UTMB Health Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (OVS) Alumni Association

11/20/2025

We are back from Belize!
Dr. Phillip Keys (PGY2) and Dr. Misha Syed (glaucoma faculty) spent a week in Belize providing ophthalmic care. We are humbled to be able to provide care to this community and are excited to restart our global initiatives! 👁️🌎

10/25/2025

An incredibly weekend at AAO 🤩 Our senior class had a great time learning, connecting, presenting, and adventuring! They came home inspired by the wealth of knowledge and the environment of curiosity in Orlando 🤓🎡🎢

In their seniors absence, the PGY3s stepped up to take on a day of cataract surgery and glaucoma clinic!

10/24/2025

While attending the AAO meeting, Dr. Loucks, OVS Residency Director and Residency Program Manager, Briana, visited the VA facility where our residents shine during their external clinical rotation. We’re so proud of our program and partnerships that support outstanding training!

During their visit, they toured the clinic and surgical center, met with staff.

They participated in a “A Day in the Life of a Resident,” offering valuable insights into the program experience. Briana Gapsis serves as the Site-Director, with Dr. Naazli Shakh also contributing to the team as a faculty member.

10/24/2025

UTMB Ophthalmology held its annual AAO Alumni Reception in Orlando, bringing together current residents, faculty, post-fellows, and alumni from across the nation. The evening provided a wonderful opportunity to network, reconnect, and celebrate shared accomplishments within the Ophthalmology community.

10/15/2025

Discover the power of vision in athletic performance! Join Dr. Andrew Lee and a panel of collegiate athletes for an insightful discussion on how vision impacts success in sports.

📅 November 12, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Virtual or in-person at Maggiano’s Little Italy Memorial, Houston, TX

Don’t miss this inspiring evening of expertise, experience, and athletic excellence. Register today at https://bit.ly/2025VisionInSports

10/13/2025

🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉

Join us for the 2025 UTMB AAO Alumni Reception! 🩺✨
Enjoy light refreshments, reconnect with colleagues, and celebrate our UTMB alumni community.

Hosted by the UTMB Department of Ophthalmology
📍 The Pub – 9101 International Dr #1003, Orlando, FL 32819
🗓️ Saturday, October 18, 2025
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Please feel free to share this invitation with fellow alumni who may be interested in attending.

We can’t wait to reconnect! 💙

Kindly RSVP through the SurveyMonkey link below.
Link (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025utmbaaoalumni).

09/19/2025

We start them young here on the eyeland! Today’s optics lecture is led by our esteemed young Dr. Conley 😎🤓

09/08/2025

Will you join UTMB Health at the 2025 Eye Stroll for Vision?

UTMB is proud to sponsor the 15th Annual Eye Stroll for Vision, hosted by Prevent Blindness Texas on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Houston Zoo. This event raises awareness and funds for sight-saving services—and we’d love for you to be part of it!

We have a limited number of complimentary registrations available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’d like to walk with us, please contact Carolyn Woodward (ccwoodwa@utmb.edu) to reserve your spot.

Event Details:
Time: 6:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Houston Zoo

Let’s stroll together for a great cause!

08/27/2025

**👁️‍🗨️ OVS at UTMB Health is Growing!**

We are **recruiting an Oculoplastic & Reconstructive Surgeon** to join our team!

If you or someone you know is fellowship-trained in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery and looking to make an impact in a thriving department, we’d love to hear from you!

Check our ad on the following sites: AAO, AUPO and ASOPRS!

📩 Apply by sending a CV and cover letter to **[saharrin@utmb.edu](mailto:saharrin@utmb.edu)**
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07/24/2025

We're excited to share that Dr Misha Syed was featured on the latest episode of Prevent Blindness Texas' Eyespiring podcast, where she discusses the importance of eye health and vision care.

Dr Syed serves as Assistant Dean for Educational Affairs in the Office Clinical Education and Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.

We are diving into why eye health is important with Dr. Misha Syed on the latest episode of Eyespiring. Dr. Syed serves as Assistant Dean for Educational Affairs, UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine, and as Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Ophthalmology at The University of Texas....

07/03/2025

OVS Alumni Spotlight – Class of 2019

We’re proud to share that Dr. Austin Nakatsuka (Class of 2019) recently represented his culture and profession in a remarkable way at the World Glaucoma Congress held in Hawaii. Dr. Nakatsuka, now faculty in glaucoma and cornea at the Moran Eye Center, performed a traditional hula alongside fellow surgeon Dr. Kandon Kamae.
This performance was especially significant, as Dr. Nakatsuka and Dr. Kamae are believed to be the only two ethnically Native Hawaiian glaucoma surgeons in the world, and among just a handful of Native Hawaiian ophthalmologists overall.

Reflecting on the moment, Dr. Nakatsuka shared: “It’s something really important to me... Trying to do my best to represent myself, my various communities, and of course my residency program well.”

Native Hawaiian Eye Surgeons Dance Hula for World Glaucoma Congress 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIM64Eo-72U

07/02/2025

And a warm welcome to our PG-guy-2s! They’re fun and fearless, ready to take on the ER and and all of its mysterious eye findings 🤩