I was born in Warsaw, Poland, during the aftermath of devastation from World War II. During this time, the country was struggling under Soviet oppression, and what the Germans did not destroy or steal, the Communists took away or “nationalized,” as they said, “for the good of the nation.” But by “the nation”, they meant themselves, the bureaucrats. Amongst the country’s turmoil, my grandmother always reminded me to get the best education that I could. “What is in your head, nobody can take away,” she said.  

When I was 14 years old, my family escaped the Communist oppression in Poland and we moved to the United States.  I understood virtually no English. At the beginning of my freshman year of high school, I remember asking my Biology teacher not to call on me in front of the class; I could barely understand what she was asking, and even if I could, my answer would come out in broken English. I was so embarrassed. Despite my struggle with English, I excelled in math, chemistry, and physics.

We were a family of scientists—my father was an aeronautical engineer and my older brother became a nuclear engineer. As you can imagine, it was expected that I would go in the same direction, which was not a problem because I loved the sciences.  In addition, I also found great enjoyment in helping people. So, daring to be different, I was soon on my way to becoming a doctor in America!

After finishing my undergraduate studies at Columbia University, I attended Cornell University Medical College. It was in those four years I decided what kind of doctor I wanted to be. During a rotation in the Ophthalmology department, I observed eye surgeons using all kinds of high-tech equipment to examine eyes and perform beautiful microscopic surgery to restore sight. How cool is that! I instantly knew this is what I wanted to do with my life. So after Cornell, I completed my Ophthalmology residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Where the Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute stands today is the result of decades of studying, practicing, and perfecting my skills.

When I chose ophthalmology for my life’s work, I never dreamed I would be changing the lives of so many people. Out in the community, I frequently meet someone who is enjoying better vision after being seen at the Institute that bears my name. The rewards of my life’s work are many, but none are greater than having improved the vision and lifestyle of so many.