Awards Nomination
Real World Ophthalmology is proud to recognize exemplary ophthalmologists in training through the first 10 years of practice for their outstanding contributions to the field of ophthalmology. We believe that young ophthalmologists have accomplished many things even while still in training, and we would like to provide an opportunity for their efforts to be recognized.
Throughout the year, we are excited to bestow awards for excellence in patient care, research, humanitarian efforts, mentorship, surgical skills, writing skills, leadership, teaching, innovation, professionalism, and ethics.
Nominations for RWO Spring 2024 Awards is now OPEN!
Deadline: April 15, 2024
Any nominations received after deadline will be considered for future awards.
Thank you for recognizing young ophthalmologists!
Watch a video to meet the Previous Award Winners
RWO Spring Awards
RWO Humanism in Ophthalmology Award
Sponsored by Johnson and Johnson Surgical Vision
Awarded to a young ophthalmologist who has demonstrated the highest standards of care, compassion, and sensitivity in their patient interactions.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Jeff Pettey,
University of Utah, Moran Eye Institute
2022 Recipient
Dr. Khrystyna Vykovych,
University of Kiev, Ukraine
RWO Skilled Surgeon Award
Sponsored by Alcon
Awarded to a young ophthalmologist in training (resident or fellow) who displays excellent skills and judgment in the operating room.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Weijie (Violet) Lin,
Columbia University
2022 Recipient
Dr. Brent Kramer,
Duke University
RWO Inspiring Academic Leader Award
Sponsored by Bausch & Lomb
Recognizes a young ophthalmologist at an academic institution who demonstrates excellence in mentorship, research, and patient care.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Jayanth Sridhar,
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
2022 Recipient
Dr. Jessica Randolph,
VCU
RWO Practice Trailblazer Award
Sponsored by Dompe
Awarded to a young ophthalmologist working as a solo physician or in a group practice who has excelled at utilizing new technology to improve patient care continuously.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Nitasha Khanna,
Nielsen Eye Center
2022 Recipient
Dr. Kate Xie,
SoCal Eye
RWO Excellence in Community Service Award
Sponsored by Astellas
Awarded to an ophthalmologist in training (resident or fellow) who provides exemplary service in their academic department and/or community, particularly in underserved communities or in areas with healthcare disparities.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Michelle Attzs,
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
2022 Recipient
Dr. Emily Cole,
University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary
RWO Outstanding Patient Advocate Award
Sponsored by: Abbvie
Recognizes a young ophthalmologist who has demonstrated significant contributions to improving the quality and safety of patient care, creating a positive and collaborative culture, and providing exceptional patient experiences.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Elaine Binkley,
University of Iowa
2022 Recipient
Dr. Aubrey Tirpack,
Cincinnati Eye Institute
RWO Visionary Award
Sponsored by Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group
Awarded to a young ophthalmologist whose work demonstrates qualities of exceptional foresight, creativity, advocacy, and vision.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Daniel Liebman, Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School
2022 Recipient
Dr. Ravi Parikh,
Manhattan Retina & Eye
RWO Empowering Humanitarian Award
Sponsored by Amgen
Awarded to an ophthalmologist early in their career who has provided outstanding humanitarian service through ophthalmological mission trips, blindness prevention activities, or other public service related to improving eyecare in an area of need or to an impoverished community.
2021 Recipient
Dr. Roni Levin, University of Maryland
RWO Digital Innovator Award
Sponsored by Zeiss
Awarded to an ophthalmologist early in their career demonstrating outstanding creativity and leadership in leveraging digital technologies to advance the field of ophthalmology. This award celebrates young ophthalmologists who demonstrate exceptional innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking in harnessing digital solutions to improve patient care, research, and education.
RWO Fall Awards
RWO Ophthalmologist of the Year
Sponsored by Johnson and Johnson Surgical Vision
This top award is given to a young ophthalmologist who has demonstrated the principles underlying JJSV and its operations. Honoring physicians whose lives encompass the true spirit of being a medical professional caring for people. Exceptional leadership skills, service in their home community above and beyond what is required or expected, and an outstanding level of professionalism and ethics.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Fasika Woreta,
John Hopkins University
2021 Recipient
Dr. Christina Prescott, NYU Langone Health
2022 Recipient
Dr. Soroosh Behshad,
Emory University
RWO Incredible Innovation & Scientific Contribution
Sponsored by Dompe
Awarded to a young ophthalmologist who has contributed to improvements in the field with new innovations: utilization of technology in education, creativity in surgical technique, creation of instruments, or design of devices.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Kevin Yang Wu,
University of Sherbrooke
2022 Recipient
Dr. Grayson Armstrong,
Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School
2021 Recipient
Dr. Morgan Micheletti,
Berkley Eye Center
RWO Exemplary Teacher
Sponsored by Horizon Therapeutics
Recognizes a young ophthalmologist who is an exemplary teacher and consistently provides an exceptionally positive and rewarding experience to those around them.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Marissa Shoji,
University of California, San Diego
2022 Recipient
Dr. Nadia Haqqie,
Wills Eye Institue
2021 Recipient
Dr. Mithul Mehta,
The Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine
RWO Outstanding Professionalism & Ethics
Sponsored by Bausch & Lomb Surgical
Recognizes a young ophthalmologist who embodies the highest degree of professionalism and ethics and serves as a noteworthy leader in the field.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Suzie Gasparian, Baylor College of Medicine
2021 Recipient
Dr. Cherie Fathy, Wills Eye Hospital
RWO Exceptional Leadership
Sponsored by Alcon
Recognizes a young ophthalmologist who has shown exceptional leadership qualities and demonstrates great potential for future impact on the field.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Alice Zhang, University of North Carolina
2022 Recipient
Dr. Andrea Naranjo Lozano, Stanford University
2021 Recipient
Dr. Lorraine Provencher, Cincinatti Eye Institute
RWO Extraordinary Mentorship
Sponsored by EyeCare Partners
Awarded to an ophthalmologist early in their career who has demonstrated a commitment to mentoring others and has had a significant positive impact on their mentees' careers.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Tochukwu Ndukwe, University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary
2022 Recipient
Dr. Peter Macintosh, University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary
2021 Recipient
Dr. Ian Hahn,
University of Iowa
RWO Excellence in Patient Care
Sponsored by Iveric Bio
Awarded to a young ophthalmologist who has demonstrated exemplary patient care. The recipient is someone who has gone above and beyond to deliver excellent care in the field of ophthalmology.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Dhruv Sethi,
Henry Ford Hospital
2022 Recipient
Dr. Thamolwan (Tammy) Surakiatchanukul, LSU
2021 Recipient
Dr. Adanna Udeh, 2nd year resident, NYU
RWO Remarkable Research
Sponsored by Allergan, An Abbvie Company
Recognizes an ophthalmologist early in their career who is making significant contributions to the field for their outstanding basic science or clinical research
2023 Recipient
Dr. Ajay Kuriyan,
Wills Eye Hospital
2022 Recipient
Dr. Anadi Khatri KC, Birat Eye Hospital, Nepal
2021 Recipient
Dr. Jesse Berry, Keck School of Medicine, USC
RWO Admirable Advocate
Sponsored by Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group
Awarded to a young ophthalmologist who exemplifies the qualities of creativity, leadership, and dedication as an advocate and has positively contributed to the betterment of patient care and the profession of ophthalmology.
2023 Recipient
Dr. Roya Garakani,
Cook County Hospital
2021 Recipient
Dr. Peter Tang, University of Minnesota