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Access, Recognition, and Momentum
As we open the academic year, I want to share several developments from August and September that reflect the strength of our faculty, clinical teams, and partners.
After a decade of efforts to further increase the quality of care and translational science developed by our growing team, U.S. News & World Report has for the first time ranked our Department among the leading departments, No. 12 nationally, with a rating of excellent. That placement is an encouragement to continue to strive for clinical excellence, research productivity, and praise the daily work of everyone who cares for patients and trains the next generation of ophthalmologists. I congratulate our entire community, and our supporters on this milestone.
Read Dr. Sahel's message
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José-Alain Sahel, MD, FARVO
Distinguished Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology
The Eye & Ear Foundation Endowed Chair
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Director, UPMC Vision Institute
Executive Vice President, UPMC Enterprises
Chief, UPMC Health Technology Advancement Program
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ARVO celebrates 2026 Champalimaud Vision Award winners
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) congratulates the 2026 recipients of the António Champalimaud Vision Award — José-Alain Sahel, MD, FARVO and Botond Roska, MD, PhD. The pair were recently recognized by the Champalimaud Foundation with the €1,000,000 award for their innovative work, individually and collaboratively, to restore vision loss caused by retinal diseases.
Read more about the award
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OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING | |
Congratulations to the 2026 graduates of the UPMC Technician Training Program!
Building a Regional Model for Community-Based Vision Care and Workforce Development
At the UPMC Vision Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh, we are advancing a coordinated set of initiatives designed to expand access to vision care, strengthen community partnerships and build the ophthalmic workforce. The work combines paid technician training, mobile and community-based services, retinal imaging in outpatient settings, permanent clinical capacity and education for community health workers.
Read about the community-based vision care model
| | NEW RESIDENT PROFILE: Dr. Robert Porter | | |
First year resident in Ophthalmology Robert J. Porter, MD was originally drawn to the field while working as an ophthalmic scribe and technician prior to medical school. As a special tester, he was fascinated by the variety of technologies used in clinical decision-making. As a medical student, he became even more interested in the field because of its complex pathologies, microsurgical techniques, and opportunities for community advocacy.
Read more about Dr. Porter
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First-Time Visitor Guide to Pittsburgh
Welcome to the Steel City. This guide covers getting around, must-see spots, dining, and practical tips for your first visit.
Read more about Pittsburgh
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A Department Like No Other
"I have traveled to ophthalmology departments around the world and the one at Pitt that Dr. José-Alain Sahel, MD, and Dr. John Ash, PhD, has built is like no other. Having 63 research faculty is phenomenal, but more important than the number of research faculty is the quality, not only as scientists but as human beings. The faculty is incredibly accomplished, wonderfully collaborative, and collegial."
-Bryan Jones, PhD, retinal neuroscientist and Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | | PHILANTHROPY - A Vital Partner | | The Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1985 to foster philanthropic support for the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. The goal is to keep moving forward, expanding EEF’s support network, and helping the Departments achieve unparalleled distinction in research, education, outreach, and patient care. | | | | |
