UW-Madison Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

10/16/2026

What if your gift could go twice as far?

Thanks to a generous matching gift, donations to our three featured funds can make twice the impact:

Carl & Mary Ann Berg Education Fund — Supporting learner education, professional development, and community building.

Carl & Mary Ann Berg Global Ophthalmology Fund — Strengthening global partnerships and expanding ophthalmic education around the world.

Phacoemulsification Excellence Course Fund — Advancing surgical education and hands-on training for the next generation of ophthalmologists.

Over the next 12 weeks, we’ll share the stories, people, and opportunities behind these funds.

Your generosity makes a difference. With Double the Vision, it can make twice the impact.

Give today: giveto.wiscmedicine.org/DoubleTheVision

10/15/2026

What a night in New Orleans!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Alumni & Friends Reception at The Museum of Illusions! It was wonderful to bring our DOVS community together to reconnect & celebrate our Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Dr. Bradley Lemke.

See you next year in Las Vegas!

10/12/2026

The UW Oculoplastic White Coat Society gathered in New Orleans for a wonderful evening of connection and celebration during AAO 2026!

A special thank you to Dr. Ryan Larochelle for hosting this year’s dinner and to everyone who joined us for a memorable night.

10/09/2026

Last weekend, our team came together to provide eye care to 36 patients at our World Sight Day clinic, made possible through the support of Combat Blindness International and UW Health.

We were also honored to welcome Dr. Hugo Higa, who founded the clinic in 1994. More than 30 years later, his vision continues to make an impact on the lives of patients in our community.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, supported, and helped make this clinic possible!

10/06/2026

We are excited to welcome two new optometrists to our team!

Dr. Abigail Kuborn (left) completed her undergraduate degree in biological sciences at Marquette University and her Doctor of Optometry from Indiana University School of Optometry. In addition to completing a Masters of Science in Vision Science, she then completed optometry residency training in ocular disease/cornea and contact lens at Washington University in St. Louis, MO in 2026. Dr. Kuborn sees patients at our 1 South Park and Deming Way clinics.

Dr. Megan Mirsberger (right) earned her undergraduate degree in neurobiology from the University of Wisconsin—Madison and her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry. In 2026, she completed a residency in neuro-ophthalmic disease at the University of Chicago. Dr. Mirsberger practices at our University Station clinic.

10/01/2026

Bradley Lemke, MD, has received the 2026 DOVS Distinguished Alumni Award. The award recognizes Dr. Lemke’s decades of contributions to ophthalmology, ophthalmic plastic surgery, research, and education.

“I am humbled to receive this award,” Dr. Lemke said. “I feel I’m one of many qualified individuals, and it means a lot to feel such a great sense of connection with the group.”

Dr. Lemke completed his ophthalmology residency at UW–Madison in 1979, followed by an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) fellowship with Orkan G Stasior in Albany, NY. In 1980, he was recruited to return to Wisconsin and join both the Davis Duehr Clinic and the DOVS clinical faculty. He remained at Davis Duehr Dean Clinic until 2000, when he established Lemke Facial Surgery.

Dr Lemke retired from his part-time DOVS position as Preceptor of the ASOPRS and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery fellowships in 2003. He remained active in the UW ASOPRS fellowship activities as a Clinical Adjunct Professor until 2026, when he was reappointed to the DOVS faculty as an Honorary Fellow.

Throughout his career, Dr. Lemke has combined clinical care with teaching, research, and advocacy for the role of ophthalmic plastic surgeons in facial surgery. Challenges he encountered early in the field became an impetus for much of his academic work and professional advocacy.

He credits his UW residency experience—and especially its faculty mentors—with helping shape that approach. Burton Kushner, MD, taught him to put the patient first and remember their names. James Allen, MD introduced him to ophthalmic surgery. Richard Appen, MD modeled the value of attention to detail. Dr. Dortzbach involved residents in surgical decision-making, expecting them to come prepared, understand the conditions they were treating, and ask questions.

Now, Dr. Lemke encourages today’s residents to bring the same curiosity and independence to their careers.

“Realize, in a humble way, your value, and try to write your own ticket,” he said. “Try to find out what it is that interests you, and pursue that.”

He also encourages residents to choose a place where they genuinely want to live—not simply the job that checks the most boxes.

“You’ll be able to adapt to the situation there, with the incredible skillset you carry with you.”

For Dr. Lemke, that skillset has taken him through a career devoted to patients, teaching, research and the advancement of his specialty. Decades later, his connection to the UW remains as strong as ever.

Learn more about Dr. Lemke: https://www.ophth.wisc.edu/blog/2026/09/30/bradley-lemke-2026-distinguished-alum/

09/28/2026

Our residency program continues to earn national recognition, ranking among the nation’s top ophthalmology training programs in Doximity’s 2025-2026 Residency Navigator survey.

Based on nominations from more than 20,000 U.S. physicians, the survey evaluates residency programs across 28 medical specialties, including ophthalmology. Among approximately 125 ophthalmology residency programs nationwide, UW climbed to No. 19, up from No. 25 in the previous rankings.

“We are honored to attract some of the best and brightest ophthalmology residents from a large, national candidate pool every year,” said Anna Momont, MD, vice chair of residency education. “In addition to developing strong surgical techniques, learning to care for complex ophthalmic conditions, and pursuing research interests, our residents have opportunities to explore their professional passions and reach their full potential with the support of dedicated faculty.”

09/25/2026

For Sarah Groessl, MD, a 1996 residency graduate, a career in pediatric ophthalmology has brought both intellectual engagement and deeply rewarding relationships with patients and their families.

Today, Dr. Groessl is a pediatric ophthalmologist with SSM Health Davis Duehr Dean Eye Care in Madison, WI, where she has practiced for more than two decades.

In addition, she helps train the new generation of ophthalmologists as a Clinical Assistant Adjunct Professor with DOVS. She enjoys teaching family medicine residents, optometry students, and medical students through various DOVS education programs.

Over the course of her career, Dr. Groessl has contributed to many aspects of pediatric eye care. Among her proudest accomplishments is her collaborative work developing standard practices and guidelines for traditional and machine-based vision screening of children across the four-state SSM system.

Yet for Dr. Groessl, some of the most meaningful rewards of the profession happen one patient and one family at a time.

“I greatly enjoy building long-term relationships with families and patients as well as the fresh faces of new patients,” she said. “The most intellectually rewarding part of my practice is piecing together the puzzles of unusual cases and tenaciously finding the most appropriate treatment available.”

That combination of curiosity, persistence and commitment to patients has remained at the heart of her practice.

“I consider my dedication to the care of my patients the primary focus of my practice,” she said.

It’s a philosophy that also shapes the advice she offers to today’s ophthalmology trainees as they prepare to enter the field: enjoy it.

“The day-to-day changes and challenges facing most practitioners can be frustrating at times,” she said. “Try not to let the frustration of logistics zap your joy.”

09/22/2026

What does a day in the life of a comprehensive ophthalmologist, cataract surgeon and ophthalmic pathologist look like?

Follow Dr. Heather Potter behind the scenes as she balances patient care, cataract surgery and ophthalmic pathology at UW DOVS.

Want to learn more about ophthalmic pathology? Follow the path lab on instagram:

What does a day in the life of a comprehensive ophthalmologist, cat...

09/18/2026

We gathered at Capital Brewery in Middleton to celebrate the retirements of Drs. Blodi and Gottlieb.

We’re so grateful for the years of dedication, mentorship, and friendship they’ve shared with DOVS. Their impact on our department, our learners, our patients, and their colleagues will be felt for years to come.

Congratulations on your retirements, Dr. Blodi and Dr. Gottlieb!