OUR PHYSICIANS
Dr. Max Johnson opened Retina Consultants in 1988. A Fargo native, he received his pharmacy degree from North Dakota State University and completed a postgraduate hospital pharmacy residency in South Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota Medical School and completed his ophthalmology residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, followed by a surgical and medical retina fellowship at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts.
Dr. Johnson is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is an active member in several retina societies. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and International College of Surgeons.
Max R. Johnson, MD, RPh, FACS
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1988 Chief Vitreoretinal Fellow
Schepens Retinal Associates, Boston, Massachusetts
1988 Vitreoretinal Medical/Surgical Fellow
Schepens Retina Associates and Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
1988 Clinical Retina Fellow
Harvard Medical School and Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
1988 Clinical Low Vision Fellow
Schepens Retina Associates/Gerald R. Friedman, OD, Boston, Massachusetts
1988 Research Associate
Eye Research Institute/Retina Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts
1986 Ophthalmology Residency
Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
1983 Transitional Medical/Surgical Internship
Marshfield Clinic/St Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, Wisconsin
1982 Doctor of Medicine Degree
University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks, North Dakota
1981 Summer Medical Research Fellow
National Institute of Health Summer Research Fellowship
University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology, Minneapolis, Minnesota
1980 Bachelor of Science Degree – Medicine
University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks, North Dakota
1976 Hospital Pharmacy Practice Residency (certified by Am. Soc. Hospital Pharmacists)
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
1975 Pharmacy Internship
Broadway Pharmacy, Fargo, North Dakota
1975 Bachelor of Science Degree – Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy
North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota
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2016 Fellow
American College of Surgeons
2013 Fellow
International College of Surgeons
1988 Ophthalmology
American Board of Ophthalmology
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American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Retina Specialists
Association of Res earch in Vision and Ophthalmology
Henry Ford Hospital Alumni Society
Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology
North Dakota Medical Association
North Dakota Pharmaceutical Association
Upper Mississippi Valley Retina Society
Dr. Marina Gilca joined Retina Consultants in October 2017, bringing with her a wealth of specialized expertise in retinal care as well as an unwavering passion for enhancing patients' quality of life through innovative ophthalmic treatments. She earned her esteemed medical degree from McGill University, an internationally renowned institution celebrated for its rigorous academic standards, pioneering research, and profound contributions to the field of medicine.
Following her exceptional education at McGill, Dr. Gilca completed her ophthalmology residency at the University of Montréal, where she laid the foundation for her deep commitment to eye care. She then advanced her expertise by undertaking a comprehensive surgical and medical retinal fellowship at Rush University in Chicago, Illinois—an experience that further fueled her passion for delivering cutting-edge retinal therapies and compassionate patient care.
Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Gilca is an active member of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists. Her proficiency in several languages enhances her ability to communicate effectively with a diverse patient population, ensuring that each individual receives personalized and empathetic care. Her enthusiasm for her work is evident in her dedication to staying at the forefront of emerging technologies and treatment protocols in retinal medicine.
Dr. Gilca’s blend of top-tier education, extensive training, and heartfelt passion for patient care positions her as a leading expert in retinal care at Retina Consultants.
Marina Gilca, MD
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2017 Vitreoretinal Fellowship
Rush University, Chicago, Illinois
2015 Ophthalmology Residency and Internship
University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
2010 M.D.C.M
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
2006 Pre-medical Year in the Faculty of Sciences
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
2005 Diploma of College Studies in the Health Sciences Program
Champlain-St. Lawrence College, Quebec City, Canada
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2016 Ophthalmology
American Board of Ophthalmology
2015 Ophthalmology
Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Canada
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American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Retina Specialists
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2013 - 14 Chief Resident
University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
2005 - 06 Dean's Honor List
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Awarded to the students whose GPA ranked in the top 10% of their faculty.
2005 - 06 McConnell Award
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Awarded to students who ranked in the top 5% of their faculty.
2005 - 06 McCullagh Prize in Latin
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Awarded, on the basis of outstanding academic performance, to students in Ancient Greek or Latin language courses.
2005 McGill Certificate of Merit
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Awarded based on academic excellence during college studies.
2003 - 05 Dean's Honor List
Champlain-St. Lawrence College, Quebec City, Canada
Awarded to students who, carrying a normal course load, achieved an overall average of at least eighty percent.
Dr. Tyler Looysen, a North Dakota native, is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon who grew up around Jamestown, ND. He graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks, ND, where he also earned a Master of Public Health. Dr. Looysen completed his residency at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, and his vitreoretinal fellowship at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. He is a proud member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists.
Dr. Looysen brings a passion for cutting-edge retinal care, with expertise in the latest surgical techniques and treatments for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachments. He is committed to providing personalized, patient-centered care to the Fargo community and beyond.
In his free time, Dr. Looysen enjoys playing board games with family and friends, playing video games with his wife Lacey, and being a pet parent to his three dogs, two cats, and two lizards. He also has a deep appreciation for music, attending concerts across multiple genres, and is passionate about filmmaking and DJing.