Our Fellowship
The National Retina Institute was established in March 1989 and, since its inception, has trained 39 (4 current) post-doctoral fellows in vitreoretinal surgery. This is a two-year medical and surgical fellowship conducted in an environment that combines cutting edge technology with compassionate care. Fellows selected for this program have completed a certified residency in ophthalmology and are board eligible ophthalmologists. Successful candidates are interviewed and selected through the ophthalmology fellowship matching program.
The primary goal of the fellowship is to provide comprehensive training in the medical and surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases. In addition to their clinical experience, fellows participate in major national clinical trials, development of new research studies, as well as the writing and presentation of manuscripts at major meetings. NRI fellows are prepared for their careers via educational sessions covering important areas of practice management.
The National Retina Institute is ACCME accredited for providing continuing medical education credits.
Current Fellow Profiles
Dr. Tahsin Choudhury
Dr. Tahsin Choudhury obtained his undergraduate degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Johns Hopkins University and then earned his medical degree at New York University where he was involved in several volunteer and community outreach programs. After an additional year at New York University for his Internal Medicine internship, he completed his Ophthalmology residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Choudhury is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and American Society of Retinal Surgeons, and has presented his research at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and the Central New York Vision Forum.
Dr. Olga Shif
Dr. Olga Shif graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arcadia University’s Honors Program with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Chemistry. She earned her Medical Doctorate degree from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Shif went on to complete a year of post-graduate research in Glaucoma at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute where she co-authored several journal publications and abstracts. She continued her internship training in the department of Internal Medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital followed by completion of Ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Prior to joining The National Retina Institute, Dr. Shif trained for a year as a vitreo-retinal surgery fellow at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. She is also an author to several Ophthalmology book chapters as well as a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Paymohn Mahdavi
Dr. Paymohn Mahdavi graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. After spending five years in the business world as an analyst and then consultant in the field of prototype development and robotics, Dr. Mahdavi earned his medical degree from Loma Linda University where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He then completed his Ophthalmology residency at New York Medical College where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Mahdavi is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association and the American Society of Retinal Surgeons. He has presented research at the Academy and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
Dr. Brad Sgrignoli
Dr. Brad Sgrignoli graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lebanon Valley College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. He earned his Osteopathic Medical Doctorate from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was inducted into the Sigma Sigma Phi honor society. Dr. Sgrignoli then went on to complete a year of post-graduate ophthalmology research at the Yonsei University Health System affiliated Severance Hospital in Seoul, South Korea, where he co-authored several journal publications. He then completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at Saint John's Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, New York, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Sgrignoli is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology.
Former NRI Fellows
- Dr. Solly Elmann
- Matthew S. J. Katz, M.D.
- Alexandre Gauthier, M.D.
- Angela Boxjolie
- Yi Zhang, D.O.
- Walid Mangal, D.O.
- Christiane Hunt, D.O.
- Ann Igbre, M.D.
- Kapil Sampat, D.O.
- Azad Mansouri
- Khurram Malik
- Hugo Linarea
- Blonie W. Dudney, Jr., M.D.
- Joshua N. Steiner,M.D.
- SScott M. Pfahler, D.O.
- John Y. Choi, M.D.
- Geetanjali Davuluri, M.D.
- Martin Boxcarino
- Nazanin Barzideh, M.D.
- Michael H. Grodin, D.O.
- Richard K. Chiu, D.O.
- Jeffery N. Stephens, M.D.
- Paul L. Winslow, M.D.
- Min-Kyu Han, M.D.
- Roy E. Tuller, D.O.
- James K. Luu, M.D.
- Thomas A. Baudo, M.D.
- Shann B. Lin, M.D.
- Jorge H. Gutierrez-Dorrington, M.D.
- Lih Teh Wu, M.D.
- Bernard Godley, M.D.
- Pauline R. Gagnon, M.D.
- Jeffrey S. Rubin, M.D.
- Stephen S. Pappas, Jr.,M.D.
- Lawrence W. Gordon, M.D.
- Darmakusuma Le, M.D.
- Mary B. Lansing, M.D.
- Alan J. Gordon, M.D.
- Baruch D. Kuppermann, M.D.
- Raymond N.Sjaarda, M.D.
- John B. Carter, M.D.
- Robert W. Wehner, M.D.