredible scientific contributions were celebrated at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in New Orleans, marking a historic moment for Penn and the broader vision science community.
The late Dr. Jacobson, remembered as the William C. Frayer Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology and the founding director of Penn’s Center for Hereditary Retinal Degenerations, left a profound mark on the field. His pioneering work in developing gene and RNA therapies for various forms of retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal diseases has paved the way for future breakthroughs. Jacobson's legacy continues to inspire our department and the vision research community at large.
Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, the F.M. Kirby Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology and Cell and Developmental Biology, is celebrated for her groundbreaking advancements in gene therapy aimed at restoring sight in the blind. Bennett's work, including the development of Luxturna—the first FDA-approved in vivo gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis—highlights the Department's commitment to transforming lives through science and gene therapy.
Albert M. Maguire, the F.M. Kirby Professor of Molecular Ophthalmology, was instrumental in the surgical management of the gene therapy trials, contributing to the development of Luxturna.
To learn more about the contributions of our faculty and their impact on vision science, please visit the Helen Keller Foundation and BrightFocus Foundation websites.
by Maressa Park
A mega-analysis led by Joan O’Brien, MD, Rebecca Salowe, MSE, Shefali Setia Verma, PhD, and Marylyn Ritchie, PhD, at Penn Medicine—involving over 11,200 people of African ancestry—was published in 2024, identifying three gene variants associated with glaucoma. Published in the prestigious journal Cell, the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study highlights the importance of diversity in genetic research and aims to fill knowledge gaps and guide clinical decisions for a group particularly vulnerable to developing glaucoma.
From Joan O’Brien, MD: “We are sharing our genetic database with other researchers across departments and schools that are studying diseases that over-affect African-ancestry populations. These collaborations are resulting in much more research on the health of an historically understudied population.”
From Rebecca Salowe, MSE: "Glaucoma is a highly familial disease, so premature and irreversible vision loss can affect multiple family members, contributing both to adverse health and economic outcomes. With current treatments for glaucoma having limited success, there is an urgent need for large genetic studies to identify novel targets for screening and therapeutic intervention in African ancestry individuals.”
From Shefali Setia Verma, PhD: "This work highlights the essential role of diversity in genetic research. Without our focus on this specific ancestry group, these unique and critical insights might have remained lost, and we would not have been able to substantially enhance our understanding of the genetics behind primary open-angle glaucoma in this overaffected population."
From Marylyn Ritchie, PhD: “To enhance our work, we were able to identify patients in the Penn Medicine BioBank with glaucoma to validate the genetic effects we gleaned from the initial cohort we analyzed. Without that resource, it would have been much more difficult to produce such strong work.”
Read more at Penn Medicine's “Mega-analysis identifies gene variants associated with glaucoma in people of African ancestry."
Explore the numerous articles on the POAAGG team’s work—from the Philadelphia Inquirer to Ophthalmology Times.
By Maressa Park
In writing this column, I found myself humming the tune to the Circle of Life as it seems apropos. I reflect on my relationship to Scheie and Scheie to me. This addition of the newsletter focuses on the "360º Expansion of Scheie," highlighting the complete approach to growth throughout the past year in which Scheie has expanded faculty, facilities, locations, technology, and fellowship opportunities to serve the community and advance education and research in ophthalmology.
Like the Institute, my career in some ways has progressed 360º. I first came to these hallowed halls as a medical student when I did research with Drs. Orlin, Sulewski, and Tratler in 1995 hoping to learn about ophthalmology and leaving inspired. I returned after internship in July 1996 for residency, served as a chief resident, completed my fellowship in 2002 with Drs. Katowitz and Gausas and then joined the faculty, overseeing medical student education and working hand in hand with Penn students and Scheie residents. Now, after years in private practice and 15 years of part time teaching across town, I have recently returned in a volunteer capacity to help with trauma call and teach residents once again.
It's also a wonderful circular moment to see the new Measey Surgical Innovation Core come to life 25 years after scraping together old microscopes and instruments as a chief resident to help build a rudimentary surgical lab in the old animal research corridor in the basement of Scheie (which is still there—a time capsule of the 20th century). This new state of the art facility is a game changer in surgical procedures education. Thank you to all who contributed to the lab.
I have always admired the work of our leaders and colleagues that have worked tirelessly to expand the Department and make it one of the premier places to learn, perform research and care for patients. It was inspiring to see Drs. Yanoff, Fine, O'Brien, and Jeng all present for our alumni weekend as well as past trainees. I have admired those that walked these halls and gone on to do great things with their careers. We have successful clinicians & surgeons caring for patients on the front lines, productive researchers enhancing our therapies to restore or preserve vision, residency program directors, chairs of departments, past presidents of state societies, leaders of national ophthalmic organizations, and more.
In the circular nature of life, we always somehow seem to find our way back to the beginning. Dr. Jeng's tenure as our new chair highlights this point. Listening to Jacque Duncan, MD, give the 2024 alumni lecture was a good reminder that we stand on the shoulders of those who trained us (she completed her medical retina fellowship my chief year of residency 1999-2000). I was struck by how far we have all come, how much the world of ophthalmology has evolved in the last 30 years since I walked through the front doors, and how the bonds of our time at Scheie remain unbroken. I am proud of my roots and proud to be part of this accomplished family. I know you are, too!
Scott M. Goldstein, MD, FASOPRS, Resident '00, Fellow '02
Pediatric & Adult Oculo-Facial Plastic Surgeon | Tri-Century Eye Care, P.C.
Medical Director | Tri-County Surgery Center, LLC
Adj Associate Prof of Ophthal | Scheie Eye Inst, Univ of Pennsylvania
Finance Director | American Soc of Ophthal Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
President | Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology
The Scheie Eye Institute is continuing its long history of innovation leading to better vision for people around the world.
I'll summarize briefly, starting in the 1960s with the Institute's founder, Harold G. Scheie, MD, who was the developer of new surgical techniques for congenital cataract and glaucoma, the discoverer of a metabolic disease that clouds the cornea (Scheie syndrome), and inventor of tests for a tonic pupil and myasthenia gravis. Former Scheie Chair Stuart Fine, MD, along with Maureen Maguire, PhD, led a multicenter NIH-sponsored clinical trial (CATT) proving that intraocular injection of bevacizumab was safe and non-inferior to ranibizumab. This discovery has saved the sight of countless patients around the world and the health system billions of dollars. Dr. Fine had recruited Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, her husband Al Maguire, MD, Samuel Jacobson, MD, PhD, Artur Cideciyan, PhD, and Tomas Aleman, MD, to develop research programs in molecular ophthalmology and to perform gene therapy to bring sight to those suffering from inherited retinal degenerations. Bennett and Maguire, working in Scheie’s FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, were among the first to find that adeno-associated virus (AAV) could efficiently deliver genes to the retina. AAV was used in two independent clinical trials performed by the Bennett and Jacobson groups to improve vision in children born blind. The first FDA-approved gene therapy, Luxturna, was a direct result of Bennett's laboratory and clinical research. Now, AAV is a platform being used internationally to develop gene therapy for a wide range of inherited and acquired ocular diseases. Recently, Aleman completed the first clinical trial of retinal gene editing to correct a mutation in patients with childhood blindness. This study, recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, used CRISPR/Cas9 to perform the genetic “nanosurgery.” Also this year, former Scheie Chair Joan O'Brien, MD, and her Primary Open Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study team recently discovered new genes conferring risk for glaucoma, focusing on residents of West Philadelphia.
These breakthroughs were driven by teamwork, persistence, and the vision of Scheie's Chairs who have recruited and supported talented faculty. To continue this strong tradition of teamwork, we now have the monthly Vision Research Club and annual Vision Research Day Symposium. In addition to talks by many Scheie faculty, this year's keynote speaker was Nobel Laureate Drew Weissman, MD, PhD.
Now, fueled by the tremendous support and ambition of our Chair, Bennie Jeng, MD, our investigators are hard at work on the next round of discoveries. We are nurturing and recruiting the next generation of Scheie innovators. Four junior faculty members are being mentored toward independence in our NIH-funded K12 Vision Clinician Scientist program. The inaugural resident-investigator in iPOWER has started his research year. We are continuing to leverage our research strengths in retina and glaucoma while pursuing the Scheie Mechanisms of Aging and Rejuvenation Therapy (SMART) initiative and the latest technologies in imaging, AI, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
I can’t wait to see the next set of advances made by the Scheie team!
Sincerely,
Josh Dunaief, PhD, MD
Adele Niessen Professor of Ophthalmology
Vice Chair for Research