Dean McGee Eye Institute

11/22/2025

🎉 Celebrating 50 Years of Vision and Impact

This milestone is more than an anniversary—it’s a testament to the lives touched and the communities strengthened through the Dean McGee Eye Institute.

From our Foundation Board Chair: "My connection to eye care is deeply personal. In serving, I honor my grandfather while helping make a lasting impact for our city and state. What we have here in Oklahoma is truly something special."

For five decades, the Dean McGee Eye Institute has been dedicated to advancing vision care, research, and education. Today, we celebrate not only our history but the bright future ahead.

💙 Thank you to our patients, supporters, and community for being part of this journey. Here’s to the next 50 years of excellence in eye care!

11/19/2025

In September, Nathan W. A. Liles, MD, MPH, joined the Dean McGee Eye Institute faculty. Dr. Liles will care for pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus patients.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Liles please call, 405.271.1094.

11/18/2025

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11/18/2025

Last week we had the honor of hosting Carla J. Siegfried, MD, as a Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma Distinguished Lecturer. Dr. Siegfried presented, “Balancing Practice Efficiency with Patient Communication and Trust: Who’s Listening?"

👁️Carla J. Siegfried, MD
▪️Jacquelyn E. and Allan E. Kolker, MD Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology
▪️Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Professionalism
▪️John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
▪️Washington University School of Medicine

11/17/2025

At DMEI, vision research is the lens through which we see a brighter future. Over the past 50 years, our vision scientists have been on the leading edge of research to understand the causes of eye disease and use that knowledge to undertake novel approaches to treatment. As we honor this legacy, we remain focused on accelerating new breakthroughs in such areas as retinal degenerations, glaucoma, and infectious and inflammatory diseases of the eye using small molecules, antioxidants, stem cells, metabolic reprogramming, lipid nanotechnology, and other approaches.

Your generosity powers the cutting-edge research that will shape the future of vision for generations to come.

Donate to vision research here - https://www.dmei.org/50/.

11/14/2025

🌟 Patient Testimonial Spotlight 🌟

At Dean McGee Eye Institute, we’re honored to care for our patients and their families with compassion, expertise, and state-of-the-art technology.

🗣️ Here’s what one grateful parent had to say:
“I took my son to see Dr. Patel, and he and his staff were wonderful and so professional. They were patient with my son and calmed my fears by answering all of my many questions. Dr. Patel was very quick to get back to me on the results of my son’s MRI, along with the 3 month follow up tests which allowed my family peace of mind. I highly recommend this wonderful doctor. The facility is beautiful, clean, and state of the art. It definitely instills confidence. Thanks!” ~ Gaea C.

We’re proud to have physicians like Dr. Patel who go above and beyond to provide compassionate, expert care. 💙

11/13/2025

Balancing the demands of medical training with parenthood remains a challenge for many residents, particularly in surgical specialties like ophthalmology. Rishika Garg, a second-year medical student at the OU College of Medicine, recently presented findings from a nationwide analysis examining how maternity and parental leave policies vary across ophthalmology residency programs.

In this Q&A, the Eye Care Network speaks with Garg about what the research uncovered, how policy gaps affect residents and patient care, and why greater standardization and support are essential for the future of medical training.

Second-year medical student Rishika Garg shares insights from a nationwide analysis revealing inconsistencies in ophthalmology residency leave policies.

11/11/2025

This Veteran’s Day, we proudly honor the brave men and women who have served our country with courage and sacrifice. At Dean McGee Eye Institute, we are deeply grateful for your service and the vision you’ve given us of what dedication truly means. Today and every day, we see you, we thank you, and we salute you. ❤️👁️

11/07/2025

🎃 Still not over the pumpkin magic from last week? Neither are we! Check out these creatively decorated pumpkins from a handful of DMEI departments that kept the spooky spirit alive during the Halloween season.

🥇Congratulations to the Oculoplastics Team for their Hocus Pocus first-place entry!

Watch the video and tell us which one’s your favorite!

11/05/2025

👁️ November is Diabetic Eye Disease Month—a vital reminder to protect your vision! High blood sugar can silently damage your eyes, so regular exams are essential, especially if you have diabetes. Cold weather, viral infections, and dry air can also affect your eyes—protect them with sunglasses, good sleep, and professional care. 💙 Keep your eyes healthy with the Dean McGee Eye Institute—your vision matters!

Schedule an eye exam today with Dean McGee Eye Institute.

🔗 https://www.dmei.org/schedule-an-appointment
☎️ 405.271.1094

11/04/2025

Help us celebrate these providers and doctors with upcoming birthdays.

Scott Samples 🎂 November 9
Dr. Jeremy Reitinger 🎂 November 12
Dr. Andrew Bailey 🎂 November 15
Dr. Lea Bennett 🎂 November 15
Dr. Ethan Adre (Resident) 🎂 November 16
Dr. Miguel Cruz-Pimentel 🎂 November 18
Dr. Nathan Liles 🎂 November 21

11/03/2025

In September, Elizabeth A. Fairless, MD, joined the Dean McGee Eye Institute faculty. Dr. Fairless will care for comprehensive ophthalmology and medical retina patients.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fairless please call, 405.271.1092.