Radwa Elsharawi, M.D. (she/her)
Chief Resident, Education
Hometown: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Bachelor's Degree: McMaster University
Medical School: Wayne State University

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"In addition to this program offering a really high quality education and a lot of focus on resident education, wellness and surgical volume, the very important reason that I chose Casey Eye Institute is that residents are being supported by their faculty. I was attracted to Casey by the very friendly and welcoming environment that I felt. I feel Incredibly supported by the faculty here, not only in my education but that everyone is really invested in our well-being as fellow humans. That’s why I feel that OHSU is very unique."

Justin Grassmeyer, M.D., Ph.D. (he/him)
Chief Resident, Administrative
Hometown: Fremont, NE
Bachelor's Degree: Augustana University
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"The number one reason I wanted to come to Casey was the excellent educational opportunities I knew I was going to get here. I really felt like any career path would be open to me after training here. The residents have a reputation for being very happy during their training and look back fondly on their experience here, so I thought that was a great sign that this would be an excellent overall experience. The faculty have a reputation of wanting to teach residents and making sure they have a great experience. I felt like I would have support from my fellow residents as well as the faculty to help me do whatever I want to do in the future, and I’d also be really happy and have a lot of fun along the way."

Donald Hubbard II, M.D. (he/him)
Chief Resident, Wellness & Teambuilding
Hometown: Houston, TX
Bachelor's Degree: University of Houston
Medical School: Texas A&M College of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"I was initially drawn to Casey by its outstanding reputation for research and resident education. However, after discussing with several mentors and those at the program, I realized how much resident input is valued here. I’d heard anecdotes about the monthly resident meetings with leadership and the respect that faculty show residents. I got the feeling that I’d be in a supportive environment had I matched here. Our class has been part of an enormous paradigm shift with the start of the integrated Ophthalmology internship. The suggestions we’ve made have been always been considered seriously with some even being implemented in the same academic year. I recommend Casey to any resident who values the combination of outstanding research opportunities, strong resident education and having their voice be heard."

Christopher Rosenberg, M.D. (he/him)
Chief Resident, Advocacy
Hometown: Salem, OR
Bachelor's Degree: Vassar College
Medical School: Stony Brook University School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"I was looking for a program that provided meaningful clinical and research opportunities in every subspecialty, including uveitis and oncology. This way, every door would be wide open. While I interviewed at multiple programs that met this requirement, something felt different about Casey. The residents here support each other, and the faculty are always inviting and excited to teach us. I have been amazed at how generous the faculty and senior residents are with their time, whether it’s staying late after clinic to review a topic or providing one-on-one training in the wet lab. Every day, we get to learn from leaders in the field, which is so exciting. Casey has a special combination of everything one could want in a residency experience. It is truly a privilege to be here and I could not be happier with the quality of education."

Ogul Uner, M.D. (he/him)
Chief Resident, Recruitment
Hometown: Ankara, Turkey
Bachelor's Degree: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"As a first-generation immigrant, I was looking for a residency program that was familiar with the unique challenges of international scholars, provided well-rounded training, and felt like a family. Casey had everything I was looking for. In addition to the rigorous training and high surgical volume, the program emphasizes personal wellness and has an incredibly warm atmosphere. The entire faculty and staff truly care about us not only as future ophthalmologists, but also as humans. Furthermore, there are ample research opportunities for residents. Whether it is imaging research with the co-inventor of OCT, retinal gene therapy studies with pioneers in the field, or ocular oncology investigations with the only NCI-designated cancer center in the state, there is something for everyone and faculty are excited to have us engage in original scholarship. Last but not least, Portland is a beautiful and welcoming city with lots to do and places to explore." 

Sarah Dugan, M.D. (she/her)
Hometown: Wayne, IL
Bachelor's Degree: University of Virginia
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"I chose Casey because I was looking for a residency program with exceptional educational opportunities in a supportive learning environment. The current and former Casey residents I spoke with universally praised the training they received, the faculty they worked with, and the multitude of career paths and opportunities that were open to them during and after residency. I felt that at Casey, I would have the privilege of working with faculty invested in resident education and the support and resources needed to accomplish my professional goals. I am very excited for the years to come.

Austin Igelman, M.D., M.C.R. (he/him)
Hometown: Medford, OR
Undergraduate: Yale University
Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"Casey is a program where you don’t have to compromise any aspect of training – the clinical, surgical, research, and educational experiences are all superb. Even more importantly, I felt that the culture amongst the residents, faculty, and staff was welcoming and supportive. I was fortunate enough to experience this first-hand as a medical student at OHSU and developed meaningful relationships with faculty mentors and residents. I believe this combination of world-renowned training within all aspects of ophthalmology and within all subspecialties coupled with the supportive culture makes Casey unique and the perfect place to train."

John Placide, M.D., MPH (he/him)
Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda
Bachelor's degree: Abilene Christian University
Medical School: University of Texas Houston Medical School

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"During the interview process, you hear the phrase, 'when you find your home you will know it!' This was a bit of an elusive concept for me to grasp during the turmoil and uncertainty that interviewing can bring. Despite all of the not knowing that comes with this season, the feeling of being home was the reason that I chose Casey Eye Institute. When my interview concluded, I felt an indescribable feeling that this program would be home to me. I knew this was in part due to the overwhelming kindness, humility, and care that each and every person I spoke with exuded during our conversations. The family at Casey not only looks out for their patients with the highest standards of care but also looks after each other and creates an environment of learning that, to me, has been unparalleled. Furthermore, the outstanding training, phenomenal continuity clinic, and focus on their residents were all significant factors that made this program a perfect fit for me." 

Momoko Ponsetto, M.D. (she/her)
Hometown: Beaverton, OR
Bachelor's Degree: Boston University
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"I was fortunate enough to do an away rotation at Casey, and from day one I felt immediately at home. The people at Casey let you know that they're on your team, and pride themselves on their collaborative culture. At Casey, not only will I get the training to be an excellent ophthalmologist, I also get to learn alongside compassionate and happy people. Casey's commitment to serving the local community (and my home state) was important to me - and a big reason I chose to do my residency here. I feel so lucky to be a part of the Casey family and I'm beyond excited for my training here!" 

Andrew Yang, M.D. (he/him)
Hometown: South Pasadena, CA
Bachelor's Degree: University of California, Davis
Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"As a home student, I am fortunate to experience first-hand what makes Casey Eye Institute such a reputable institution and residency program. The welcoming and nurturing attitudes of staff, residents, fellows, and faculties create a positive and exciting learning environment. We have a thoughtful clinical and surgical curriculum with numerous research and volunteering opportunities. The clinical experience is robust with a great depth ranging from weekly resident continuity clinics to unique subspecialty clinics like ophthalmic genetics and ocular oncology. Lastly, the benefits of living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with mountains and beaches within driving distance means day trips or weekend getaways are possible. I am thrilled to be staying here!"   

Abhimanyu Ahuja, M.D. (he/him)
Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Bachelor's Degree: Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University 
Medical School: Florida Atlantic University 

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"The number one reason why I chose Casey was the people. During the application process one of my biggest mentors told me that Casey has the nicest people in the country. Hearing the stories about Casey from the residents and faculty members throughout the interview day only reinforced that. Now having matched here, this is also something I can attest too. Despite moving across the country all the way from Florida, I immediately felt welcomed and knew I had a family here. It is extremely clear to me that resident education is a huge priority at the Casey Eye Institute. Additionally, on top of excellent clinical and surgical training, residents at Casey have the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research with our world-renowned faculty. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to train at the Casey Eye Insitute and I can't wait for the years ahead!"

Sabrina Bulas, M.D. (she/her)
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Bachelor’s Degree: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"Many programs will make you into an excellent ophthalmologist, but Casey’s learning environment and strong relationship building with faculty and peers set it apart. Casey has extensive resources for any clinical interest that set you up for any career path—gene therapy, device development, global health, community service—and faculty that are truly invested in your learning and well-being. Ophthalmology residency requires building skills from square one, and I could sense at Casey my fellow residents and attendings would be approachable, collaborative, and excited to help me continuously improve. I feel incredibly lucky to get to train here."

Elliot Cherkas, M.D. (he/him)
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Bachelor's Degree: UCLA
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"Casey is a truly special place, and it took me all of five minutes into my interview day to realize it. From the moment Dan, Susan, and the rest of the residency committee introduced themselves, I could sense the incredible culture of collegiality, support, and warmth that everyone talks about. I was also drawn to Casey’s reputation for being a powerhouse in education, patient care, and research. I strongly believe that having the opportunity to work with and learn from world-renowned experts in every subspecialty (including ocular oncology, genetics, uveitis) will allow me to explore key areas for growth as a clinician and engage in meaningful research, leaving me well positioned to thrive no matter what I choose to do in my future career. And as the cherry on top, the city of Portland and its proximity to nature provided a perfect backdrop for me to maximize my personal well-being and happiness. Every day that I come to work reminds me how lucky I am to train here, and I am truly excited to see what the next few years will bring!"

Meagan Shinbashi, M.D. (she/her)
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
Bachelor's Degree: Stanford University
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"I first heard of Casey Eye Institute from my mentors, who spoke highly of its rich clinical experiences, research opportunities, and world-class faculty. When I did an away rotation at Casey, I was immediately welcomed by enthusiastic attendings, residents, and staff who went out of their way to get to know me as a person. I know that everyone praises Casey’s culture, but I cannot emphasize enough the importance of surrounding yourself with people who truly care about your learning and growth. Plus, what better place to train than in Portland, where you have access to incredible nature, food, and art? Simply, Casey had everything that I was looking for in a residency program (and more!), and I am 100% confident that training here will help me become the best ophthalmologist that I can be."

Deion Sims, M.D. (he/him)
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Bachelor's degree: Lipscomb University
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine 

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"I chose Casey because it has everything I want in a residency - great educational opportunities, robust mentorship, and an outstanding culture. The program leadership is committed to providing the best learning experience they can for residents and has cultivated an equally challenging and supportive learning environment. Being in a city with great access to nature and an NBA team is a plus."

Victoria Cegielski, M.D. (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Auburn, WA
Bachelor's Degree: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine 

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for Residency:

"I had the pleasure of doing an away here and from my experience found what being part of the Casey culture entails. The people in this program – attendings, residents, staff, and program faculty -- actively find ways to support and uplift one another as a team. That really stands out to me. On top of this, the emphasis on research, outreach, and education are all tenets that I strongly value in parallel with Casey. I feel extremely lucky to be at a place where not only are there an abundance of resources to nurture growth of excellent ophthalmologists, but also to be somewhere where I am encouraged to learn as much as I possibly can. Also, I think it goes without saying that living in the PNW is a dream!"

Apoorva Chowdhary, M.D.
Hometown:  Kent, Washington
Bachelor's Degree: Biochemistry, University of Washington
Medical School:  University of Washington School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for Residency: 

"I chose Casey for many reasons - the welcoming culture, unparalleled clinical training, and investment in diversity and service. Every single interaction I've had with faculty and my co-residents has been a positive one - they are all more than happy to help me refine my exam skills, set aside one-on-one time for surgical wet labs, and recommend new food spots to try in the area! Lastly, no place beats the Pacific Northwest, and the opportunities to explore local trails and waterfalls are endless."

Hanna Luong, M.D.
Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
Bachelor's Degree: UCLA
Medical School: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"Beyond the amazing caliber of clinical and surgical training, I resonated with Casey Eye's culture, values, and its people who embody them. Every day I'm inspired by my colleagues who put tremendous care into learning, teaching, advancing the field, and ultimately, caring for patients. Casey Eye also provides generous support for residents to make an impact, from community and global outreach to research endeavors. For these reasons (and the wealth of lively neighborhoods and natural beauty in Portland), I was confident that OHSU was my top choice."

Name: Anand Rajesh, M.D. 
Hometown: Seattle, WA 
Bachelor's Degree:  Neuroscience, Brown University
Medical School: University of Washington 

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for Residency: 

"I chose Casey because I was drawn to the emphasis on teaching, the collaborative culture and the breadth of scope of the department (mobile outreach, OCT imaging, AI research, DEI, ocular genetics to name a few). I had heard amazing things from mentors and peers during the interview process, but I had not experienced it myself. From the first day I arrived, I knew that I made the right choice when I saw how dedicated faculty, staff and residents were to helping train me to become the best ophthalmologist I can be." 

Treven Wesley, M.D.
Hometown:  Galloway, New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree:  Biochemistry, Boston College
Medical School:  SUNY Downstate College of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for Residency: 

"I chose Casey Eye not only for its outstanding reputation in research, clinical care, and surgical volume, but also because it felt like a place I could call home. From my initial interactions with residents and faculty, I knew they supported each other like family—an important quality I looked for when considering the prospect of moving across the country for residency. I feel so fortunate to be at Casey Eye, surrounded by world-class mentors from all specialties who are incredibly passionate about teaching and guiding trainees through this exciting field!"