Key Takeaways

• Wills Eye Hospital named Sunir Garg, MD, chief of its Retina Service, and Christina McGowan, MD, chief of its Cataract and Primary Eye Care Service, effective July 1, 2026
• Dr. Garg succeeds Carl Regillo, MD, and plans to focus on expanding retina services, research, education, and industry partnerships
• Dr. McGowan succeeds Doug Wisner, MD, with priorities that include resident education, cross-department collaboration, innovation, and renovation of the CPEC space

Wills Eye Hospital announced leadership changes within its Retina Service and Cataract and Primary Eye Care (CPEC) Service, naming Sunir Garg, MD, chief of Retina, and Christina McGowan, MD, chief of CPEC.

Dr. Garg, previously co-director of Retina Research, succeeds Carl Regillo, MD, as chief of the Wills Eye Retina Service. Dr. McGowan moves into the CPEC leadership position after serving as co-director and medical director of the department, succeeding Doug Wisner, MD.

Both physicians assumed their new roles July 1, 2026.

“We look forward to wonderful new eras for Retina and CPEC, building on the tremendous legacy of both services’ history, and the remarkable leadership of outgoing chiefs, Drs. Carl Regillo and Doug Wisner,” Julia A. Haller, MD, chief executive officer and ophthalmologist-in-chief of Wills Eye Hospital, said in the announcement. “Under the expert stewardship of Dr. Garg and Dr. McGowan, I have no doubt the Retina and CPEC services will continue to grow and thrive as the teams work tirelessly to protect and preserve the vision of our patients.

Wills Eye operates its Retina Service in partnership with Mid-Atlantic Retina. According to the institution, the service has 30 physicians, the largest staff in the department’s 65-year history. In 2025, the retina team performed more than 4,000 surgical cases and published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers based on original research conducted at Wills Eye. Its physicians have also held leadership roles in multicenter clinical trials.

Over the past 2 decades, the Retina Service has participated in advances involving injectable biologic therapies, ophthalmic imaging, and less invasive vitrectomy techniques, according to Wills Eye. The service also maintains a significant role in training retina specialists.

Dr. Garg has held several leadership positions in ophthalmology, including president of the Greater Philadelphia Ophthalmology Society, chair of the Wills Eye Annual Conference, and chair of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting Retina Committee. He has also served on the Academy’s Ethics Committee and as a clinical spokesperson.

His honors include 3 American Academy of Ophthalmology Secretariat Awards, the American Society of Retina Specialists Presidential Award, and the inaugural Women in Retina Champion Award. Dr. Garg serves on the executive committee of the American Society of Retina Specialists and is slated to become the Academy’s secretary for online education in 2027.

He said his priorities include expanding clinical services, supporting surgeons and educators, advancing research, and strengthening industry partnerships aimed at developing new treatments for retinal disease.

The CPEC Service provides comprehensive care for conditions affecting vision and ocular health, including examinations, evaluations, and surgical treatment. The department also serves as an entry point for many Wills Eye patients before referral to subspecialty services. During the most recent calendar year cited by Wills Eye, CPEC treated more than 16,000 patients and its staff performed more than 2,600 surgeries.

Dr. McGowan joined Wills Eye in 2015 and has served in the CPEC department throughout her tenure. Her teaching honors include the institution’s Residency Advocacy Award and Golden Apple Teaching Award. She has also been recognized as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly and Philadelphia Magazine.

According to Wills Eye, Dr. McGowan spends her clinical and surgical time working alongside trainees, integrating resident education into patient care.

Among her priorities, Dr. McGowan cited strengthening collaboration between departments and working with Wills Eye administration toward a renovation of the CPEC space.