Announcing the AAO Leadership Development Program (LDP) XXVII – Shruti Aggarwal, MD, MBBS!

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is proud to unveil the distinguished members of Leadership Development Program (LDP) XXVII, Class of 2026. Nineteen outstanding ophthalmologists have been selected through a competitive nomination and selection process to participate in this prestigious program, designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in ophthalmology.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the state, subspecialty, and special interest societies who submitted nominations. In line with our commitment to high-impact, collaborative learning, we’ve continued to maintain a small cohort size to ensure strong interaction and engagement throughout the yearlong program.

Congratulations to the LDP XXVII Class of 2026 and their nominating societies:

1. Shruti Aggarwal, MD, MBBS – Maryland Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

2. Jane A. Bailey, MD – Minnesota Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

3. Chad M. Bingham, MD – Oregon Academy of Ophthalmology

4. Lisa Borkowski, MD – Ohio Ophthalmological Society

5. Sara Bozorg, MD – Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

6. Kristen A. Burwick, MD – Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

7. Maria Soledad Cortina, MD – Eye Bank Association of America

8. Alina V. Dumitrescu, MD, FAAP – American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Ophthalmology

9. Alice M. Fecko, MD – Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

10. John A. Gonzales, MD – American Uveitis Society

11. Catherine O. Jordan, MD – American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus

12. Xiaoqin Alexa Lu, MD – Association of Veterans Affairs Ophthalmologists

13. Anna W. Parlin, MD, MPH – Hawaii Ophthalmological Society

14. Joanne F. Shen, MD – Arizona Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

15. Megan Silas, MD – Illinois Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons

16. Evan Silverstein, MD – Virginia Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

17. Edmund Tsui, MD, MS – Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

18. Sarwar Zahid, MD – New York State Ophthalmological Society

19. Tatiana S. Zanganeh, MD – Society of Military Ophthalmologists

The Class of 2026 will begin their journey at the LDP Orientation Session during AAO 2025 in Orlando. Their leadership development continues in San Francisco from January 15–18, 2026, where they will join the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology’s Curso de Liderazgo, Class of 2025–2027, for a powerful collaborative session.

We’re excited to see the impact these emerging leaders will have on the profession, their communities, and the future of eye care.

For more information about the LDP, contact Gail Schmidt, Vice President of Ophthalmic Society & Global Relations, at gschmidt@aao.org.

Congratulations again to all honorees and their societies!

—
Chris Albanis, MD
Director, Leadership Development Program

cc:
Maria Fernanda Abalem De Sa, MD – PAAO Curso de Liderazgo Co-Director
Dan Briceland, MD – AAO Medical Director for State Affairs
Anthony Khawaja, PhD, FRCOphth – Director, SOE EuLDP
John Peters, MD – AAO Secretary for State Affairs
Arturo Ramirez-Miranda, MD, PhD – PAAO Curso de Liderazgo Co-Director

Understanding Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders and Imaging Needs

 When it comes to neuro-ophthalmic disorders, selecting the   appropriate diagnostic imaging is a critical step in ensuring  accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. In a recent   podcast episode hosted by Dr. Amanda Redfern, Dr. Sravanthi   Vegunta, a renowned pediatric and neuro-ophthalmologist,   shared her expertise on this vital topic. From idiopathic   intracranial hypertension (IIH) to cranial nerve palsies, Dr.   Vegunta provided valuable insights into imaging strategies for some of the most complex neuro-ophthalmic conditions.

For more in-depth discussions on neuro-ophthalmic disorders and other clinical topics, check out the full podcast episode featuring Dr. Sravanthi Vegunta, or explore additional resources and claim CME credits at www.aao.org/podcasts.

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