When the class of 2022 came to the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine in the summer of 2019, little did they know that six months into the program, they would be faced with a global health crisis. Yet, they have emerged resilient and uniquely equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. As they prepare to move on, we asked them about their time at the institute, including what they’ll miss most about Wilmer.
Ariel Chen
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
I learned how to be an ophthalmologist at Wilmer. Thinking back to my first day on rounds with our chief, I am so grateful for everyone who has dedicated so much time to teach me the clinical and surgical skills for this incredible field.
What most impressed you about Wilmer?
I am most impressed by the dedication that everyone at Wilmer has. Whether it is patient care, teaching or research, the faculty here are so passionate about what they do, and I feel inspired when working with them.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
My best experience has been taking care of patients from the emergency room, where they have critical vision-threatening conditions, and helping them improve their vision with treatment and surgeries. The relationships I have formed from caring for these patients over months to years in our resident continuity clinic have been an invaluable part of my time at Wilmer.
What’s next for you?
I will be doing a cornea fellowship at the Wills Eye Hospital.
What will you miss about Wilmer?
I will miss the people so much. From our Patient Access Center for the Eye (PACE) staff and OR nurses to faculty, everyone at Wilmer has taken such good care of me and has become family.
Angela Gauthier
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
Practically everything I know about ophthalmology I learned at Wilmer. I also learned that there will always be new and better ways to do things, and we should strive to push the field forward throughout our careers.
What most impressed you about Wilmer?
I was so impressed by the number of very accomplished leaders in ophthalmology who enjoy teaching and dedicating their time to shape us into the best clinicians and surgeons we can be. The fact that they are friendly and approachable is the cherry on top.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
I had the opportunity to do bilateral cataract surgery on two patients with mature cataracts. Seeing their faces the next day, when they could see for the first time in many years, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career so far.
What’s next for you?
I am excited to be staying at Wilmer for a cornea and external disease fellowship.
What are you most looking forward to while staying at Wilmer?
I am most looking forward to honing my surgical skills, improving my clinical acumen, getting to work closely with the cornea division faculty, and building relationships with more patients.
Adrianna Jensen
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
So much — there is a reason that Wilmer has a reputation for clinical and educational rigor — but most importantly, I learned to never stop asking why. If something doesn’t fit or work, keep asking questions until you find the solution. Curiosity is essential.
What most impressed you about Wilmer?
The depth and breadth of pathology we see, as well as the unique experience of the resident continuity clinic. The ability to see our own patients and to continually have faculty who are excited to work with us in a unique and sometimes challenging environment is exceptional.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
Working with amazing faculty and co-residents, many of whom I now also consider close friends.
What’s next for you?
Heading off to San Francisco for an orbital and oculofacial plastic surgery fellowship.
What will you miss about Wilmer?
I will miss the people. From the attendings to my co-residents, to the technicians, and the administrative staff, I have gained a family, and it’s always hard to move away. If I had to do it all again, I would choose Wilmer again in a heartbeat.
Jasdeep Sabharwal
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
One unique aspect of being a resident at Wilmer is that we can care for our patients longitudinally. I have been seeing some of my patients since my first month here. Managing these patients with guidance from the faculty showed me how to be an effective doctor and help guide patients through some of their most challenging times.
What most impressed you about Wilmer?
get to work with the leading experts on almost every aspect of ophthalmology. These mentors, despite having incredibly busy lives, set aside time to work with us to help us learn ophthalmology and provide career guidance.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
It is hard to identify any single experience, but I appreciate all the resources at Wilmer that allow me to take excellent care of my patients. We have social workers and staff who go above and beyond collaborating with us.
What’s next for you?
I will be staying at Wilmer to do a glaucoma fellowship and then serve as assistant chief of service (ACS) for the year after.
What are you most looking forward to while staying at Wilmer?
I am excited to continue learning more and spending time with the incredible faculty. I was fortunate to receive a Heed fellowship, so I look forward to developing an impactful research project with the support of the glaucoma division that I can continue during my ACS year.
Bo Wang
What is something you learned at Wilmer?
Prior to starting residency, I thought that performing surgery well was the main factor in good post-operative outcomes. However, through our longitudinal clinic, I learned that patient selection, pre-operative counseling and careful and close post-operative management were just as important as the surgery itself.
What most impressed you about Wilmer?
How dedicated the program director, ACS and faculty were to making sure the residents got exceptional clinical and surgical training.
What was your best experience at Wilmer?
My best experiences at Wilmer were all the patients we were able to help. I distinctively remember performing overnight emergency surgery on a young child with an intraocular foreign body, who ultimately ended up being 20/30.
What’s next for you?
I will be doing a pediatric ophthalmology fellowship at Duke.
What will you miss about Wilmer?
I will miss the amazing mentors, co-residents and staff who make Wilmer such a phenomenal institution.