By Emma Wells
Scheie Vision Annual Report 2017
Ahmara Ross, MD, PHD
Dr. Ahmara Ross, who recently joined the ophthalmology faculty as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. Dr. Ross was awarded a University of Pennsylvania institutional K12 grant, which protects 80% of her time for research. She splits her remaining time between glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology clinical work.
Dr. Ross received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College, where she studied chemistry. She went on to earn an MD and a PhD in molecular pharmacology and structural biology from Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Ross thought she would become an oncologist, but a rotation in ophthalmology changed her mind.
“I remember being in the operating room with Carol Shields at Wills. One of her fellows taught me how to look in the eye with the indirect,” said Dr. Ross. “I saw the retina, and I thought, ‘This is amazing.’ You can look at an organ in vivo with the subject still alive. I was sold from there.”
During her ophthalmology residency at University of Pittsburgh, she noticed that neuro-ophthalmology and glaucoma were two separate specialties. “But really they’re studying two of the same things, the degeneration of the optic nerve,” said Dr. Ross. With the help of her mentors Dr. Eydie Miller and Dr. Ken Shindler, she decided to do two ophthalmology fellowships at Scheie: one in glaucoma and one in neuro-ophthalmology. “I wanted to combine those two specialties to try to change the way we look at the diagnosis and the treatment of glaucoma,” she said.
In her research, Dr. Ross explores other variables aside from intraocular pressure that can be treated to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. “I’m working in conjunction with Dr. Kenneth Shindler to design medications that don’t rely on lowering pressure to preserve retinal ganglion cells, which are ultimately lost in glaucoma,” said Dr. Ross. “I want to develop and use techniques to measure ganglion cell function that we use in neuro-ophthalmology but that we would not have originally thought to use in glaucoma.”
Dr. Ross lives in Philadelphia with her husband Elvin Peter Ross III, an attorney who owns the legal firm Legis Group LLC. They have a one-year-old son, Elvin Peter Ross IV, whom they call “E4”. In her free time, Dr. Ross enjoys making her own soap, lotions, and hair care products for her family.
Karen Revere, MD
Dr. Karen Revere joined the ophthalmology faculty in July 2017 as an attending oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon. She practices both at Scheie and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Dr. Revere received her MD from the Perelman School of Medicine, and a rotation at Scheie put ophthalmology on her radar. “I was captivated by the structural beauty of the eye, as well as the detailed and technically challenging nature of ocular surgery,” said Dr. Revere. “The main goal in ophthalmology is to restore and maintain vision, something to which I am truly committed.” Dr. Revere went on to do her residency at Scheie and then completed two-years of specialized fellowship training in Oculoplastics and Orbital Surgery at CHOP.
“I am so excited to once again be part of the Scheie community, now as an attending surgeon and teacher,” said Dr. Revere. “I am humbled to work alongside the many brilliant and caring doctors at Scheie and CHOP.”
A Philadelphia native, Dr. Revere lives in Center City with her husband.
Prathima Neerukonda Atluri, MD
Dr. Prathima Neerukonda Atluri joined the ophthalmology faculty in July 2017 as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology. Dr. Neerukonda will be seeing glaucoma patients at both the Radnor and Media locations.
Dr. Neerukonda attended Chicago Medical School, where she excelled, being inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha during her junior year. During her clinical rotations in medical school, it rapidly became clear that she had a clinical passion for ophthalmology. “It was truly amazing to witness how ophthalmologists can influence the quality of one’s life and really make a difference,” said Dr. Neerukonda. She went on to complete an ophthalmology residency at George Washington University. Pursuing her strong interest in glaucoma, Dr. Neerukonda subsequently continued her education with a glaucoma fellowship at Emory University.
Prior to her arrival at Penn, Dr. Neerukonda spent several years in busy glaucoma practices in suburban Chicago and Philadelphia where she developed expertise in managing complex glaucoma. Dr. Neerukonda is excited to join the faculty at Scheie and has found her new role very rewarding. “The residents, faculty, and staff have been so gracious and welcoming,” she said. “I am so impressed with the expertise of the faculty here at Scheie and look forward to future collaboration."
In addition to seeing glaucoma patients, Dr. Neerukonda has been enjoying teaching residents in the walk-in clinic. “They are exceptional learners and compassionate doctors, and are proving to be a great asset to our field,” she said. Dr. Neerukonda is also working to develop theophthalmology lane in the Emergency Department, with the goal of creating an integrated program where ER residents can become proficient in ophthalmologic care.
Dr. Neerukonda lives in Penn Valley with her husband Dr. Pavan Atluri, who is a cardiac surgeon at Penn Medicine. They have two daughters, Karina (five years) and Riya (one and a half years), and are currently expecting their third child in the winter.
Regina Altemus, OD
Regina Altemus returned to the ophthalmology department in July as an optometrist after a 12-year hiatus.
Dr. Altemus is working with Drs. Stephen Orlin and Michael Sulewski in the cornea subspecialty. Dr. Altemus began her career in ophthalmology at age 16 as a technician for a retina specialist. She worked at this practice for four years, and she went on to earn her undergraduate degree in health science with an emphasis in ophthalmic technology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She then worked with Dr. Orlin at Scheie as a Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist from 2004-2005, and continued to assist Drs. Orlin and Sulewski with LASIK surgery for another two years. In 2013, Dr. Altemus decided to pursue a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, from which she graduated in May 2017.
Dr. Altemus is thrilled to return to Scheie and said that the institute is much as she remembers it. “The only thing that’s changed is that they did a remodel. Dr. Orlin doesn’t look any different!”she said.
Dr. Altemus particularly enjoys performing complex refractions. “I love working with patients, and I really enjoy doing refractions,” said Dr. Altemus. “With a little bit of time spent doing a careful refraction, you can really help these patients.”
Dr. Altemus lives in Lansdale, PA with her husband John and their nine-year-old twins, Cole and Lilly. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and biking with her family.
Sara Bierwerth, OD
Dr. Sara Bierwerth joined the ophthalmology department in July 2017 as an Optometrist.
Dr. Bierwerth grew up in western Minnesota, and she earned her undergraduate degree at the College of Saint Benedict. She then completed her OD at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University and her residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses at Southern California College of Optometry.
At Scheie, Dr. Bierwerth will be performing routine eye care as well as specialized contact lens fittings. “I enjoy fitting complex, medically necessary lenses to give our patients improved vision that their glasses often cannot provide,” said Dr. Bierwerth. She will be working closely with Drs. Massaro and Bunya in the Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Center, and she especially looks forward to following patients who use scleral contact lenses for dry eye disease.
In her free time, Dr. Bierwerth enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two daughters.
Virginia Roberts, MBA
Virginia (Ginny) Roberts assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Ophthalmology in July 2017. In her new role, Ginny oversees all administrative functions for the Department and serves as a critical strategic and business partner for Dr. Joan O’Brien and the University of Pennsylvania Health System(UPHS). Ginny earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from St. Joseph’s University. She is a Certified Medical Practice Executive and throughout her career has held a number of elected leadership roles in her specialty’s national associations. Ginny is a seasoned health care executive, with her most recent experience at the University of Chicago. During her tenure there, Ginny was the Executive Director for all surgical disciplines and also served as Vice President for Surgical Services and Women’s Health for the medical center. Ginny also held the role of Executive Director for the Department of Surgery at University of Florida. Prior to that, Ginny served for 17 years at Penn Medicine as the Department Administrator for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. During her years at Penn, Ginny’s role was expanded to include Service Line leadership, where she oversaw strategy and marketing for the women’s health brand across the Health System.