Cono M. Grasso, M.D. - Chairman

Dr. Grasso received his medical degree from New York Medical College in 1974. After internship at the same institution, he completed his residency at the Wills Eye Hospital in 1978. He opened a private practice in Queens and became an active member of the ophthalmology teaching service at Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers. He was made director of the ophthalmology service at St. John's Queens Hospital in 1980 and was appointed Chairman of the department in 1992.

Dr. Grasso has taken an active role in organized ophthalmology.  He continues to serve as a member of the board of directors, New York State Ophthalmological Society.  In the past he has been a councelor of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a member of the education committee of the Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology. Presently, he is a member of the editorial staff for the journal "Evidence-Based Opthamology."

When not actively involved in ophthalmic education, Dr. Grasso is a comprehensive ophthalmologist with interests in practice management and medical economics. In his leisure time, he can be seen at St. John's University basketball games or enjoying a round of golf.

Laurence Weissman, M.D. - Assistant Program Director

Dr. Weissman is a 1980 graduate of the New York University School of Medicine. Following a year of internal medicine at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, he completed a three-year ophthalmology residency at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in 1984. Dr. Weissman was board certified in ophthalmology in 1985. In 1993, he joined Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers and was appointed assistant program director for the ophthalmology residency in 1995.

A comprehensive ophthalmologist, he enjoys teaching residents both in the office setting and in the operating room. Outside of his professional duties, Dr. Weissman enjoys playing tennis and is an avid cyclist.

Peter D'Arienzo, M.D. - Clinical Director

Dr. D'Arienzo joined the staff of Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers in 1995 after completing a one-year fellowship in anterior segment/cornea surgery at the University of Utah. He is a graduate of Georgetown University, where he earned an M.S. degree in 1986, and an M.D. degree in 1990. Dr. D'Arienzo's ophthalmic residency was performed at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY.

As a clinical director, he teaches and supervises the residents in the general clinics at Mary Immaculate Hospital division, and instructs them in phacoemulsification techniques in the operating room. He is an ardent St. John's University basketball fan.

Diane Romsaitong, M.D. - Clinical Director

Dr. Romsaitong performed her medical school training at New York Medical College and is a recent graduate of our residency program. In addition to her role as a clinical director, Dr. Romsaitong supervises medical students and other SVCMC physicians who rotate through the service. A mainstay at weekly Grand Rounds, Dr. Romsaitong combines her excellent ophthalmic skills with an unbridled enthusiasm for ophthalmology.

Panus Romsaitong, M.D. - Clinical Director

Dr. Romsaitong performed his medical school training at New York Medical College and is a graduate of  SVCMC's ophthalmology program. After performing a medical retina fellowship at New York University, Dr. Romsaitong returned to the department and is director of the ophthalmology service at St. John's Family Health Care Center. Dr. Romsaitong participates in training the residents at Mary Immaculate Hospital and is a frequent participant at Grand Rounds.