Honoring Mina Chung
The day before Valentine’s Day 2020, hearts were broken and lives turned upside down when Flaum Eye Institute retina chief Mina Chung perished in the Italian Alps. Her husband, Dr. Eddie Lin, her family, scores of friends and colleagues, and thousands of patients suffered an inconsolable loss.
Five years later, to celebrate her life, work, and friendship, dozens of loved ones, colleagues, and supporters of Chung gathered to install the first Mina M. Chung Professor of Ophthalmology at FEI. Receiving the honor was retinal specialist, ocular geneticist, and ocular oncologist Vikas Khetan. The moving ceremony was the culmination of the efforts and perseverance of many.
Immediately after the tragedy, FEI faculty—led by chair David DiLoreto, MD, PhD, Chung’s former resident at USC and retina service partner for 17 years—came together to support one another and come to terms with the shock of losing such a valued friend and colleague. “Mina was a pillar of the department,” DiLoreto said. “She was the rare combination of a beloved clinician, teacher, and researcher. She was kind, genuine, and accomplished in everything she did. There was—and will never be—anyone like her. It was a devastating loss.”
Grieving proved especially difficult, as Chung’s passing coincided with an unprecedented global pandemic. Lockdowns and travel restrictions made it impossible to gather in person. In an effort to honor her legacy and provide a lasting tribute, a campaign was launched to establish a professorship in her name—one of academia’s highest honors.
Creating an endowed professorship is a challenge under any circumstances. It is a multimillion-dollar endeavor. A university won’t even consider launching such a campaign until a champion is identified—someone willing to support the effort both enthusiastically and financially. Instantly, FEI Advisory Board member—and dear friend of Mina Chung—Susan Acker stepped forward. 11
“This was something I had to do,” Acker said. “Mina was one of my closest friends.” The two were culinary enthusiasts, attended cultural events together, and were devoted aunts. “We became acquainted through a mutual connection shortly after she arrived in Rochester. She positively affected everyone she met and was a force for good. She became my friend and retina doctor, and I became her financial advisor. Mina was the reason I joined the FEI Advisory Board.”
Acker approached the project with the same zeal that defined her friendship with Chung. In the first six months alone, the response was overwhelming. Hundreds of gifts poured in—from patients, family, friends, former FEI residents mentored by Chung, FEI faculty, faculty from other University departments, and colleagues around the world. A special effort came from the international board of Women in Retina, an organization Chung had served as president.
Within four years, the two-million-dollar goal was reached. According to the University of Rochester Office of Advancement, campaigns like this usually take “ten years to never” to meet such a goal.
Five years later, to celebrate her life, work, and friendship, dozens of loved ones, colleagues, and supporters of Chung gathered to install the first Mina M. Chung Professor of Ophthalmology at FEI. Receiving the honor was retinal specialist, ocular geneticist, and ocular oncologist Vikas Khetan. The moving ceremony was the culmination of the efforts and perseverance of many.
Immediately after the tragedy, FEI faculty—led by chair David DiLoreto, MD, PhD, Chung’s former resident at USC and retina service partner for 17 years—came together to support one another and come to terms with the shock of losing such a valued friend and colleague. “Mina was a pillar of the department,” DiLoreto said. “She was the rare combination of a beloved clinician, teacher, and researcher. She was kind, genuine, and accomplished in everything she did. There was—and will never be—anyone like her. It was a devastating loss.”Grieving proved especially difficult, as Chung’s passing coincided with an unprecedented global pandemic. Lockdowns and travel restrictions made it impossible to gather in person. In an effort to honor her legacy and provide a lasting tribute, a campaign was launched to establish a professorship in her name—one of academia’s highest honors.
Creating an endowed professorship is a challenge under any circumstances. It is a multimillion-dollar endeavor. A university won’t even consider launching such a campaign until a champion is identified—someone willing to support the effort both enthusiastically and financially. Instantly, FEI Advisory Board member—and dear friend of Mina Chung—Susan Acker stepped forward. 11
“This was something I had to do,” Acker said. “Mina was one of my closest friends.” The two were culinary enthusiasts, attended cultural events together, and were devoted aunts. “We became acquainted through a mutual connection shortly after she arrived in Rochester. She positively affected everyone she met and was a force for good. She became my friend and retina doctor, and I became her financial advisor. Mina was the reason I joined the FEI Advisory Board.”
Acker approached the project with the same zeal that defined her friendship with Chung. In the first six months alone, the response was overwhelming. Hundreds of gifts poured in—from patients, family, friends, former FEI residents mentored by Chung, FEI faculty, faculty from other University departments, and colleagues around the world. A special effort came from the international board of Women in Retina, an organization Chung had served as president.Within four years, the two-million-dollar goal was reached. According to the University of Rochester Office of Advancement, campaigns like this usually take “ten years to never” to meet such a goal.
“It was amazing. The speed surprised me,” Lin said. “Everyone wanted to do this. We were a small community united to carry Mina’s legacy forward. I am so grateful to everyone who participated, including family, Dave [DiLoreto], and those whom Mina touched. I am especially appreciative of Susan, who was tireless in her efforts.”
The selection of Khetan as the first to hold the professorship was a perfect fit. Like Chung, Khetan has experience treating children with retinal disease and is deeply engaged in researching the causes of inherited blinding retinal conditions. He also established the state’s first center for treating cancers of the eye outside New York City.
“Eddie and I had dinner with the Khetans before the installation of the first Chung Professorship,” Acker said. “He is an extraordinary person—approachable and loved by patients, and a shining example of the type of work Mina would be doing if she were here with us today.”
The installation ceremony was attended by dozens, including Lin, Acker, Chung’s family and friends, colleagues, and University leadership. Khetan humbly accepted the honor. “It is a great honor to be named the first Chung Professor of Ophthalmology,” Khetan said.
"I did not know her personally, but I wish I had. I have shared many memories of her with colleagues and with her former patients, whom I now have the privilege of caring for.”
A short piano recital by Eastman School student Shangru Du highlighted the ceremony. It was a touching reminder of Chung’s many talents—she had been a Juilliard High School scholar in piano.
“We all still miss her so much,” Lin said. “It is heartbreaking that she is not here today. I am honored that so many helped to make this event happen and keep Mina’s memory alive.”
Zachary Laird | 12/1/2025
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