Dr. David Ngobo from Rwanda–First Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellow

Thank you Dr. Michael Mikhail who has started a vitreoretinal fellowship in Rwanda at the Kabgayi Eye Unit.  He has documented his challenges taking care of international ophthalmology, espcially difficult retina cases like advanced retinopathy of prematurity, ROP,  and advanced detached retina cases. We have worked with retinal colleagues to help David obtain additional training at  the Red Rover Ventures Simulation Center since last fall.  Special thanks to Marshal Dial, Vice President of Education at Haag Strait, Daniel Alter MD, PhD at Focus.  Focus has been instrumental in identifying global surgeons who are motivated to make a difference in global health in their country.

Dr. David Ngobo will be the first vitreoretinal surgeon to complete a fellowship with Dr. Michael Mikhail. They are performing up to 25 cases a week including advanced retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and Stage 5 ROP. Dr. Ngobo is hoping to obtain 23 gauge trochars, max grip and ILM forceps and a second Oerli vitreoretinal machine.

Dr. David is working diligently in the simulation center on the vitreoretinal surgical simulator and will move to the ROP surgery simulator with laser and phacoemulsification.

At the end of his stay with us, Dr. Ngobo will travel to Las Vegas for his first Vit Buckle Meeting and then travel to University of Illinois for a International observership for two weeks.  Special thanks to members of the American Society of Retina Specialists who contribute to the ASRS Foundation so we can help support some of David’s education while he is with us in Phoenix.

“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.” – Lewis Carroll