In recognition of National Doctors' Day (March 30), we want to highlight some of our doctors who care for our patients and advance the field of ophthalmology through education and research.
Get to know the team that cares for you
Check out these snapshots of some of our faculty beyond their clinical roles.
Lindsay M. De Andrade, MD
Subspecialty: Pediatric Opthalmology
Years in practice: 6
Fun fact about you outside of medicine?
I have three little boys but I came from a family of six girls.
Why ophthalmology?
Helping improve a child's vision can literally change their entire life, so it's pretty amazing to have such a big impact from such a young age.
Final thoughts...
My job would not be nearly as enjoyable without my excellent colleagues - both physicians and all the ancillary staff that keep our department going.
Just for fun—share a few of your favorites (or least favorites)...
- Coffee order: Skinny vanilla latte
- Local restaurant: Basta
- Dessert: Anything chocolate
- Season: Fall
- Board game or card game: Hand and Foot
- One food you refuse to eat: Oranges
- If you had to design the perfect ice cream flavor, what's in it?: Chocolate, caramel, pretzels
- If you could be any animal: Cat
- Non-medical skill of yours: Being a mom
- Biggest ick or pet peeve: Reply alls that shouldn't be
Mark A. Greiner, MD
Subspecialty: Cornea
Fun fact about you outside of medicine?
I love to cook and bake.
Why ophthalmology?
Teachers showed me the way!
In one sentence, what do you love most about your work?
Talking with my patients.
Advice for someone considering a career in medicine:
Best job in the world!!
Jaclyn M. Haugsdal, MD
Subspecialty: Comprehensive
Years in practice: 9
Jaclyn M. Haugsdal, MD
Fun fact outside of medicine:
I enjoy gardening and spent the winter months growing plants from seed in a small greenhouse.
Most rewarding part of patient care:
Returning a patient's independence by improving their vision.
In one sentence, what do you love most about your work?
The people and the teamwork!
Randy H. Kardon, MD, PhD
Subspecialty: Neuro-Ophthalmology
Years in practice: 37
Randy H. Kardon, MD, PhD
Fun fact outside of medicine:
I have been weight training for 40 years and enjoy golf and pickle-ball.
In high school in Des Moines, Iowa I was the lead in most of the high school plays. My principal called me into his office and urged me to skip college and pursue an acting career. As an undergraduate I co-authored (with my biology/histology professor) a text-atlas of scanning electron microscopy; "Tissues and Organs: A Text-Atlas of Scanning Electron Microscopy" with over 800 photos of the organs and tissues of the body, including microvascular casts of the microcirculation of most organs. It sold out 3 editions and was published by WH Freeman who at that time in 1979 published Scientific American. Some of the most striking photos were exhibited at Science Museums at the time in New York, San Francisco and Boston and were used in many biology textbooks. It was labor of love of science and art and sparked my life-long interest in research and medicine.
Why ophthalmology?
I was fascinated by how many disorder were reflected in the physiology and imaging of the eye and the ability to gain insight into diseases by its accessibility to observation and testing and also reflecting the CNS. The ability to find the cause of a person's vision loss, and be able to help them regain vision or comfort them is a precious gift.
Most rewarding part of patient care:
Helping an anxious patient understand the cause of their problem when others were not able to elucidate it, and provide them with comfort and care.
A memorable patient moment: (patient details have been modified to protect privacy)
A patient had progressively lost vision in both eyes over 2 years, and the cause had not yet been identified. On examination with red targets it became obvious the patient had a chiamsal/optic nerve problem and an MRI that day confirmed a large pituitary adenoma. After prompt neurosurgical treatment, the patient regained vision to 20/20 in each eye, allowing them to resume their daily activities.
In one sentence, what do you love most about your work?:
Discovery through research and clinical investigations, creativity, and the bonding and collegiality with patients, their families and colleagues.
Advice for someone considering a career in medicine:
Follow your passions!
Final thoughts...
It has been a privilege to practice in such a wonderful academic environment over 37 years. Time flies when you are having fun!
Kanwal S. Matharu, MD
Subspecialty: Cornea, Global Ophthalmology
Years in practice: 3
Fun fact(s) about you outside of medicine:
I'd be a photojournalist if I wasn't a physician. I love the San Antonio Spurs. I am an Eagle Scout.
Why ophthalmology?
Big picture--improve quality of life. I love the science and appearance of the eye. Global eye care is well-established.
Most rewarding part of patient care:
Working with patients at the two extremes. Helping someone with a healthy eye optimizing their vision; problem-solving for someone with a disaster disease or that no one else has listened to about their dry eye
A memorable patient moment: (patient details have been modified to protect privacy)
We performed refractive surgery for an adult patient with an intellectual disability and pathological myopia under general anesthesia. After treatment, the patient became more engaged and comfortable interacting with others. Previously, due to the distortion from their glasses and poor vision, the patient had been scared of everyone in clinic.
In one sentence, what do you love most about your work?:
The people I work with, especially international surgeons who persist against the odds.
Advice for someone considering a career in medicine:
Find your why and hold onto it tight.
Final thoughts...
If you want it bad enough and make it a priority, anything is possible.
Just for fun—share a few of your favorites (or least favorites)...
- Coffee order: Cappuccino/masala chai
- Local restaurant: Pullman
- Dessert: Brownie and ice cream
- Season: Summer
- Movie or TV Show: My Cousin Vinnie
- Song: All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix
- Book or Podcast: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- Concert: Red Hot Chili Peppers at Voodoo Fest
- Board game or card game: Chess
- One food you refuse to eat: None
- If you had to design the perfect flavor of ice cream, what's in it?: Coffee
Movie, tv show, or book character: Atticus Finch - If you could choose any superpower: Teleportation
- If you could be any animal: Peregrine falcon
- Non-medial skill of yours: Random trivia
- Bucket List Item: See the glaciers
- Biggest ick or pet peeve: None
- Favorite Joke: My dad's jokes
- Favorite way to treat yourself: Movie and a beer
Christine W. Sindt, OD, FAAO
Subspeciality: Contact Lens
Years in practice: 30
Fun fact(s) about you outside of medicine:
My son and I wrote a book called "Squamy the Lake Monster- a Generational Tale of Life on Squamy Lake." Where I helped facilitate conversations between generations about growing up on the Lake and turned it into an adventure book.
Why ophthalmology?
Every eye doctor I talked to loved their job. It combines people, puzzles and research.
Most rewarding part of patient care:
Relationships.
A memorable patient moment: (patient details have been modified to protect privacy)
There was a very young patient everyone said was cortically blind, not to bother with contact lenses. Mom decided to try anyway. When the patient was older, they sat in my lap and read me a book. I think of them when it would be easier to give up. They're my "Why".
In one sentence, what do you love most about your work?:
People trust me to be better tomorrow than I am today.
Advice for someone considering a career in medicine:
Everything you do is a choice. There is a profound ripple effect in medicine. Choose wisely.
Just for fun—share a few of your favorites (or least favorites)...
- Coffee order: McCafe is my absolute favorite
- Dessert: Gummy bears are my favorite candy
- Season: Summer
- Song: Together Tomorrow by Tom Chapin
- Board game or card game: Sleuth
- One food you refuse to eat: Donuts
- If you had to design the perfect flavor of ice cream, what's in it?: Peanut butter with PB cups, or cake batter
- Movie, tv show, or book character: Harry Potter series
- If you could choose any superpower: Happiness
- If you could be any animal: My Cat- truly pampered and extra cuddles
- Non-medial skill of yours: whistling
- Bucket List Item: Truly see the Northern lights
- Biggest ick or pet peeve: Cupboard doors left open
- Favorite Joke: Why is 6 afraid of 7
- Favorite way to treat yourself: Massage
- Favorite advice to give or advice you have received: "Put the big rocks in first" - if you know you know
Marc Toeteberg-Harms, MD, FEBO
Subspecialty: Glaucoma
Years in practice: 12
Why ophthalmology?
I chose ophthalmology because it combines precision and innovation. I’m drawn to the technical nature and rapid advancements, and I find it incredibly meaningful to directly see and treat what’s affecting a patient’s vision.
Most rewarding part of patient care:
Vision is one of the most important senses for all of us. In addition, it's like taking care of my patient and partnering with them in their treatment lifelong.
Memorable patient moment:
One moment that’s stayed with me is seeing patients after a successful surgery—especially those who came in extremely anxious beforehand. Watching that shift from fear to relief is incredibly powerful. When they realize the procedure went well, they’re healing, and they can even come off their glaucoma drops, you can see the weight lift off them. Being part of that transformation is something I find deeply meaningful every day.
In one sentence, what do you love most about your work?:
Besides caring for my amazing patient, I enjoy working with our outstanding team in our Department.
Advice for someone considering a career in medicine:
Be sure you’re excited by both the science and the human connection - medicine is a field where you can keep learning while making a real difference in people’s lives. Seek out clinical experiences early, stay curious, and trust that your passion for helping others will guide you.
Just for fun—share a few of your favorites (or least favorites)...
- Coffee order: Caffè Latte
- Favorite local restaurant: Webster for special nights, outside at Big Grove in the summer.
- Season: Spring
- If you had to design the perfect ice cream flavor, what's in it?: Any fruit sorbet
- If you could choose any superpower: Make time slow down to be able to squeeze more into a single day
- Favorite advice to give or advice you have received: Enjoy every day even if it is a stressful day. There is always a moment to slow-down and enjoy something special.
Mark E. Wilkinson, OD, FAAO
Subspecialty: Vision Rehabilitation
Years in practice: 46
Fun fact about you outside of medicine:
I enjoy cooking and baking.
Most rewarding part of patient care:
Helping individuals from birth to death to manage their vision loss and maximize their functional abilities.
A memorable patient moment:
Currently, the common question is, "will you be here for me next year." The answer is "yes".
Just for fun—share a few of your favorites (or least favorites)...
- Coffee (or go-to order): I am not old enough to drink coffee. My go to order is water.
- Dessert: Most anything chocolate
- Favorite advice to give or advice you have received: For trainees, reflect on your progress not each day or each month, but each year on April 1. This allows you to realize how much you have learned over the past year.
