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Cornea specialist, educator named chair of MCG Ophthalmology

Aug 27, 2026

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Amy Estes, MD, a cornea specialist, educator and long‑time faculty leader, has been named chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, effective July 1.


Pending approval of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, she will also hold the Knights Templar Educational Foundation of Georgia/Fleetwood Maddox Chair in Ophthalmology.


Estes joined MCG in 2013 and currently serves as director of the Cornea Service. She is a highly respected clinician who cares for patients from across Georgia who require advanced medical and surgical management of complex corneal disease.


A dedicated educator, Estes has played a central role in training the next generation. She has advised numerous medical students pursuing careers in ophthalmology, served on multiple PhD committees and contributed extensively to resident education. She previously served as associate director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program and has led the residency program as director since 2020. Her leadership has strengthened the visibility and reputation of the department’s educational programs across the state.


She also brings significant leadership experience at both the state and national levels. She has served on the council of the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology, ultimately becoming its president, and as the Georgia representative at the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Her research collaborations with the James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute have contributed to six R01 grants and 19 peer-reviewed publications, advancing both basic science and translational vision research at MCG.


“Dr. Estes has demonstrated exceptional commitment to patient care, education, and research throughout her career at MCG,” said MCG Dean David C. Hess, MD. “Her vision for the department, combined with her deep understanding of our institution and the needs of patients across Georgia, makes her an outstanding choice to lead the department into its next chapter.


“I also want to express my sincere appreciation to Steve Brooks, MD, who has served as chair of the department since 2020 and will return to his faculty role as a pediatric ophthalmologist. Dr. Brooks has guided the department through significant transitions with steadiness, compassion, and a deep commitment to learners and patients. I’m thankful that he will continue to share his expertise with our students, residents, and the children and families he serves, and that he will continue his important work in patient care, research, and education.”


As chair, Estes plans to prioritize faculty recruitment and retention, support continued growth in research and education, and pursue opportunities to expand clinical services, including exploring satellite locations to improve patient access and accommodate increasing demand for eye care across the state.


She completed her undergraduate education at Davidson College before earning her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She completed both her ophthalmology residency and a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.


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