Alana L. Grajewski

About Alana L. Grajewski

Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Director of The Samuel & Ethel Balkan International Pediatric Glaucoma Center, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Florida, USA

What is your proudest professional achievement?

The creation of The Samuel & Ethel Balkan International Pediatric Glaucoma Center at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute: the first integrated care center for children with glaucoma and anterior segment dysgenesis.

Outside of ophthalmology, what makes you happy?

My family, friends, and planning how to address a new challenge.

Why is it important to celebrate women in the field?

I think the first thing that comes to mind is something that Sheryl Sandberg said, “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” Unfortunately, at this moment in time, we are not there yet – if we do not take special note of women who are considered to be the thought leaders in their field – experience tells us: no one will.

What can be done to make the field more diverse?

To do this one must think about who is normally not invited to the podium or given a seat at the table, but may deserve the position more than others; in fact may have even built the position.