Featured in the Vanderbilt Eye Institute Impact Report 2024. Peruse the rest of the Impact Report here.
Adam Baird, O.D.
Adam Baird, O.D., is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and an optometrist at Vanderbilt Eye Institute. He specializes in comprehensive and medical eye care, including diabetes, non-surgical glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and dry eye.
Baird earned a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and went on to complete a hospital-based residency at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He is an active member of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometry Association.
Jonathan Barnett, M.D.
Jonathan Barnett, M.D., is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and an ophthalmologist at Vanderbilt Eye Institute. Barnett practices at the Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Alvin C. York Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is passionate about medical student and resident education and mentorship.
Barnett earned a medical degree at Stony Brook School of Medicine, an internship in General Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and an Ophthalmology residency at Vanderbilt Eye Institute.
Alexis Flowers, M.D.
Alexis Flowers, M.D., is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Her clinical practice at Vanderbilt Eye Institute includes pediatric ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology.
Flowers earned a medical degree at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. She completed her residency at Vanderbilt Eye Institute, a Neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, and a Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus fellowship at Vanderbilt Eye Institute.
Jeffrey S. Hunter, M.D.
Jeff Hunter, M.D., is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a pediatric ophthalmologist at Vanderbilt Eye Institute. His areas of expertise include childhood strabismus/crossed eyes, adult strabismus, blocked tear ducts, amblyopia, and pediatric cataracts, with a special emphasis on treating children with disabilities.
Hunter earned a medical degree from the University of Texas at Houston, and completed an internship at Baylor University, residency at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical School, and fellowship at Duke University Eye Center. He serves as a preceptor in VEI’s Fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus.
Abdul-Hadi Kaakour, M.D.
Abdul-Hadi Kaakour, M.D., is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a retinal specialist and vitreoretinal surgeon at Vanderbilt Eye Institute. His areas of expertise include detached retina, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt Disease, Usher Disease, and eyeball trauma.
Kaakour earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and received medical training at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. He completed an internship at Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, and a residency at Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California. His fellowship training was at Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, where he was Fellow Teacher of the Year in 2023.
Sarah Maxey, O.D.
Sarah Maxey, O.D., is an assistant professor of Clinical Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and an optometrist at Vanderbilt Eye Institute. She practices at Vanderbilt Eye Institute locations in Lebanon and Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Maxey earned a Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. She completed an optometric residency at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center in Memphis where she developed a strong interest in ocular disease.
Kiel Telesford, Ph.D.
Kiel Telesford, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, with a focus on Neuroimmunology, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His research program bridges human immunobiology with neuroscience and health equity to resolve chronic neurodegeneration underlying multiple sclerosis other neuroinflammatory conditions.
Telesford earned a master’s degree in clinical and translational investigation from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences and a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He was an instructor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center before joining Vanderbilt Eye Institute.
Daniel Valenzuela, M.D.
Daniel Valenzuela, M.D., is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a comprehensive ophthalmologist at Vanderbilt Eye Institute. He has co-authored peer-reviewed articles in several journals, including the Journal of Neuroscience, Cell Transplantation, and the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Valenzuela earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and neuroscience from the University of Miami and his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed an internship in general surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a residency in ophthalmology at Vanderbilt Eye Institute.
