ASRS Awards

The American Society of Retina Specialists presents several awards each year to recognize excellence and innovation in the field of retina. Congratulations to this year's recipients!

2022 Recipients

Gertrude D. Pyron Award and Lecture

The 2022 Retina Research Foundation’s Gertrude D. Pyron Award winner is Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD, FACS, FASRS, the Calvin S. and JeNeal N. Hatch Presidential Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and a distinguished professor at the University of Utah. Dr. Hartnett is an adjunct professor at the University of Utah departments of neurobiology.

The Pyron Award was created by the Retina Research Foundation of Houston, Texas, to recognize outstanding vision scientists whose work contributes to knowledge about vitreoretinal disease.

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The Founders Award

María H. Berrocal, MD, FASRS, CEO of Drs. Berrocal and Associates in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and associate professor at the University of Puerto Rico, is the recipient of the 2022 ASRS Founders Award. She is receiving the award for her major contributions to the advancement of vitreoretinal surgery, treatment, research, and patient care.

The Founders Award was first presented in 1997 to honor the efforts of the Society’s founders, Drs. Jerald A. Bovino, Roy A. Levit, and Allen Z. Verne, for their foresight, dedication, and leadership in establishing the Society as an open, democratic, worldwide organization dedicated to the advancement of vitreoretinal surgery and the study of vitreoretinal diseases.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Berrocal and the Founders Award.

The Packo Service Award

The ASRS has chosen Suber S. Huang, MD, MBA, FASRS, CEO of the Retina Center of Ohio, as the winner of the 2022 Packo Award in recognition of his exceptional service to the Society.

The Packo Award is named in honor of its first recipient, ASRS 2001-2002 President Kirk H. Packo, MD, FACS, FASRS, whose dynamic leadership and strategic innovations helped shape and advance the Society for more than 30 years.

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ASRS Presidents’ Young Investigator Award

The Foundation has selected Justis P. Ehlers, MD, FASRS, as the winner of the ninth annual ASRS Presidents’ Young Investigator Award. Dr. Ehlers serves as the Norman C. and Donna L. Harbert Endowed Chair for Ophthalmic Research at the Cole Eye Institute of the Cleveland Clinic. He is also the director of the Tony and Leona Campane Center for Excellence in Image-Guided Surgery and Advanced Imaging Research.

The ASRS Presidents’ Young Investigator Award is given by the Foundation to honor past presidents of our Society by nurturing the development of next-generation retina leaders. It recognizes an ASRS member age 45 or younger who has made substantial contributions to the field of retina that will potentially improve our patients’ lives. The winner receives a $15,000 honorarium. We are grateful for support of this award through a grant from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Click to learn more about Dr. Ehlers and the Young Investigator Award.

Early Career Section Crystal Apple Award

The ASRS Early Career Section (ECS) has selected Sharon Fekrat, MD, FACS, FASRS, as the winner of the 2022 Crystal Apple Award for excellence in teaching and mentorship.

Dr. Fekrat is a professor of ophthalmology and neurology and an associate professor of surgery at Duke University School of Medicine, where she is also vice chair of the School of Medicine Promotions/Tenure Committee, past retina fellowship director, and past director of faculty mentoring. She is also a vitreoretinal surgeon at Duke Eye Center of Duke University Health System and Private Diagnostic Clinic.

The Crystal Apple Award is a special recognition presented to an ASRS member who has gone to great lengths to advance the education and professional development of young vitreoretinal specialists.

Click to learn more about Dr. Fekrat and the Crystal Apple Award

Top 10 Poster Award Winners

Congratulations to our 2022 Poster Award winners! Click to learn about these award-winning posters from their authors in the 1-minute summary videos.

Film Festival Award Winners