Duke Ophthalmology Celebrates 40 Years of Technician Training
For nearly four decades, the Duke Ophthalmic Technician Program has been a cornerstone in preparing highly skilled allied ophthalmic professionals who are essential to ophthalmology practices. As the program approaches its 40th anniversary in 2026, we celebrate its remarkable legacy and look forward to an exciting future.
A Legacy of Excellence
Since its founding in 1986, the program has trained hundreds of graduates to assist ophthalmologists in both clinical and surgical settings. “I feel truly privileged to lead this program and shape the next generation of ophthalmic professionals,” said Program Director Adam Moses, COMT. “Watching students grow in knowledge, clinical skills, and passion for ophthalmology is incredibly rewarding.”
Led by Moses and Medical Director Kourtney Houser, MD, and the program based at Duke Eye Center’s campus, it’s the only comprehensive full-time program in the nation offering both classroom instruction and clinical rotations at a top 10 academic medical center. Students benefit from wet lab training, exposure to advanced technology, and mentorship from world-renowned experts across diverse subspecialties, all within a dynamic clinical environment spanning eight locations.
Career Growth and Success
The program’s impact is evident in the careers of its alumni. Janice Roberts, COA, a 1997 graduate, has supported Duke’s glaucoma specialists for nearly 30 years. “I saw an ad in the newspaper and was intrigued,” she recalled. “Dr. [Leon] Herndon’s passion for glaucoma is inspiring — I love patient care and witnessing the miracles of medicine every day.”
Lee Ann McKinney, COT, a 2011 graduate, now serves as Practice Administrator for four Duke Eye Center satellite clinics. “I chose Duke for its high standards and commitment to excellence,” she said. “Today, I focus on building strong teams, mentoring future leaders, and creating a culture of trust and growth.”
Mini Kpa, COT, Class of 2025, shared her motivation: “Vision is so integral to life. My interest in visual arts, positive experiences at the eye doctor, and family history of eye disease inspired me to pursue this path. Duke stood out for its clinical rigor, advanced technology, and accelerated structure.”
Looking Ahead
As Duke Ophthalmology proudly celebrates 40 years of training ophthalmic professionals, the program is committed to innovation and excellence. Future success will stand on a strong foundation to meet the evolving needs of eye care — and to inspire the next generation of leaders in ophthalmology.
Duke Launches Nation’s First Vision Rehabilitation Occupational Therapy Fellowship
Duke Eye Center proudly introduces the nation’s first and only Vision Rehabilitation Occupational Therapy Fellowship—a groundbreaking, 12-month post-professional program designed for occupational therapists committed to improving the lives of individuals with visual impairments. This immersive fellowship offers unparalleled access to comprehensive vision rehabilitation experiences within Duke’s world-class, multi-subspecialty eye care center.
Led by Medical Director Diane Whitaker, OD and Program Coordinator Fay Tripp, MS, OTR/L, CLVT, CDRS, the fellowship provides advanced, interdisciplinary training alongside experts in occupational therapy, optometry, ophthalmology, and low vision rehabilitation. Fellows gain hands-on experience through community-based home visits, develop specialized clinical skills to address vision-related functional limitations, and engage in teaching, research, and advocacy initiatives. Participants also create faculty-vetted online training modules and complete the clinical competencies required to pursue the Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) designation through ACVREP.
“We are proud to offer this one-of-a-kind program that equips occupational therapists with the expertise to make a lasting impact in vision rehabilitation care, setting a new standard for excellence in the field,” says Whitaker assistant professor of ophthalmology and vision rehabilitation division chief.
To learn more or apply, visit dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/OTFellowship.
Duke Establishes Region’s First Orthoptic Fellowship
This year marks the launch of the Duke Orthoptic Fellowship program, the first and only in North Carolina and the region. The program addresses a critical need in eye care by training specialists in orthoptics, a discipline dedicated to diagnosing and managing disorders of eye movement, binocular vision, and amblyopia, vital to pediatric and neuro-ophthalmology care.
The two-year, full-time program with a curriculum accredited by the American Orthoptic Council (AOC) blends rigorous classroom instruction with immersive clinical training. Graduates will emerge as highly skilled orthoptists, ready to make an immediate impact on patient care and advance the field of vision health.
Led by program director Namita Kashyap, CO, MBA, and medical director Laura Enyedi, MD, the Duke Orthoptic Fellowship program has already generated strong interest, attracted motivated trainees, and secured robust institutional support, positioning Duke to become a leader in orthoptic education with lasting impact on patient care and clinical innovation.
“This program is fundamental to the future of orthoptics and to meeting the growing demand for specialized eye care,” said Enyedi, professor of ophthalmology. “As the only training program in the region, Duke is proud to leverage the expertise of our faculty and staff to prepare the next generation of orthoptists.”
To learn more, visit dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/orthopticfellowship.