Benjamin Meyer

Benjamin Meyer, 2021 MD candidate, Emory School of Medicine, was born and raised in Rochester, Minn. alongside five siblings and four dogs. With two parents as physicians in the neurosciences, “we were exposed to medicine very early on. I remember we would all be playing together while my parents were watching and discussing videos of brain surgery.” He went to Yale University for his undergraduate degree, where he initially pursued architecture. “I loved the creativity and hands-on nature of it, and how smart planning and design could improve urban spaces. After some experience in the field, I realized I craved more objectivity and the ability to directly help humans on an individual and personal basis. Ultimately, I pivoted into the sciences, which had always felt familiar, and found that medicine was indeed the perfect fit for me.” He graduated in 2016 with a degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.
 
Having never ventured to the South before, Ben did not foresee living in Georgia until he interviewed at Emory. “Immediately, Emory felt like home,” he says. “The nurturing environment was so genuine and palpable, and the clinical training afforded was unparalleled. It was a place where I could openly be part of the LGBTQ+ community and be embraced for it. I knew I would be lucky to be accepted to Emory School of Medicine.” Ben was overjoyed to receive a Robert W. Woodruff Fellowship and make Atlanta his new home.
 
Some of Ben’s highlights from his time at the School of Medicine were his clinical rotations at Grady Memorial Hospital. “Training at Grady has been one of the most impactful, humbling, and instrumental experiences in my life,” he says. “It has instilled in me a deep desire to serve the community, many of whom are often disenfranchised and vulnerable to structural and systemic inequalities. To be a part of these patients’ care is an honor.” These experiences solidified his desire to pursue residency in a large public hospital setting, thereby continuing to provide care for those who might not otherwise receive it.
 
While at Emory, Ben discovered the field of ophthalmology and was drawn toward its unique combination of medicine and surgery. He decided to pursue an additional year of research for his fourth year Discovery Phase project to focus on neuro-ophthalmology. “I was fortunate to find the most amazing and inspiring mentors! Drs. Nancy Newman and Valérie Biousse are not only globally recognized leaders in the field but are also incredibly kind and supportive. Without hesitation they adopted me into their Emory neuro-ophthalmology family, and my personal and professional life will be forever enriched because of them. I feel so lucky to call them mentors and friends.” Ben’s research projects focused on studying the role of artificial intelligence in detecting optic nerve abnormalities and he championed a large prospective study comparing brain MRI findings to ocular fundus photographs.

Over his time in medical school, Ben also served on the Student Advisory Board for EmoryDOCS (Development of Careers and Specialty Choice), career advising for medical students; served as an instructor for the Emory Continuing Education course, Medical Humanities: Expressing Health Through the Liberal Arts; and helped create, curate and review residency education COVID-19 infographics.

Ophthalmology participates in an early match announced in February. Ben loved Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital during his interview cycle, and he was elated to match at his first choice. “I am beyond humbled to be attending such a collegial, strong, and historied program for residency. It feels like a dream come true! I cannot wait to learn how to competently care for Miami’s underserved neighborhoods and join this amazing community of ophthalmologists.”