Resident Writer's Award winners announced

The winners of the fifth annual Ophthalmology Times Resident Writer's Award program were announced during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

New Orleans-John P. Berdahl, MD, of the Duke University Eye Center, Durham, NC, won first-place honors in the fifth annual Ophthalmology Times Resident Writer's Award program, it was announced in a Nov. 11 dinner presentation at the New Orleans Ritz-Carlton during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Berdahl placed first among 16 entries received from participants at ophthalmic teaching institutions across the country. His presentation was titled "Using Intacs corneal implants to treat ectasia after radial keratotomy." His adviser was Alan N. Carlson, MD.

Another special occasion kept Dr. Berdahl from the event, however: the birth of his child. Colleague Richard M. Awdeh, MD, presented Dr. Berdahl's paper in his absence and accepted the award on his behalf.

Capturing the honorable mention was Anita Gupta, MD, of the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Her presentation was titled "Use of iris hooks during phacoemulsification of subluxated cataracts," and her adviser was Walter J. Stark, MD.

The Resident Writer's Awards program, sponsored by Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), is designed to encourage excellence in writing and presentation skills among residents.

Chris M. Calcaterra, AMO's senior vice president, Cataract Refractive Business, Americas & EAM, presented checks to the winners; all participants received plaques.

This year's entries were judged by the previous winners, including Daniel Chang, MD (2003); Joshua Stein, MD (2004); Jason Halverson, MD (2005); and Omesh P. Gupta, MD, MBA (2006). Dr. Berdahl's winning entry will be featured in a future issue of Ophthalmology Time