Texas Children's Hospital Welcomes Two New Ophthalmologists

HOUSTON, Nov. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Texas Children's Hospital is excited to announce the addition of two new ophthalmologists to its surgical team: Drs. Honey H. Herce and Veeral S. Shah. Texas Children's Ophthalmology Division treats children from around the world who need surgical treatment for eye disorders and plastic surgery of the eyes. For more information about ophthalmology at Texas Children's, visit texaschildrens.org.

"I am thrilled to welcome two new ophthalmologists to our team," said Dr. David K. Coats, chief of ophthalmology at Texas Children's and professor of ophthalmology and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. "In addition to being able to provide more convenient access for patients, the arrival of these new ophthalmologists will allow expansion of the high-quality expert services available at Texas Children's Hospital. These pediatric specialists are bringing new treatments and state-of-the-art techniques to children and families in our community."

Dr. Honey H. Herce
Herce, who also serves as assistant professor at Baylor, completed her undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at Austin. She earned her medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honors society. She went on to complete an internship in internal medicine at Case Western University Hospital and her ophthalmology residency at The Ohio State University Medical Center. She was a pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus fellow at Texas Children's.

Herce's clinical interests include all clinical aspects of pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus with a focus on retinopathy of prematurity, ptosis and uveitis. Her research interests are in the fields of amblyopia and retinopathy of prematurity. She serves as the head of the Ben Taub General Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ROP screening. She is involved in the Texas Children's Hospital Emergency and Inpatient Pediatric Ophthalmology consultation service and also provides medical and surgical services for all aspects of outpatient pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus.

Herce is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Dr. Veeral S. Shah
Shah, who also serves as assistant professor at Baylor, earned his undergraduate degree at The University of Pittsburgh. He received his medical degree and Ph.D. from The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his ophthalmology residency at The University of Pittsburgh Eye and Ear Institute. Shah completed two fellowships, one in neuro-ophthalmology at University of Miami Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute, in Miami, and one in pediatric-ophthalmology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Shah is a pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist with clinical interests that include demyelinating diseases, nystagmus, eye movement abnormalities, cranial nerve palsies, optic nerve hypoplasia, craniofacial diseases, intracranial tumors, optic neuropathy, complex strabismus, ocular genetics and pediatric glaucoma. His research interests include molecular genetics of optic nerve protection/development and neuro-oncology. Shah is a member of the American Board of Ophthalmology, and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS), AAPOS.          

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women's health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation's first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that's channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children's Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.

Contact: Elizabeth Shackouls
832-824-2108
[email protected]

SOURCE Texas Children's Hospital