Current Residents

Benton Chuter, MD

My pronouns are
He/Him/His

Medical school
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine

Undergraduate education
BS: Stanford University, Human Biology

Graduate education
MS: Stanford University, Mechanical Engineering

Why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
I wanted to train somewhere small and close-knit, where residents, faculty and support staff build each other up and look out for one another. Dartmouth has a culture of trust and respect where everyone as a unified team keeps our common goals in mind, gives each other the benefit of the doubt, and provides the space to learn and grow together. Meeting the residents and faculty I knew this was a place I would thrive. The beautiful Upper Valley setting, where my family and I can enjoy the great outdoors, also helped!

What inspired me to go into Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology unites all my interests in service, research, and clinical practice. I'm excited to grow into a skilled clinician and surgeon, and to bring my experience with engineering and computer science to advance the field and broaden access to eye care.

Fae Kayarian, MD

My pronouns are
She/Her/Hers

Medical school
MD: Rush Medical College, Chicago IL

Undergraduate education
BS: Northeastern University, Behavioral Neuroscience and Ethics

Why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
As a native to the Granite State, the Dartmouth Ophthalmology Residency Program was the only program in the country that allowed me to gain rigorous, well-rounded training in my beloved home state and to serve the diverse communities that make northern New England so unique. Residency is vital for setting the stage for one's entire career, so I knew I wanted to surround myself with supportive, caring mentors and co-residents who were invested in my growth as both a surgeon and person. Dartmouth Ophthalmology is such a special program because it beautifully combines patient-centered, robust training with community-oriented colleagues, which is truly an honor and privilege to be a part of.

What inspired me to go into Ophthalmology
Growing up, I wanted to be a children's book writer because I loved being able to positively impact someone's view of themselves and the world around them. Once I entered high school, my passions grew to include neuroscience, surgery and clinical research. The following decade, while I was working in an ER during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was exposed to the impact ophthalmologists had on patients and realized how all of my career aims were encapsulated in this field. Ophthalmology is the balanced union of surgical technical creativity, meaningful technological innovation and longitudinal commitment to quality of life. I am deeply grateful that ophthalmology allows me to fulfill my passions in surgery, research and neuroscience, all while guiding people through the social and existential experience of vision.

Christopher Edwards, MD

My pronouns are
He/Him/His

Medical School
MD: University of Connecticut

Undergraduate Education
BS: Brown University, Engineering

Why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for the outstanding training, supportive faculty, and team environment. There are abundant learning opportunities in the clinic and operating room as well as experiences in research, leadership, and education. The faculty and residents are friendly, genuine people who care about your professional success and personal wellbeing. It’s a privilege to join the ophthalmology team at Dartmouth and spend the next four years training in this beautiful New England setting.

What inspired me to go into Ophthalmology
I was attracted to the unique balance of microsurgery, clinical care, and research. I enjoy the detailed examination of the eye and performing procedures. It is incredibly rewarding to positively impact someone’s vision.

Kendall Montgomery, MD

Medical School 
MD: Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University

Undergraduate Education 
BS: Beloit College, Biochemistry and Health & Society

Why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
After having loved my experiences at a small college and medical school, I knew I wanted a small program with a close-knit community, direct mentorship, and devoted faculty, and these were all clear strengths of Dartmouth’s Ophthalmology program. The residents are also an authentically kind and supportive group of people who enjoy being around each other in both personal and professional environments. I kept hearing great things about the culture of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center as a whole, and cannot emphasize enough how true it is that this is a wonderful and supportive environment for training.

What inspired me to go into Ophthalmology
I grew up raising service dogs with Guide Dogs for the Blind and was always interested in how vision and visual impairment affected quality of life. In medical school, I was drawn to specialties that had a big impact on this quality of life, and I found Ophthalmology as the perfect fit. The field perfectly balances my love for strong, longstanding patient relationships, intricate surgical procedures and attention to detail, the rewarding nature of generally quick recoveries and good outcomes, and the opportunities to engage in global and public health efforts. Also, the eye is just the coolest and most beautiful organ!

Tara L. Gallant, MD

My pronouns are
She/Her/Hers

Medical School
MD: California Northstate University College of Medicine

Undergraduate Education
BA: University of California – Berkeley, Molecular & Cell Biology - Neurobiology

Why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
I grew up in Lake Tahoe, and ever since leaving home for college, I've missed the sense of community and adventurous atmosphere that define small mountain towns. I really wanted to return to a similar environment for residency, and Hanover reminds me of home. When I learned more about the ophthalmology residency program and met the residents and attendings at the open house, I knew Dartmouth was the program for me!

What inspired me to go into Ophthalmology
During my gap year between college and medical school, I worked as an ophthalmic medical technician in a private practice owned by a pediatric ophthalmologist and a retina specialist. I enjoyed working in that clinic, as I loved the fast-paced environment and found it gratifying to help patients make tangible improvements in their ocular health. By the time I started medical school, I knew I wanted to pursue ophthalmology, and my research and clinical experiences throughout medical school reinforced my desire to pursue the specialty. I couldn't be happier to be beginning my ophthalmology residency training at Dartmouth this summer!

My favorite things to do outside of the hospital
When I'm not in the hospital, I enjoy spending time outside. I grew up trail running, mountain biking, and skiing, and I can't wait to move to the Upper Valley and explore all the amazing trails there!

Rachel F. Lamy, DO, MPH

My pronouns are
She/Her/Hers

Medical School
DO: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)

Graduate Education
MPH: Columbia University, Environmental Health Science

Undergraduate Education
BS: Fordham University, Environmental Science

Why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Growing up in New Hampshire, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center was always the gold standard of medical care. Having moved away for college, graduate school, and medical school, I pictured myself returning to my home state to be trained by the incredible physicians at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. It was clear when visiting what a tightly knit and supportive culture the program has fostered. I could picture myself flourishing there, and am now overjoyed to have the chance.

What inspired me to go into Ophthalmology
Across the board, patients and providers in ophthalmology seem to be some of the most joyful in medicine. To me this derives from the purposeful and impactful work motivated by protecting vision. Additionally, the mixture of fine surgical skills and long-term patient care meet at what is for me an ideal junction of medical practice. Having seen the impact of compassionate and skilled eye care in and out of the clinic, I continue to be inspired by the field of ophthalmology.

My favorite things to do outside of the hospital
I love spending time with my 2 chihuahuas, baking, crocheting, and reading fiction. I also enjoy spending time outside running, hiking, skiing, and more recently playing tennis.

Michael A. Hii, MD

My pronouns are
He/Him/His

Medical school
MD: Medical College of Wisconsin

Undergraduate education
BS: University of Victoria, Biochemistry

Why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
I knew residency was going to be a strenuous 4 years regardless of the program. Coming from a small town, I knew I wanted to train and eventually practice in a setting with a similarly small feel. As I learned more about Dartmouth, I found the people to be incredibly genuine and warm. It’s clear the faculty and residents here are very close and function well as a cohesive team. Though the city is small, there is a wide catchment area served here to ensure great clinical exposure and surgical experience. As a newer program, I find it exciting that my input will contribute to the direction and growth of the program for myself as well as future residents. Lastly, the surrounding nature in this area is exceptional and I’m looking forward to exploring it throughout my time here.

What inspired me to go into Ophthalmology
When I first entered medical school, I wanted to pursue family medicine. Throughout medical school, I found I had a strong affinity for procedures, but I wasn’t overly interested in any of the cases I saw until I stepped into an ophthalmology OR. This specialty blended well with my passion for photography, particularly through slit lamp exams and imaging in the clinic. I was fascinated by the life-altering surgeries as well as the unique pathologies presenting in the eye, and I loved that the exams were largely observation-based. The continuity of care with my patients is something I sought after through family medicine and am pleased to see this follows with ophthalmology as well.

My favorite things to do outside of the hospital
I enjoy playing soccer, hiking, camping, swimming in lakes, running, skiing/snowboarding, and just about anything else that gets me out in nature. I enjoyed CrossFit throughout medical school but may be limited on time now. I love cooking and spending time with my fiancée and her dog.

Brennan M. Schilling, MD

My pronouns are
He/Him/His

Medical school
MD: Wayne State University School of Medicine

Undergraduate education
BS: University of Michigan, Biopsychology, Cognition, Neuroscience

Why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
One of the biggest things I was looking for in my Ophthalmology residency was a welcoming, supportive culture and environment. This was so evident during my interviews that I knew I would fit in well here. This residency also provides a robust clinical experience with wide-range of pathologies. I was also happy to hear that the program will be able to support my interest in research too. Finally, the area itself was a big draw for me, and I am very excited to see what the Upper Valley and New England in general has to offer!

What inspired me to go into Ophthalmology
The eye and how vision/perception works has always been so interesting to me. Once I got involved in research in Ophthalmology at my medical school, I knew I couldn't be in any other field. The combination of clinical work, where you get to work with your patients for a long period of time, and surgery all focused on improving someone's vision and quality of life creates a perfectly balanced field of medicine for me.

My favorite things to do outside of the hospital
Running, hiking, video games, reading, pickleball, baking, and the occasional TV binge are what keep me going! I'm excited to add skiing to that list during my time in the upper valley.