For Zach Oakey, MD, the journey from medical school to founding his own retina and oncology practice has been defined by mentorship, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the people who shaped his path. After earning his medical degree at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT and completing his ophthalmology residency at the University of California, Irvine, in Irvine, CA, Dr. Oakey pursued a vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, WI. There, he trained under a team of distinguished mentors whose lessons — both clinical and personal — continue to guide his practice today.
“I chose the University of Wisconsin for my fellowship training because of the institution’s reputation, history, location, and highly reputable retina faculty,” Dr. Oakey said.
During his fellowship, Dr. Oakey trained under respected mentors including Drs. Michael Altaweel, Michael Nork, Jonathan Chang, and Justin Gottlieb — all of whom left a lasting impression
“One Christmas I gave Dr. Altaweel funky socks,” Dr. Oakey laughs, “and the next week he had them on in the operating room!”
Each mentor left a unique mark. “Dr. Gottlieb and I performed his last surgery together, and he taught me about the rule of ‘2s and 4s’ – doing something for a patient, not to a patient,” Dr. Oakey said. “Dr. Nork taught me the importance of persistence, and Dr. Chang motivated me to consider all external influences in surgical decision making, as well as potential complications and recovery steps. I still think about his advice every day.”
After completing his retina fellowship, Dr. Oakey spent three years in private practice as a vitreoretinal surgeon. Then, in 2022, he underwent additional fellowship training in ophthalmic oncology at the Cole Eye Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. Upon completing that fellowship, he established his own retina and oncology practice in Irvine, CA.
Despite his many professional achievements, Dr. Oakey humbly points to a more personal milestone as his proudest: “My biggest accomplishment is staying married through training.”
To those currently in residency training, he offers this advice: “Now is your time to learn. It’s hard and busy, but when you graduate, you’ll realize how awesome residency really was. Trust me – I wouldn’t have believed me either. But it’s true!”