Julia Haller, M.D., Appointed First New Chair of Ophthalmology at Jefferson in Over 20 Years
Retina
specialist Julia A. Haller, M.D., has been appointed Professor and
Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Jefferson Medical College
(JMC) of Thomas Jefferson University, and Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital. In conjunction with her duties at Jefferson, Dr. Haller also
assumes the responsibilities of Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at Wills Eye
Institute.
Dr.
Haller joins Jefferson from the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins
University Hospital where she practiced for over 20 years, holding the
Katharine Graham and Robert Bond Welch, M.D. professorships in
Ophthalmology, and serving as the director of the Retina Fellowship
Training Program at Johns Hopkins University. Since 2004, she has also
been a consultant for the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Michael
J. Vergare, M.D., Interim Dean of Jefferson Medical College, said, “We
are very pleased to welcome Dr. Haller to Jefferson and the Department
of Ophthalmology. Dr. Haller is a preeminent international expert who
shares Jefferson’s dedication to providing the highest quality patient
care while educating tomorrow’s health care providers.”
Dr.
Haller replaces world renowned surgeon and retina specialist William
Tasman, M.D., who began serving as chair in 1985. Though he has
stepped down from the post, Dr. Tasman will remain a professor of
Ophthalmology at JMC, and will continue to pursue his clinical and
academic interests within the department and at Wills Eye Institute.
“I
am honored to be taking over this prestigious position at such a
distinguished university and hospital from Dr. William Tasman, who is a
true leader in the field of ophthalmology,” said Dr. Haller.
“Jefferson’s collaboration with Wills Eye Institute makes it one of
the foremost institutions for clinical care, research and education in
ophthalmology today, and I look forward to furthering this alliance.”
A
prominent scholar and lecturer, Dr. Haller’s research interests have
focused on age-related macular degeneration, complicated retinal
detachments, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, retinal venous
occlusive disease, and retinal infectious diseases. She has published
more than 220 articles and 20 book chapters on the treatment of these
and other eye disorders. Dedicated to her professional community, Dr.
Haller serves on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, Retina, Evidence-Based Eye Care, Ophthalmology Times, Retina Today, Eye World, and Retinal Physician. She is president of the American Society of Retina Specialists and a member of the Executive Committee of the Retina Society.
After
graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in philosophy from
Princeton University in 1976, Dr. Haller earned her doctor of medicine
from Harvard Medical School in 1980. She completed an internship in
general surgery at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in 1981, followed by
a fellowship in ocular pathology at Cornell Medical Center’s Manhattan
Ear, Eye and Throat Hospital in 1982. In 1985 she fulfilled a
three-year residency in ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute,
followed by a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at the Wilmer Eye
Institute. After earning the Chief Resident position in Ophthalmology
at the Wilmer Eye Institute in 1986, Dr. Haller began her career as an
attending physician at JHU in 1987.
The
physicians of Wills Eye Institute serve as the Department of
Ophthalmology at Jefferson Medical College. On July 14, 2006, Wills
Eye Institute transferred responsibility for its inpatient and
residency programs to its longstanding partners, Thomas Jefferson
University and Hospital. The inpatient program, now under the name
Wills Eye at Jefferson, consists of the same world-renowned Wills
ophthalmologists and specialists, but today provides inpatient surgical
procedures and clinical care at the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
(JHN). A number of operating rooms at JHN have been specially equipped
for procedures of the eye and the third floor has been designated
solely for ophthalmology patients. Emergency eye care is provided on
the first floor of JHN 24 hours a day.
The
Wills Eye Residency Program at Jefferson, as it is now called, allows
students an advantageous education. Residents learn about the delivery
of care from world-class specialists in two award-winning settings.
Wills ophthalmologists are faculty members of JMC, and those who
provide inpatient care are also on staff at Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital.
Patients continue to receive a full range of outpatient services at Wills Eye Institute.
Media Only Contact:
Ed Federico
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Phone: (215) 955-6300
Published: 3/13/2008