Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2019

WELL WISHES SENIORS!

Aldo Espinoza, M.D.

Interests: Travel, scuba diving, soccer, badminton, racquetball and disc golf.

After graduation: Private Practice

Educational Background

B.S. Biology with biomedical emphasis -- Southern Adventist University -- 2011

M.D. -- Loma Linda University School of Medicine -- 2015

Internal Medicine Internship -- Augusta University -- 2016

 Presentations & Awards

June 23, 2017	PGY-2 Resident Research Presentation
	"Proteomic Analysis of Aqueous Humor in Patients"
June 23, 2017	Runner up to best basic science research award.
	"Proteomic Analysis of Aqueous Humor in Patients."
June 22, 2018	PGY-3 Resident Research Presentation
	"Proteomic analysis of the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients"
June 21, 2019	PGY-4 Resident Research Presentation
	"Proteomics of Human Aqueous Humor: Updates and Future Directions"

Jordan Patton, M.D.

Interests: International travel, golf, playing and recording music, making guitars, church community, hunting and the outdoors.

After graduation: Private Practice

Educational Background

B.S. Biology -- University of Georgia -- 2011

M.D. -- Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University -- 2015

Internal Medicine Internship -- Augusta University -- 2016

Presentations & Awards

June 23, 2017	PGY-2 Resident Research Presentation
	"Proteomic Analysis of Aqueous Humor in Patients"
June 23, 2017	Runner up to best basic science research award.
	"Proteomic Analysis of Aqueous Humor in Patients."
June 22, 2018	PGY-3 Resident Research Presentation
	"Proteomic analysis of the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients"
June 21, 2019	PGY-4 Resident Research Presentation
	"Proteomics of Human Aqueous Humor: Updates and Future Directions"

Kathryn Shmunes, M.D.

Interests: Yoga, weight-lifting, art, cycling, reading, travel & cooking.

After graduation: Utah Cornea Fellowship at Hoopes Vision

Educational Background

B.A. Studio Art / Chemistry Minor -- Florida State University -- 2009

M.D. -- American University of the Caribbean -- 2015

Internal Medicine Internship -- Augusta University -- 2016

Presentations & Awards:

June 23, 2017	PGY-2 Resident Research Presentation
	"Acute Bilateral Blindness: The Perfect Storm"
June 22, 2018	PGY-3 Resident Research Presentation
	"Enlarged Lacrimal Gland, what next?"
June 22, 2018	2018 Resident Research Presentation Competition-Third Place
	"Enlarged Lacrimal Gland, what next?"
June 21, 2019	PGY-4 Resident Alumni Presentation
	"Pantoea: Not the usual suspect"

Commencement

Summary: This day and night of events was the 43rd Resident Alumni Meeting and brought to a close the residency of three wonderful new Ophthalmologists. Two are entering private practice and one is heading to a fellowship. Audrey Forbes coordinated a wonderful meeting and evening navigating through variables a meeting of this size puts in place. Many attended, smiles were had all around and a pleasant and educational meeting and graduation was had by all.

The evening events were held at the Partridge Inn just as the meeting was. It was very well attended including most faculty, a large number of the ophthalmology technicians, and the families of Drs. Patton, Shmunes, and Espinoza. Before the festivities launched Dr. Steven Greenhaw gave the awards for the best resident presentation. Dr. Kevin Halenda (Second year resident) was given the Hassan Fatteh award for the highest OKAP score on the March 2019 test and then Dr. Nussbaum gave his talk. This year he spoke of the seniors as teachers emphasizing their role in bringing along the generations behind them. The senior residents each said their peace, some unable to restrain the tears. Dr. Ulrich was awarded the Teacher of the Year by the seniors, and Dr. Estes closed out the evening with the diploma and gift presentations.

There were two speakers for this year's meeting and we carried on the tradition of one alumnus and one invited lecturer. Dr. Mark Sherwood from the University of Florida was our invited speaker. He is a Professor of Ophthalmology, Director of the University of Florida's Center for Vision Research, and a glaucoma specialist. From these vantage points he gave three talks: "Glaucoma Progression," "Glaucoma Drainage Tubes," and "Glaucoma Surgery: New and Old." The third talk was given as the 6th Annual Fleetwood Maddox Lecture.

Dr. Steven Greenhaw was the alumni speaker for this year. He graduated in 1992 with Drs. Jack Chapman (who also attended this year) and Timothy Lorenzen. He gave the 18th Annual David S. Hull lecture and entitled it: "30 years: A Retrospective. Pearls and Pitfalls of Private Practice and more." Good insights all around. Dr. Greenhaw surely holds the record for attending the most alumni meetings since his graduation, at least in the modern era. Thank you, Dr. Greenhaw.