Thomas Falkenberg, M.D.
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of SIEHT’s founder, Thomas Falkenberg, MD. Dr. Falkenberg was a dedicated physician and a cherished member of the Fredericksburg, VA, community. He will be remembered fondly for his professionalism and the lives he touched during his career as an ophthalmologist for over 20 years. See the full message about Dr. Falkenberg here.
Dr. Falkenberg's Background
Thomas Falkenberg, M.D., practiced ophthalmology in Fredericksburg from 1996-2025. He was a magna cum laude graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1987, he received his doctorate in medicine from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, cum laude. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Falkenberg is board certified in ophthalmology. He was a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology. The Consumer Research Council of America elected him one of America’s Top Ophthalmologists in Cataract & Refractive Surgery in 2004-2005. Dr. Falkenberg was selected as the 2017 Reader’s Choice winner for “favorite ophthalmologist” in the Fredericksburg region. He also was selected by Northern Virginia Magazine as a Top Doc for 2016-2022 and 2024.
Dr. Falkenberg served as Medical Director of SIEHT and had 20 years of experience in various types of refractive surgery, including all laser LASIK, PRK, Astigmatic Keratotomy, and Refractive Lens Exchange. He performed the most technologically advanced form of cataract surgery available with advanced intraocular lenses, including PanOptix and Vivity multifocal lenses, as well as Toric astigmatic correcting lenses. Dr. Falkenberg used ORA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis) during cataract surgery and is the first doctor to perform cataract surgery using this technology in the Fredericksburg area.
Dr. Steven Hudson received his medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. After interning at the National Naval Medical Center, Dr. Hudson completed his residency at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Storm Eye Institute in 2005, where he served as Chief Resident and received the Ophthalmology Program Director’s Award for displaying “the Behaviors and Attitudes Each of Us Looks for in Our Own Personal Physician.” Dr. Hudson has a diverse professional background as both a physician and attorney.
Dr. Shazia Ahmed, is a board certified and fellowship-trained surgeon at one of our partner practices, Arlington Eye Center in Arlington, VA, who is assisting with cataract and LASIK surgery at SIEHT.
Dr. Christine A. Tagayun, M.D., is a board certified refractive surgeon and cornea specialist at one of our partner practices, See Clearly Vision in McLean, VA, who is assisting with LASIK surgery at SIEHT.
Shelly Hayes, O.D. has been practicing Optometry in the Fredericksburg area since 1999. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Fordham University in New York and completed her doctorate in Optometry at the State University of New York College of Optometry. Her clinical externships included the study of vision therapy at her SUNY alma-mater, and the study of low-vision at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in the Ophthalmology Department of the Montefiore Medical Center. Upon achieving her doctorate, Dr. Hayes provided eye care to an underserved community in New York for 8 years.
Dr. Cambrie Chandler is an optometrist at SIEHT who provides comprehensive eye exams, pediatric care, management of ocular disease, co-management of systemic disease, and the fitting of contact lenses. She is trained in glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as specialty contact lenses and pre- and post-operative management.