Please share with us your background.
I was raised in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, and have two younger sisters and a brother, all of whom are my best friends. My parents immigrated from South Korea at different times before being introduced in New York.
Legos were a big part of my childhood, putting them together and taking them apart; I was really into understanding the inner workings of things. I also attended a science and engineering-focused magnet school before moving onto the College of Engineering at Cornell, where I completed my undergraduate degree.
When did you first know that you wanted to become a vitreoretinal surgeon?
Upon finishing my residency, I was pursuing a career in uveitis, but was equally (if not more) interested in staying in New York with my girlfriend (now wife) Maria, who was completing a fellowship in infectious diseases.
During my uveitis fellowship, I worked with Naomi R. Goldberg, MD, PhD, who was dually trained in uveitis and medical retina. I wanted to do something surgical, but also manage a broad spectrum of posterior segment disease, so continuing my training in vitreoretinal surgery made sense. Douglas A. Jabs, MD, my primary mentor, supported me in this decision.
Who are your mentors?
In New York, Drs. Goldberg and Jabs were the most important driving forces in my career trajectory. They taught me a systematic approach to ocular inflammatory disease. I owe a lot to Sanjay Kedhar, MD, and C. Michael Samson, MD, MBA, at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary, because they taught me all the proverbial ways that one can ‘skin a cat.’
In Los Angeles, Andrew A. Moshfeghi, MD, MBA, supported me in my post-fellowship job search. He’s one of the main reasons I’m involved in the Vit-Buckle Society. I can’t say enough about Damien C. Rodger, MD, PhD; Amir H. Kashani, MD, PhD; Mark Humayun, MD, PhD; and Hossein Ameri, MD, PhD, FRCSI, MRCOphth, all of whom taught me so much and supported me during my time at the University of Southern California.
Lastly, I can’t overstate the importance of senior mentorship, even after training. Partners like Richard A. Garfinkel, MD; Reginald J. Sanders, MD; and Michael M. Lai, MD, PhD, have shown me that there are always ways to improve.
Describe your current position.
I practice at the Retina Group of Washington, which has a hybrid private/academic arrangement. I spend most of my time seeing uveitis and retina patients in an office setting. Our group serves as the retina faculty for the Georgetown Ophthalmology Residency Program. We run a busy hybrid vitreoretinal fellowship—our fellows split time between our offices and ORs and the Washington Hospital Center. Our practice is involved in numerous clinical trials; I’ve had the privilege of serving as a principal investigator in a handful of them.
Now that I’ve been in practice for a few years, watching fellows develop their diagnostic and surgical skills is one of the most rewarding parts of what I get to do. They have probably taught me more than I could ever teach them.
What has been your most memorable experience?
Recently, I saw two different patients with metastatic disease, one of whom was seeing me for immunotherapy-associated uveitis, and the other for bilateral choroidal metastatic disease. Both are absolutely lovely people. I’ve wondered if I’d be quite as composed and gracious if I were facing similarly daunting situations. Moments like these remind me to be grateful for my life and health, for the relationships I’ve cultivated, and for the time I have with the people I love.
What advice can you offer to individuals who are just now choosing their career paths after finishing fellowship?
There’s a delicate balance between saying “yes” to interesting and unique career opportunities and stretching yourself too thin. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
When an old friend wants to catch up over dinner and drinks, or when a family member calls upon you in a time of need, make yourself available.
Most importantly, life is short, so have fun!
