Newswise — PHILADELPHIA – Wills Eye Hospital today announced its Ophthalmologist-in-Chief, Julia A. Haller, MD, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

Dr. Haller was elected for “innovating translational advances against blindness on many fronts, including sustained drug delivery devices, ocular pharmacotherapy, retinal “chip” implants, gene therapy, telemedicine, and combating health care disparities,” according to the Academy.

“Dr. Haller is one of the foremost ophthalmologists and retinal surgeons in the world, and her election to the National Academy of Medicine is a remarkable and well-deserved honor,” said Hon. Ronald R. Donatucci, Esq., President, Board of Directors of City Trusts and Chair, Wills Eye Hospital Committee. “She is an outstanding scientist and a tremendous leader for our Hospital, and we congratulate her on her achievement.”

In addition to serving as Ophthalmologist-in-Chief and the William Tasman, MD Endowed Chair at Wills Eye Hospital, Dr. Haller is Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. She holds an A.B. from Princeton University and a medical degree from Harvard Medical School.  The first woman to become the Chief Resident at Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Haller has published over 350 scientific articles and book chapters and is one of the world’s most renowned retina surgeons. She joined the leadership of Wills Eye Hospital in 2007. 

“I am honored to have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine and to be included in this distinguished class of health and science professionals,” said Dr. Haller. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to shape health research, practice, and policies to improve the health of people around the world.”

For a complete list of individuals elected to the National Academy of Medicine, please visit: https://nam.edu/national-academy-of-medicine-elects-100-new-members/. For more information on Wills Eye Hospital, visit: https://www.willseye.org

About Wills Eye Hospital

Wills Eye Hospital is a global leader in ophthalmology, established in 1832 as the nation’s first hospital specializing in eye care. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Wills Eye as one of America’s top ophthalmology centers since the survey began, has the most nationally ranked ophthalmologists in the country and is the #1 academic training in the USA for its residency program as voted by physicians in the nation. Wills Eye is a premier training site for all levels of medical education. Its resident and post-graduate training programs are among the most competitive in the country. The Vickie and Jack Farber Vision Research Center at Wills harnesses the core strengths of Wills, the close connection between innovative research and advanced patient care, to discover therapeutic breakthroughs. Wills provides the full range of primary and subspecialty eye care for improving and preserving sight, including cataract, cornea, retina, emergency care, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular oncology, oculoplastics, pathology, pediatric ophthalmology and ocular genetics, and refractive surgery. Ocular Services include the Wills Laser Correction Center, Low Vision Service, and Diagnostic Center. Its 24/7 Emergency Service is the only one of its kind in the region. Wills Eye also has a network of seven multi-specialty, ambulatory surgery centers throughout the tristate area. To learn more, please visit www.willseye.org

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