History of Doheny Eye Institute
The story of Doheny Eye Institute begins with Carrie Estelle Doheny—a woman of great heart and even greater hopes. Moved by her own sudden, catastrophic vision loss, she marshaled her largesse to establish Doheny Eye Foundation with an ambitious aim: “To further the conservation, improvement and restoration of human eyesight.”
Guided by her trusted advisors—the Reverend William Ward, Dr. A. Ray Irvine Sr., her personal ophthalmologist, and others—she accomplished her dream in 1947.
Dr. A. Ray Irvine Sr. in his office, circa 1945
Carrie Estelle Doheny, 1915
In 1961, Doheny Eye Foundation began an affiliation process with USC, formalized years later and only after the University agreed that Doheny would remain independent and be able to purchase property on USC’s Health Sciences Campus for the construction of state-of-the art vision research and patient care facilities. Doheny took its next major evolutionary leap when Stephen J. Ryan, MD, became Medical Director in 1977. Working closely with his friend and colleague, Ronald E. Smith, MD, and a growing brain trust of dedicated vision scientists, clinicians, faculty, and residents, Dr. Ryan led Doheny Eye Institute as it rose steadily to the forefront of ophthalmological training, research, and patient care. Under Dr. Ryan’s dynamic leadership, Doheny became widely admired as a supportive research environment that encourages the best and brightest to exceed their personal expectations—and ultimately our own.
With the end of the Doheny-USC partnership and the signing of the historic 99-year Doheny-UCLA affiliation in December 2013, Doheny’s future opportunities have expanded exponentially as we have joined forces with the world-renowned Stein Eye Institute and the Geffen School of Medicine, which ranks in the top five in the United States. Our combined strengths—both complementary and collaborative—are unrivaled, and position us to solve ophthalmology’s most challenging and complex problems.
To this new alliance, Doheny brings a deeply ingrained ethos built on the intertwined legacies of Carrie Estelle Doheny and Stephen J. Ryan, MD Both leaders believed that the impossible is possible by harnessing the power of a common goal. These are values we at Doheny continue to fully embrace. By bridging the traditional boundaries of location and affiliation, our faculty and diverse teams of national and international researchers are, together, realizing vision science breakthroughs on a global scale never before imagined.
Marissa Goldberg Appointed CEO of Doheny Eye Institute
Marissa Goldberg
Marking the start of a bright new era for Doheny Eye Institute, in March 2021 Marissa Goldberg was named Chief Executive Officer. This appointment reflected three decades of stellar commitment to Doheny, during which Ms. Goldberg served in positions of progressive responsibility, including: Human Resources Director, Quality Improvement Coach, CAO, Vice President, COO and Executive Director. With a deep understanding of Doheny’s mission and operations, Ms. Goldberg is focused on accelerating growth, strengthening research initiatives, and advancing Doheny’s role as a global leader in vision science. This includes prioritizing groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence, regenerative medicine and translational research. Ms. Goldberg’s strategic forward-looking vision and collaborative leadership style continue to be instrumental in positioning Doheny for long-term success and continued innovation in the field of vision research.
Deborah Ferrington, PhD, Named Chief Scientific Officer
In May 2022, Doheny Eye Institute appointed Deborah Ferrington, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. Ferrington brings world-renowned expertise in vision science and a powerful focus on age-related macular degeneration (AMD). With more than two decades of experience and over 90 peer-reviewed publications, she has significantly expanded Doheny’s research leadership. Previously a professor and endowed chair at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Ferrington now also serves as an endowed chair at Doheny Eye Institute, further underscoring her integral role in advancing the Institute’s research mission. As CSO, she guides Doheny’s research strategy and works closely with the scientific and clinical faculty to drive discovery and translational science. Her appointment reflects Doheny’s continued commitment to scientific excellence and leadership in vision research.
Deborah Ferrington, PhD
Doheny Relocates to New Pasadena Headquarters
Pasadena Headquarters
In June 2022, Doheny Eye Institute proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new campus at 150 North Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, CA. This seven-acre campus represents a major milestone in Doheny’s legacy, offering a 115,895-square-foot facility designed to accelerate vision research, education, and innovation. The new headquarters features state-of-the-art laboratories focused on artificial intelligence, regenerative medicine, gene therapy, and imaging diagnostics, as well as a modern conference center for global symposia and remote collaborations. The relocation symbolizes Doheny’s commitment to advancing the field of ophthalmology while creating an integrated hub for science, education, and patient care in partnership with UCLA Stein Eye Institute.
Opening of Doheny Eye Center UCLA Pasadena Clinic
In February 2025, the Doheny Eye Center UCLA Pasadena clinic officially relocated to its new home on the first floor of Doheny’s main campus at 150 N. Orange Grove Boulevard. The clinic boasts more than 19 world-class physicians across a wide array of specialties including retina, cornea, glaucoma, pediatrics, neuro-ophthalmology, and oculoplastics, and the expertise to see every eye disease, no matter how rare and complex. Designed with patients in mind, the facility includes 36 fully equipped exam lanes, in-office procedure and laser rooms, a spacious central imaging center, and a dedicated pediatric suite. With the vision research arm, along with advanced diagnostic technologies and specialized care now all located under one roof, this marks a new era of integrated care, bringing research and treatment together in a collaborative, patient-centered environment.
Pasadena Clinic
Read the entire history of Doheny Eye Institute in
A Clear Vision: The History of Doheny Eye Institute: 1947-2017
Contact us at (323) 342-7101 for more information.
