YoungMD Connect Event at AAO

Friday, October 17, 2025 | 5:00–8:45 PM ET
Rosen Plaza Hotel | 9700 International Dr. | Orlando, FL

Friday, October 17, 2025
5:00–8:45 PM ET
Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Dr.
Orlando, FL

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Join your peers for one of the year’s biggest events for young & aspiring ophthalmologists: the YMDC Event at AAO! Designed for emerging leaders in ophthalmology (medical students, residents, fellows, and newly practicing ophthalmologists), the YMDC Event at AAO offers small-group mentoring sessions with thought leaders, followed by next-level networking opportunities, all while enjoying bites and beverages at the beautiful Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando. Spaces are limited and will fill up quickly—register today!

AGENDA

5:00–5:45 PM Registration & Networking with Exhibitors
5:45–6:05 PM Welcome From YoungMD Connect
6:05–6:15 PM Industry Panel with Visionary Partners: AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson
6:20–7:05 PM Mentoring Sessions
7:15–8:45 PM Networking Reception

MENTOR FACULTY

Mentor faculty to be announced soon!

  • Usiwoma Abugo, MD

    Usiwoma Abugo, MD

    Oculoplastics specialist at Katzen Eye Group in Maryland
  • Sarah Avila, MD

    Sarah Avila, MD

    ASOPRS oculofacial plastic surgeon at Sarah Avila MD in Miami
  • Sahar Bedrood, MD, PhD

    Sahar Bedrood, MD, PhD

    Glaucoma & cataract specialist at Advanced Vision Care in Los Angeles
  • Maura Di Nicola, MD

    Maura Di Nicola, MD

    Vitreoretinal surgeon, ocular oncology specialist, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami
  • Vikram Durairaj, MD

    Vikram Durairaj, MD

    Oculoplastics surgeon at TOC Eye and Face and Professor of Ophthalmology at the Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin
  • Sharon Fekrat, MD

    Sharon Fekrat, MD

    Vitreoretinal surgeon and Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina
  • Joseph Gira, MD

    Joseph Gira, MD

    Refractive cataract surgery specialist at Ophthalmology Consultants in St. Louis
  • Shivani Kamat, MD

    Shivani Kamat, MD

    Glaucoma & anterior segment disease specialist at UT Southwestern in Dallas
  • Cathleen McCabe, MD

    Cathleen McCabe, MD

    Refractive cataract surgeon at The Eye Associates in Sarasota, Florida, and Chief Medical Editor of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today
  • Jacquelyn O'Banion, MD

    Jacquelyn O'Banion, MD

    Comprehensive ophthalmologist with a focus on cataract surgery and Director of the Global Ophthalmology Program at Emory University in Atlanta
  • Katherine Talcott, MD

    Katherine Talcott, MD

    Vitreoretinal surgeon and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute in Cleveland
  • Vance Thompson, MD, FACS

    Vance Thompson, MD, FACS

    Founder and cataract and refractive surgery specialist, Vance Thompson Vision, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • William B. Trattler, MD

    William B. Trattler, MD

    Refractive, cornea, and cataract surgeon at the Center For Excellence In Eye Care in Miami
  • William F. Wiley, MD

    William F. Wiley, MD

    Cataract and refractive surgeon at Cleveland Eye Clinic in Ohio and Chief Medical Editor of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today
  • Basil Williams, MD

    Basil Williams, MD

    Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Vice Chair for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami
  • Rupa Wong, MD

    Rupa Wong, MD

    Pediatric ophthalmologist and Managing Partner at Honolulu Eye Clinic on Oahu, Hawaii
  • Lawrence Woodard, MD

    Lawrence Woodard, MD

    Cataract surgery specialist and Medical Director of Omni Eye Services of Atlanta
SEE MORE +
 

Registration