Meet Dawn Duss, MD

Dr Dawn Duss MD Pediatric Ophthalmologist in Jacksonville FL

Get to know Dr. Dawn Duss

As the oldest girl in a family of 10 kids, I have always been comfortable with children. Caring for them comes naturally for me, and I am perfectly at ease during all parts of the eye exam. Children are not just small adults, and I like to interact with them on their level. You can find me balancing siblings on one knee, wiping noses and examining stuffed animals on a daily basis. I enjoy my job and have fun caring for my patients. My father once told me, “find something you love to learn about”. I have been fortunate to enter a field that constantly astounds and amazes me. I am fearlessly passionate about pediatric Ophthalmology and take pride in providing exceptional care for the children of Northeast Florida.

Fellowship

Having been fellowship trained in Pediatric Ophthalmology at Emory University, I have specific experience with pediatric cataracts and am one of only a few pediatric ophthalmologists within 100 miles that perform this surgery. I am also skilled in evaluation and treatment of strabismus, amblyopia, retinopathy of prematurity and many other eye diseases of childhood. I am the only pediatric ophthalmologist in this area that will offer endoscopic excision of periorbital dermoids, allowing for a “scar free” result. I am a meticulous surgeon and have an appetite for learning new skills and techniques. I am an editor on the board of the Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and have served on the Wolfson Children’s Hospital Board. I am active in research and served as the Principle Investigator in a recent Bausch and Lomb multicenter cataract trial.  I have been approved as an investigator for PEDIG (Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group) and will be enrolling patients in upcoming studies with the local Johnson and Johnson research site.

Giving Back

I volunteer my time and believe in giving back to the community. I am the current Medical Adviser for Vision Is Priceless, a local non profit organization that provides screening and care for Jacksonville’s residents with eye care needs, and have sat on their board for over 5 years. My husband, Dr Charles Duss, and I spent a summer in Grenada, performing pediatric eye surgeries through the CHORES foundation, and I have donated free eye exams to the children of Afghanistan through the Solace for the Children mission.  Since 2013, our family has embraced a leadership role in the local March of Dimes community. As the mother of 2 premature children, fighting preterm birth has been a mission close to my heart. Our family served as “Ambassador Family” in 2017 and Charles and I chaired the 2018 Signature Chef Event held in November here in Jacksonville.  I have been blessed to find a profession that is both challenging and rewarding at the same time. Every day, I have the opportunity to improve the quality of life of my patients. It is a fulfilling endeavor. If you’re looking for a pediatric ophthalmologist in Florida, I hope to see you and your family one day soon! Sincerely, Dawn N. Duss, MD View Dr. Duss’ profile on Health Grades.

Current Medical Staff Appointments

  • Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology July 2006 to Present (Active)
  • Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Ophthalmology July 2015 to Present (Courtesy)

Previous Medical Staff Appointments

  • Nemours Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville, FL. Division of Ophthalmology, July 2006 to November 2014
  • Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Ophthalmology July 2008 to January 2015

Previous Academic Appointments

  • Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Ophthalmology
  • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Ophthalmology

Education

  • University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey / New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, Ophthalmology Resident 2002-2005
  • Presbyterian Medical Center / University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, Transitional Internship, 2001-2002
  • MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, Graduated Magna Cum Laude, May 2001
  • University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, Bachelor of Arts, Pre-Medicine/ Psychology
    Graduated Summa Cum Laude, May 1997

Honors / Awards

  • March of Dimes, “Ambassador Family”; Annual Signature Chef Event, 2017
  • University of Notre Dame Alumni, Greater Jacksonville Club “Member of the Year” Award, 2017
  • Jacksonville Magazine “Top Docs” Award, 2017
  • Best of Ponte Vedra Beach Award, 2016
  • Jacksonville Magazine “Best Doctor” Award, 2016
  • NEFPS Subspecialist of the Year, 2014
  • Northeast Florida Pediatric Society Subspecialist of the Year, 2014
  • Jacksonville Magazine “Top Doc” Award Designation, Healthgrades, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
  • Best Doctors in America Award Designation, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
  • Nemours Children’s Clinic, Annual Physician’s Excellence Awards, “Top Box” Patient Satisfaction for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
  • Nemours Children’s Clinic, Associate of the Month, May 2012
  • Nemours Children’s Clinic, Employee of the Month, October 2010
  • “Kudos From Kuhns” WJXT Channel 4 News, 2009
  • Lions Eye Research Foundation Annual Research Award, 2005
  • The Alfonse A.Cinotti Award for academic and professional excellence as an ophthalmology resident, 2005
  • American Medical Women’s Association: Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation, 2001
  • American Society of Clinical Pathologists’ Award for Excellence and Achievement, 1999
  • MCP-Hahnemann Student Achievement Award for Excellence in Pharmacology, 1999
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Award for the Most Outstanding Work in the First Year, 1998
  • McGraw-Hill Book Company Award for Outstanding Work in the First Year, 1998
  • Magna Cum Laude, Hahnemann School of Medicine, May 2001
  • MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine Merit scholarship, 1997-2001
  • University of Notre Dame Alumni Association of Philadelphia Neeson Scholarship, 1993-1997, Notre Dame Scholar recognition
  • Summa Cum Laude, University of Notre Dame, May 1997

Professional Memberships & Societies

  • North East Florida Pediatrics Society, Member 2011 to present
  • American Academy of Pediatrics, Member, 2010 to present
  • Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Board of Editors, 2008 to present
  • American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Member, 2008 to present
  • Florida Society of Ophthalmology, Member, 2006 to present
  • Duval County Society of Ophthalmology, Member, 2006 to present
  • Duval County Medical Society, Member, 2006 to present
  • Florida Medical Association, Member, 2006 to present
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology, Member, 2002 to present
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
  • Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society