Women in Retina Mentoring Program at WIO 'an Amazing Experience'

As part of the Women in Retina (WinR) Section’s Our Mission is Mentoring yearlong program, 5 retina fellows and residents interested in retina received travel grants to attend the Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) 2013 Summer Symposium in Snowmass, Colorado, on August 1-4.

The grants allowed each of these women retina fellows and residents to accompany a senior female retina specialist to the symposium, where they networked with other women active in organizational ophthalmology, prominent researchers, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) past-presidents, and subspecialty society presidents. 

This mentorship program, led by Nancy J. Christmas, MD, is the first of its kind at WIO and served as a successful means of inspiring young women interested in retina.

Here was what 2 of the grantees said about the experience:

“As a female resident interested in applying for a retina fellowship, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to attend the WIO meeting and take part in the WinR mentorship program. This was my first time at a WIO meeting and I enjoyed meeting and getting to know many outstanding women in my field. I particularly valued the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Miller, whom I admire greatly.” 

“I met my mentor, Dr. Seddon, and several other women retinologists including Dr. Christmas, who [several years ago] completed the same fellowship I am in. It was a wonderful experience to be able to meet so many accomplished women in our field in a relaxing environment. I left feeling refreshed, supported, and better connected with other women in this field. I would not have been able to attend this meeting had it not been for the financial support of this grant. Thank you for this amazing experience and I hope others may have this opportunity in the future.”

Based on the success of Our Mission is Mentoring in 2013, which also includes travel grants to attend the 2013 AAO Annual Meeting in New Orleans, WinR plans to extend the program into 2014.

Our Mission Is Mentoring Program participants: Audrey C. Ko, MD; Amy C. Schefler, MD; Camille V. Palma, MD, Audina M. Berrocal, MD, FACS; Joan W. Miller, MD; Liliya Shevchenko, DO; Safa Rahmani, MD, MS; and Nancy J. Christmas, MD

WinR mentors at WIO

  • Joan W. Miller, MD
  • Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM
  • Amy C. Schefler, MD
  • Audina M. Berrocal, MD, FACS
  • Nancy J. Christmas, MD

WIO symposium travel grantees

  • Audrey C. Ko, MD
  • Safa Rahmani, MD, MS
  • Lorna W. Grant, MD
  • Liliya Shevchenko, DO
  • Camille V. Palma, MD