MEDICINE
eye institute in Florida, and I’m going to be here to start the
process of improving the care of the community through this
effort,” he says.
As an ophthalmologist, Singh says his mission is to improve
the care and quality of his patients’ lives through various eyecare
related procedures and surgeries. That mission, he adds,
is accomplished through research, clinical education and
clinical care.
LIFE-CHANGING THERAPIES
As a researcher, Singh has helped patients through cuttingedge
therapies that have changed their lives. He has been the
principal investigator in numerous clinical studies that have
led to the FDA approval of multiple drugs treating conditions
such as age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy, retinal
vein occlusion and retinal detachments.
“The drugs that I have worked on from a research perspective
and pioneered in our field have been transformational,”
he explains. “Imagine patients who couldn’t drive are now
driving again because of the therapies we are applying. My
research and efforts have been rewarded with outcomes of
patients seeing more and doing more as a result of my work.”
His extensive research has been published in New England
Journal of Medicine, Ophthalmology, JAMA Ophthalmology, British
Journal of Ophthalmology and Lancet. He has also received
many accolades for his research including the Alpha Omega
Alpha Research Award and the American Society of Retina
Specialists Senior Honor Award.
Additionally, Singh is a professor at the Lerner College of
Medicine in Cleveland where he teaches continuing medical
education, is involved with resident and fellow advisement,
and mentors medical students in the research lab.
“I was a trainee and know what it’s like to be a trainee and
not know all of the spheres of the area that you’re focusing
on,” he says. “And I valued that mentorship that I had from
individuals — people that were willing to take time out of
their schedule and teach me. So, I feel like it’s giving back in
many ways. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
Singh also believes that instructing students pushes his
own ability to continually learn.
“It’s easy to get stagnant in this world and be set in your
ways,” he says. “Trainees really push the envelope of new
cutting-edge therapies, new thoughts, new ideas, new treatments,
and new approaches. It’s incredibly valuable to have
them work with me and do what we’re doing.”
TAKING THE REINS
Singh moved to the Treasure Coast upon assuming his role
as president of the hospital in January 2022 and promptly fell
in love with it.
“I learned late in life that this is a wonderful place to live
and to be,” he says. “I wish I knew this 18 years ago when I
was in Ohio. I would have moved here earlier than I did.”
He has been especially impressed with the level of philanthropy
26 Port St. Lucie Magazine
in the area.
“The people on the Treasure Coast are incredibly caring,
kind and supportive,” Singh remarks. “It’s a very vibrant
community that cares a lot about social responsibility. I’ve
been impressed with how much I’ve seen with regards to
supporting children, supporting those at-risk and supporting
those with adversity in our community. And I’ve been
impressed to see that even coming from Boston and the Mid-
RISHI SINGH
Singh has a passion for education as he guides and trains the next generation of medical students.
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