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Jacquelyn O'Banion

  • Department of Ophthalmology
    Associate Professor
Head shot of Jacquelyn O'Banion

Overview

Jacquelyn A. Jetton O'Banion, MD, MSc, joined the Emory Eye Center in January 2016 and serves as an associate professor in the Comprehensive service. She brings a solid foundation in public health to enhance our leadership team and support Emory Eye Centers growing and expanding local and international programs in global ophthalmology.

Dr. O'Banion received her MD from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, in 2009. Her residency in Ophthalmology (2013) and a Global Eye Care fellowship (2014) were completed at the University of Oklahoma. She most recently completed a Masters in Public Health, MSc, at the world-renowned London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2015).

Dr. O'Banion's primary practice location is at the Grady Eye Clinic where she serves some of Atlantas most vulnerable. She is the director for the Eye Center's Global Ophthalmology-Emory program (GO-Emory). Her clinical work includes routine eye exams, cataract surgery and other comprehensive eye care services.

Her research interests include social determinants of health and improving access to address health care disparity for underserved populations, both locally and abroad. She has participated several studies in underserved populations such as in Peru, Eswatini, Ethiopia and Honduras. Dr. OBanion works with local hospitals, clinics, non profits and ministries of health to establish national eye care plans, enhance resident education and improve quality of and access to eye care services.

National Recognition
Dr. O'Banion is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (inducted 2008, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio); the American Academy of Ophthalmology; and the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology. She received the Atlanta Lions Lighthouses Beacon of Hope Award (2019) for her work in the community. She has received the Secretariat award from the AAO (2021, 2023).

She has been an invited lecturer speaking about global ophthalmology as a career, public health approaches to eye care delivery, and vision health inequities.

Areas of Clinical Interest

* Routine eye exams
* Cataract surgery
* Comprehensive eye care services

Academic Appointment

  • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Director of Global Ophthalmology, Emory Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine

Education

Degrees

  • BA (Spanish and Biology) from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem
  • MD from University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio
  • MSc, Public Health for Eye Care from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Research

Publications

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