SPEAKERS

Masih Ahmed, MD
Resident, WVU Eye Institute
Morgantown, WV

Dr. Ahmed was born in Chicago, IL and have spent his formative
years in Morgantown, WV. He went to West Virginia University and
graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Biology with a Spanish
minor. He attended West Virginia University School of Medicine
afterwards and served as class president for 3 years. He
completed his Transitional Year residency at WVU and is now a third year resident in
the Department of Ophthalmology. He is the eldest of 4 sons of Ifti and Salma
Ahmed. His hobbies include playing basketball, coaching youth sports, and he is
THE biggest Chicago Cubs fan in the world.

Dr. Ahmed has indicated no relevant financial relationships with commercial

interests. His
presentation will be evidence-based and unbiased.

Edward Bedrossian, Jr., MD, FACS

Bedrossian Eyes
Drexel Hill, PA

Dr. Edward Bedrossian is an ophthalmologist in Drexel Hill,

Pennsylvania and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area,
including Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Delaware County
Memorial Hospital. He received his medical degree from Temple
University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He is
one of 27 doctors at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and one of 3 at Delaware
County Memorial Hospital who specialize in Ophthalmology.

Dr. Bedrossian has indicated no relevant financial relationships with

commercial interests. His presentation will be evidence-based and unbiased.

James Brick, MD
 West Virginia University Department of Internal Medicine
Morgantown, WV

Dr. Brick Professor of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology. He is

Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. His areas
of expertise include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus
erythematosus, pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases and
polymyositis. He was the chairman of the Department of Medicine
1999 to 2016. He did his medical school, residency and fellowship
at West Virigina University.
Dr. Brick has indicated no relevant financial relationships with commercial
interests. His presentation will be evidence-based and unbiased.

Deepinder Dhaliwal, MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
Pittsburgh, PA

Dr. Dhaliwal earned her medical degree from Northwestern

University in the Honors Program in Medical Education where
she was selected as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor
Society, and completed her residency in ophthalmology at the
University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center. After completing a fellowship in cornea and
refractive surgery at the University of Utah, she was then invited to join the faculty
at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology,
and is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. In 2006, Dr.
Dhalilwal became a licensed acupuncturist and is systematically researching
alternative treatments for eye disease. She is a recognized expert in her field and
teaches corneal and refractive surgical techniques to other ophthalmologists
globally. In addition to teaching and research activities, she has authored several
book chapters, numerous journal articles, and serves on the editorial board of
several ophthalmology journals. In recognition of her clinical and surgical skills, she
has been selected as a Top Doctor by her peers every year since 2006.

Dr. Dhaliwal has indicated a relevant financial relationship(s) with a

commercial interest: Bausch & Lomb (honoraria for consulting), Imprimus,
NovaBay, Kara, Sightlife, Ocular Therapeutics, Starr Surgical (honoraria for
speaking). Her presentations will be evidence based and unbiased.

Ghassan Ghorayeb, MD
 West Virginia University Eye Institute
Morgantown, WV

Dr. Ghorayeb, a board-certified ophthalmologist, treats patients of

all ages for retina vitreous conditions. He is an assistant professor
in the Department of Ophthalmology and is on the consulting staff
of the Louis A. Johnson V.A. Hospital. Dr. Ghorayeb areas of special
interest include diabetic retinopathy treatment, epiretinal
membrane repair, macular degeneration treatment and diagnosis, macular hole
repair, and retinal detachment repair.
Dr. Ghorayeb completed his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine
and trained in ophthalmology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Department
of Ophthalmology and Visual Science followed by a vitreoretinal fellowship.
Dr. Ghorayebs current research includes ocriplasmin research to better inform
treatment and a study that aims at treating patients with geographic atrophy in the
setting of macular degeneration.

Dr. Ghorayeb has co-authored numerous publications, and is a member of the

Golden Key Honor Society, American Medical Academy, American Academy of
Ophthalmology, and the West Virginia Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Ghorayeb has indicated no relevant financial relationships with

commercial interests. His presentation will be evidence-based and unbiased.

Scott Goldstein, MD
Bethlehem Eye Associates
Bethlehem, PA

Scott M. Goldstein, M.D. graduated from Boston University School

of Medicine and completed his ophthalmology residency at
University of Pennsylvania's Scheie Eye Institute. He completed a
residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery and The Hospital of University of
Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He is Board Certified by the
American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the American Society of
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He specializes in all aspects of
reconstructive plastic surgery for adults and children including eyelids and tear duct
abnormalities as well as cosmetic surgery and Botox/filler treatments. In addition to
performing surgery at the Center for Specialized Surgery in Bethlehem he is an
active staff member and lecturer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
and Wills Eye Hospital.

Dr. Goldstein has indicated no relevant financial relationships with

 commercial interests. His presentation will be evidence-based and unbiased.

Muge Kesen, MD
West Virginia University Eye Institute
Morgantown, WV

Dr. Kesen, a board-certified ophthalmologist, specializing in

treating patients of all ages for ocular inflammatory diseases and
conducts the uveitis clinic at the WVU Eye Institute which is the
only center in the state that offers multidisciplinary care for
patients with complex inflammatory diseases of the eye. Dr. Kesen joined the WVU
School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology in 2011, and is an Assistant
Professor.
Dr. Kesen completed her medical degree at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine
and trained in ophthalmology at Temple University. She completed a fellowship in
uveitis and ocular immunology at the University of Illinois at Chicago followed by an
additional fellowship in medical retina at Duke Eye Institute. Dr. Kesen then
completed a vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Wilmer Eye Institute.
Dr. Kesen has indicated no relevant financial relationships with commercial
interests. Her presentations will be evidence-based and unbiased.

Joseph Locascio, III, MD, FACS

Huntington Internal Medicine Group
Huntington, WV

Dr. LoCascio attended the University of Virginia Medical School

and completed two fellowships, including one at Duke University.
He is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He
will use his over 30 years of experience for consultative services,
the medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment of eye
diseases including, but not limited to, cataracts, glaucoma, corneal and laser
surgeries.
Dr. LoCascio completed his medical school training at the University of Virginia in
1975. He then did his Internship at St. Marys Hospital in Connecticut (Yale Affiliate)
in Internal Medicine. He went on to a Fellowship in Ophthalmic Pathology at Albany
Medical Center Hospital, followed by his 3-year Residency at Albany Medical Center
in Ophthalmology. From there he did his second Fellowship, a Clinical and Research
Fellowship in corneal and external disease, at Duke University Eye Center from
1980-1982. He was Board Certified in 1982. He is a Fellow of the American Academy
of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has
membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the AMA, and the
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He is a past president of the
Duke University Eye Center Alumni Association, WV Society of Eye Physicians and
Surgeons, The Cabell County Medical Society, Huntington Cabell Department of
Health, the Board of Trustees of River Park Hospital and the Medical Eye Bank of WV.
He is currently serving as a board member of the Medical Eye Bank of WV. After
finishing his tenure as Councilor for the WV Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons
to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, he continues his involvement as a
Counselor Emeritus. He is the WV ophthalmology representative to the Carrier
Advisory Committee to Medicare and to the Provider Advisory Committee of Blue
Cross Blue Shield. In 2011 he was appointed to the Health Policy Committee of the
American Academy of Ophthalmology. He was a member of the Cabell County Board
of Health and was on the Board of Directors of Valley Health Systems. He has been
the team ophthalmologist for the Marshall University football team for the past 15
years. Dr. LoCascio has academic appointments at Marshall University as Clinical
Professor of Ophthalmology and WVU as Clinical Associate Professor of
Ophthalmology. Dr. LoCascio has been affiliated with HIMG since 1997. He is the
Medical and Surgical Director of Center for Sight of Ultimate Health Services.

Dr. Locascio has indicated no relevant financial relationships with commercial

interests. His presentation will be evidence based and unbiased.

Gautam Mishra, MD
Schein Ernst Mishra Eye
Harrisburg, PA

Gautam Mishra, M.D. was brought up in Syracuse, New York, where

he received his primary education. He then completed his
bachelor's degree at Boston College and went on to graduate from
Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Dr. Mishra served as
Chief Resident during his residency in Ophthalmology at Wake Forest University,
North Carolina. He received his training in cornea and refractive surgery at Albany
Medical Center and joined Schein Ernst Mishra Eye in 2006. Dr. Mishra is Board
Certified in ophthalmology and is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of
Ophthalmology in the Penn State College of Medicine. He lives in Harrisburg with his
wife Mridula and daughter Anjali.

Dr. Mishra has indicated relevant financial relationship(s) with commercial

interests: Bausch & Lomb Surgical (honorarium for consulting). His
presentation will be evidence-based and unbiased.

John Nguyen, MD
 West Virginia University Eye Institute
Morgantown, WV

Dr. Nguyen, a board-certified ophthalmologist, specializes in

treating patients of all ages for eyelid deformities, thyroid eye
disease, tumors, and trauma around the eye, and conducts a
monthly thyroid eye clinic. Dr. Nguyen joined the WVU Department
of Ophthalmology in 2009, and is an associate professor. He is on
the consulting staff of the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Administration
Hospital.
Dr. Nguyen completed his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch
at Galveston and trained in ophthalmology at the University of Texas Medical
Branches Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. He completed a
fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Massachusetts
Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Nguyen has indicated he has no relevant financial relationship with

commercial interests. His presentation will be evidence-based and unbiased.

Jody Piltz-Seymour, MD
Wills Eye Hospital
Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Jody Piltz-Seymour received her medical degree from the Albert
Einstein College of Medicine in New York, where she also completed
her Ophthalmology training and served as Chief Resident for the
Department of Ophthalmology. She pursued advanced studies as a
Glaucoma Fellow at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and further
training under the auspices of the National Eye Institute.
Dr. Piltz-Seymour served as the Director of Glaucoma Services at the Scheie Eye
Institute/University of Pennsylvania for 15 years and is currently a Clinical Professor
of Ophthalmology at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of
Pennsylvania and a member of the Glaucoma Service of the Wills Eye Institute. She
is in private practice at Valley Eye Professionals in Huntingdon Valley, PA.
Dr. Piltz-Seymour is Board Certified and has served as an examiner for the American
Board of Ophthalmology and the Chair of the Glaucoma Section of the Ophthalmic
Knowledge Assessment Program. She has served on the program committee for the
American Glaucoma Society, the AAO glaucoma section and she is currently chair of
the Glaucoma Subspecialty Day Program Committee for AAO 2017. She has
received an Achievement Award and Senior Achievement Award from the American
Academy of Ophthalmology and received the 2016 Humanitarian of the Year award
from the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology. Philadelphia Magazine named
Dr. Piltz-Seymour a "Top Docs for Senior" and she has been listed in "Best Doctors
in America" for more than a decade.
Dr. Piltz-Seymour serves as a scientific reviewer for many ophthalmic journals,
including the American Journal of Ophthalmology, the Archives of Ophthalmology
and the Journal of Glaucoma. She has lectured extensively throughout the world and
she has authored more than a hundred research papers, editorials, reviews and
chapters providing fundamental contributions to the field of Glaucoma.
Dr. Piltz-Seymour has been a clinical researcher throughout her career. She is a
principal investigator for the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study, and has served
as PI for the Collaborative Glaucoma Treatment Study and the Low Tension
Glaucoma Study.

Dr. Piltz-Seymour has indicated relevant financial relationship(s) with

commercial interests: Aerie Pharmaceuticals (principal investigator in
research). Her presentations will be evidence-based and unbiased.

Michelle Pineda
Risk Manager
Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (OMIC)

Michelle Pineda is a Risk Manager who joined OMIC in January 2014.

She holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from
St. Marys College in Moraga, CA and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in
English Literature from California State University, East Bay. Prior to joining OMIC,
Michelle worked in security software for Symantec Corporation. Michelles
background includes 8+ years in professional liability for The Doctors Company
(TDC) focusing on Claims and Sales.

Ms. Pineda has indicated no relevant financial relationships in commercial

interests. Her presentation is evidence-based and unbiased.

Bethany Rommel, MD
Resident, WVU Eye Institute
Morgantown, WV

Jaan Sidorov, MD, MHSA, FACP

 Sidorov Health Solutions
Harrisburg, PA

Jaan Sidorov M.D. is a general internal medicine physician with over

20 years experience in primary care, disease management and
population based care coordination. Dr. Sidorov has numerous peer-
reviewed publications, two of
which were named as Best Article by DMAA and one of which on the electronic
medical record was listed as most read by the prestigious health policy journal
Health Affairs. He had been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and National Public
Radios All Things Considered as well as the Disease Management Advisor. He is the
author of the widely read "Disease Management Care Blog," available at
http://diseasemanagementcareblog.blogspot.com/ and is a much sought after
speaker who has presented research findings nationally and internationally in the
areas of health services research, disease management and managed care
insurance.He received his medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University
College of Medicine, and did his internship and residency at the Dartmouth
Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire. He has also served as a Chief
Resident, at Reading Hospital, Reading, Pennsylvania. He received additional
training in health services research through the Faculty Development Fellowship of
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and in managed care through the
American Association of Health Plans certified managed care executive program. He
also has a Masters Degree in Health Services Administration from Marywood
University in Scranton Pennsylvania. He is a past Treasurer and member of the
executive committee of the Board of Directors of the Disease Management
Association of America (DMAA). Dr. Sidorov is board certified in internal medicine
and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is a Medical Director in the
HP Medical Informatics Center of Excellence and is Chair of the Board of NORCAL
Mutual Insurance, one of the top ten physician malpractice insurance companies in
the United States. He also holds a 4th Degree Black Belt Master rank in Chimukwan
style Tae Kwon Do.

Dr. Sidorov has indicated no relevant financial relationships with commercial

interests. His presentation will be evidence-based and unbiased.

Jennifer Swinnich
 Pennsylvania Medical Society
Harrisburg, PA

Jennifer Swinnich is Director of Practice Support for the

Pennsylvania Medical Society. As a practice management
professional, Jennifer provides reimbursement, medical policy
and practice management advisory services to society
members. Prior to joining the Pennsylvania Medical Society, she
was a practice administrator for a dermatology practice, and more recently an EHR
training specialist. Jennifer is a certified physician practice manager by the
American Academy of Professional Coders

Ms. Swinnich has indicated no relevant financial relationships in commercial

interests. Her presentation is evidence-based and unbiased.

Edwin Wortham V, MD
Stoney Point Surgery Center
Richmond, VA

Dr. Ed Wortham attended the University of the Pacific

in Stockton, California, where he received his
Bachelors Degree in biology in 1976. After
graduating, Dr. Wortham furthered his knowledge and
education while concentrating on biology and served as a teaching
assisstant during his
graduate studies. In 1983, Dr. Wortham graduated from Northwestern University
School of Medicine, in Chicago, Illinois and later completed his internship at the
Department of Internal Medicine at The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa Medical
College. For three years, Dr. Wortham served his residency in ophthalmology at the
Northwestern University Medical Center. With a defined interest in pediatric
ophthalmology, he spent one year in fellowship at the University of Toronto, Hospital
for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Wortham has indicated no relevant financial relationships in commercial

interests. His presentation is evidence-based and unbiased.
PLANNERS
David Faris, MD Chair
Kim Ebert Staff
Jennifer Keeler Staff
Kim Whetsell Staff

The planning committee for this activity, David Faris, MD, Kim
Ebert, Jennifer Keeler, and Kim Whetsell, have indicated no
relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. Their
planning contributions were evidence-based and unbiased.