By Rebecca Salowe
Scheie Vision Annual Report 2021
New Leadership Positions
Dr. Gil Binenbaum Appointed New Chief of Division of Ophthalmology
Gil Binenbaum, MD, MSCE was appointed Chief of the Division of Ophthalmology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) effective July 1, 2021.
Dr. Binenbaum graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). He then pursued his medical degree at the Perelman School of Medicine at UPenn and his ophthalmology residency at the Scheie Eye Institute. He completed his fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology at CHOP. Dr. Binenbaum also received a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology from UPenn.
Dr. Binenbaum began his career at CHOP as an attending surgeon in 2007. He also serves as an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Perelman School of Medicine and as the Divisional Director of Research at CHOP. He was the inaugural recipient of the Richard Shafritz Endowed Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology Research and, as of July 1, now holds the Mabel E. Leslie Endowed Chair of Pediatric Ophthalmology.
Dr. Binenbaum is widely known for his expertise in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the ocular manifestations of child abuse. In addition to these areas, his clinical practice includes complex pediatric and adult strabismus, as well as general pediatric ophthalmology.
A true clinician-scientist, Dr. Binenbaum has greatly enhanced the diagnostic accuracy and treatment of ROP through his research. He serves as the Chair of a 45-hospital collaborative ROP research group, which seeks to develop a better way to predict which infants are at highest risk for developing ROP. The group successfully developed new screening criteria that could identify which babies require ROP examinations and possibly treatment, while sparing other infants resource-intensive and physically stressful retinal examinations.
Dr. Binenbaum has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, chapters, and editorials. In addition to his clinical and research responsibilities, he teaches and mentors medical students, residents, fellows, junior faculty, and subspecialists in other pediatric fields.
“I have always felt fortunate to work at CHOP and with such exceptional, devoted colleagues,” said Dr. Binenbaum. “I am both excited and honored to help grow and support our group as Chief.”
Dr. Binenbaum will be taking the place of Monte D. Mills, MD, who stepped down from his role as Chief after 21 years of exceptional service. Dr. Mills will remain a senior surgeon in the Division of Ophthalmology at CHOP, where he will continue his superb clinical, research, and educational work.
Dr. Maureen Maguire Elected President of 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting
Maureen Maguire, PhD, FARVO, Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology, was elected to serve as the President of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) in 2022.
Dr. Maguire served as the Carolyn F. Jones Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Center for Preventive Ophthalmology & Biostatistics until her retirement in July 2021, after 27 years of exceptional service. She will continue to work on several clinical trials and grants, as well as with the Jaeb Center for Health Research on multicenter clinical research projects.
ARVO is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world, with more than 11,000 members from over 75 countries. Founded in 1928, the organization’s mission is to advance vision research in order to prevent, treat, and cure ocular disorders.
Dr. Maguire has been an active member of ARVO throughout her career. She has served as a member of ARVO’s Annual Meeting Planning Committee, Advocacy Committee, and Mentorship Program; an organizer of educational courses in clinical research methods and biostatistics; and a reviewer and editorial board member for the ARVO journal, Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science. She has also presented her research at most Annual Meetings.
As President, Dr. Maguire will serve as the Chair of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. For the 2022 Annual Meeting, she has chosen the theme “Accelerating Discovery through Team Science.” This theme recognizes the rapid progress in developing vaccines for COVID-19, as well as the importance of collaborative research. Throughout her career, Dr. Maguire led many multicenter clinical trials and observational studies where researchers from different disciplines worked together.
In 2020 and 2021, ARVO was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the meeting is expected to be held in Denver, Colorado from May 1 to May 5.
“I hope that we emerge from the pandemic years with a clearer view of what matters in our research,” said Dr. Maguire. “ARVO aims to facilitate the acceleration of the research of its members by providing platforms for sharing the best vision science and bringing committed vision researchers together.”
Dr. Prithvi Sankar Named Senior Advisor to the Graduating Medical School Class
Prithvi Sankar, MD, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), was named a Senior Advisor to the Graduating Class at the Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Sankar is currently an Advisory Dean to the Perelman School of Medicine and serves as the Director of Medical Student Education for the Ophthalmology Department.
In this new role, which began on July 1, 2020, Dr. Sankar works with medical students in their final year to provide guidance on residency and career plans; in particular, Match requirements for residency. At the Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony, he gave the introduction to the celebration of the class.
Dr. Sankar also teaches residents and glaucoma fellows at UPenn, and provides educational courses at national and international ophthalmology conferences. He has received many awards for his superb teaching and mentoring, such as the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award from the Gold Foundation, Penn Pearl Teaching Award, and Senior Achievement Award at the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In 2018, he was elected to the Academy of Master Clinicians.
In addition to the above educational roles, Dr. Sankar is a skilled glaucoma specialist and a Co-Investigator on a large glaucoma genetics study in African Americans.
“It is such an honor to work with the students at this stage of their careers,” said Dr. Sankar. “This final year is the culmination of all their hard work, and it is very special to share this ride with them. The students are incredible.”
Dr. César Briceño Named Rhoads House Advisory Dean
César Briceño, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, was named an Advisory Dean of the Rhoads House at the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) in August 2020. Dr. Briceño is a specialist in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Scheie Eye Institute.
The PSOM is divided into four main houses, including the Rhoads House. This division is intended to foster interaction between students in different classes and programs and to develop small communities within the medical school. Each House is led by an Advisory Dean.
Dr. Briceño leads the Rhoads House with Amy Pruitt, MD, who is the William N. Kelley Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. In this role, they are responsible for mentorship, academic advising, career planning, and professional coaching of students.
Dr. Briceño is committed to medical student, resident, and fellow education. Among his many recognitions, he has received the Golden Apple Teaching Award for resident education and the Penn Medicine Dean’s Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching. He also serves as an Advisory Dean at the PSOM. Much of his research centers on strategies to enhance medical student and resident education, especially in surgical settings.
"This is one of the most rewarding aspects of being an educator,” said Dr. Briceño. “I enjoy helping our wonderful students to thrive and fulfill their dreams."
Promotions
The following faculty members have received promotions in the past calendar year:
Paul Tapino, MD: Promoted to Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology.
César Briceño, MD: Promoted to Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology.
Thomasine Gorry, MD, MGA: Promoted to Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology.