Message from the Fellowship Program Director
The fellowship includes extensive exposure to both functional and aesthetic aspects of oculofacial plastic surgery. All the preceptors are experienced, dedicated educators. Fellowship Program Director Louise Mawn has been a faculty member at Vanderbilt since 1998. She is a member of the International Orbital Society and has a practice emphasis in orbital disease. Dr. Brian Biesman leads the cosmetic training in the fellowship. Dr. Biesman specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery and has a special interest in minimally invasive rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Biesman is joined by Molly Katz, RN, CANS who serves as an adjunctive preceptor. Dr. Mawn and Dr. Biesman have been training ASOPRS fellows for the last 28 years.
The fellowship is anchored at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. The breadth and depth of clinical experience in the ophthalmic plastic division in Vanderbilt Eye Institute is considerable with a large volume of tertiary and quaternary orbital disease, complex trauma cases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a dedicated pediatric ophthalmic plastics clinic in the Lions Eye Center. Full-time VEI ophthalmic plastic faculty include ASOPRS members, Dr. Behin Barahimi and Dr. Rachel Sobel. The fellowship blends a unique dichotomy of extremely complex periocular, orbital and skull based surgical techniques with cutting edge aesthetics and robust exposure to bread-and-butter periocular disease and surgery. Many of the consultative cases are referred from established oculofacial surgeons. The aesthetic component of the fellowship is unparalleled with international expertise in technology-based applications for facial rejuvenation and noninvasive body contouring including lasers for skin resurfacing, hair removal, treatment of benign pigmented lesions and tattoos, and, treatment of unwanted vascular lesions Intense Pulsed Light treatment, noninvasive body contouring, photodynamic therapy, noninvasive skin tightening, and the comprehensive use of injectable neuromodulators and soft tissue fillers. All subspecialties within the field of ophthalmic plastic practice are represented by faculty with subspecialty training and expertise. Dedicated time rotating with the overlapping surgical subspecialties of rhinology, facial plastics, cranial facial surgery, dermatology and neurosurgery are a key component of the training. Autonomy is gained at the Veterans Affairs Hospital with a full day a week assigned to surgery and clinic in which the fellow develops leadership skills and confidence in running an oculofacial practice. The research facilities and core support structure allows for a large variety of research interests. Funding exists for support of the ASOPRS thesis preparation and development as well as attendance at meetings and distinct educational opportunities. Trauma and call exposure are balanced to allow for optimal education and experience while focusing of development of advanced practice expertise and surgical skills.
Information about the fellowship can be obtained by contacting our fellowship coordinator, Nekole Williams.
Warmest personal regards,
Louise A. Mawn, MD
Program Director
Oculoplastics Faculty
Behin Barahimi, M.D., Associate Professor
Louise Mawn, M.D., Professor Ophthalmology and Neurological Surgery, Oculoplastics Division Chief, ASOPRS Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Fellowship Director
Rachel Sobel, M.D., Associate Professor
Former Fellows
Anna Kupcha, M.D. 2018-2020
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist Anna Kupcha, M.D. – Durango, CO - Four Corners Eye Clinic
Private practice:
Four Corners Eye Clinic
Durango, CO
Katherine Dempsey, M.D., 2020-2022
Katharine S. Dempsey, MD | Northwell Health
Academic health system:
Northwell Health
New York, NY
Yash Vaishnav, M.D., 2022 – 2024
Meet Denver's Best Eyelid & Facial Surgeons – About PAOS
Private Practice:
Park Avenue Oculoplastic Surgeons
Denver, CO
Hannah Schultz, M.D., 2024 – 2026
New York, NY
