For Timothy Daley, MD, becoming a Badger was the beginning of a lifelong connection to the University of Wisconsin—Madison (UW). After earning his undergraduate and medical degrees at the UW, he completed his ophthalmology residency in 2011 and a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus in 2012.
“I ended up being a bit of a ‘lifer’ at UW,” he said. “That wasn’t the original plan, but at each step it genuinely felt like the best fit. The people, culture, and educational opportunities were—and still are—exceptional.”
One of Dr. Daley’s favorite memories is of Friday morning Grand Rounds, where emeritus faculty members Drs. Dinny Davis, Jim Allen, Frank Myers, and Richard Appen modeled a lifelong commitment to education.
“They showed up consistently,” he said. “Bad weather, unfamiliar topics—it didn’t matter. That kind of dedication made a lasting impression.”
After completing his fellowship, Dr. Daley joined a multispecialty ophthalmology practice in Dubuque, IA, where he continues to care for pediatric and adult strabismus patients in addition to practicing comprehensive ophthalmology.
Dr. Daley has also become a respected leader within the profession. He is a past president of the Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology and currently serves as Iowa’s Councilor to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, advocating for patients and the profession at both the state and national levels.
For Dr. Daley, however, the greatest rewards still come from caring for patients.
“Helping people see better is a special privilege,” he said. “Ophthalmology is unique in how often we can make a meaningful, tangible difference in patients’ lives. Some of the most rewarding cases are older adults with large-angle strabismus who were previously told nothing could be done.”
He smiles when recalling what many of those patients tell him after treatment.
“Hearing, ‘You don’t know how this has changed my life,’ never gets old.”
When asked what advice he would offer the next generation of ophthalmologists, Dr. Daley points to a simple practice he learned from David Gamm, MD during his training at UW: call every postoperative patient the evening after surgery.
“Fourteen years later, I still do,” he said. ” “Most calls take less than a minute. It’s a small effort, but patients really appreciate knowing someone is checking on them.”
He also encourages young ophthalmologists to stay connected to their mentors, colleagues, and alma mater.
“Starting out after training comes with a mix of excitement, confidence, and a fair amount of uncertainty,” he said. “It can feel like you’re on your own for the first time, but you’re not. I leaned on mentors quite a bit early in my career—and still do. Strong alumni connections make that possible and ultimately help all of us take better care of our patients.”
Although his career has taken him across the Mississippi River, his connection to the UW has remained strong. He joined the department’s Ophthalmology Alumni Association in 2018 and has been serving as its president since 2019.
“It’s been a great way to stay connected to the department,” he said. “I’ve also had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. I’d recommend serving on the board to anyone who wants to stay involved.”