Abhimanyu Ahuja, M.D. (he/him)
Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Bachelor's Degree: Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University 
Medical School: Florida Atlantic University 

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"The number one reason why I chose Casey was the people. During the application process one of my biggest mentors told me that Casey has the nicest people in the country. Hearing the stories about Casey from the residents and faculty members throughout the interview day only reinforced that. Now having matched here, this is also something I can attest too. Despite moving across the country all the way from Florida, I immediately felt welcomed and knew I had a family here. It is extremely clear to me that resident education is a huge priority at the Casey Eye Institute. Additionally, on top of excellent clinical and surgical training, residents at Casey have the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research with our world-renowned faculty. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to train at the Casey Eye Institute and I can't wait for the years ahead!"

Sabrina Bulas, M.D. (she/her)
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Bachelor’s Degree: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"Many programs will make you into an excellent ophthalmologist, but Casey’s learning environment and strong relationship building with faculty and peers set it apart. Casey has extensive resources for any clinical interest that set you up for any career path—gene therapy, device development, global health, community service—and faculty that are truly invested in your learning and well-being. Ophthalmology residency requires building skills from square one, and I could sense at Casey my fellow residents and attendings would be approachable, collaborative, and excited to help me continuously improve. I feel incredibly lucky to get to train here."

Elliot Cherkas, M.D. (he/him)
Hometown: San Francisco, CA 
Bachelor's Degree: UCLA
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"Casey is a truly special place, and it took me all of five minutes into my interview day to realize it. From the moment Dan, Susan, and the rest of the residency committee introduced themselves, I could sense the incredible culture of collegiality, support, and warmth that everyone talks about. I was also drawn to Casey’s reputation for being a powerhouse in education, patient care, and research. I strongly believe that having the opportunity to work with and learn from world-renowned experts in every subspecialty (including ocular oncology, genetics, uveitis) will allow me to explore key areas for growth as a clinician and engage in meaningful research, leaving me well positioned to thrive no matter what I choose to do in my future career. And as the cherry on top, the city of Portland and its proximity to nature provided a perfect backdrop for me to maximize my personal well-being and happiness. Every day that I come to work reminds me how lucky I am to train here, and I am truly excited to see what the next few years will bring!"

Meagan Shinbashi, M.D. (she/her)
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
Bachelor's Degree: Stanford University
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"I first heard of Casey Eye Institute from my mentors, who spoke highly of its rich clinical experiences, research opportunities, and world-class faculty. When I did an away rotation at Casey, I was immediately welcomed by enthusiastic attendings, residents, and staff who went out of their way to get to know me as a person. I know that everyone praises Casey’s culture, but I cannot emphasize enough the importance of surrounding yourself with people who truly care about your learning and growth. Plus, what better place to train than in Portland, where you have access to incredible nature, food, and art? Simply, Casey had everything that I was looking for in a residency program (and more!), and I am 100% confident that training here will help me become the best ophthalmologist that I can be."

Deion Sims, M.D. (he/him)
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Bachelor's degree: Lipscomb University
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine 

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"I chose Casey because it has everything I want in a residency - great educational opportunities, robust mentorship, and an outstanding culture. The program leadership is committed to providing the best learning experience they can for residents and has cultivated an equally challenging and supportive learning environment. Being in a city with great access to nature and an NBA team is a plus."

Victoria Cegielski, M.D. (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Auburn, WA
Bachelor's Degree: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine 

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for Residency:

"I had the pleasure of doing an away here and from my experience found what being part of the Casey culture entails. The people in this program – attendings, residents, staff, and program faculty -- actively find ways to support and uplift one another as a team. That really stands out to me. On top of this, the emphasis on research, outreach, and education are all tenets that I strongly value in parallel with Casey. I feel extremely lucky to be at a place where not only are there an abundance of resources to nurture growth of excellent ophthalmologists, but also to be somewhere where I am encouraged to learn as much as I possibly can. Also, I think it goes without saying that living in the PNW is a dream!"

Apoorva Chowdhary, M.D.
Hometown:  Kent, Washington
Bachelor's Degree: Biochemistry, University of Washington
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for Residency: 

"I chose Casey for many reasons - the welcoming culture, unparalleled clinical training, and investment in diversity and service. Every single interaction I've had with faculty and my co-residents has been a positive one - they are all more than happy to help me refine my exam skills, set aside one-on-one time for surgical wet labs, and recommend new food spots to try in the area! Lastly, no place beats the Pacific Northwest, and the opportunities to explore local trails and waterfalls are endless."

Hanna Luong, M.D.
Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
Bachelor's Degree: UCLA
Medical School: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"Beyond the amazing caliber of clinical and surgical training, I resonated with Casey Eye's culture, values, and its people who embody them. Every day I'm inspired by my colleagues who put tremendous care into learning, teaching, advancing the field, and ultimately, caring for patients. Casey Eye also provides generous support for residents to make an impact, from community and global outreach to research endeavors. For these reasons (and the wealth of lively neighborhoods and natural beauty in Portland), I was confident that OHSU was my top choice."

Name: Anand Rajesh, M.D. 
Hometown: Seattle, WA 
Bachelor's Degree: Neuroscience, Brown University
Medical School: University of Washington 

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for Residency: 

"I chose Casey because I was drawn to the emphasis on teaching, the collaborative culture and the breadth of scope of the department (mobile outreach, OCT imaging, AI research, DEI, ocular genetics to name a few). I had heard amazing things from mentors and peers during the interview process, but I had not experienced it myself. From the first day I arrived, I knew that I made the right choice when I saw how dedicated faculty, staff and residents were to helping train me to become the best ophthalmologist I can be." 

Treven Wesley, M.D.
Hometown:  Galloway, New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree:  Biochemistry, Boston College
Medical School:  SUNY Downstate College of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for Residency: 

"I chose Casey Eye not only for its outstanding reputation in research, clinical care, and surgical volume, but also because it felt like a place I could call home. From my initial interactions with residents and faculty, I knew they supported each other like family—an important quality I looked for when considering the prospect of moving across the country for residency. I feel so fortunate to be at Casey Eye, surrounded by world-class mentors from all specialties who are incredibly passionate about teaching and guiding trainees through this exciting field!"

Drew Ashbery, M.D. (he/him)
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Bachelor's Degree: University at Buffalo
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for Residency: 

"From my first impressions of Casey Eye Institute, I was amazed at how happy both the attendings and residents were. Even with the limited time on interview day, it was clear how supportive the staff were of one another, which made my decision to move to the opposite coast for the first time surprisingly easy—I felt confident I would be welcomed as if I were family. On top of that, Casey is home to world-renowned researchers and mentors who are energetic and passionate about teaching. I’m grateful to be training at Casey and am excited for the years ahead—growing as an ophthalmologist and exploring the Pacific Northwest!"

Tommy Bui, M.D., M.P.H. (he/him)
Hometown: Duluth, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency:

“As a medical student, I heard about Casey’s reputation for having some of the happiest ophthalmology residents in the country. I was fortunate enough to be accepted for an away rotation during my 4th year of medical school and had the opportunity to see firsthand why everyone here is so happy. I felt so welcomed by all the staff, residents, and faculty from the very first day, and it was abundantly clear that Casey is a very special place. The program leadership is constantly attentive and working hard to promote an excellent learning environment for the trainees. The institute is world-class and mission-driven, attracting people from all over and constantly reminding everyone in the Casey family that their work truly matters. I am so thankful that Casey is now my home for residency, and I am excited to work alongside and learn from all these wonderful people!”

Florian Guillot, M.D. (he/him)
Hometown: Étival-Clairefontaine, France
Bachelor’s Degree: Portland State University 
Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"Choosing Casey Eye Institute was an easy decision. Throughout medical school, I had the privilege of experiencing the program’s exceptional culture firsthand through research, service, and clinical opportunities. What struck me most was the consistent passion and enthusiasm of both faculty and staff across the board. Everyone was genuinely excited to teach and support trainees. Casey truly is defined by its people, and those people create an environment where learners can thrive. The program offers everything one could hope for in ophthalmology training: outstanding clinical and surgical education, abundant research opportunities, and meaningful service experiences, all while encouraging residents to pursue their individual interests and career goals. The combination of world-class training in a uniquely supportive environment, set in Portland’s incredible Pacific Northwest location, makes Casey an ideal place to develop both as a physician and as a person. From the coast to the mountains and waterfalls, the area offers an unparalleled quality of life that perfectly complements the demanding yet rewarding nature of residency training. I’m grateful for the opportunity to train here and contribute to this remarkable community!"

Aurora Rodriguez, M.D. (she/her)
Hometown: Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico
Undergraduate: Brigham Young University
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency:

“During medical school, I learned that residency would be one of the most transformative periods of my life, and that it would impact both my professional and personal growth. Because of this, I wanted to be in a program with people who are not only excellent at their jobs, but who are also compassionate and genuinely interested in others. From the moment I arrived, I have been—and continue to be—so impressed by the caliber of individuals that work at Casey. Our program faculty are so incredibly committed to providing exceptional resident education, community and global outreach, and patient care. I feel so incredibly fortunate and grateful for the opportunity to learn—and be shaped by—my newly adopted Casey Family.”

Chris Wallace-Carrete, M.D.
Hometown: Incline Village, NV
Bachelor's Degree: University of Nevada, Reno | University of Utah
Medical School: Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah 

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency:

"I chose to come to Casey because of its exceptional reputation for clinical and surgical excellence, as well as its unwavering commitment to training the next generation of leaders in eye care. Throughout the application cycle, one sentiment came up again and again: the people at Casey are some of the kindest, most genuine, and happiest individuals in the field. I was fortunate enough to do an away rotation at Casey, and from the moment I arrived, I understood exactly why it had earned such a reputation. The experience, support, and warmth that radiated from every member of the Casey community was both inspiring and deeply grounding—it reminded me of the kind of environment where I could truly grow. Even in the short time I spent there, it was clear that Casey is a place where residents are genuinely valued, thoughtfully mentored, and empowered to become not only exceptional ophthalmologists, but also compassionate and well-rounded individuals. The chance to train with and learn from the incredible people who make up this program is why I chose Casey—and why I am so grateful and excited to begin the next chapter of my journey here."

Alina Ferguson, M.D. (she/her)
Hometown: Kirkland, WA
Bachelor's Degree: University of Washington
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency:

"With Casey Eye Institute, you get strong, well-rounded training in every aspect of ophthalmology: clinical care, surgery, research, and local and global outreach. Every interaction I've had here has shown me that the culture is as welcoming and supportive as everyone says it is. From the moment I arrived, I knew I had made the right choice and that this was the place for me. Everyone is genuinely invested in you and your growth. I'm so grateful and excited to be part of the Casey family."

Sarah Jong, M.D. (she/her)
Hometown: Fayetteville, AR
Bachelor's Degree: Northwestern University
Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency:

"I chose Casey because of the people. As a medical student, I knew Casey offered exceptional, well-rounded training, but during my interview, what stood out most was the strong sense of community among residents and faculty. That impression has only grown since being here, and I can confidently say that I am surrounded by people who truly care about one another. I feel incredibly fortunate to belong to a program that is committed not only to helping me become an outstanding ophthalmologist but also to helping me grow as a person. From the excellent clinical and surgical training to the intentional mentorship and genuine sense of belonging, Casey has exceeded every expectation. I couldn’t be more grateful to train here!"

Lok Hin Lee. M.D., DPhil (he/him)
Hometown: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Undergraduate: University of Oxford
Graduate Studies: University of Oxford
Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency:

"I am new to Casey, but my impressions during the interview process were absolutely exceptional. I saw just how deeply every faculty cared about the residents and the fellows, and how much trainees could thrive in such an environment. I am so glad to see that this continued to be the case when I arrived in Portland and Casey for the first time and saw that what I saw in the zoom interviews was reflected in vivo. The institute has an absolutely amazing drive for education and research, but also an unyielding passion for its people and allowing those within its walls to flourish in however they deem fit. I am so excited to be here and to become the best ophthalmologist I can be."

Margaret (Meg) Tharp, M.D., M.P.H. (she/her)
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Bachelor's Degree: Purdue University
Master’s Degree: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

“I chose the Casey Eye Institute after experiencing first-hand the excellence and outstanding culture of the residency program through an away rotation. Thoughtful coordination of my rotation by the Casey team allowed me to be more involved than ever while creating opportunities to engage with residents and faculty in a way that made me feel at home. The program offers the ophthalmological clinical and surgical expertise I sought as an applicant, complimented by truly extraordinary local and global outreach, research, and leadership opportunities that align with my goals and values. The top-notch facilities, excellent simulators and wetlab, location in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and truly wonderful culture among residents, faculty, and staff made it clear that learning the art and science of ophthalmology at the Casey Eye Institute was the ideal fit for me.”

Wendy Xie, M.D., M.S. (she/her)
Hometown: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Bachelor's Degree: Johns Hopkins University
Master's Degree: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Why I chose Casey Eye Institute for residency: 

"I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to do my residency at Casey. I had no prior connections to Oregon, but Casey felt like home from Day 1, and that is because of the people here. Everyone truly cares about you. It is not just about your clinical training and professional growth, but also about how you live, grow, and thrive as a human being. What is important to you also becomes important to people here around you, and they go out of their way to support you both professionally and personally.

At Casey, you can truly find everything you are looking for: excellent clinical training from faculty who are genuinely passionate about teaching, world-leading research led by experts at the top of their fields, meaningful community outreach and global health experiences that allow you to learn from and serve diverse communities beyond your immediate clinical environment. What makes Casey so special is that all of these experiences come with a deep sense of compassion, mentorship, support, and community."