Jiaqi Yao, MD

Dr. Jiaqi Yao with Dr. Monte Del Monte
Dr. Jiaqi Yao with Dr. Monte Del Monte

Dr. Yao was born in Yangzhou, China and attended Nanjing Medical University where he completed his ophthalmology training in 2006.  After a three-year period of study for a master’s degree in ophthalmology at the same university, Dr. Yao joined the staff of Nanjing Children’s Hospital, where he has maintained a busy practice since 2009.

Dr. Paul Lee with Dr. Jiaqi Yao
Dr. Paul Lee, Director of the U-M Kellogg Eye Center, with Dr. Jiaqi Yao

In 2015, while attending an international meeting on strabismus in Shanghai, Dr. Yao heard a lecture by Monte Del Monte, MD, on his innovative techniques for eye muscle surgery.  Impressed with Dr. Del Monte’s expertise, Dr. Yao turned to the internet to see if he could secure an observership with Dr. Del Monte. With great enthusiasm, Dr. Yao arrived at Kellogg that winter with his wife and five-year-old son.

In spite of the cold, they were delighted to have spent these months in Ann Arbor.  “I am sorry that I cannot stay longer,” he said. “The University of Michigan is a beautiful place and I would like more time to learn from Dr. Del Monte and Dr. Steven Archer, who are such excellent surgeons.” 

As Dr. Yao returns to China, he hopes to incorporate these newly-acquired techniques into his practice.