Thomas R. Pheasant, M.D.

Pennsylvania Retina Specialists announces with deep sadness the passing of its founder, Dr. Thomas R. Pheasant on July 26, 2020, surrounded by his devoted family.

Dr. Pheasant graduated in 1966 from Juniata College, where he later served on the Board of Trustees for 20 years.  In 1970, he earned his M.D. from Case Western Reserve University, and then completed his internal medicine internship at the University of Florida Shands Teaching Hospital.  He served for two years in the U.S. Public Health Service as regional medical officer based in Atlanta, GA, overseeing rural health care in eight southeastern states.  Dr. Pheasant then returned to Case Western Reserve to complete his ophthalmology residency, where he also served as Chief Resident.  He moved to Philadelphia in 1976 to complete his two-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital.

Upon completion of his training, Dr. Pheasant joined the clinical faculty at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.  In 1980, Dr. Pheasant founded a solo retina practice in Camp Hill, PA, bringing retinal care to the residents of Central Pennsylvania.  Since then the practice has grown in size and stature and now exists as Pennsylvania Retina Specialists, currently with five physicians, providing world-class retinal care in five offices throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Dr. Pheasant was a charter member of the Macula Society, a select international research forum, as well as Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Holy Spirit Hospital and Chairman of its Bylaws Committee.  Dr. Pheasant retired from clinical practice in April of 2016, completing nearly 40 years of providing outstanding care to both his patients and staff.  Throughout his career, he was always eager to help his partners and colleagues at any hour of the day.  He had a generous spirit and a zest for life in central PA.  He instilled in his staff a passion for the work and exhibited true compassion for each patient, values which permeate our practice culture to this day.

In his personal time, Dr. Pheasant loved piloting his small Cessna, sailing in fair winds, and petting any available dog.  He savored strong friendships and fine wine.  Having been loved intensely from birth, he returned that affection and devotion to his own family, and to the profession he cherished.