Philanthropy adds leading experts to the field of neuro-ophthalmology in Indiana and beyond

Heeding his father’s advice brought New Hampshire native Dr. Nicholas Levergood to Indiana – and broadened the IU Health team focused on neuro-ophthalmology, which addresses vision disorders involving the brain and nerves.

Dr. Levergood earned his undergraduate degree at Brandeis University, outside of Boston, where he studied chemistry. He stayed in Boston for medical school at Tufts University, where he focused on general surgery. But ophthalmology quickly caught his eye (pun intended).

“I’ve always been drawn to a challenge,” Dr. Levergood said. “Ophthalmology drew my attention because it uses micro-surgical techniques. The anatomy was fascinating, and it just felt like such a high impact organ system to work in.”

Then, he decided further to specialize within that specialty: to train in neuro-ophthalmology. And that meant securing a fellowship.

Fellowships within neuro-ophthalmology are rare and highly competitive. There are fewer than 40 fellowships in the field across the United States. But thanks to the generosity of the Hoffman and Koorsen families, he found his path at IU Health.

“My father grew up in Indiana,” Dr. Levergood said. “He has very fond memories of growing up here. When I was looking at programs, he encouraged me to look in the Midwest.”

Approaching with a Wide Eye

Dr. Levergood divides his time between IU Health’s ophthalmology department and Neuroscience Center.

“I want to maintain a neuro-ophthalmology clinical practice that’s separate from my surgical practice,” Dr. Levergood said. “I find them both fascinating and rewarding.”

Those diverse interests have been a big part of what has made his fellowship at Indiana University School of Medicine a success.

“I’ve had a great experience as a fellow,” Dr. Levergood said. “It has ended up being the perfect fit for my personality. I really like the way the program is run. There’s a lot of autonomy and it’s high volume. I think it produces well-trained ophthalmologists.”

“I spend most days at the Neuroscience Center, seeing patients alongside Dr. Melissa Ko and Dr. Devin Mackay,” he said. “They’re both extremely qualified and committed to excellent patient care. Dr. Mackey is so methodical in the way he approaches problem solving. I’ve learned a lot from him. Dr. Ko is such a compassionate and skilled doctor. She’s so intelligent and relates so well to patients and their families.”

Dr. Ko said of Dr. Levergood, “His knowledge base and confidence continue to grow every month as he sees more children and adults in neuro-ophthalmology clinics between the four IU Health clinical mentors.”

Dr. Levergood also spends his Monday mornings in Carmel at Midwest Eye Institute working alongside neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. Kevin Lai.

“We work with a resident those days,” Dr. Levergood said. “It’s a nice blend of autonomy, working alongside residents, and we get some teaching experience as well.”

Connecting with Regional Leaders

Together, Dr. Mackay and Dr. Levergood presented new research at the annual meeting for the Upper Midwest Neuro-Ophthalmology Group. They presented a case series on patients with a rare genetic condition called Wolfram Syndrome.

“The syndrome causes optic atrophy, along with other problems,” Dr. Levergood said. “It was nice to share this with a group of other experts and neuropsychologists.”

The positive fellowship experience led Dr. Levergood to extend his stay in Indiana beyond his fellowship. He’ll continue to work at IU Health, though his job title and department have yet to be determined. Recently married, Dr. Levergood’s wife Dr. Margaret Gegick is a fellow in neonatology at IU Health Riley Hospital for Children. They met as medical students at Tufts.

Dr. Levergood’s fellowship will end in June 2025. Next year, Dr. Jerilyn Summay, a pediatric neurologist, will work at the Neuroscience Center and IU Health Riley Hospital for Children, serving as the Indiana University School of Medicine’s first fellowship-trained neuroimmunologist, made possible by philanthropy. Like Dr. Levergood, Dr. Summay has already agreed to stay at IU Health beyond her fellowship.

Addressing the Need

In addition to the intricacy of the surgical work, Dr. Levergood was drawn to neuro-ophthalmology because of the growing need for specialists. He knew his services would be in high demand.

“We’re seeing fewer and fewer neuro-ophthalmologists in the community each year as more retire,” Dr. Levergood said. “It’s nice to know I can bring a unique service to a vulnerable, high-need group. That just feels good. I’m still just getting my feet under me, but I’m excited to get started.”

Dr. Ko agrees. “With a nationwide workforce shortage and only three full-time neuro-ophthalmologists in Indiana, training Dr. Levergood not only increases the national pipeline of fellowship-trained neuro-ophthalmologists,” she said. “It also increases access to care right here in Indiana at IU Health. His presence allows us to see more patients.”