With backgrounds ranging from clinical research and consulting to global poverty and neurobiology, the 2027 class of ophthalmology residents at Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine is ready to hit the ground running. During the previous year, as interns in Wilmer’s Integrated Residency Program in Ophthalmology, class members narrowed their focus on ocular pathology, disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as general clinical skills, rotating half the year in internal medicine and the other half in ophthalmology. Additionally, as the third residency class composed of all women, the group is making Wilmer history. Let’s welcome the remarkable class of 2027 to Wilmer.

Elizabeth “Liz” Ciociola, M.D.

Before Wilmer: I attended the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill for my undergraduate degree in chemistry. Afterward, I spent a year working in clinical research at the Duke Clinical Research Institute prior to returning to study at UNC School of Medicine.

Biggest area of interest: I’m looking forward to exploring all subspecialties within ophthalmology. My prior research has focused on clinical and surgical outcomes in glaucoma and retina. I’m looking forward to continuing that work, with the goal of improving the ophthalmic care we provide to patients.

What are you most excited about? I’m most excited to learn from the incredible faculty as well as my impressive co-residents at Wilmer, with the hopes of becoming an excellent clinician, surgeon and research scientist within the field of ophthalmology. The opportunity at Wilmer to be involved in cutting-edge research and complex and challenging clinical cases and to learn from world-class experts in the field is unparalleled. It is a privilege to be a trainee at Wilmer, and I look forward to serving my patients and community over the next few years.

Sarah Miller, M.D.

Before Wilmer: I attended medical school at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and participated in ophthalmology research. Before that, I worked in consulting in Chicago, Illinois.

Biggest area of interest: After conducting research, I am interested in ocular oncology and how to improve patient outcomes in the field. I am also interested in glaucoma and preventing vision loss. I particularly love the long-term relationships you can build with patients in those respective subspecialties.

What are you most excited about? I am most excited about getting to know, and work with, my co-residents. So far, they have been excellent teachers who make the work fun and exciting.

Whitney Stuard Sambhariya, M.D., Ph.D.

Before Wilmer: I was born in Dallas, Texas and attended high school at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. I then attended the University of Texas Partnership in Advancing Clinical Transition program, a combined seven-year medical program between the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the University of Texas at Dallas. I also participated in the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D./Ph.D.) and received my Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology.

Biggest area of interest: I’m looking forward to my clinical education in the various subspecialties of ophthalmology as I develop my clinical and surgical skills. I hope to bring my curiosity and dedication to each day as I further develop a vision of the ophthalmologist I aspire to be.

My Ph.D. research focused on corneal disease and mitochondrial homeostasis. During my intern year, I participated in research on retinal ganglion cell transplantation to restore vision in glaucoma and optic neuropathy. In the future, I hope to be a physician-scientist, combining my passion for medicine and research to help our patients.

What are you most excited about? As a national leading institute and referral center, Johns Hopkins Medicine offers unique opportunities for exposure in both the depth and breadth of ophthalmology. I am looking forward to learning from world-renowned physicians and spending time with my amazing co-residents. Most of all, I am excited for the opportunity to serve our patients and uphold the Wilmer standard of care.

Olivia Uddin, M.D.

Before Wilmer: I grew up in in the Greater Baltimore-Washington area of Maryland. I completed my undergraduate education at Haverford College in Pennsylvania and then worked as a lab technician for a few years before completing my M.D./Ph.D. at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Biggest area of interest: Prior to residency, my research focus was in the field of neurobiology, studying chronic pain. I hope to apply the skills I learned to various areas of ophthalmology throughout my residency, and I look forward to learning more about clinical research.

What are you most excited about? I am most excited to learn and grow — as a doctor and as a person — alongside my all-star team of co-residents.

Idara Wade-Vallance, M.D.

Before Wilmer: I studied biology and global poverty at the University of Maryland. I then moved cross-country to attend medical school at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. I did a year of research during medical school, studying the impacts of COVID-19 on ocular inflammatory disease at the Francis I. Proctor Foundation. 

Biggest area of interest: I am passionate about excellent patient care and trainee education. Teaching and mentoring were among the most rewarding things I did in medical school, and I look forward to continuing to work with the learners who come through Wilmer.

What are you most excited about? I am most excited about the growth I will experience over the course of my residency, with the guidance of our faculty and support from my wonderful co-residents! I feel so privileged to learn in this environment.