Congratulations to Our 2026 Clinical Trainee Graduates
Harvard Ophthalmology celebrated its clinical trainee graduation on Thursday, June 18, with an outdoor ceremony at the Boston Museum of Science. The event honored 8 Harvard Ophthalmology residents, the AY2025–2026 Chief Resident, two optometry residents, and 29 clinical fellows from Mass Eye and Ear, Joslin Diabetes Center, and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Department Chair Rishi P. Singh, MD, speaking to the graduates, shared, “You have made an indelible impact on this department. As you embark on an exciting new phase in your lives, I have every confidence that you will use your knowledge and talents to positively impact the world around you."
Several faculty and staff were also honored during the ceremony. David G. Hunter, MD, PhD, received the Simmons Lessell Excellence in Education Award. This award recognizes faculty who have made—and continue to make—sustained and profound contributions to education— just like Dr. Lessell. Christopher D. Hogan, MD, received the Clinical Teacher of the Year, and Christian E. Song, MD, received the Surgical Teacher of the Year Award. Paula A. Alves received the Residency Appreciation Award.
Two ophthalmology trainees were recognized with awards from Harvard Ophthalmology residents. Samir Touma, MD, a graduating neuro-ophthalmology fellow, received the Fellow of the Year Award and graduating resident Rachel Tandias, MD, received the Resident Peer Recognition Award.
Residents Pursue Subspecialty Training
This year, seven graduating ophthalmology residents, and our chief resident Lindsay Kozek, MD, PhD, will pursue subspecialty training at top-ranking fellowship programs around the country, including here at Mass Eye and Ear. Henry W. Zhou, MD, MS, will stay on as Director of Resident Academics at Harvard Ophthalmology (formerly referred to as the Chief Resident) and Director of Eye Trauma at Mass Eye and Ear. Our two optometry residents will begin careers in academic medicine and industry.
Ophthalmology Residents
Dennis Y. Akrobetu, MD | Cornea, External Disease, & Refractive Surgery Fellowship at Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic |
Darren A. Chen, MD | Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami |
Edward S. Lu, MD | Vitreoretinal Fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear |
Ryan Sameen Meshkin, MD | Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship at Duke University |
Rachel Tandias, MD | Cornea & External Disease Fellowship at Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University |
Hursuong Vongsachang, MD, MPH | Glaucoma Fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear |
Seyedeh Maryam Zekavat, MD, PhD | Medical Retina Fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear |
Henry W. Zhou, MD, MS | Director of Resident Academics, Harvard Ophthalmology and Director of the Eye Trauma Service at Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School |
Director of Resident Academics
Lindsay Kozek, MD, PhD | Vitreoretinal Fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear |
Optometry Residents
Clarice A. Bouvier, OD, MS | Optometrist at Mass Eye and Ear and Instructor in Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School |
Kendra H. Kim, OD | Bausch + Lomb Medical Science Liaison, New England and Upstate New York |
What’s Next for Clinical Fellow Graduates?
Our clinical fellows will embark on new careers in both academic medicine and private practice. Several others will pursue additional subspecialty training.
Elizabeth O. Akinsoji, MD | Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University |
Reem Alahmadi, MBBSD | Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago |
Nnana A. Amakiri, MD | Private Practice Physician at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose and Throat Associates, Charlotte, NC |
Caroline C. Awh, MD | Vitreoretinal Physician and Surgeon at Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic |
Isaac D. Bleicher, MD | Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Tufts University |
William W. Binotti, MD | Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Tufts University |
Enchi K. Chang, MD | Instructor in Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and Physician and Surgeon at Mass Eye and Ear |
Angela Chen, MD | Instructor in Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and Physician and Surgeon at Mass Eye and Ear |
Michael Y. Chen, MD | Instructor in Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and Physician and Surgeon at Mass Eye and Ear |
Vivian Paraskevi Douglas, MD, MBA, MSc | Medical Retina Fellowship and Chief Fellow at Beetham Eye Institute at Joslin Diabetes Center |
Dalia El Hadi, MD | Ophthalmic Genetics and Inherited Retinal Diseases Fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital |
Samet Gulkas, MD | Physician and Surgeon at Center for Sight, Carmel, Indiana |
Jimena Tatiana Hathaway, MD, MPH | Instructor in Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and Physician and Surgeon at Mass Eye and Ear |
Abigail L. Healy, MD | Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Connecticut |
Jennifer Hu, MD, MS | Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Boston University and Vitreoretinal Surgery and Uveitis Physician at Boston Medical Center |
Hassan N. Jessani, MD | Comprehensive and Medical Retina Specialist at Brooklyn Eye Center, Brooklyn, New York |
Sri Meghana Konda, MD | Private Practice Physician, Charlotte, North Carolina |
Mark J. Phillips, MD, MA | Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear |
Saba Samet, MD | Vitreoretinal Fellowship at the University of Ottawa |
Sakshi Shiromani, MD | Inherited Retinal Degenerations Fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear |
Manpreet S. Tiwana, MD | Glaucoma Specialist at Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento, California |
Samir Touma, MD | Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship at Hospital Foundation Adolphe De Rothschild, Paris, France |
Raghav Vadhul, MD | Instructor in Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and Pediatric Comprehensive Physician at Boston Children’s Hospital |
Sean Wang, MD | Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford University |
Richmond Woodward, MD | Physician and Surgeon at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital |
William B. Yates, MD, PhD | Vitreoretinal Physician and Surgeon at the University of Auckland |
Yi-Hsien Yeh, MD, MS | Private Practice Physician at Clarus Eye Centre, Olympia, Washington |
Lucy Yuan, MD | Glaucoma Specialist at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington |
Yi Stephanie Zhang, MD | Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Washington, Seattle Washington |
