Bascom Palmer Ocular Oncologist Dr. Zelia Correa Assumes Florida Society of Ophthalmology Presidency
Dr. Correa also received the John R. Brayton, Jr., M.D., Leadership Award and was one four Miller School providers to be recognized.
Ocular oncology and vitreoretinal surgery expert Zelia Correa, M.D., Ph.D., professor of ophthalmology and director of ocular oncology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, assumed the presidency of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO). The appointment came following elections held during the FSO’s annual business meeting on June 7 in Orlando.
Dr. Correa was recognized for her clinical expertise, academics and leadership. She has also received the Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Benjamin Boyd Humanitarian Award from the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, an organization for which she is also an educational ambassador. She serves on the editorial boards of JAMA Ophthalmology, Translational Vision Science & Technology, Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia, EyeNet and Retina Times.
Dr. Correa’s presidency highlighted a busy day for Bascom Palmer:
• Dr. Correa also received the John R. Brayton, Jr., M.D., Leadership Award given to a Florida-based ophthalmologist who exemplifies leadership and dedication to the profession.
• Richard Lee, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of ophthalmology and the Walter G. Ross Distinguished Chair in Ophthalmic Research at Bascom Palmer, accepted the David B. Cano, M.D., Volunteer Award for volunteerism that goes above and beyond to serve humanity. Dr. Lee founded the Darwin Eye Project in 2014 to provide eye care to Isabela Island in Ecuador, the largest and most remote island of the Galapagos.
• Sarah Wellik, M.D., professor of clinical ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer, was honored with the Shaler Richardson, M.D., Service to Medicine Award given to the ophthalmologist who has made the greatest personal contribution to quality patient care by coordinating, participating, collaborating and integrating ophthalmology into the great body of the medical profession on a local, state or national level. Dr. Wellik’s research includes integrating informatics to advance knowledge of glaucoma management. Her professional advocacy work includes projects with the Florida Society of Ophthalmology and the AAO Surgical Scope Fund.
• Lauren Kiryakoza, M.D., a Bascom Palmer fellow, received the Michael Redmond, M.D., Outstanding Young Ophthalmologist Award bestowed upon the Florida-based ophthalmologist younger than 40 years old who has demonstrated organizational leadership, service, competence and devotion to the high ethical and professional standards of the FSO. Dr. Kiryakoza is in her first year of a surgical retina fellowship and is slated to become Bascom Palmer’s next chief resident.
Tags: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Dr. Sarah Wellik, Dr. Zelia Correa, ophthalmology, Richard K. Lee