Tam Bloomquist, MD
Dr. D. Tam Bloomquist is the current Chief of Ophthalmology and Optometry at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (CNVAMC) in Augusta, GA and serves as the Residency Site Director at the VA, an ACGME participating site for Augusta University's Department of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Bloomquist received her BS from Emory University. She completed her medical school and ophthalmology residency at the Medical College of Georgia, where she continued to complete her medical retina fellowship. As the chief ophthalmologist/medical retina specialist at CNVAMC, she is active in clinical research and has a special interest in serving as regional site director for the Technology-based Eye Care program (TECS) program, which offers remote eye care and refractions to increase access to veterans. She is an active teaching adjunct faculty member to the Augusta University ophthalmology residents. Clinically, she specializes in medical retina, guiding residents in interpreting fluorescein angiographies, OCT, intravitreal injections, PRP lasers, treating retinal tears, and other clinical skills. She also continues to be active in performing cataract surgery, especially training beginning surgeons in their first and second year of ophthalmology residency. In clinic, she teaches minor procedures to residents, such as SLT, YAG capsulotomy, YAG PI, and minor lid procedures.
In her free time, Dr. Bloomquist is a loving and supportive wife and mother to 4 rowdy children.
David Bogorad, MD
Dr. Bogorad received his B.A. degree from Columbia College of Columbia University in 1970. He received his MD degree with honors in Behavioral Science from New York University School of Medicine in 1974. In 1973, while in medical school, Dr. Bogorad was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and received the Herman Wortis Neuropsychiatric Prize for excellence in Psychiatry, Neurology and Medicine.
Dr. Bogorad completed two post graduate years of training in internal medicine at NYU/Bellevue hospital. He then entered the ophthalmology residency at NYU/Bellevue and the Manhattan VA hospital, completing that training in 1979. He was certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology in 1980. He is a Life Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. For many years, he has been selected for Best Doctors in America, and was elected to Castle Connolly Top Doctors, 2015-2023.
Dr. Bogorad was a member of the Department of Ophthalmology staff of the Henry Ford Health System in southeastern Michigan for 22 years. During that time, he served as a clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. For many years he was the Division Head of Ophthalmology at the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Medical Center. In 1997, Dr. Bogorad was the first to perform Laser Vision Correction Surgery at Henry Ford.
In 2002, Dr. Bogorad became an associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia. He was promoted to full Professor in 2009. Early in his tenure at MCG, he created the Refractive Surgery Service of the Department, and served as its director until his retirement in 2023. He was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Department and served in that capacity from 2009 to 2021.
Dr. Bogorad been an author of articles in the peer review literature, including citations in the New England Journal of Medicine, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, and the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. As well, he has authored chapters in medical texts, and lectured extensively at regional and national meetings. During his years at Henry Ford, Dr. Bogorad was a co-host of the HFH/WDIV-NBC TV Channel 4 television show "Health Talks". Over 100 programs were produced during six seasons, 1983-89.
For many years, Dr. Bogorad served on the Board of the Medical College of Georgia Physician’s Practice Group and was the Chair of the PPG Foundation from 2012 through 2014. As well he was a member of the Georgia Regents Health Systems Board of Trustees, and a member of its Finance Committee.
Dr. Bogorad has been a member of the Council of the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology for many years and served as its President from 2011 to 2012. He currently serves as Chair of the GSO Foundation.
Upon his retirement from MCG in 2023, Dr. Bogorad was appointed Professor Emeritus of the Medical College of Georgia, an honor given by the institution in recognition of his commitment and accomplishments to the Medical College and Augusta University.
Thomas Lovas, MD
Monali Sakhalkar, MD
Dr. Monali Sakhalkar joined VA Medical Center faculty in January 2023. She is the Alternate Residency Site Director for the VAMC, an ACGME participating site for Augusta University's Department of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Sakhalkar completed her Ophthalmology residency at Louisiana State University, Shreveport, and served as a Chief Resident during her senior year. Dr. Sakhalkar's formal training culminated with the completion of a cornea fellowship at the University of Oklahoma's Dean McGee Eye Institute, through which she specialized in corneal external disease and refractive surgery.
Dr. Sakhalkar worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, Gainesville & Jacksonville, where she routinely taught ophthalmic surgeries including corneal transplants and trained Ophthalmology residents and fellows. She was a Staff Ophthalmologist & Director of Ophthalmic Trauma at Atrium Health Navicent for 11 years and a Clinical Associate Professor at the Mercer University School of Medicine prior to joining the VAMC, Augusta.
She is a recipient of several awards, including Jacksonville's top Docs 2011. She was also selected as Atrium Health - Navicent's 2015 G.R.E.A.T. (Giving Recognition for Excellence, Advocacy and Teamwork) Ambassador, a program sponsored by the Georgia Hospital Association. Additionally, the Consumer's Research Council of America has included her as an America's Top Ophthalmologist in their Guide to America's Top Ophthalmologists.
Dr. Sakhalkar provides clinical training and surgical mentoring to Augusta University Ophthalmology residents.
Amie Squires, MD
