Wills Eye Hospital

23/07/2025

18/07/2025

We are pleased to announce that our Ophthalmologist-in-Chief, Julia A. Haller, MD, will expand her duties to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer of Wills Eye Hospital.

She will oversee patient care, strategic planning, financial performance, and philanthropic advancement for the organization. Dr. Haller will remain Ophthalmologist-in-Chief while working closely with the Wills Eye leadership team, physicians, and staff to continue ensuring the highest standards of patient care.

Dr. Haller is one of the world’s most renowned retina surgeons and has served as Ophthalmologist-in-Chief for Wills Eye Hospital since 2007. She is Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, and a consultant for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

A graduate of Princeton University, Harvard Medical School, and the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Medicine, Dr. Haller is an innovator in treatments for retinal disorders and a strong voice for equity and mentorship in medicine.

Read the Philadelphia Business Journal article about our exciting announcement here: https://bit.ly/PBJArticleNewCEO

Get more details in our official press release: https://bit.ly/HallerCEOPRle

15/07/2025

Sharing from !
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We are excited to introduce our 2025–2026 Wills Eye Chief Residents, Dr. Eric Kim and Dr. Sunidhi Ramesh! We can’t wait to see what these two have in store. 👏🏼

11/07/2025

Heading into the FIFA Club World Cup finals this weekend, we are sharing an inside look at a fun afternoon some of our patients had at one of the first matches in Philadelphia.

With the help of Field of Vision, low vision patients of Dr. Ranjoo Prasad were able to enjoy this Club World Cup match using a tactile device to support their experience.

Through AI-powered handheld devices, Field of Vision can translate on-field action so that vision-impaired fans can follow and enjoy the game in real time.

More than 53,000 Philadelphians are living with vision difficulty. Thanks to the generosity of Field of Vision and FIFA, some of those individuals were able to take in a soccer match in a whole new way!

09/07/2025

At our recent Ophthalmology All-Stars event, Wills Eye donors and supporters had the opportunity to learn about innovative research being done by our team.

Jonathan S. Myers, MD, Chief of the Glaucoma Service, and Joel S. Schuman, MD, Co-Director of the Glaucoma Service and Co-Director of the Advanced Center for Ophthalmic Research in Neuro-imaging, presented on the latest advancements in diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies set to improve patient care and quality of life.

Stay tuned for our next Ophthalmology All-Stars program! https://www.willseye.org/all-stars/

08/07/2025

Congratulations to Drs. J.P. Dunn, Jordan Deaner, and Lauren Hock! These three Wills Eye physicians received the Sidney Kimmel Medical College Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education last month.

07/07/2025

Joel Schuman, MD, Vice Chair for Research Innovation and Co-Director, Glaucoma Service at Wills Eye Hospital, spoke to the Optometry Times about a new clinical trial revealing PER-001 as a groundbreaking treatment for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy:

"The current study results are most encouraging, demonstrating the potential for a radically new, transformational treatment approach for this disease."

New clinical trials reveal PER-001 as a groundbreaking treatment for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, showing significant vision improvements and safety.

06/07/2025

Sunir J. Garg, MD, co-director of Retina Research at Wills Eye Hospital, commented on a recent study that found GLP-1 drugs could double the risk of severe eye disease in older adults with diabetes:

A recent study found that older adults with diabetes who use a GLP-1 drug have double the risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration compared to those who don't use the drugs.

26/06/2025

Resident Graduation Spotlight: Sandy Wong

Sandy is a graduate of Harvard College and Stanford University Medical School. She is another resident staying at Wills Eye and will be starting a Global Ophthalmology Fellowship after graduation.

Her favorite residency memory: "Most recently, girls night out at Chris Stapleton concert (and subsequent conversion to country music)"

What she'll miss most: "My co-residents!"

Congratulations, Sandy!

25/06/2025

Resident Graduation Spotlight: Collin J. Richards

Collin is a graduate of Michigan State University and Wayne State University School of Medicine. After graduation, he will be staying in Philadelphia for a Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship with Mid-Atlantic Retina at Wills Eye Hospital.

His favorite memory from Wills Eye: "The summer between first and second year spent in the Wills Eye ER, where we got to work together as a class and run the ER."

What he will miss most: "I will miss my co-residents most of all, we have grown very close and are such a supportive, cohesive bunch!"

Congratulations, Collin!

25/06/2025

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Dr. Jerry A. Shields.

Jerry was a friend and mentor to many, most recently serving as Emeritus Director of the world-renowned Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital, which he built alongside his wife, Dr. Carol L. Shields. His impact on the field of ophthalmology is incalculable, and he will be remembered for his clinical brilliance, work ethic, and personal charisma.

It has been an honor to have Jerry represent Wills Eye across the globe as a physician, surgeon, and researcher. Our thoughts are with Carol and the Shields family during this difficult time.

Dr. Julia A. Haller, Wills Eye Ophthalmologist-in-Chief, has shared a message on behalf of the institution, along with Dr. Shields’ obituary, on our website: https://www.willseye.org/uncategorized/in-memoriam-jerry-a-shields-md-1937-2025/

📸: Roger Barone and Jack Scully

24/06/2025

Resident Graduation Spotlight: Mara Penne

Mara is a graduate of Colgate University and Georgetown University School of Medicine. After graduation she will remain at Wills Eye for an Oculoplastics Fellowship.

Her favorite memory at Wills Eye: "All of the laughs shared with my co-residents - in the ER, at our black tie affairs, in the lounge, and at our backyard barbecues."

What she will miss most: "The vast and varied network of attendings who were so invested in my growth and success. And the class of 2025, of course!"

Congratulations, Mara!