EyeCon 2024: Meet the Visionary in Eye Care award recipients

At EyeCon 2024, 3 residents were recognized with the Visionary in Eye Care Resident Recognition Award for their outstanding contributions to their respective institutions. There were 3 awards: Best in Optometry, Best in Ophthalmology, and Best in Retina. The winners were as follows:

Best in Optometry

Khanh Hoang, OD

Omni Eye Services of Atlanta

Best in Ophthalmology

Anupam Garg, MD, PhD

Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins

Best in Retina

Shail P. Patel, MD

Nassau University Medical Center

Following the awards presentation, the winners gave these comments in an interview with Sheryl Stevenson, group editorial director of the Eye Care Network.

EyeCon 2024 took place September 27-28, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The meeting's signature dual-track structure encourages clinicians to reach across the divide between optometrists and ophthalmologists and work together to push the eye care industry forward.

Video transcript

Khanh Hoang, OD:
Hi. My name is Khanh Huang. I'm very honored to receive this award, the Visionary in Eye Care Resident Recognition. I'm currently practicing at the Omni Eye Services of Atlanta, down in Atlanta, Georgia. First and foremost, I want to thank Dr. Paul Ajamian for nominating me and for being an amazing director of the program. Without his mentorship, I wouldn't be here. I worked with many fantastic ODs, MDs, and I wouldn't be here without them all. I also want to shout out my three other co-residents. This award may say my name, but really, we we all deserved it. So without you guys, this wouldn't be possible. Thank you so much.

Anupam Garg, MD, PhD:
My name is Anupam Garg. I'm currently a resident at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. It's a huge honor to receive the Best in Ophthalmology award from the Ophthalmology Times. I want to thank my wife, Ege [spelling unconfirmed], as well as my program director, Dr. Woreta and my chair, Dr. McDonnell, for you know, all their support throughout residency, as well as you know, having some of the best co-residents, colleagues, staff, and support at Wilmer. You know, residency is a challenging time, but it's been a great, great time because of all the people involved. And it's a huge honor again to receive this award. Thank you so much.

Shail P. Patel, MD:
Hey, everyone. My name's Shail Patel. I'm a fourth year resident at Nassau University Medical Center in Long Island. I'm incredibly honored to receive this award today. I just want to say thank you to all the incredible faculty and mentors I've had throughout the years. This wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for your efforts. And of course, I have to say a big thank you to all the family and friends that support me every day, this one's for you. Thank you.