Dr. Sumit Sharma

My dad is a physician. I never felt any pressure to follow in his footsteps. Quite the opposite, actually. My family encouraged me to consider other careers, because of the intense commitment involved with a career in medicine. They meant well, but I knew from a young age that this was what I wanted to do. 

My first visit to Cleveland was for my Lerner College of Medicine interview. I was pretty much blown away by every aspect of the program. The curriculum was so innovative. I liked the idea of blazing my own trail. 

I clearly remember that Dr. Phillip Hall gave us a talk on the very first day. He really impressed upon us the joy of learning. That has stuck with me to this day. 

The emphasis on problem-based learning fit my learning style. I’m not someone who likes sitting in lectures and just listening to someone talk about a topic, which is the traditional medical school curriculum. At CCLCM, we were guided through patient scenarios to learn what we needed to learn. Instead of just memorizing facts, we learned how to apply principles to the management of an actual patient. 

We learned so much from each other, too. With only 32 students in our cohort, you couldn’t not know everyone well. We were a tight-knit group. We spent a lot of time together, even outside school. 

Windows to the soul  

I went into ophthalmology because I wanted a procedural-based specialty where I could combine surgical and in-office procedures with my research interests. As an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University, I earned a combined degree in computer science and neuroscience. That background naturally flowed into ophthalmology, particularly in terms of vision and imaging research. 

After CCLCM, I did an internship at Henry Ford Hospital before returning to Cleveland Clinic for my ophthalmology residency. That was followed by fellowships at Duke University and Moorfields Eye Hospital. Then I was recruited back to the Cole Eye Institute. 

My practice focuses on managing complex retinal diseases and uveitis, which are inflammatory and infectious diseases of the eye. I often deal with cases that have systemic implications. The interdisciplinary nature of my work means I frequently make diagnoses that impact overall health of patients, truly seeing the eyes as a window to the soul — and to broader medical conditions. 

On the research front, my lab is pioneering the use of advanced imaging techniques and machine learning to predict systemic diseases from ophthalmic images. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize early diagnosis and treatment. Hopefully it will lead to significant strides in how we understand and manage various health conditions. 

A lasting influence  

I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Cleveland Clinic is a unique place, fostering an environment that emphasizes exceptional patient care, leading-edge research and comprehensive education. It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since we became the first class to enter CCLCM. It was a transformative experience for me. The foundations laid during those formative years continue to influence everything I do. ◼