Dr. Spitellie has practiced on both side of the ether screen and has worked in academic and private practice. He attended the University of Washington School of Medicine and subsequently completed his anesthesia residency also at the University of Washington. After several years in private practice, he returned to academics at the University of Washington as an assistant professor in anesthesia at a level 1 trauma center. He then went back and did an ophthalmology residency at the University of Washington, followed by an oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the University of Ottawa. |
Dr. Effie Z. Rahman is a board-certified surgical and medical retina specialist with Retina Consultants of Texas. She grew up in Katy, TX and completed her undergraduate training at Rice University and medical school training at Baylor College of Medicine . She received a certification of Medical Ethics at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Rahman completed her internship at Brackenridge/Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin, TX and completed her ophthalmology residency at University of Texas Health San Antonio. She completed her surgical vitreoretinal fellowship at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. Dr. Rahman specializes in vitreoretinal surgery and medical retina. Dr. Rahman’s surgical interests include complex and uveitic retinal detachments, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, diabetic hemorrhages and tractional detachments, secondary intraocular lens implantations, retisert implantations and intraocular foreign body removals. She is a classical cellist who has won numerous state-level competitions and has performed at Carnegie Hall. She continues to play cello in the Texas Medical Center Orchestra. In her free time, Dr. Rahman likes to do CrossFit and spend time with her family, dogs, and friends |
George Williams, MD, FASA, FCCM, FCCP is Professor of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine and Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston- McGovern Medical School where he serves as the Vice Chair for Critical Care Medicine. In his practice, he serves as the Medical Co-Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, Medical Director of the Donor Specialty Care Unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital, and a general anesthesiologist in the operating rooms. Dr. Williams also previously staffed the shock trauma and neurosurgical ICUs at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center where he served as co-director in both units. Dr. Williams has authored two textbooks, has held numerous leadership roles in medical education and conducts research in the domains of ARDS, perioperative nutrition and clinical outcomes. He is the immediate Past-President of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists and serves as the Alternate Director for Texas on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Anesthesiologists. |
Maggie Jeffries received her anesthesia training at Johns Hopkins University and following graduation, became an Assistant Professor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. During that time, she was an active contributor to diverse areas of research and is a published author in several national journals. In private practice since 2010, Dr. Jeffries specializes in ophthalmic anesthesia in outpatient centers performing over 12,000 procedures/year. Her breadth of experience encompasses ophthalmic blocks as well as anesthetic techniques for cataract, vitreoretinal, strabismus, glaucoma, and oculoplastic surgeries. Dr. Jeffries has presented her research on the MKO (Midazolam/Ketamine/Ondansetron) Melt at the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and frequently lectures on the topic of sedation and blocks for ophthalmic surgery. |
Active Shooter Defense for Civilians: 11 years in program Trained 87,000 + citizens Conducted 2,090 + trainings Five known survivors Trained LAPD staff (train the trainer) Conduct Security Surveys |
1975 A.S. - Fingerlakes Community College, Canandaigua, N.Y. 1977 B.S. - Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y.; Chemical Engineering major 1983 M.D. - University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio, MD 1990 Ph.D. - in Physiology, Mentor – B.R. Duling, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center 2009 M.B.A. - Business of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD 2013 Physician Builder for Epic 2014 Anesthesia Physician Builder for Epic 2015 Severing Leadership Training Program 2016 Analytics Physician Builder for Epic 2019 Clinical Research Training – Johns Hopkins University PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Rochester, New York, July 1990 - June 2002 Johns Hopkins University, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Baltimore Maryland, Associate Professor, January 2002 – present Wilmer Ophthalamological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore Maryland, Chief of Anesthesia, March 2002 - 2019 |
Dr Singh was born in India and graduated from Gujarat University, following which he did his residency in Internal Medicine in India. He subsequently trained in Anesthesiology and Critical care from the prestigious Cambridge University in England, obtaining his fellowships in Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Internal Medicine (FRCA, FFICM, MRCP). He moved to the United States in 2013 practicing Anesthesiology and Critical care at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He has more than ten years of clinical experience in critical care, with special interest in Neuro-critical care and Ophthalmic anesthesia that he practiced at Callahan Eye Foundation, one of the largest tertiary centers for ophthalmic surgeries in the south. He practices at the Veterans Affairs Hospital at Birmingham, Alabama continuing his interest in Surgical ICU and Ophthalmic anesthesia. Along with other societies related to Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Dr Singh is also a board member of the Ophthalmic Anesthesia Society, is board certified in Internal Medicine and currently pursuing board certification through alternate pathway in Anesthesiology. He resides in Vestavia, AL with his wife, her parents and two high schoolers! |
George A. Dumas, MD is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has served as the Chief of Anesthesia at the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital since 2017. He has served on ASA committees and is current past president of the Ophthalmic Anesthesia Society. Some of his academic interests include ophthalmic anesthesia, geriatric anesthesia, and ambulatory anesthesia. He has published multiple book chapters and several peer reviewed journal articles in these areas. |
Dr. Markoff received an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Southern Adventist University. He attended medical school and did his Ophthalmology residency at Loma Linda University. Upon completion of his residency he joined Mountain Eye Associates in Clyde, NC where he has practiced for the last 33 years and currently serves as senior partner. Dr. Markoff has served as chief of staff at Haywood regional medical center and as president of the North Carolina Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the Ophthalmic Anesthesia Society. He has also served as a co-instructor for the phacoemulsification, MSICS, and LRI wet labs at the annual ASCRS meeting. He met his wife Tricia in Loma Linda where she received a doctorate in Public Health. They have 3 children, and enjoy spending time hiking and water and snow skiing together. Dr. Markoff has participated in over 30 medical and surgical eyecare trips to the developing world and has a special interest in Bolivia, which he has been visiting since 1996. |
Over eighteen years of professional career in Sankara Nethralaya as an exclusive Ophthalmic Anaesthesiologist, I have been exposed to a multitude of cases ranging from Preterm babies coming for retinopathy of prematurity surgery to a huge load of paediatric cases presenting with congenital cataract and squints through to geriatric cases presenting for eye surgery with a host of multiple systemic problems I am an member of AIOA( All India Ophthalmic Anaesthesia ), previously known as OFISA ( Ophthalmic forum of India Society of Naesthesiologists) I have been part of the scientific Committee of the first Ophthalmic Forum of Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists Conference(OFISACON).The aim of establishing this forum is to provide a platform for anaesthesiologists,ophthalmologists and clinicians practicing ophthalmic anaesthesia to share their experiences to promote a high standard of patient care and to hold continuing medical education programs and conference once in two years. I was also invited as a faculty for the second OFISACON.I have Authored : Systemic and Orbital Complications of Regional Anaesthesia |
Neil Masters is a pediatric anesthesiologist at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. He obtained his bachelor’s and medical degrees at the University of Miami. Afterwards, he completed anesthesia residency and fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at Columbia University Medical Center / New York Presbyterian Hospital. His interests include pediatric ophthalmic anesthesia and international medicine. His most recent paper is on contemporary anesthesia perspectives for ophthalmic surgery. |
Melanie Rubinsky has been a Shareholder with Sprott Newsom Quattlebaum Messenger since 2019, focused on representing those in the healthcare industry. She has worked in the legal industry for over 40 years, more than 24 of which as an attorney. She has extensive experience representing physicians, chiropractors, dentists, pharmacists, counselors, physical therapists, nurses, and other medical professionals both in litigation, as well as before their respective licensing boards, including actions brought before the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings. She was involved in one of the largest cases ever brought by the Texas Medical Board against an individual physician before the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Her healthcare practice includes representation of healthcare institutions, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, licensed professional counselors, and physician assistants in matters involving medical negligence, peer review, licensure, risk management, business disputes, contractual issues, regulatory compliance, government, and private reimbursement issues, Federal Whistleblower litigation, Stark and Anti-Kickback matters, Department of Justice Investigations, HIPAA, and employment-related issues including medical staffing disputes. She has extensive experience working with healthcare industry clients to establish medical and dental practices, online counseling practices, integrated medical practices, draft buy/sell agreements, non-compete agreements, establishing MSOs, and writing both medical and nursing policies and procedures for private practices, hospitals and long-term care facilities. In addition, Melanie represents clients in a Multi-District Litigation, In re: Fraudulent Lien Litigation, as the defense liaison counsel. Melanie also has experience with product liability including pharmaceutical and medical devices, as well as personal injury, premises liability, and employment-related cases, including cases brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act. | Melanie obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin, her Law Degree from South Texas College of Law, and her Master’s Degree in Health Law from the University of Houston Law Center. She is admitted to practice in all Texas state courts, as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She is a fluent Spanish speaker. Outside of work, Melanie has a passion for animals, travel, and is a self-described “beach person,” who loves the ocean and everything water-related. |
Abstract Presented by Dorothy Wang
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Dorothy, a third-year medical student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, hails from Portland, Oregon. She earned degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Whitworth University in 2019. Post-medical school, she aspires to pursue ophthalmology residency. Her clinical interests center on addressing barriers to optical and ophthalmic surgical care, particularly in underserved populations. With an overarching goal of helping to alleviate the global burden of eye disease, Dorothy is driven by a passion for making a positive impact. Outside the medical realm, she finds joy in mountaineering, backpacking, running, and creating music with friends. |
Kayla Schneeweiss-Keene, BSN, RN, CASC
Mann Surgery Center, Houston
Kayla Schneeweiss-Keene BSN, RN, CASC is a hardworking, focus-driven professional who enjoys preparing others for success. Thriving in team atmospheres, Kayla is driven to spearhead individual projects. In addition, she enjoys finding solutions to challenges and is always looking to improve herself and be more efficient. A part of the Mann Eye Institute family since 2009, Kayla oversees ASC operations for Mann’s Surgery Centers in Houston’s Museum District, Humble, and Sugar Land locations as well as Mann’s office based surgery suite in Austin, Tx. Furthermore, she is Mann Eye’s lead in ASC development. |
Fiaz Zaman, MD
Houston Eye Associates
Lured by the warm weather of Texas, Dr. Zaman gladly discarded his snow shovel after graduating medical school at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He attended ophthalmology residency at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and continued his ophthalmology training by serving his fellowship in Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Diseases at Houston Eye Associates under the direction of Robert H. Stewart, M.D. Dr. Zaman performs cutting-edge surgical methods for the treatment of glaucoma, cataracts, and LASIK. His glaucoma expertise includes traditional filtering surgeries (trabeculectomy and tube shunt), and newer minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries including Xen, Hydrus Micro Stent, iStent, goniotomy, and canaloplasty. His non-invasive glaucoma laser procedures include selective laser trabeculoplasty, peripheral iridotomy, and cyclophotocoagulation with Micropulse P3 laser . Dr. Zaman's expertise in cataract surgery includes implantation of premium intraocular lenses and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery which can reduce your dependency on glasses. Dr. Zaman is also involved in clinical trials helping bring new methods of treatments for patients. Dr. Zaman is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is currently a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology as well as the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery. |
Stacy V Smith-Haynes, MD
Houston Methodist Neurosciences Center
Stacy V. Smith, MD completed medical school at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center McGovern Medical School followed by residency and fellowships at Houston Methodist Hospital and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Smith currently practices as a Neuro-Ophthalmologist and Headache Medicine specialist at Houston Methodist Neurosciences Center in The Woodlands, Texas. She has been a Neurology Consultant for the NASCAR-AMR Motorsports Safety Team since 2017. |
Lucy Bailey, MD, MPH
Houston Eye Associates
Dr. Lucy Bailey is a fellowship-trained, boardcertified ophthalmologist who specializes in oculoplastics and cataract surgery. She grew up in Houston before leaving the Bayou City to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Stanford University. Dr. Bailey then earned a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and her Medical Doctorate from the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. She moved back to Houston to complete her residency in ophthalmology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She completed an oculoplastics fellowship in California at the Central Valley Eye Group. After practicing for a year at UT Health in San Antonio, she has been working at Houston Eye Associates since 2022. |
Adrian Kwa, MD
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
Dr Adrian Kwa is an anaesthetist from Nottingham, United Kingdom, with special interest in Ophthalmic Anaesthesia. Qualified in 2003, he has been working as an anaesthetist since 2007. He was the Ophthalmic Anaesthesia Lead until recently, and was appointed as Head of Service for Ophthalmology for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts since November 2023. Adrian is also a Council Member of the British Ophthalmic Anaesthesia Society (BOAS) and served as Honorary Secretary since 2022. Adrian has recently Healthcare Finance Management Association Clinician of the Year Award for his work on the Nottingham Faster Turnover Pathway. This pathway has transformed Nottingham into one of the centres of excellence for theatre efficiency and has generated over £528k (~USD$660k) extra income per year for the Trust. Adrian has been running ophthalmic blocks workshop at BOAS Annual Scientific Meetings since 2019 and presented at numerous meetings and chaired study days on ophthalmic anaesthesia. In his spare time, he enjoys target shooting, woodworking, and photography |
Howard Palte, MD
University of Miami
Dr. Howard Palte completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. After an internship in medicine, surgery, and obstetrics he worked as a medical officer at a large mine hospital on the gold belt of South Africa. Here he assumed responsibility for anesthesia services, instituting more widespread application of regional techniques for eye and orthopedic procedures. Thereafter, Dr. Palte completed a four-year anesthesia residency at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. He was awarded the national gold medal for the most accomplished candidate in the final Board Examination. His fellowship training was succeeded by a 14-year spell in private practice in Johannesburg. During this period, he retained a part-time academic appointment and was actively involved in resident education. Dr. Palte is currently a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Miami. He works exclusively at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute where he is the Director of Regional Anesthesia. He has lectured extensively at regional, national, and international meetings and hosted needle, cannula and ultrasound eye block workshops. In addition, he is widely published on ophthalmic anesthesia-related topics. |
Sarah Laqua CRNA, MSN
Mann Eye Center, Houston
Sarah Laqua has been a CRNA for 13 years and is currently caring for patients at Mann Eye Center. She was previously a faculty CRNA and CRNA Director at Texas Children’s Hospital. She’s cared for patients across the life-span and has presented locally and nationally on pharmacology, physiology, and pediatric anesthesia. She has a passion for doing medical missions and spends most of her time chasing around her rambunctious twin sons. |
Mike Pulido, MD
Avanti Anesthesia, Houston
EDUCATION University of Texas Medical Branch, Residency, Anesthesiology, 1999-2003 University of Texas Medical Branch, M.D. 1999 University of Texas at Austin, B.A. 1994 Diplomate of The American Board of Anesthesiology April 15th, 2005 exp Dec. 2025 WORK HISTORY Avanti Anesthesia, P.A. 5/1/2020 - start IV Services of Houston PLLC 12/11/2019 start 3820 Browning St. Houston, TX 77005 Principle Anesthesia, PLLC. 4/10/2017- 4/30/2020 Greater Houston Anesthesiology, PA (now U.S.A.P. of Texas), 10/1/2012 thru 4/7/2017 Affiliated Anesthesia Association, 2009 - 2012 Gramercy Outpatient Surgical Center Harris County Anesthesiologists, 2008 - 2009 Association Anesthesiologists, 2006 - 2008 Bayshore Anesthesiology Group (now called Beltway Anesthesiology Group), 2003 – 2006 |
Brenton Rains, CRNA
Center for Sight in Sarasota, Florida
Mr. Rains currently serve as the manager of surgical services and lead of anesthesia for Center for Sight in Sarasota, Florida. He relocated to this area from South Dakota in 2017 and has enjoyed taking on greater responsibilities and specializing in anesthesia for ophthalmologic procedures. He is currently entering his 18th year of practice after graduating from Mount Marty College with a degree in Nurse Anesthesia in 2005. A colleague introduced him to OAS in 2018 and he was instantly impressed with the unique nature of the discussions and the opportunity to speak to a wide variety of practitioners at the meeting. |
Adrian Kwa, MD
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
Dr Adrian Kwa is an anaesthetist from Nottingham, United Kingdom, with special interest in Ophthalmic Anaesthesia. Qualified in 2003, he has been working as an anaesthetist since 2007. He was the Ophthalmic Anaesthesia Lead until recently, and was appointed as Head of Service for Ophthalmology for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts since November 2023. Adrian is also a Council Member of the British Ophthalmic Anaesthesia Society (BOAS) and served as Honorary Secretary since 2022. Adrian has recently Healthcare Finance Management Association Clinician of the Year Award for his work on the Nottingham Faster Turnover Pathway. This pathway has transformed Nottingham into one of the centres of excellence for theatre efficiency and has generated over £528k (~USD$660k) extra income per year for the Trust. Adrian has been running ophthalmic blocks workshop at BOAS Annual Scientific Meetings since 2019 and presented at numerous meetings and chaired study days on ophthalmic anaesthesia. In his spare time, he enjoys target shooting, woodworking, and photography |
My name is Iosifina Giannakikou and I was born and raised in Greece. I did my medical school training at Guy’s and St Thomas’ medical school, King’s College London, UK. Then i completed both my Anaesthesia residency and Critical Care Medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. I worked at Johns Hopkins as a part time clinical associate for 10 years before returning full time back home to Greece. I currently work at Hygeia Hospital, which is a large private hospital in Athens, Greece. My fields of interest are anesthesia for Head and Neck, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, GI surgery and difficult airway cases. I am married to a gynecologist and we have 2 kids. |
Over eighteen years of professional career in Sankara Nethralaya as an exclusive Ophthalmic Anaesthesiologist, I have been exposed to a multitude of cases ranging from Preterm babies coming for retinopathy of prematurity surgery to a huge load of paediatric cases presenting with congenital cataract and squints through to geriatric cases presenting for eye surgery with a host of multiple systemic problems I am an member of AIOA( All India Ophthalmic Anaesthesia ), previously known as OFISA ( Ophthalmic forum of India Society of Naesthesiologists) I have been part of the scientific Committee of the first Ophthalmic Forum of Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists Conference(OFISACON).The aim of establishing this forum is to provide a platform for anaesthesiologists,ophthalmologists and clinicians practicing ophthalmic anaesthesia to share their experiences to promote a high standard of patient care and to hold continuing medical education programs and conference once in two years. I was also invited as a faculty for the second OFISACON.I have Authored : Systemic and Orbital Complications of Regional Anaesthesia |
Mr. Harvey completed his anesthesia training at the Duke University in 1980. His practice included multi-specialty hospitals through 2017, while specializing in Ophthalmic Anesthesia since 1982. He served as the Chief of Anesthesia for the Florida Eye Clinic ASC from 1985 to 2023. | Mr. Harvey is a founding member of the Ophthalmic Anesthesia Society and has since served the OAS in multiple board positions, including lectures and workshops at the annual meetings. He has been lecturing on Ophthalmic Anesthesia since1986. Mr. Harvey developed an orbital eye simulator and with NWAS developed an Ophthalmic Block Workshop which ran continuously from 1991-2019. In 2008 he presented a poster presentation at the OAS Annual Meeting titled, “A Geometrical Method Applied to an Orbital Block”. Mr. Harvey coproduced a video based on the Geometrical technique which was accepted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology Network One in 2013. In 2020, he launched an accredited on-line Ophthalmic Block Training Program, utilizing a 3- D orbital eye model. Mr. Harvey authored the original chapter on Ophthalmic Anesthesia in 1997 for the textbook “Nurse Anesthesia” and multiple chapters since, including the 7th edition, published in 2022. He was the recipient of the AANA’s Outstanding Clinical Practitioner Award in 2016, for his work in Ophthalmic Anesthesia and inducted as a Fellow of the AANA in 2022. |
Mr. Harvey completed his anesthesia training at the Duke University in 1980. His practice included multi-specialty hospitals through 2017, while specializing in Ophthalmic Anesthesia since 1982. He served as the Chief of Anesthesia for the Florida Eye Clinic ASC from 1985 to 2023. | Mr. Harvey is a founding member of the Ophthalmic Anesthesia Society and has since served the OAS in multiple board positions, including lectures and workshops at the annual meetings. He has been lecturing on Ophthalmic Anesthesia since1986. Mr. Harvey developed an orbital eye simulator and with NWAS developed an Ophthalmic Block Workshop which ran continuously from 1991-2019. In 2008 he presented a poster presentation at the OAS Annual Meeting titled, “A Geometrical Method Applied to an Orbital Block”. Mr. Harvey coproduced a video based on the Geometrical technique which was accepted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology Network One in 2013. In 2020, he launched an accredited on-line Ophthalmic Block Training Program, utilizing a 3- D orbital eye model. Mr. Harvey authored the original chapter on Ophthalmic Anesthesia in 1997 for the textbook “Nurse Anesthesia” and multiple chapters since, including the 7th edition, published in 2022. He was the recipient of the AANA’s Outstanding Clinical Practitioner Award in 2016, for his work in Ophthalmic Anesthesia and inducted as a Fellow of the AANA in 2022. |
Adrian Kwa, MD
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
Dr Adrian Kwa is an anaesthetist from Nottingham, United Kingdom, with special interest in Ophthalmic Anaesthesia. Qualified in 2003, he has been working as an anaesthetist since 2007. He was the Ophthalmic Anaesthesia Lead until recently, and was appointed as Head of Service for Ophthalmology for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts since November 2023. Adrian is also a Council Member of the British Ophthalmic Anaesthesia Society (BOAS) and served as Honorary Secretary since 2022. Adrian has recently Healthcare Finance Management Association Clinician of the Year Award for his work on the Nottingham Faster Turnover Pathway. This pathway has transformed Nottingham into one of the centres of excellence for theatre efficiency and has generated over £528k (~USD$660k) extra income per year for the Trust. Adrian has been running ophthalmic blocks workshop at BOAS Annual Scientific Meetings since 2019 and presented at numerous meetings and chaired study days on ophthalmic anaesthesia. In his spare time, he enjoys target shooting, woodworking, and photography |
Matthew Springer, DNAP, CRNA
Lincoln Surgical Hospital
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