Alumni Feature – Professor Beth Ann Benetz, CRA, FOPS
Beth Ann is a Professor at Case Western Reserve University, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an accomplished ophthalmic photographer and researcher. She directs activities for two ophthalmic reading centers, Retinal Disease Image Analysis Reading Center (REDIARC) and Cornea Image Analysis Reading Center (CIARC) at Case Western Reserve and UH Eye Institute for NIH- and privately funded multi-center clinical trials. She is an active member of the Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society and has served as lecturer, workshop director and workshop instructor. In addition, she served as chair of the Board of Certification for the Ophthalmic Photographers Society and is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Ophthalmic Photography. Benetz was lead author of the book chapter, “Specular Microscopy,” in Cornea: Fundamentals, Diagnosis, Management, Mosby Elsevier. London. She has published in Archives of Ophthalmology, Cornea, Current Eye Research, Ophthalmology and the Journal of Ophthalmic Photography. She is a 1988 graduate of the biomedical photographic communications program.
We asked Beth Ann what she is doing professionally?
[B.B.] I am a Professor at Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in Cleveland, Ohio. I direct two ophthalmic reading centers. One is the Retinal Disease Image Analysis Reading Center (REDIARC) and the other the Cornea Image Analysis Reading Center (CIARC) at Case Western Reserve University and the UH Eye Institute. My career focus is a commitment to standard setting and excellence in ophthalmic imaging and analyses in both clinical practice and research.
We asked her how her education helped after graduation, preparation for your first job, and in your career since?
[B.B.] I remember feeling very out of my league while at RIT. I was a small-town kid with mediocre grades and minimal photographic training. I learned to be persistent and to take advantage of the opportunities available to me. In addition, I learned that I needed to be my own advocate; if I wanted something, I needed to make it happen. Throughout my career I have taken quite a few steps far out of my comfort zone; each has been rewarding.
We wondered how she is using social media in her professional work?
[B.B.] We don’t use social media as part of the reading center work, however, in my volunteer work with the Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society’s Board of Certification we rely on social media to keep us connected to candidates and those seeking certification. Also, social media broadens the reach of our certification programs to ophthalmic technicians and photographers nationally and internationally.
We wondered how has being a photographer helped her in other aspects of her life (a personal interest story)?
[B.B.] One day, playing at the camera store, I picked up an Olympus OM-D EM-5 and found myself transported to my OM3-T. I had forgotten what it was like to hold a camera; to see through a lens. This was the start of a rebirth of my passion for photography and the voice it provides me. In the past two years, under the name An’ Marie, I have begun sharing my work. I am grateful for the opportunity to share it with you here.
My blog: www.photographybyanmarie.wordpress.com
I would be happy to answer questions and can be emailed at:
beth.benetz@case.edu
My Professional contacts are:
CWRU: http://case.edu/med/ophthalmology/ClinicalResearch/Reading_Centers2.html
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Beth_Benetz
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/beth-ann-benetz-cra-fops/3/a1/18b/
