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Dr. David Khorram, MD

• Listed in "Guide to America's Top Ophthalmologists"

• Board Certified Ophthalmologist (Score: Top 1% nationally)

• Ophthalmology residency (Northwestern University)

• Internal Medicine internship (University of Chicago)

• Medical Degree "With High Distinction" (University of Kentucky)

• Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Religion & Biology (Northwestern University)

• Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society

• Published articles in international medical journals

• International Member, American Academy of Ophthalmology

Dr. Khorram, a resident of Saipan since 1993, is the co-founder and director of Marianas Eye Institute. He is the CNMI's only ophthalmologist, or "Eye MD" – a medical doctor with additional specialized training in all aspects of eye care: optical, medical, surgical and laser.

Born in Iran, his family immigrated to the United States when he was two years old. He grew up in a small Appalachian town in Kentucky, where his father still serves as a pediatrician. Dr. Khorram graduated high school Cum Laude from Lake Forest Academy, and attended Northwestern University in Chicago. There he earned a Bachelors of Arts degree with honors, double majoring in Comparative Religion and Biological Sciences. He returned home for medical school, and graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in the top 10% of his class. He received his degree "With High Distinction" and was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. While attending medical school he received the Lange Medical Publication Award, and was the College of Medicine's nominee for the Robinson Humanitarian Award for his work with medically underserved rural populations.

After finishing his medical degree, Dr. Khorram completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Chicago, and then returned to Northwestern University to pursue his training in Ophthalmology. There he trained with the world's foremost experts in the fields of diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, retinal disease, cataract surgery and pediatric eye disease. During this time he cared for patients at the Northwestern University Medical Faculty Foundation, the Lakeside Veteran's Affairs Hospital, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Children's Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. A board certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Khorram scored in the highest 1% of ophthalmologists in the nation on his board certification exam. "This was a very exciting time, and although I had the opportunity to pursue a career in academic medicine, my heart was in serving a community that needed an ophthalmologist," said Dr. Khorram. "I had always wanted to serve internationally, so I sent letters all over the world, and ended up in the Pacific."

Dr. Khorram spent one year as the Director of Ophthalmology at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center in Pago Pago, American Samoa, before coming to the CNMI. For his first five years in Saipan, he worked at the Commonwealth Health Center, before co-founding Marianas Eye Institute in 1998, which has become a regional leader in eye care.

Dr. Khorram has published scientific articles in renowned international journals such as Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, and Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers. His publications span a broad range of topics including diabetic eye disease, neurological disease, pediatric glaucoma, corneal disease, tumors of the eye, cataract surgery in developing nations, and inflammatory conditions of the eye. His research has been presented at international conferences, and he has lectured widely. He has volunteered his services throughout the Pacific.

While working at Marianas Eye Institute, Dr. Khorram received national recognition through his listing in "Guide to America's Top Ophthalmologists." Dr. Khorram is among a select few to have earned this prestigious recognition. "I am very honored to be recognized as one of America's Top Ophthalmologists. I think it's a testament to the quality of the work we do that a member of our staff has been noticed at the national level," said Dr. Khorram. "I am fortunate to work with such an exceptionally talented group of people at Marianas Eye Institute. They support excellence and seek to provide the highest quality of eye care in every way. They make it easy to be your best, so this national recognition belongs to them as well," he added.

Dr. Khorram is a dedicated husband, father and community member. He and his wife, Mara, have four children. They are the founders of Brilliant Star School and serve on its Board of Trustees. They are also active members of the Bahá'í Faith. Dr. Khorram is a founding board member of the Northern Marianas Football (Soccer) Association, and serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. He is currently a governor's appointee to the Medical Professional Licensing Board. He has also served as a Board member of the CNMI chapter of the American Red Cross, and is a member of the Saipan Rotary Club. Dr. Khorram, has a broad range of interests, and writes a weekly column entitled "Better Living" for the Saipan Tribune. In 2005 he received the Governor's Humanities Award as Outstanding Humanities Teacher for the content of his weekly column.

Dr. Khorram notes that "It's a pleasure to serve this wonderful community. I'm lucky to be doing what I love and to work with the exceptionally talented people at Marianas Eye Institute. It's a privilege to serve you and your families."