Dr. Ijeoma Chinwuba

Karen Armbrust, MD, PhD, is a uveitis specialist who cares for adults with ocular inflammatory disease, including uveitis and scleritis. She practices at the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where she also serves as Residency Program Director. Dr. Armbrust partners closely with rheumatology and primary care to tailor steroid-sparing and targeted biologic therapies that control inflammation while protecting vision. She emphasizes education, shared decision-making, and careful monitoring so patients understand their condition and treatment options at every step. In addition to patient care, Dr. Armbrust is active in outcomes and epidemiologic research related to ocular inflammation and systemic disease. Her work includes studies using national registries and veterans’ health data to improve care for patients with uveitis and related conditions. She is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is committed to training the next generation of ophthalmologists while advancing patient-centered care through research and education.

Dr. Kevin D. Chodnicki is a neuro-ophthalmologist who evaluates and treats visual problems that overlap the brain and the eyes. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and a neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Dr. Chodnicki earned his M.D. at the University of Maryland School of Medicine after undergraduate study in Biological Sciences (Physiology and Neurobiology) at the University of Maryland. He is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Patients appreciate his careful examinations, clear explanations, and collaborative approach with neurology and neurosurgery colleagues when needed. Dr. Chodnicki cares for people with double vision, optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), visual problems from pituitary tumors, central retinal artery occlusion, and optic disc edema/papilledema. When cataract-related visual issues are present, he also performs cataract surgery. His goal is to provide timely diagnoses, alleviate symptoms, and protect long-term visual function through individualized, evidence-based care.

Dr. Kari Fossum is a pediatric ophthalmologist and adult strabismus surgeon who helps children and adults achieve comfortable, aligned vision. She evaluates and treats amblyopia, pediatric cataracts, and the full spectrum of eye misalignment, and offers both non-surgical therapies (glasses, prisms, vision therapy) and precise eye-muscle surgery when needed. Her care is family-centered and collaborative, with an emphasis on clear expectations, age-appropriate explanations, and long-term follow-up to support visual development. Dr. Fossum completed ophthalmology residency at Vanderbilt Eye Institute, where she received the Resident Benchmark Award, followed by fellowship training in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. She earned her MD at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and studied Biology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She remains active in research and education, with recognition including an AAPOS Best in Show Poster Award. Patients and families value her calm manner, attention to detail, and practical guidance at every step.