CURRICULUM VITAE

S. Robert Witherspoon, MD

Vitreoretinal Surgery and Disease

WORK HISTORY:

Retina Institute of Texas, PA – Vitreous and Retina Diagnosis and Surgery

• Partner: August 1, 2011 – Present
• Associate: August 1, 2009 – July 31, 2011

EDUCATION & POSTGRADUATE TRAINING:

Oregon Health and Science University / Casey Eye Institute and Devers Eye Institute
Portland, OR
Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery and Disease, 2007–2009

University of Texas Southwestern / Parkland Memorial Hospital
Dallas, TX
Residency in Ophthalmology, 2004–2007

University of Texas Southwestern / Parkland Memorial Hospital
Dallas, TX
Internship in Internal Medicine, 2003–2004

Saint Louis University School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Summa cum Laude, 1999–2003

University of Missouri
Columbia, MO
Bachelor of Science, Magna cum Laude, Honors Scholar, 1995–1999

BOARD CERTIFICATION & EXAMINATION:

• American Board of Ophthalmology: Certified 2008 (Written Qualifying Examination: 99^th percentile)
• USMLE Step 3: 2004, 99^th percentile
• USMLE Step 2: 2002, 99^th percentile
• USMLE Step 1: 2001, 99^th percentile

HONORS AND AWARDS:

• Castle Connolly Top Doctors of America: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027
• The American Registry; America’s Most Honored Doctors: 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021; Top 1% (2022, 2023, 2026); Top 10% (2024); Top 5% (2025)
• Top Ophthalmologist for 2026, BusinessRate: Dallas, TX
• Modern Luxury Dallas Magazine Top Doctors of Dallas: 2022, 2023
• Vitals Patient Choice Award (Texas): 2015, 2020, 2021
• Vitals Compassionate Doctor Award (America): 2014, 2020, 2021
• Vitals On-Time Doctor Award (Ophthalmology): 2015, 2020, 2021
• Vitals Bedside Manner Award: 2022
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology: Outstanding Service Award for Exceptional Contribution and Dedication to the Ophthalmology Residency Program, 2012–2025
• Dallas Academy of Ophthalmology:
  • President, 2016–2017
  • Vice-President, 2015–2016
  • Program Chairperson, 2014–2015
  • Secretary, 2013–2014
• University of Texas Southwestern Alumni Day Research Award: First Place, 2007; Second Place, 2006
• Summa cum Laude: Saint Louis University, 2003
• Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA): Honor Medical Society, inducted Junior Year, 2002–2003
• Alpha Sigma Nu: National Jesuit Honor Society, 2003
• Saint Louis University Alumni Distinguished Student Award: 2003 (Awarded to a senior student of high moral character and scholastic achievement who has manifested service to patients, fellow students, and the School of Medicine)
• Donald W. Bussmann Award: 2003 (Awarded to the medical student who demonstrates outstanding scholarship and performance on surgical rotation)
• Surgery Student of the Year: Saint Louis University, 2002 (Voted on by the Surgery Department faculty to the top medical student performance on surgical rotation)
• AOA Student Research Forum Award: First Place Clinical Research Division, 2003
• Saint Louis University AOA Research Forum: First Place, Clinical Research Division, 2001
• Invited Speaker: White Coat Ceremony for Class of 2006, 2002
• Magna cum Laude & Honors Scholar: University of Missouri, 1999

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY:

• Volunteer Clinical Surgeon: North Texas Veterans Hospital, 2009–Present
• Medical Mission: Srikiran Institute of Ophthalmology, Kakinada, India, 2006
• Hope Medical Mission: Nicaragua, 2003
• Speaker: Greene County Medical Society Pre-Med Conference, 2002
• Admissions Committee & Tour Guide: Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 2002
• HIV Educator: St. Louis high schools, 2001
• Child Abuse Prevention: Volunteer, 1999–2001

INSTITUTIONAL & ACADEMIC COMMITTEES:

• Saint Louis University School of Medicine Admissions Committee: Member, 2000–2003
• Saint Louis University School of Medicine Student Professional Conduct Council: Member, 2000–2002

PUBLICATIONS:

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

1. Ali ZK, Whitson JT, Mootha VV, Witherspoon SR, Joseph JA, Joseph AM, Hynan LS, Cavanagh HD. “Glaucoma in patients with corneal dystrophy.” Eye Contact Lens. 2011 Nov;37(6):332-6.
2. Chan-Kai BT, Yeh S, Weleber RG, Francis PJ, Adamus G, Witherspoon SR, Lauer AK. “Electroretinographic findings in transplant chorioretinopathy.” Clin Ophthalmol. 2010 Jul 30;4:777-83.
3. Yeh S, Forooghian F, Faia LJ, Weichel ED, Wong WT, Sen HN, Chan-Kai BT, Witherspoon SR, Lauer AK, Chew EY, Nussenblatt RB. “Fundus autofluorescence changes in cytomegalovirus retinitis.” Retina. 2010 Jan;30(1):42-50.
4. Yeh S, Cebulla CM, Witherspoon SR, Emerson GG, Emerson MV, Suhler EB, Albini TA, Flaxel CJ. “Management of fluocinolone implant dissociation during implant exchange.” Arch Ophthalmol. 2009 Sep;127(9):1218-21.
5. Dinges WL, Witherspoon SR, Itani KM, Garg A, Peterson DM. “Blepharoptosis and external ophthalmoplegia associated with long-term antiretroviral therapy.” Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Sep 15;47(6):845-52.
6. Witherspoon SR, Callanan D. “Celiac disease presenting as a Xerophthalmic fundus.” Retina. 2008 Mar;28(3):525-6.
7. Charton JW, Witherspoon SR, Jones FR, Marple B, Itani K. “Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma Masquerading as Orbital Cellulitis.” Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008 Mar-Apr;24(2):143-5.
8. Witherspoon SR, Hogan RN, Petroll WM, Mootha VV. “Slitlamp, Confocal, and Light Microscopic Findings of Corneal Siderosis.” Cornea. 2007 Dec;26(10):1270-2.

Book Chapters

1. Witherspoon SR, Lauer AK. “Ocular Injuries Caused by Conductive Energy Weapons.” In: Kroll M, ed. Conductive Energy Weapons. Springer.
2. Witherspoon CD, Morris R, Phillips R, Kuhn F, Nelson S, Witherspoon SR. “Severe combined anterior and posterior segment trauma.” In: Kuhn F, Pieramici D, eds. Ocular Trauma: Principles and Practice. Thieme, New York, pp. 264-272, 2002.

Abstracts and Poster Presentations

1. Witherspoon SR, Dinges W, Itani K. “Ptosis and External Ophthalmoplegia Associated With Chronic Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients with HIV.” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, 2007.
2. Williams P, Witherspoon SR, Callanan D. “The use of topical Nepafenac for the treatment of center involving diabetic macular edema.” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, 2007.
3. Witherspoon SR, Jones FR, Marple B, Itani K. “Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma Masquerading as Orbital Cellulitis.” 37^th Annual ASOPRS Scientific Symposium in association with the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting, 2006.
4. Witherspoon SR, Blomquist PH. “The Changing Microbiologic Spectrum of Preseptal and Orbital Cellulitis: Emergence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, 2006.
5. Witherspoon SR, Hogan RN. “Pathologic findings of choroidal melanoma in patients with HIV.” American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting, 2005.
6. McHenry JG, Witherspoon SR. “Linezolid and optic neuropathy.” American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting, 2005.
7. Witherspoon SR, Kooner KS. “Ocular associations found during diabetes screening examinations.” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, 2005.
8. Witherspoon CD, Morris R, Herring J, Kuhn F, Nelson S, Witherspoon SR. “Surgical management of traction maculopathies.” Oslo Symposium in Ophthalmology, 2000.

SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS & LECTURES:

1. Witherspoon SR, Chan-Kai B, Weleber R, Watzke R, Lauer A. “Atypical Acute Retinal Pigment Epitheliitis.” 2008 American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Annual Meeting (Fluorescein Angiography Presentation).
2. Witherspoon SR, Chan-Kai B, Flaxel C. “Shooting Baskets in the Wrong Hoop.” 2008 Annual Retina Society Meeting (Fluorescein Angiography Presentation).
3. Chan-Kai B, Witherspoon SR, Weleber R, Lauer A. “Electroretinographic Findings and Autoretinal Antibodies in Transplant Chorioretinopathy.” 2008 American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Annual Meeting (Paper).
4. Yeh S, Forooghian F, Weichel ED, Wong WT, Faja LJ, Chan-Kai BT, Witherspoon SR, Lauer AK, Chew EY, Nussenblatt RB. “Fundus autofluorescence imaging in the evaluation of cytomegalovirus retinitis.” 2008 American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Annual Meeting (Paper).
5. Witherspoon SR, Blomquist PH. “Changing microbiologic spectrum of cellulitis.” Texas Ophthalmological Association Annual Meeting, 2006.
6. Witherspoon SR, Mootha VV. “Procurement of amniotic membrane.” Srikiran Institute of Ophthalmology Continuing Medical Education: Ocular Surface Disorders. Kakinada, India, 2006.
7. Witherspoon SR. “The use of temporary keratoprosthesis for surgical management of advanced infectious endophthalmitis.” Saint Louis University, Alpha Omega Alpha Research Competition, 2001.
8. Witherspoon SR, Witherspoon CD, Morris R, Kuhn F. “Penetrating ocular nail gun injuries.” International Society for Ocular Trauma Symposium. Montreal, 2000.

CLINICAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL TRIALS:

• Co-Investigator: The effect of genotype and environmental risk factors on treatment response to intravitreal Lucentis (ranibizumab) for neovascular AMD. Investigator Sponsored. Phase IV Clinical Trial. Oregon Health & Science University, 2007–present.
• Co-Investigator: Phase II Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Comparison Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Fenretinide in the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy in Subjects With Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Oregon Health & Science University, 2007–present.
• Sub-Investigator: Phase II Multicenter, Randomized study of the Efficacy of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor delivered via Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) product for the treatment of visual loss associated with retinitis pigmentosa, 2007–present.