University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center

04/28/2026

Big round of applause for Arris Todd, our April 2026 Employee of the Month!

Arris is an Administrative Assistant Sr. in the Dept. of Ophthalmology, but to his colleagues, he’s a "hidden gem" and a total "tech-wizard." Whether he’s planning retreats or keeping complex projects on track, he does it all with a smile and incredible efficiency. We are so lucky to have you on the team, Arris! Congratulations on this well-deserved JOY program recognition.

04/22/2026

A groundbreaking step forward in treating vision loss.

For the first time, a clinical trial is testing adult RPE stem cells as a therapy for dry age‑related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss and blindness in older adults.

Led by Rajesh Rao, M.D., at the University of Michigan Health Kellogg Eye Center, this first‑in‑human study takes an innovative approach by injecting RPE cells grown from adult stem cells directly into the area of the eye most affected by the disease.

Early results from this pioneering research are offering new hope for patients with dry AMD and helping redefine what’s possible in regenerative eye care.

Learn more about this groundbreaking research and its early findings: https://shorturl.at/6AMIT

04/15/2026

UM Medical Students Danielle DuPuis and Ashley Harrie attended the 2026 Dance for Mother Earth Powwow to share eye health resources and survey Native American attendees about their experiences and barriers to accessing eye care.

Danielle’s work under the mentorship of Dr. Newman-Casey aims to understand the eye health needs of our local Indigenous communities in hopes of increasing access to care. Learn more: https://oami.umich.edu/powwow/

03/30/2026

Congratulations to Tanya Marrocco‑Redmond!

We are thrilled to celebrate Tanya, Research Area Specialist Intermediate at the Kellogg Clinical Research Center, as the JOY Program Employee of the Month for March 2026.

Tanya is known for going above and beyond, supporting colleagues, students, faculty, and research teams with kindness, expertise, and a contagious can‑do attitude. Her dedication, positivity, and willingness to help truly make a difference every day.

Thank you, Tanya, for all that you do, we’re so lucky to have you! 💙

03/26/2026

Mark your calendars for May 30, 2026! The Kellogg Eye Center is excited to welcome you to the 97th Annual Spring Postgraduate Conference: Neuro-Ophthalmology Meets Comprehensive Ophthalmology. Whether you’re interested in tackling complex vision loss or exploring the latest in cataract surgery, there’s something here for everyone. Featuring special guest Dr. Joseph Rizzo (Harvard Medical School/Mass Eye and Ear), 6.00 CME credits, and both in-person (Ann Arbor, MI) and virtual options. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn and connect with fellow professionals! Find more details and get ready for registration here: https://michmed.org/By2gb

The program will highlight key principles in differentiating between neuro-ophthalmic and non-neuro-ophthalmic causes of vision loss and provide clinical updates.

03/23/2026

Brendan Hepner was diagnosed with retinoblastoma at just nine months old. The family made the difficult decision to have Brendan’s eye removed, and he is now 23 years old and healthy.

He is a lifelong patient at Kellogg, receiving ongoing care to ensure his remaining eye is safe and healthy.

Learn how Brendan's father, Myron, helps Kellogg through his March Hoops to BEAT Blindness initiative: https://michmed.org/28QdM.

03/23/2026

Don’t miss your chance to help us shine! If you’re a board-certified physician, you can cast your vote for Kellogg in the U.S. News “Expert Opinion” survey until March 28.

Your support makes a huge difference in getting our team’s incredible work recognized nationwide. We are so grateful for our amazing Kellogg faculty, learners, researchers, alumni, and partners. Thanks to you, Kellogg keeps leading the way with patient-centered care and innovative discoveries, from groundbreaking stem cell therapies to major NIH and foundation-funded research.

Ready to vote? Visit: michmed.org/doximityvoting
Curious to learn more? Head to: michmed.org/usnwr-voting

Thank you so much to everyone taking the time to vote and support our community!

03/19/2026

Setting the bar higher in ophthalmic training! Kellogg Eye Center's new state-of-the-art Surgical Wet Lab delivers hands-on, risk-free learning with virtual reality simulation, real-time feedback, and 24/7 access for residents and faculty. A game-changer for surgical education and innovation. Learn more: https://michmed.org/nV9PW

03/18/2026

Today is ! It’s time to change lives and shape the future with Michigan Medicine.

Please consider giving to the Wadhams Family Center for Children's Vision Fund at the Kellogg Eye Center. Your gift at any level helps protect a child’s sight and shapes the future of pediatric vision care.

How your gift can make a difference:
$25 helps provide essential supplies for pediatric vision research
$50 supports training and mentorship for early-career scientists
$100 advances clinical coordination and patient-focused research
$250+ strengthens laboratory and genetic discovery efforts

Gifts of every size make a difference: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofMichigan/giving-blueday-2026/pages/mimed/wadhams

03/11/2026

IRIS REPLACEMENT TO RESTORE PROGRESSIVE VISION LOSS OF 30 YEARS: Frank Perry sustained an eye injury during his military service in 1990. To save Perry’s left eye, his surgeon had to remove the lower portion of his iris, which reduced his vision.

The iris controls the amount of light that reaches the retina, and Perry’s condition caused light sensitivity and blurry vision.

For the next three decades, his doctors tried several ways to improve Perry’s vision, including using contact lenses with printed irises. He eventually gave up on finding a solution.

When Perry developed a cataract in his injured eye, his ophthalmologist recommended Kellogg Eye Center for treatment.

In addition to a cataract surgery, Dr. Shahzad Mian’s team offered to replace Perry’s damaged iris.

“During the surgery, I looked up at the ceiling and realized I could see the tiles clearly with my left eye. I screamed with joy because I never thought it would be possible,” Perry said.

Although the procedure is uncommon, synthetic iris implants are beneficial to patients who cannot use non-surgical solutions. They are also custom made to match the color of the other eye, offering an aesthetic benefit.

“Many patients believe that their vision issues are too difficult to fix, but we always try to find solutions that work well,” Mian said.

“He can now see better and his light sensitivity has significantly improved.”

03/10/2026

Reimagining independence: Dr. James Weiland and team are pioneering high-resolution retinal implants and smart navigation glasses to empower those with vision loss. From cutting-edge carbon fiber technology to wearable navigation powered by touch and sound, the future of artificial vision and accessibility is looking brighter than ever. Discover more about these life-changing innovations: https://michmed.org/mD9JW

03/09/2026

At the U‑M Kellogg Eye Center, patients are at the center of everything we do. While our work isn’t about awards, national recognitions like the U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals rankings help reflect the impact of our clinical excellence, research innovations, and community partnerships.

This year, Kellogg teams achieved major milestones—from leading the nation’s first‑in‑human adult RPE stem cell therapy to earning prestigious NIH awards, expanding foundation‑supported research, and opening our new microsurgical classroom. These accomplishments reflect the collective strength of our faculty, learners, researchers, alumni, and partners.

The U.S. News “Expert Opinion” voting period is now open for board‑certified physicians.
Your vote helps ensure Kellogg’s work is recognized nationally.

Vote now: michmed.org/doximityvoting
Learn more: michmed.org/usnwr-voting

Grateful to all colleagues and alumni who take a moment to participate.