We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chuck Slonim. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chuck below.

Hi Chuck, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

With just 3 days of advanced notice, I was asked to replace an oculofacial plastic surgeon, who had just returned from Haiti a few days after their devastating 2010 earthquake. I was excited to have the opportunity to serve the Haitian people through the University of Miami/Medishare Haitian relief project. Numerous traumatic eye and orbital trauma surgeries had been prearranged for me upon my arrival. The make-shift operating rooms were open-aired with no air conditioning in sweltering heat, no operating room lights other than ceiling light bulbs and a battery-powered camping headlight, minimal sterilization and barely enough instruments to go around. A fly swatter on the surgical instrument stand was standard equipment. The work hours were 12-15 hours per day. The personal reward for a week’s worth of work was immeasurable but for a lifetime of “feel great” memories.

However, most memorable experience of this humanitarian mission was a Haitian TSA agent at Miami International Airport. While in what appeared to be an endless waiting line, 4-5 lines deep, an agent somehow overheard me talking about my recent experiences with the person behind me in line. She stepped around from her podium and walked across the lines lifting the strap hooks off the nylon line divider poles. She walked straight up to me causing me to think I was in trouble for something or maybe said something threatening. She asked if I was in Haiti and why. I told her that I was there and that I was a surgeon. She asked for my passport while I was standing in the line as everyone else in line watched. With my passport in her hand, she proceeded to give me a hug. She identified herself as being Haitian. She thanked me for what I did for her country. She said she had lost 11 family members in the earthquake and could not reach some others. I gave her a secured phone number to our make-shift facility and told her to call there. She grabbed my hand and led me across the lines to her desk and checked me through security. I was at a loss for words other than to say “thank you” as tears filled my eyes. I slowly walked to the metal detector and couldn’t look back.

Chuck, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I currently wear a few hats right now. 1) ophthalmic plastic surgeon teaching both USF ophthalmology and plastic surgery residents, 2) chief of the James A. Haley VA eye clinic (one of the busiest VA eye clinics in the country), 3) chief medical officer for a Clinical Research Organization that develops and runs Food and Drug Administration clinical trials for ophthalmic products (i.e., eye drops, and 4) team doctor for the Tampa Bay Lightning (i.e., eye doc and cut man during games).

As most kids growing up who want to be a doctor, I had the desire. First in my family. I once took a neighborhood girl who was blind to our high school play. Not sure if that put me on the path to becoming an eye doctor. Originally wanted to be a dentist until a dentist uncle of mine talked me out of it. “You’re always on your feet looking into someone’s mouth”. So ended my dental career. My passion in the field is the reconstruction of traumatic eye and eyelid injuries and eyelid abnormalities. The cosmetic surgery aspect of my field does not thrill me as much but always paid better. I am most proud of my teaching awards given to me by the residents and students that I teach. Paying my knowledge and skills forward to future doctors is the most rewarding part of my career.

Assisting in the development of prescription ophthalmic drugs gives me another source of accomplishment. I get to see what it’s like to use the currently available eye drop products (i.e., on the outside looking in) and also help in bringing new ophthalmic products to the forefront and understanding the business of drug development (i.e., on the inside looking out)

As a sports ophthalmologist, I have worked with a number of of local university and professional sports teams. I’m the only physician that has been with the Lightning since it’s inception (30 seasons); over 1000 games, over 1000 stitches, and 3 Stanley Cup Championship rings. It’s a thrill being more than just a fan but a part of the team.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

After only 6 years into private practice and 2 years into my first (and current) marriage), I developed cancer (Hodgkin’s lymphoma). After 3 surgeries, each 1 week apart, and 52 radiation therapy treatments, 5 days a week for 10 weeks, I prevailed as a cancer survivor. I believe that all cancer survivors have a significant amount of resilience from the time of diagnosis through the remainder of their lives.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely not. Same profession, same subspecialty, although being a radiologist or dermatologist who have a reduced number of sleepless nights while on trauma call at a Level 1 trauma center (Tampa General Hospital) might have been a consideration. :)