WILLS EYE HOSPITAL ESTABLISHES ENDOWED RETINA RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
PHILADELPHIA, February 27, 2026 – Wills Eye Hospital has announced the creation of the William E. Benson, MD – Julia A. Haller, MD Retina Research Fellowship, supporting future fellows relocating to Philadelphia for training in retina research. It will also accelerate Retina Service research activities. The fellowship is named in honor of William E. Benson, MD, director emeritus of the Retina Service, and Wills Eye Chief Executive Officer and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief Julia A. Haller, MD.
“I’m truly honored to have my name affiliated with this worthy cause,” said William E. Benson, MD. “I know first-hand the joy of teaching and often learn just as much from the residents and fellows as they do from me. This fund is critical to supporting research at Wills and helping to build the next generation of retina specialists.”
Through the generosity of colleagues and alumni of the Wills Eye residency and retina fellowship programs, over $1 million has been given or pledged to help create an endowment fund. This funding will support future Retina Research Fellows and provide a foundation for continued research activities and leadership in the field of retina discovery.
“I can’t think of anything more worthwhile than training the next generation of surgeon-scientists in our field and am honored to be named in this fellowship alongside Dr. Benson,” said Dr. Haller. “There’s never been a more critical time to think about ways to fund these positions and continue to bring the best and brightest young people to Wills Eye.”
In perpetuity, this Retina Research Fellowship will be a key piece in helping fulfill the Wills Eye Hospital research mission while developing new generations of leaders in retina care, with the goal of improving care for all patients. The support and commitment from Wills Eye colleagues and alumni to fund this fellowship is a testament to the shared goals of helping grow and shape a stronger future of eye care.
“Nothing gives us greater pleasure that watching our graduates thrive as they head off to leading academic institutions and private practices across the globe,” said Arunan Sivalingam, MD, and Richard S. Kaiser MD, Directors of the Wills Eye Retina Fellowship. “Such a far-reaching presence ensures that the Wills Eye training improves lives far beyond Philadelphia and strengthens our legacy of excellence.”
To learn more about Retina Fellowships at Wills Eye Hospital, visit https://www.willseye.org/retina/.
About Wills Eye Hospital
Wills Eye Hospital is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of vision. As a trusted leader in ophthalmology, the clinical skill and innovative research of top-ranked, compassionate physicians combined with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment procedures make Philadelphia a global destination for eye care. As an independent, specialty hospital, with four regional surgical centers, Wills Eye Hospital serves as a comprehensive center for ophthalmology focused on patient care, research and education. Founded in 1832 through a bequest by Quaker merchant James Wills and registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit, Wills Eye Hospital has consistently earned top national ranking on U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Hospitals” survey.
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CONTACT: London Faust
lfaust@bellevuepr.com