Ophthalmology Residents 2012-2013

Giovanni DiSandro was born in Fairfax, Virginia.  After attending the College of William and Mary for undergraduate, he received his Medical Degree and completed his intern year in Internal Medicine from Eastern Virginia Medical School before beginning his Ophthalmology Residency.

In his free time, you can find Gio kayaking the backwaters of the Chesapeake Bay tributaries, vacationing in the jungles of Costa Rica, or soaking up the rays on any of the number of local beaches in the Tidewater area. Gio is interested in completing a Oculoplastics Fellowship after residency.

Benjamin Mandel grew up in Los Angeles, California, and attended the University of Southern California for his undergraduate education. During his journey to the East Coast, he stopped to pick up a Medical Degree at Chicago Medical School prior to beginning his Ophthalmology Residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Ben, being the most athletic of the residency group, enjoys exercising, lifting weights, walking his little dog Rocco, and exploring the nightlife of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Washington, DC.  "It's not that far away," says Ben. If you want to get on his good side, just bring him any meal from a fast food chain and he is happy man. After residency, Ben plans to work as a General Ophthalmologist in the Los Angeles area.

Richard Moore comes from his hometown of Allen, Texas. After completing his Undergraduate degree at University of Oklahoma, he returned to Texas for Medical School at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He completed his intern year in Internal Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School prior to beginning Ophthalmology Residency.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and their daughter Afton, probably the cutest Norfolk Tides fan around, and he also enjoys hitting the links, camping, snow skiing, and is looking to pursue career options in Third World Medicine.

Niraj Shah was born in Toldeo, Ohio, and completed his Undergraduate studies at University of Michigan. He stayed in the Midwest for Medical School, obtaining his MD from University of Toledo College of Medicine.

Like anyone who was born in Ohio and went to college at U of Michigan, he is a big-time football fan. He also enjoys cooking, golf, finance, and tennis. Niraj is currently interested in pursuing a Retina Fellowship.

Courtney Bovee was born in Spencer, Iowa, but will swear to you she is a Coastal Girl. She attended University of South Florida and completed her transitional year at University of California Los Angeles before coming to Eastern Virginia Medical School for her residency in Ophthalmology.

When it comes to free time, Courtney might as well be wearing a Captain's hat as she would prefer to either be sailing or kayaking. She also enjoys exploring any of the almost weekly festivals in downtown Norfolk and running.

David Nash was born in Rochester, Minnesota, and attended undergrad at Augsburg College of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He then moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to attend Creighton University Medical School before heading out east for his intern year and Ophthalmology Residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

David enjoys spending time fly fishing in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, kayaking, playing guitar, making his surfboard, and exploring local restaurants with his wife. He hope to pursue a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology.