Duke Eye Center was well represented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2025 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, with 88 Duke-led presentations delivered by faculty, fellows, residents, medical students, and staff. The meeting highlighted Duke’s leadership in clinical innovation, research, and education.
Several Duke faculty members were honored with prestigious awards and recognitions:
Lloyd Williams, MD, PhD received the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award, recognizing his exceptional commitment to providing eye care in underserved communities around the world.
Julie Woodward, MD was presented with the Senior Achievement Award, honoring her sustained contributions to the Academy through education, leadership, and service.
Divakar Gupta, MD, MMCi and Eleonora Lad, MD, PhD each received the Achievement Award, celebrating their impactful involvement in AAO programs, scientific contributions, and dedication to advancing ophthalmology.
Kourtney Houser, MD served as a member of the Cataract Program Subcommittee, helping shape the educational content and direction of cataract-related programming.
These recognitions underscored Duke Eye Center’s ongoing contributions to shaping the future of ophthalmology and improving eye care worldwide.
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Duke retina faculty during the "Vitreoretinal Surgical Rounds: What Would Machemer Do?" -
Lloyd Williams, MD, PhD receiving the 2025 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award. -
Lloyd Williams, MD, PhD celebrating 2025 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award with Vice Chair of Clinical Operations, Amy Fowler, MD. -
Lloyd Williams, MD, PhD and Esen Akpek, MD, Director of the Frances and C. Stephen Foster Center for Ocular Immunology and Inflammation at Duke Eye Center after Williams presented to the Foster Ocular Immunology Society. -
Jullia Rosdahl, MD, PhD with co-presenters during Wellness Symposium. -
Jullia Rosdahl, MD, PhD with colleague during the Chandler Grant Glaucoma Society meet-up. -
Laura Enyedi, MD and co-instructors during "Perils and Pointers for the Pregnant Ophthalmologist" course. -
Miguel Materin, MD and Ocular Oncology fellow, Deanna Miano, DO. -
Arpita Maniar, MD and Ocular Oncology Fellow, Deanna Miano, DO. -
Janet Teng, COT and Ellis Wisely, MD, MBA before their presentation, "Incorporating Autologous, Blood-Derived Tears Into Your Dry Eye Practice." -
Cynthia Toth, MD, Xi Chen, MD, PhD, and Yuxi Zheng, MD during "Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Retina Dilemmas" course. -
Sharon Fekrat, MD, FACS, FASRS presenting during AAO. -
Sharon Fekrat, MD, FACS, FASRS, and Lejla Vajzovic, MD, FASRS with colleagues during AAO. -
Left to right: Dr. Thomas Dohlman (grandson of Claes Dohlman, MD), Esen Akpek, MD (President of Keratoplasty Alliance International), Nikki Daniels, Priya Matthews, MD (founding member of Keratoplasty Alliance International), David Cui, MD (founding member of Keratoplasty Aliance International).
Nikki Daniels, a second-year Duke medical student, won the 2025 Keratoplasty Alliance International’s Claes Dohlman Research Grant. She was awarded this grant for her project regarding factors that affect outcomes of primary and repeat corneal transplantation, for which she is being mentored by Melissa Daluvoy, MD and Lloyd Williams, MD, PhD. She is the first medical student to win this award, presented to her at the annual Keratoplasty Alliance International meeting during the 2025 American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. -
Amy Fowler, MD and co-instructors during "Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin and Facial Fillers" skills transfer.