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Show Neuro-Ophthalmology News Section Editors: Kathleen B. Digre, MD Meagan Seay, DO Great Conversations: Dr. Barrett Katz ,, W e are pleased to highlight Dr. Barrett Katz in this issue of the Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology. We were able to sit down with Dr. Katz at the 2019 annual NANOS meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Katz has led a nontraditional and storied career path that we are eager to share with you. Dr. Katz was born and raised in New York City, graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, and obtained his undergraduate degree at Colgate University and his medical degree from Case-Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He then completed an internship in medicine at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, followed by a residency in Neurology at Harvard University. Dr. Katz credits Dr. Norman Geschwind as an early and influential mentor. It was Dr. Geschwind who, when he learned of Dr. Katz' interest in neuro-ophthalmology, said, "You must meet my friend, Simmons Lessell." Although he initially planned an academic career in pediatric neurology, at Dr. Geschwind's prodding, Dr. Katz spent 6 months with Dr. Simmons Lessell during residency time, and it was Dr. Lessell who introduced him to the world of academic neuro-ophthalmology. Having come to neuro-ophthalmology, Dr. Katz realized he would be best served in preparing for this by completing an additional residency in ophthalmology, so he did so in Boston at Tufts-New England Medical Center. After this, he pursued fellowship training with Dr. William Hoyt at UCSF, in whom he acquired another lifelong mentor. He greatly valued his time with this devoted, brilliant, yet demanding teacher, and as the fellowship unfolded, into a life-long friendship. After fellowship, Dr. Katz was hired at the University of Arizona, where he envisioned himself spending the rest of his days in Tucson on a farm raising horses. Three years later, however, he moved to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) with an offer he could not refuse. In those years, he met another mentor who took him under his wing; this was Dr. Ron Burde. According to Dr. Katz, "He [Dr. Burde] was a voice of reason, a conservative thinker, a true humanist, and very giving." Next, Dr. Katz moved north to San Francisco with the offer of an endowed chair and worked at the Pacific Medical Center, the former Stanford teaching hospital. As his administrative responsibilities increased, he decided to supplement his skill set with an MBA. Dr Katz aspired to work in a dean's office, so he searched for an academic center that would let him pursue both aspirations as he continued in clinical neuroophthalmology. It was the University of Rochester that offered him such an opportunity. Seay et al: J Neuro-Ophthalmol 2019; 39: e13-e14 The next transition in his career led Dr. Katz to accept the chairmanship of the Department of Ophthalmology at the George Washington School of Medicine in Washington, DC. While there, he recognized the value of partnering his department with the FDA and worked with them to craft a fellowship in ophthalmology drug development, with fellows spending half time at the FDA and half time as trialists in Dr. Katz's department. As this relationship grew, Dr. Katz's interest in clinical trials grew and culminated in his moving full time to industry. He joined Eyetech in New York City and was involved in bringing the first anti-VEGF drug for macular degeneration to market. When asked if his younger self would have imagined working in industry, he replied "Never!" It was not until Dr. Katz was in Washington working with the FDA that he realized the impact of translational medicine and its potential to profoundly impact many lives through new drug discovery. After Eyetech, Dr. Katz served as the Chief Medical Officer of an Ophthalmology start up in Paris and next as the Chief Executive Officer of another startup in New York City. A unique time in Dr. Katz's career occurred when one of his sons decided to pursue a career in ophthalmology. Dr. Katz wanted the opportunity to work with and help train his son, so he moved back to an academic center, with the offer of another endowed chair, at the Albert Einstein Medical School. While there, Dr. Katz built and founded an office of clinical trials that centralized and managed all trials across all areas at the Montefiore Medical Center and Einstein College of Medicine. His son is now an ophthalmologist specializing in retina. After his time at Albert Einstein Medical School, Dr. Katz was lured back to industry with an opportunity to participate in the journey of gene therapy and accepted a position at GenSight Biologics, in Paris, where he currently works. The part of his career he is most proud of is what he has passed along to his residents and fellows, and the lifelong relationships that continue from those connections. How to balance work and life is a skill that Dr. Katz has also imparted to his mentees. His advice to people just starting their careers is to change jobs when opportunities arise, to move on when things become too easy, and to keep learning. He states that there are so many different career paths open to physicians, and one should explore the entire road and venture outside one's comfort zone, he counsels. Dr. Katz has 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Through the years, his appreciation for his family has grown. His son learned to play the cello at age 4, which also led Dr. Katz to learn the e13 Copyright © North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Neuro-Ophthalmology News cello, so that they could play together. He enjoys fly fishing and does so throughout the world. He is an active sailor and struggling golfer, but still practicing both. Seven years ago, while attending an angiogenesis conference in Nashville, Dr. Katz went to the Grand Ole Opry. While sitting in the front row, he had an epiphany and realized his next life calling- country western music. He has since devoted much time to mastering the 12-string guitar. When asked his preference between the east or west coast, he reports that, although he is a native New Yorker, he recognizes the strength and draw of the west coast-and its sun. Dr. Katz, we appreciate your contributions to the field of neuro-ophthalmology and the impact you have had on your e14 trainees, patients, family, and society by your life's work and by your continuing efforts to bring new therapies to patients. Meagan Seay, DO University of Utah Moran Eye Center, Salt Lake City, Utah Elizabeth Fortin, MD Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts Kathleen Digre, MD University of Utah Moran Eye Center, Salt Lake City, Utah Seay et al: J Neuro-Ophthalmol 2019; 39: e13-e14 Copyright © North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. |
