MUSC Health Ophthalmology at West Ashley Medical Pavilion

Dr Larissa Gouvea is an ophthalmologist at the Storm Eye Institute with a triple fellowship specialization in both pediatric and adult cornea, cataract, external diseases, and refractive surgery and pediatric ophthalmology. She cares for patients of all ages with a myriad of ocular diseases, including cornea, ocular surface and anterior segment disorders using cutting-edge medical and surgical techniques. She received her medical degree from Brazil, followed by an ophthalmology residency at the Eye Hospital of Parana, also in Brazil. She subsequently completed a Cornea, Refractive Surgery \& External Diseases fellowship, as well as a second dedicated fellowship in Pediatric Cornea \& External Disease at the University of Toronto - Toronto Western Hospital and Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). After completing both adult and pediatric cornea fellowship, Dr Gouvea joined the Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina for a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology \& Adult Strabismus. Dr. Gouvea has received multiple research accolades, including the ASCRS Best Paper Awards twice. She is active in clinical research, having published a number of scientific works including peer review publications, abstracts in society meetings and book chapters. Dr Gouvea has also served as a course instructor at the American Academy of Ophthalmology laser refractive skills transfer course since 2018. Her clinical practice centers on improving outcomes for pediatric patients, especially those with corneal conditions as well as providing the optimal treatments for corneal and ocular surface disorders for both children and adults. Her research interests focus to advance the surgical treatment options for congenital and acquired anterior segment pathologies in all age groups.

Born in China, Dr. Tang immigrated with his family to Los Angeles, CA, at a young age and grew up in suburban Philadelphia, PA. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in Neuroscience. Dr. Tang's passion for Ophthalmology was sparked during college when he worked in a vision research laboratory. Afterward, he attended MUSC in Charleston and obtained M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. Dr. Tang received numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Research to Prevent Blindness Foundation for his dissertation research, which evaluated the role of vitamin A metabolism in genetic diseases of the retina. While in medical school, he was honored as a Presidential Scholar, he received the Dean's Scholarship, and graduated with a Ph.D. with Distinction. Dr. Tang completed his internship at the Hennepin County Medical Center and Ophthalmology residency at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. He received the Resident Research Award, a research fellowship from the VitreoRetinal Surgery Foundation, and consecutive Resident Teaching Awards for each year of his residency. He then returned to California for a Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery fellowship at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto. Dr. Tang began his career in private practice at Retina Consultants of Minnesota in 2019 in Minneapolis/St. Paul, where he practiced surgical retina and Ocular Oncology. In late 2023, he transitioned back to academia by joining Storm Eye Institute at MUSC as a faculty practicing surgical retina and ocular oncology. Dr. Tang is fully board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists. He is also an editor and reviewer for numerous medical journals and a writer and teacher for the Osler Institute and OphthoQuestions, both of which help Ophthalmologists prepare for board examinations.

Mauricio B. Pereira, M.D., Ph.D., is a sub-subspecialist in vitreoretinal surgery. Dr. Pereira has received several awards and distinctions for excellence in ophthalmology in his over 20 years of Ophthalmology practice. Dr. Pereira is active in clinical research, having published many scientific works at society meetings, including peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and abstracts. As a full member of the Brazilian Vitreous and Retina Society and Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology, Dr. Pereira is active in teaching at national and international ophthalmology conferences. Dr. Pereira is a regular reviewer for peer-reviewed journals, such as the American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports and Brazilian Archives of Ophthalmology (ABO), and Revista Brasileira de Oftalmologia (RBO). Dr. Pereira received his medical degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) in 1994, one of Brazil's most traditional and oldest medical schools. He completed his training in ophthalmology at Federal Servidores do Estado Hospital and was certified by the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology in 2000. He completed a two-year vitreoretinal fellowship training at the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP). He was granted a prize by the BRAVS for a study of "Mechanisms of Retinal Adhesion." Dr. Pereira also completed his Ph.D. with distinction on "Indocyanine green video angiography in blunt traumatic chorioretinopathy" at UNIFESP. In 2009, he joined the Federal Fluminense University (UFF) in Rio de Janeiro as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology for nine years and then as Associate Professor for four years. During his academic career, he was pivotal in helping the Department achieve the top 6 Ophthalmology Residency Programs in Brazil and 8th in Latin America. He also participated as a Federal Fluminense University Medical Board of Ethics Committee member. Dr. Pereira joined the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, in 2023 for a second vitreoretinal fellowship. His contributions to the medical field include directly training more than 200 ophthalmologists as residents or retina fellows. Among his contributions, two publications were the first reports of Susac's Syndrome in Brazil in 2000 and autofluorescence findings in Benign Concentric Annular Macular Dystrophy in 2019. Dr. Pereira has performed thousands of eye surgeries and has significantly contributed to the treatment of eye diseases and blindness prevention in Brazil. His main interests are retina, vitreous, complications of cataract surgery, and surgical treatment of macular disorders.

Dr. Eric L. Berman joined the Storm Eye Institute as a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology in September 2017. He is a specialist in neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery and is the director of the neuro-ophthalmology service at the Storm Eye Institute. He also is currently the Dr. William A. And Sandra F. Johnson endowed chair in neuro-ophthalmology. Dr. Berman relocated here from Sarasota, Florida, where he was in private practice for the previous 18 years. While there he served as a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where he regularly gave lectures to the residents. Prior to that, he was in practice in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was clinical associate professor of ophthalmology and neurology at the University of Louisville. He also was a full-time faculty member in the departments of neurology and ophthalmology at the University of Rochester. Dr. Berman graduated with honors from the University of Chicago. He did his medical training at the State University of New York &- Downstate Medical Center. He also completed his ophthalmology residency at the State University of New York-Downstate Medical Center. He did fellowship training in neuro-ophthalmology, orbital and oculoplastic surgery at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Berman has been an active fellow in the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. He has spoken at national and international meetings and has authored numerous journal articles and chapters in medical textbooks. He is the co-author of the book MRI and CT, Clinical Neuro-Orbital Anatomy, published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Tala Kassm, D.O. is a board certified ophthalmologist sub-specializing in the treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. She joined the Department of Ophthalmology at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 2018 as a glaucoma fellow, honing her skills as a cataract surgeon while learning the fine details of glaucoma surgical and medical care. During her fellowship, she became femtosecond laser certified on the Catalys laser so that she can offer her patients laser assisted cataract surgery. She then decided to continue her career at MUSC as an attending physician and assistant professor. In her short time as the glaucoma fellow at MUSC, Dr. Kassm created and led the Glaucoma Support Group at the Storm Eye Institute as she has a passion for well-rounded patient care, offering her patients the opportunity to interact with each other as well as their physician in a relaxed environment while learning more about glaucoma. Prior to joining her colleagues at MUSC, Dr. Kassm earned her medical degree from A.T. Still University in Arizona. As a medical student, Dr. Kassm received the Outstanding Student Award and the Robert F. Crawford Scholastic Achievement Award which is only granted to one exceptional student in the graduating class for overall academic and clinical excellence. After obtaining her D.O. degree, she went on to complete her ophthalmology residency training at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky. During her residency, she developed a strong interest in educating fellow physicians about ophthalmology and delivered a wide variety of lectures to fellow physicians and medical students about ophthalmology. However, her greatest passion during her training was for learning and sharpening her skills as a cataract surgeon. During her residency alone, she performed hundreds of cataract surgeries, including surgeries using toric lenses to correct astigmatism and multifocal lenses to help patients gain independence from glasses. She has experience with monovision lenses, limbal relaxing incisions and LASIK. Since completing her training, she has performed over a thousand intraocular procedures.Dr. Kassm has thoroughly enjoyed dedicating her time and services to many community organizations such as the Storm Eye Sight Organization, West End Boys School Eye Screening Campaign, the Leukocoria Campaign in association with the Children's Eye Foundation and Kentucky School for the Blind, Home of the Innocence, and Kendall Optometry Ministry, Inc. organizing and sorting glasses for those who cannot afford them.Not only does she have a robust dedication to both patient and physician education, but she also enjoys spending time with each of her patients in order to thoroughly explain their disease and treatment plan. Dr. Kassm is a precisely skilled surgeon who understands the importance of detail in such a field as ophthalmology.

Dr. Jella An joins the Storm Eye Institute from the prestigious Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University and Hospitals, where she served as the Medical Director and Vice Chair for the Wilmer Eye Care Network. She also held a faculty position as an Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. As a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist, Dr. An brings a wealth of expertise to the field. Her clinical specialties include minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and complex cataract surgery, areas where she has earned national and international recognition for her contributions. Dr. An is also highly experienced in the management of ophthalmology clinical practice. Dr. An received her M.D. and B.Sc. degrees from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and completed her clinical fellowship in glaucoma and advanced anterior segment surgery at the University of Toronto. Her research efforts are dedicated to advancing glaucoma treatments, focusing on novel surgical and laser interventions, as well as extended-release drug delivery. Her goal is to personalize treatments, enhance patient quality of life, and prevent blindness through earlier and safer treatment options. She serves as a principal investigator for several clinical trials and has delivered numerous invited lectures worldwide. Dr. An is passionate about achieving the best outcomes for her patients, advancing innovative glaucoma treatment options, and providing top-tier training and mentorship to aspiring clinicians and researchers.

Matthew J. Nutaitis, M.D. is a glaucoma specialist with expertise in cataract and anterior segment disorders. He joined the faculty of Storm Eye Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina in February 2007 as ophthalmology residency program director. Dr. Nutaitis spent 15 years as an attending at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, Maryland, with extensive primary and secondary glaucoma and anterior segment experience as well as expertise in the use of medical, laser and surgical interventions to preserve vision. Dr. Nutaitis also has in-depth experience in the management and application of medication formularies for clinics and large institutions. Dr. Nutaitis earned his medical degree from USUHS in 1985, completing his internship at the National Naval Medical Center and his residency training at NNMC. He served a glaucoma fellowship at Storm Eye Institute (1991 to 1992). From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Nutaitis served as affiliate program director of the ophthalmology program at Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University combined ophthalmology residency program and the residency program at Howard University Hospital and at NNMC. For two years (1999 to 2001), he served as assistant chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at NNMC Bethesda. Dr. Nutaitis was assistant professor at the University of Houston, Texas, in 2002 and assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at George Washington University School of Medicine from 2001 to 2007.From 1994 to 2007, he was assistant professor, Department of Surgery, Uniform Services University of Health Services and a teaching fellow there from 1989 to 1994. In the area of pharmacology, Dr. Nutaitis was a member of the Department of Defense pharmacy and therapeutics committee executive council from 2000 to 2004 and a committee member from 1998 to 2004. He was also a member of the pharmacy and therapeutics committee at NNMC Bethesda. He served as department head, eye clinic, for the USNS Comfort-Joint Task Force Katrina in 2005. Dr. Nutaitis has published peer review journal articles and monographs focusing primarily on cataract and glaucoma surgery, including "Ophthalmic Care of the Combat Casualty" and "Pattern Discrimination Perimetry Testing in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertensive Patients". In 2006, Dr. Nutaitis received both the army Commendation Medal and Graduation Award, as well as the Navy Commendation Medal (1999).

Dr. Jeremy Walz received his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Optometry in 2009. He went on to complete a residency with an emphasis on ocular disease management at the Huntington VA Medical Center in Huntington, WV. He then received advanced fellowship training in traumatic brain injury vision rehabilitation at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center where he directed the Polytrauma Optometric Clinic for three years.Dr. Walz has served on the faculty at the Ohio State and University of California-Berkeley Schools of Optometry. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Jeffrey P. Blice joined the Storm Eye Institute as a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology in October 2013. He is a specialist in vitreoretinal diseases and practices as a member of Storm Eye Institute's vitreoretinal surgery division. Dr. Blice came from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he served as assistant service chief of ophthalmology, director of the vitreoretinal services, and assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He was on the staff of the National Naval Medical Center, holding leadership positions in pharmacy and therapeutics, patient safety, health care operations, and information technology. He most recently served as the chief of staff on the Navy's regional command in Washington, D.C. Since 2007, he also served as Walter Reed's residency site director for the Washington National Eye Center. Dr. Blice is widely published on the national level.Dr. Blice graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Science degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He received a doctorate of medicine from Temple University, Philadelphia, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Prior to his ophthalmology residency at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center, he served as a regimental surgeon for the Marine Corps during Desert Storm. In 1997, he completed fellowship training in diseases of the retina, and vitreous and intraocular tumors at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia.

James F. Hill III is a native of Georgetown, South Carolina and graduated from the Citadel in 2003 with a BS in biology. His first job was as a research specialist at MUSC and he decided during his two years there to pursue a career in optometry. He attended and graduated from the University Of Alabama School Of Optometry and completed a residency in ocular disease and low vision rehabilitation at the Birmingham VAMC and Blind Rehabilitation Center. Upon completion of his residency he completed the Advanced Competency Medical Optometry (ACMO) examination and obtained his Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). Over the past five years he has worked with four different private practices, started a weekly low vision clinic at the Storm Eye Institute at MUSC, and provided eye care in many nursing homes in the Charleston area. He is currently on the board of directors of the Palmetto Professional Society, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired of SC, and the South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association. In 2016 he was awarded the SCOPA Young Optometrist of the Year and in 2017 accepted a full time faculty position as an assistant professor at the Storm Eye Institute at MUSC. His duties will also allow him to continue to provide cutting edge low vision research and care to those who are visually impaired, as well as provide comprehensive eye care at the highest level to new patients in the Charleston community. When not in the clinic Dr. Hill likes to spend time with friends and family. His favorite thing to do is to be on the water fishing or enjoying the beautiful scenery SC offers or supporting his beloved Citadel Bulldogs at any type of sporting event.

Karolinne Maia Rocha M.D. Ph.D. is a sub-subspecialist in cataract, cornea, and refractive surgery. Dr. Rocha has received awards and distinctions for excellence in ophthalmology including the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Achievement Award in 2012, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation Resident Excellence Award in 2012 and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Teaching Excellence Recognition Award in 2013. Dr. Rocha is active in clinical research, having published over 100 scientific works including peer review publications, book chapters, and abstracts in society meetings. As a member of the executive subcommittee of the International Society of Refractive Surgery International Council, Dr. Rocha is active in teaching at national and international ophthalmology conferences. She has served as a course instructor at the American Academy of Ophthalmology laser refractive skills transfer course since 2009 and teaches courses on corneal collagen cross-linking and corneal topography. Dr. Rocha is a regular reviewer for the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Journal of Refractive Surgery, Cornea, and the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Dr. Rocha is also an associate editor for the Brazilian Archives of Ophthalmology (ABO).Dr. Rocha completed her postdoctoral fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 2009 where she worked intimately with adaptive optics. She published one of the first clinical applications of adaptive optics characterizing the exact amount of higher order aberrations that balances depth of focus with quality of vision -- work that is widely cited in ophthalmic research. Dr. Rocha completed a second postdoctoral fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Emory University in 2010 where she played instrumental roles in the lead investigational study on corneal collagen cross-linking, corneal biomechanics and topography-guided laser ablation. Dr. Rocha received her medical degree from State University of Londrina in Parana, Brazil in 2002. After obtaining her M.D. she completed training in ophthalmology at Federal University of S&~o Paulo and was certified by the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology in 2005. As a second year resident she received the XXXIII Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology Surgical Skills Prize. After completion of a fellowship in anterior segment surgery in 2007, she served as assistant of ophthalmology at the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Subsequently, she completed her Ph.D. & "Optical aberrations in pseudophakic and cataractous eyes, &" also at the Federal University of Sao Paulo. Dr. Rocha was the first ophthalmologist to be awarded the highest honor by the Brazilian government for her Ph.D. thesis.Dr. Rocha completed her second ophthalmology residency at the Cole Eye Institute-Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. She joined the faculty of MUSC/Storm Eye Institute in Charleston, South Carolina in 2014 and she is currently the director of the cornea and refractive surgery division.