DAVID AMMAR, Ph.D., is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics.  His research focuses on the role of ion transport in eye diseases.

Professor Ammar graduated from Harvard University in 1991 and earned a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1998.  He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of California, Berkeley and was a Research Scientist in the Department of Medicine/Division of Nephrology at the University of California, San Francisco. Curriculum Vitae

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JEFFREY BENNETT, M.D., PhD., is an Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology and a specialist in neuro-ophthalmology.   His clinical interests include optic nerve disorders, double vision, nystagmus, optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis.   In the laboratory, Doctor Bennett studies the role of the neurotrophins in eye development and is using molecular immunology techniques to determine the cause of optic neuritis and big blindspot syndromes.

Doctor Bennett received his medical and doctorate degrees from Stanford University and completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at the University of Colorado Denver.   Fellowship training in neuro-ophthalmology was completed at the University of Pennsylvania and Scheie Eye Institute.

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JON M. BRAVERMAN, M.D., is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology. His special interests include Cataract, Anterior Segment Surgery, and Ocular Trauma.  He was the Director of Ophthalmology at Denver Health Medical Center for 8 years, and continues his clinical work and resident training at Denver Health.

Doctor Braverman received his medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed his residency training at New York University Medical Center, both in New York, New York. Curriculum Vitae

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REBECCA BRAVERMAN, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology.   She is a specialist in pediatric eye disease and adult strabismus.   She provides care at the Children's Hospital of Denver, Denver Health, and the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute at the University of Colorado, Fitzsimons campus.  

Doctor Sands completed medical school at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.   She completed her surgery internship at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California.   After her internship, she was a Flight Surgeon in the United States Navy, stationed in Pensacola, Florida and Rota, Spain.   Her ophthalmology residency was completed at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

She finished her pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Curriculum Vitae

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RICHARD DAVIDSON, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology. After completing his fellowship in cornea, external disease and refractive surgery, Doctor Davidson joined the staff at the University of Colorado. He specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the cornea, including corneal transplantation. In addition, he is a specialist in cataract surgery and an expert in the area of refractive surgery and complications arising from refractive surgery.

Doctor Davidson received his medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia and his fellowship at the University of California at Davis. Curriculum Vitae

Click here for additional information about  Doctor Davidson and Refractive Surgery.

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VIKRAM DURAIRAJ, M.D. is an Associate Professor in both the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and is a specialist in oculoplastic and orbital surgery.  His research and clinical interests include thyroid eye disease, orbital tumors, periorbital reconstruction, and cosmetic eyelid surgery. He is also the Director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Colorado.

Doctor Durairaj completed medical school at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center and his Ophthalmology residency at the University of Colorado Denver in Denver.  He completed his two-year American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery sponsored fellowship at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Curriculum Vitae

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Click here for more information on procedures performed by Doctor Durairaj

MICHAEL ERLANGER, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmolgy and is a specialist in corneal transplantation, refractive surgery and cataract surgery. His research interests include corneal prosthesis implantation, anterior and posterior lamellar corneal graft development, and the biomechanical changes of the cornea after refrative surgery.  

Doctor Erlanger received his Medical Degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania, and completed his Transitional Internship at the University of Pittsburgh, Shadyside Hospital. He completed a three year Ophthalmology Residency at Nassau University Medical Center/ State University of New York at Stony Brook Medical Center in Long Island, New York. He completed his sub-specialty fellowship in Cornea, Refractive and External Disease at the University of Colorado's Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute in Denver, Colorado. His clinical practice is at the Department of Veterans Affairs/ Eastern Colorado Health Care System in Denver, Colorado.

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ROBERT ENZENAUER, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and is the new Chair of Pediatric Ophthalmology at The Children's Hosptial. Dr. Enzenauer is returning to the Denver area, having completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center and Pediatrics at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He then went on to serve as the Chief of Ophthalmology Service and US Army Medical Center Flight Surgeon at the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center from 1990 to 1994. He completed his Fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and also has Masters Degrees in Public Health, Strategic Studies and Business Administration. Curriculum Vitae

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NICHOLAS FABEROWSKI, M.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology.  He is a Board-Certified ophthalmologist and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.  He practices Comprehensive Ophthalmology and specializes in the treatment of Glaucoma at the Denver Health Medical Center. 

Doctor Faberowski graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duke University in 1985, and finished Medical School at Duke in 1989.  He completed a year of Internship in Internal Medicine at Bowman Gray School of Medicine, and completed his Residency in Ophthalmology at the Wake Forest University Eye Center in 1993.  Doctor Faberowski practiced Comprehensive Ophthalmology in Florida for 6 years after completing his training.  He then did a Glaucoma Fellowship for one year at Harvard University School of Medicine working at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. Curriculum Vitae

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DARREN GREGORY, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and is a specialist in cataract, ocular surface, and cornea transplant surgery.  His research interests focus on "sutureless" techniques for ocular surface reconstruction using tissue adhesives, mucous membrane grafting and amniotic membrane. The treatment of severe ocular surface disease and dry eyes, including acute Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, is a particular interest of his.

As the Ophthalmology Residency Program Director, Doctor Gregory also works hand-in-hand with the trainees and faculty to create and maintain a productive learning environment where clinical and surgical skills are passed on to the next generation of ophthalmologists.

Doctor Gregory received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.  He completed his residency and subspecialty fellowship training at the University of Colorado Denver and Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute.

Curriculum Vitae

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KARA HANSON , O.D., is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Ophthalmology and is the Director of the Vision Rehabilitation Service at the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute.  This service helps those who are visually impaired use their remaining vision as efficiently as possible through the use of optical and non-optical devices and adaptive techniques.

Doctor Hanson received her Doctor of Optometry and training in Low Vision from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) in Houston, TX.  Before moving to Colorado, she was a member of the clinical faculty at UHCO and its Center for Sight Enhancement and satellite clinic at Baylor College of Medicine. Curriculum Vitae

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Doctor Jackson received his medical degree from The University of Rochester in Rochester, New York.   He then completed his residency at The University of Colorado in Denver.  

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MALIK KAHOOK , M.D., is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Glaucoma Service at the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute. He specializes in the medical and surgical care of glaucoma and cataracts. He is active within the ophthalmology community including memberships in AAO, AGS, ASCRS, and ARVO. He is involved in research funded by industry and foundations. Research interests include novel surgeries to treat glaucoma, imaging of the eye, and both clinical and basic science pharmacology studies. He has authored more than 100 peer reviewed manuscripts, abstracts and book chapters. Doctor Kahook was awarded an AGS Clinician-Scientist Fellowship Award for 2007 as well as the AGS Compliance Grant for 2007. He is regularly invited to lecture on topics involving glaucoma and cataract surgery across the country and around the world.

Dr. Kahook completed his residency training at the University of Colorado, Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute in Denver, CO, where he was named Chief Resident. He then went on to complete his fellowship in glaucoma at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA.Curriculum Vitae

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DOUGLAS MACKENZIE , M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and a specialist in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma.   He also has a number of years experience in private practice and managed care environments.  

Doctor MacKenzie received his medical degree from the University of Colorado Denver in Denver and completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at the University of Missouri, Columbia.   Fellowship training in glaucoma was completed at the Cole Eye Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. MacKenzie's clinical practice is at the Deparrtment of Veterans Affairs/Eastern Colorado Health Care System in Denver, Colorado.

Curriculum Vitae

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NARESH MANDAVA, M.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and is a specialist in the medical and surgical management of retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment.  The retinal service participates in several national clinical trials including treatments for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment.  The University of Colorado has the most up-to-date specialized equipment for retinal surgery.  His research interests include antiangiogenesis in macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, complex retinal detachment and ocular trauma, the NIH and private industry fund this research.

Doctor Mandava received his medical degree from the Albany Medical College in Albany, New York and completed his ophthalmology residency at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York.  His two-year fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases was completed at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and the Columbia University Hospital of New York.  Curriculum Vitae

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CAMEILE MOORE, MMSc, CO, COMT, is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Ophthalmology and the Clinic Manager of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Department at The Children’s Hospital. She received Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Charleston.  She received both her Orthoptics and Ophthalmic Medical Technology training at Emory University as well as a Master in Medical Science of Ophthalmic Medical Technology.

Cameile specializes in the evaluation and non-surgical treatment of patients with disorders of the visual system with an emphasis on binocular vision and eye movements.

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JEFFREY OLSON, M.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and is a specialist in the medical and surgical management of retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment. 

Doctor Olson received his medical degree, ophthalmology residency training and fellowship training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences in Denver.  Curriculum Vitae

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SCOTT OLIVER, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the departments of Ophthalmology and Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, and serves as Director of the Ophthalmic Oncology Center at the University of Colorado Denver.  He specializes in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery and ophthalmic oncology, including expertise in macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein and artery occlusion, retinal detachment, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, retinopathy of prematurity, posterior uveitis and intraocular tumors. 

Dr. Oliver is an investigator in several national clinical trials.  His research interests include retinal imaging, targeted photocoagulation for retinal vascular disease, prevention and treatment of radiation retinopathy, and cytogenetic sampling of ocular melanoma.

Dr. Oliver completed a two year fellowship in Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery and Ophthalmic Oncology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA.  Dr. Oliver was elected Chief Resident during his ophthalmology residency at the UC Denver, where he also received his medical degree. Curriculum Vitae

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MINA PANTCHEVA, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute. She specializes in the medical and surgical care of glaucoma and cataracts. She is active within the Ophthalmology community including memberships in AAO and ARVO. Her research interests involve novel modalities for neuroprotection and diagnosis of glaucoma.

Dr. Pantcheva completed a Research Fellowship in Glaucoma at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. She then went on to complete her residency training and clinical fellowship in Glaucoma at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Curriculum Vitae

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VICTORIA PELAK, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology and she specializes in Neuro-ophthalmology.   Her clinical interests include the evaluation of patients with optic nerve disease, diplopia, and visual cortical brain dysfunction. Doctor Pelak is the principal investigator in an ongoing study involving the assessment of visual dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.

Doctor Pelak received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. She then completed a Neurology Residency at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following residency, she went on to complete Fellowship training in Neuro-ophthalmology at Scheie Eye Institute, The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  

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J. MARK PETRASH, Ph.D. is a Professor and Vice Chair of Research.  Dr. Petrash received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas in Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics.  He completed his Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the Department of Biochemistry at New York University in New York, New York.

Prior to coming to Colorado, Dr. Petrash served as Professor and Director of Research in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Professor of Genetics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Petrash carries out research to discover the causes of vision disease using biochemical and genetic approaches in the laboratory. Work by his team of scientists focuses on novel strategies to prevent diabetic eye disease and cataract, two of the most common causes of blindness. Curriculum Vitae

Click here for additional information about Dr. Petrash's Lab

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HUGO QUIROZ-MERCADO, M.D. has joined the Department of Ophthalmology as Professor and Chief of Service at Denver Health Medical Center.  Dr. Quiroz-Mercado is an expert in diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity (in children) and macular diseases including age-related macular degeneration. He has more than 30 years of experience.

Dr. Quiroz-Mercado has written and co-written several books including: Age-Related Macular Degeneration, A Comprehensive Textbook, 2006; Retina.Diagnóstico y Tratamiento 2ª Edición,  2004 and Macular Surgery, 2000.

Dr. Quiroz-Mercado graduated from the School of Medicine at the National University of Mexico in 1976 and completed Vitreo-Retinal diseases fellowships at Luis Sanchez Hospital for the Prevention of Blindness in Mexico City and at the Schepens Eye Research Institute in Boston, Mass. Curriculum Vitae

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MICHAEL TARAVELLA, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and is among Denver's finest doctors as published in 5280 magazine. He is a specialist in LASIK and refractive surgery, corneal surgery and cataract surgery and also is an expert in the management of corneal diseases, including corneal transplantation.  His research interests include intraocular drug delivery and excimer laser.

Doctor Taravella received his medical degree from the University of Colorado Denver and completed his residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.  Doctor Taravella's cornea and external disease fellowship was completed at the University of Connecticut. Curriculum Vitae

Click here for additional information about  Doctor Taravella and Refractive Surgery.

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M. ROY WILSON, M.D., M.S., began serving as chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver (UC Denver) in July, 2006. He is an elected member of the Institutes of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Ophthalmological Society, and the Glaucoma Research Society. Dr. Wilson has been selected in “Best Doctors in America” for multiple consecutive years since 1996 and was selected again for 2007-2008. Dr. Wilson’s major scientific contributions have been in bridging the fields of epidemiology and ophthalmology. 

 Dr. Wilson received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his Master of Science in epidemiology at the UCLA School of Public Health.  He performed both his ophthalmology residency and glaucoma fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School.  . Curriculum Vitae

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