Duke Trainees Honored with Prestigious Heed Fellowship

Duke Eye Center is proud to announce that four incoming ophthalmology fellows have been named Heed Fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year. This prestigious honor recognizes their commitment to advancing the field of ophthalmology through specialized training and research.

This year’s honorees include:

  • Kelly Donovan, MD, PhD – Currently completing an ophthalmology residency at Duke Eye Center; will begin a 1-year medical retina fellowship in July 2025.

  • James Harris, MD, PhD – Currently completing an ophthalmology residency at Harvard Medical School; will begin a 1-year medical retina fellowship in July 2025.

  • Angela Li, MD – Currently completing her ophthalmology residency at Duke Eye Center; will begin a 2-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship in July 2025.

  • Liangbo L. Shen, MD – Currently completing an ophthalmology residency at the University of California, San Francisco; will begin a 2-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship in July 2025.

Established in 1945 by Thomas Heed, the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation has been instrumental in supporting young ophthalmologists pursuing postgraduate studies. With over $11 million in funding and more than 1,100 fellowships awarded, the foundation remains a pillar of excellence in ophthalmic education. Each Heed Fellow is granted a $10,000 Merit Award, recognizing their dedication to advancing eye care and research.

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