To celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Wills Eye Retina Service, retina alumni came together to establish an endowed fellowship and research fund that will support future retina specialists and advance groundbreaking research.

Story: For generations of retina specialists, Wills Eye Hospital has been a place where future leaders in ophthalmology are trained, discoveries are made, and lifelong professional connections begin. In celebration of the Retina Service's 65th anniversary, that spirit of mentorship and excellence inspired alumni to give back in a meaningful way.

Led by Wills Eye alumnus and faculty member Arunan Sivalingam, MD, along with his wife and fellow Wills Eye physician Chris Cheung, MD, retina alumni united to establish the William E. Benson, MD – Julia A. Haller, MD Retina Research Fellowship Fund with the Wills Eye Foundation. The endowed fund honors two visionary leaders whose dedication to patient care, education, and research has shaped generations of retina specialists while ensuring continued investment in those who will lead the field in the future.

The fellowship was celebrated during the 50th Annual Atlantic Coast Retina Club & Macula Conference, where more than 500 retina physicians gathered to share the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal disease.

By coming together around a shared appreciation for the education and mentorship they received at Wills Eye, these alumni have created a lasting legacy that will support fellowship training, encourage innovative research, and strengthen the Retina Service for years to come.

Interested in supporting ophthalmic education, fellowship training, or retina research at Wills Eye Hospital? Contact the Foundation office at giving@willseye.org or 215.440.3154.