Abrams Retina Symposium

Wayne State University Department of OVAS & Kresge Eye Institute Present:

Abrams Retina Symposium

Stanley Chang M.D.

Stanley Chang, MD, the K.K. Tse and Ku Teh Ying Professor of Ophthalmology, received his medical degree from the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He went on to complete a residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, and a retina fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Dr. Chang joined the Department of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell College of Medicine where he rose to the rank of Professor in 1993. From 1995-2012, he was appointed the Edward S. Harkness Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia University and Director of the Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute. Since then, he remains an active faculty member.

Dr. Chang has developed and pioneered several revolutionary surgical approaches to treat complicated forms of retinal detachment, improving outcomes for patients worldwide. He was the first to use perfluoropropane (long-lasting) gas in the management of retinal detachments caused by scar tissue proliferation (PVR) on the retina. He developed perfluorocarbon liquids, a ‘heavy liquid’ used in flattening retinal detachment, and the related surgical techniques for vitreoretinal surgery. In collaboration with Avi Grinblat, he developed a panoramic viewing system and led in the worldwide adaptation by retina surgeons to this technique.

He is the recipient of honors including the Hermann Wacker Prize from the Club Jules Gonin, Helmerich Prize from the American Society of Retinal Specialists, the Lifetime Achievement Honor Award and the Charles Schepens Lecture from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Jackson Memorial Lecture, the Alcon Research Institute Award, the Lifetime Innovator Award from Ophthalmology Innovation Summit. In 2022, he was awarded the Jules Gonin Medal from the International Council of Ophthalmology, given to an outstanding ophthalmologist every four years, considered the oldest and highest honor in the specialty. In 2024, Dr. Chang received the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s highest award, the Laureate Recognition Award. Consistently named as one of America’s best doctors, Dr. Chang was selected as National Physician of the Year by the Castle Connolly Guides in 2008

Maria Berrocal M.D.

Dr. María H. Berrocal is CEO of Drs. Berrocal and Associates in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Associate Professor at the University of Puerto Rico. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Illinois. She completed her ophthalmology training at the University of Puerto Rico where she received the best surgeon award. She completed her surgical and medical retina training at the department of Ophthalmology New York Hospital/Cornell University. She then completed a medical retina fellowship with Dr. J Donald Gass at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and was a Heed Fellow Awardee.

Her research interests include new techniques in vitreoretinal surgery, with a particular interest in complications of diabetic retinopathy. She has participated in numerous studies of novel treatments for the management of diabetic complications.

She has received the American Academy of Ophthalmology Lifetime Achievement Award, Senior Achievement Award, and American Society of Retinal Specialists Senior Honor Award. She has received the Doctors Choice Award yearly since 2002. Dr. Berrocal has been an invited speaker and visiting surgeon in over 20 countries. She has received the Euretina Ingrid Kreissig Lecture Award, Stanley Chang Lectureship, the J Donald Gass Lectureship, the ARDS Founders Award, Fundadores Lecture SPRV, VBS Keynote Speaker, Bryan Liddy Lecture, Robison B Harley Lecture, frank A Spellman Distinguished Lecturer, José Berrocal Memorial Lecture, the ASRS Founders Award, and the Navas Lectureship. She has authored and co-authored over 180 articles and book chapters. Dr. Berrocal has held numerous positions in philanthropic societies. She has established educational scholarships for cancer survivors, scholarships for university students and has also helped establish a drug rehabilitation center in San Juan.

She has held leadership positions in and is a member of: Pan-American Vitreoretinal Society, Pan-American Ophthalmological Society, Retina Society, Club Jules Gonin, American Society of Retinal Specialists (ASRS), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Women in Ophthalmology (WIO). She is past president of the Pan-American Vitreoretinal Society. She is on the editorial board of EyeNet, Retina Today, Retina Physician, Egyptian Journal of Ophthalmology, and is a reviewer for Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Retina, JVRS, OSLI, European Journal of Ophthalmology, Retina and AJO journals among others.