Eyeworld

20 | EYEWORLD | SPRING 2026 ASCRS NEWS ASCRS FOUNDATION UPDATE Contact info@ascrsfoundation.org This symposium will also include the pre- sentation of the Operation Sight Volunteer of the Year Award. Announcing the ASCRS Foundation's Resident Excellence Award winners ASCRS was founded by young, enterprising ophthalmologists, and the ASCRS Foundation's Resident Excellence Awards carry on and honor that tradition. Each year, the ASCRS Founda- tion makes 10 awards to enable ophthalmology residents exhibiting exemplary performance to attend the ASCRS Annual Meeting. The catego- ries for consideration include research, patient care, leadership, and education. This year's winners are Joshua Ong, MD, Whitney Sambhariya, MD, PhD, Ali Salimi, MD, MSc, Cody Lo, MD, Dennis Akrobetu, MD, Hazem Mousa, MD, Ayush Parikh, MD, Ailin (Irene) Song, MD, MHSc, Victoria Wang, MD, and Junsang Cho, MD. This year, the Resident Excellence Award program is generously sponsored by BVI. Announcing the ASCRS Foundation's Young Eye Surgeons International Service Grant recipients The ASCRS Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of the 2026 Young Eye Surgeons International Service Grant. This year's winners are Helen Song, MD, James Tian, MD, Sheena Song, DO, and Sheetal Pundir, MD, PhD. The Young Eye Surgeons International Service Grant was created to inspire young eye surgeons to become involved with global eye- care on a long-term basis. The grant affords the opportunity to participate in healthcare systems, including teaching institutions and community programs, in developing countries. Working with the ASCRS Foundation and its international partners, recipients will develop a customized international volunteer plan that provides the opportunity for a young eye surgeon to learn first-hand the intricacies behind global eyecare efforts. G et involved with the ASCRS Founda- tion at the ASCRS Annual Meeting, with award presentations, sessions, and other networking opportunities. Join the ASCRS Foundation at Party for a Purpose The ASCRS ASOA Party for a Purpose is back again during the Annual Meeting. The event will take place on Friday, April 10, from 8:00–11:00 p.m. at the Westin DC Downtown Hotel. Get ready to light up the night as we kick off a star-spangled celebration honoring the USA's 250th birthday. Join fellow ASCRS and ASOA attendees for an evening filled with high-energy performances, iconic Americana moments, and plenty of red, white, and blue spirit, all while raising funds to support sight-re- storing care provided through the ASCRS Foun- dation. Cheer on the teams competing in the dance competition and for monetary donations and enjoy musical performances taking you on an American road trip. Come as you are or show off your patriotic flair—think bold stripes, sparkly stars, vintage Americana, or your best modern-day USA-themed party look. All ASCRS, ASOA, industry/exhibitor attendees, and their guests are welcome (bring your Annual Meeting registration badge for entry; attendees of Party for a Purpose must be 21 or older). The ASCRS Foundation would like to thank Alcon for its generous match donation of $35,000. Don't miss the ASCRS Foundation Symposium This year's ASCRS Foundation Symposium, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision and Carl Zeiss Meditec, will take place on Saturday, April 11 from 8:30–9:30 a.m. The session will provide an overview of do- mestic humanitarian needs in ophthalmic care, focusing on the Operation Sight cataract surgery program. The symposium will cover several key objectives, including understanding domestic humanitarian needs in ophthalmology, mobiliza- tion and collaboration strategies, and program implementation and sustainability. News from the ASCRS Foundation continued on page 22

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