Celebrating Excellence: Meet the ASCRS Foundation Resident Excellence Award Recipients!

ASCRS Foundation’s Resident Excellence Awards

ASCRS was founded by young, enterprising ophthalmologists, and the ASCRS Foundation's Resident Excellence Awardscarry on and honor that tradition. Each year, the ASCRS Foundation makes 10 awards to enable ophthalmology residents exhibiting exemplary performance to attend the ASCRS Annual Meeting. The categories for consideration include research, patient care, leadership, and education. 

We are pleased to announce this year's winners and would like to highlight these exemplary individuals. Here are the winners of this year’s awards:

Enchi Chang, MD ( Harvard University ), Andrew Duong, MD ( University of Southern California ), Yilin "Eileen" Feng, MD ( Harvard University ), Diana Khair, MD ( University of Kentucky ) Suleman Khan, MD ( Boston University ), Keke Liu, MD ( Duke University ), Mélanie Hébert, MD ( Université Laval ), Sejal Lahoti, MD (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center), Delaram Mirzania, MD ( University of Michigan ), Esteban Peralta, MD ( Duke University ). 

This year, the REA program is generously sponsored by STAAR Surgical , and the ASCRS Foundation would like to thank STAAR for its support.

Operation Sight Changes Lives

The ASCRS Foundation would like to highlight the important work done through the Operation Sight program by sharing patient experiences.

For example, a recent patient, George, who had been living with severe cataracts, underwent successful cataract removal surgery on February 20, 2025, performed by Aaron Cohn, MD. His best friend wrote our Operation Sight Program Manager, Sarah Duval, a thank you note about the experience. "The results were immediate and profound. The first time George and his wife, Linda, walked out of the surgery center, he was grinning from ear to ear and looking all around him with great interest. It was heartwarming to watch because that was literally the first time I had seen him smile in over a year! Many times during our three-hour drive back to his home in Waynesboro, he spontaneously started chuckling just because he was so happy! His renewed vision has truly transformed his life."

This story is just a glimpse of the incredible impact that Operation Sight has on individuals who would otherwise be left without care. The gratitude and joy these patients feel reminds us why this work is so essential. Thank you for your continued support in making these life-changing surgeries possible.

Partner Spotlight: iOR Partners

Office-Based Surgery: New Era, New Opportunity

Office-based surgery (OBS) is gaining ground as a solution to the rising demand for cataract procedures and limited surgical time. Traditional surgery centers often prioritize higher-reimbursement cases, leaving ophthalmologists with restricted time, patient backlogs, and limited growth opportunities.

iOR Partners leads this shift with a physician-centered approach to cataract surgery that is safe, efficient, and convenient. Surgeons gain full control of the surgical process with a custom-built, state-of-the-art suite integrated into their practice. This setup reduces inefficiencies, improves workflow, and gives surgeons autonomy over scheduling, equipment, and staffing.

iOR’s turnkey services cover everything—from development and accreditation to materials management, reimbursement support, and ongoing oversight—so surgeons can focus on patient care while operations are seamlessly managed.

Patients also benefit from a smoother experience in a familiar environment, boosting confidence and comfort. OBS enhances patient satisfaction, reduces overhead, and retains revenue within the practice, making it a smart financial choice for surgeons. Learn more about the future of ophthalmic care.

*The Partner Spotlight is written by the ASCRS Foundation’s Industry Partners to give readers a sense of their innovative offerings and perspectives. The ASCRS Foundation does not directly endorse products, services, or claims as written in the Partner Spotlight.

Become an Operation Sight Volunteer

Operation Sight is powered by a nationwide network of volunteer surgeons and their colleagues from ASCRS and other established organizations. Our volunteers are committed to caring for those who could not otherwise afford life-changing cataract surgery. By becoming a volunteer with Operation Sight, you can help end treatable cataract blindness in the U.S. for those who cannot access or afford care. 

To become a volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Surgeon Registration form, and a member of our team will be in touch with more information. We ask all volunteers to review and sign our Volunteer Agreement as part of the registration process.

Important Note for Administrators: If you do not have the legal authority to sign documentation on behalf of your doctors, please email sduval@ascrs.org to register your practice. For questions or more information about volunteering, please contact sduval@ascrs.org.