David Zhang, MD and Sonya Besagar, MD
Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Nashville, TN
The 2026 Vit-Buckle Society Mentorship Award was awarded to Adrienne Scott, MD, the Fred M. Leader Family Retina Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Scott was introduced by Dr. Sharon Fekrat, a close colleague and friend, who highlighted her enthusiasm and commitment to clinical care and mentorship.
Dr. Scott completed her undergraduate degree at Duke University and received her MD degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, followed by ophthalmology residency at Duke Eye Center in Durham, NC. During that time, she received numerous awards for clinical and surgical excellence. She then remained at Duke to complete her fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery. Dr. Scott, in her various leadership and mentoring roles, “wears many hats, but one standard of excellence,” said Dr. Fekrat.
Dr. Scott then began her award lecture, titled “M is for Mentor”, describing her background and perspectives on educating the next generation of retina specialists. She was the first person in her family to enter the medical profession and humorously described her initial interest in glaucoma, to lighthearted banter from the retina-heavy audience. Eventually, her relationships with the retina fellows and faculty at Duke solidified her decision to pursue vitreoretinal surgery. After assuming a faculty position at the Wilmer Eye Institute, she continued to develop as a leader in the field with the mentorship of Morton Goldberg, MD, among many others, developing expertise in a variety of retinal conditions including sickle cell retinopathy.
“Ophthalmology is a field for everyone,” Dr. Scott said, emphasizing the openness of mentorship that helped her achieve new heights. She described the importance of modeling success and having a strong guiding principle towards one’s goals. On both sides of the mentor-mentee relationship, it is important to exhibit intentional effort and communication of expectations. She reminded mentees to check in regularly with past mentors as well, which fosters collaboration, reciprocity, and enduring relationships.
Lastly, she wrapped up with a quote from Steven Spielberg: “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” Personal growth and experience continually change one’s identity and sense of self, and everyone’s path is slightly different. Great mentorship allows people to achieve their full potential in their own personal way.
