Dr. Marcelin’s full circle journey to ophthalmology

Seeing the Whole Patient: Dr. Kerline Marcelin’s Patient Centered Approach to Eye Care

Sharing her journey as a 2026 Castle Connolly Exceptional Woman in Medicine, Dr. Marcelin reveals what it truly means to care for every patient.

For Dr. Kerline Marcelin, MD, ophthalmology isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. From her earliest memories, she was drawn to caregiving and connection. Growing up as a first-generation Haitian-American, she watched her mother, a nurse’s aide, care deeply for her patients.

“She would come home and tell me all these stories about patients,” Dr. Marcelin recalls. “Those connections were so meaningful to her, and I wanted to have that same connection with people.”

That early exposure to caregiving quickly became hands-on responsibility. With an older sister managing diabetes, Dr. Marcelin often found herself monitoring her sister’s blood sugar and helping make decisions about care. “All of that came together and made me say, ‘When I grow up, I want to be a doctor,’” she says.

That lifelong dedication to patient care and connection has not only defined her career, it has earned her recognition as a Castle Connolly 2026 Exceptional Woman in Medicine, marking her fifth consecutive year.

A Mission That Shaped Her Path

Though she knew early she wanted to be a physician, Dr. Marcelin didn’t initially plan to specialize in ophthalmology. She considered psychiatry, drawn to understanding the human mind. But a pivotal medical mission during medical school changed her trajectory.

Traveling to Haiti for the first time, she witnessed firsthand the power of vision. Patients who arrived guided by others were able to walk independently after surgery. “Seeing them walk on their own after an operation—it’s freedom,” she says. “Vision gives independence not just to the patient but also to their caretakers.”

“That experience made me say, wow, vision is so important because it contributes so much to the quality of your life,” she says.

That experience solidified her path. After medical school, she pursued a residency in ophthalmology at NYU Medical Center, followed by a glaucoma fellowship at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary

Partnering with Patients

Dr. Marcelin’s approach to care balances clinical expertise with empathy. She remembers a patient who resisted glaucoma surgery, and how the experience reshaped her philosophy.

“I realized it’s not just about giving information, it’s about making sure patients truly understand their choices and the consequences of their decisions,” she reflects. “It’s my responsibility to help them see the full picture, not just tell them what to do.”

This partnership mindset informs every interaction.

“With me, it’s very simple. I tell them what they need to do, and most people already value their vision. We collaborate to give them what they want,” Dr. Marcelin says.

At the core of that approach is a natural ability to connect. “I love people. I’m the type of person that, if I go to a restaurant, I’ll sit at the bar because I want to talk to the people around me,” she says. “I respect people and their autonomy, I try to reach them wherever they are.”

That instinct translates directly into the exam room. She prioritizes eye contact, listening, and clear communication—creating an environment where patients feel both understood and empowered to take an active role in their care.

“I try to relate to people in a way my parents may not have experienced with their doctors,” she explains. “Making that connection is really important to me, it shows integrity and fosters trust.”

Preventative Care: Staying Ahead of the Curve

Preventative care is central to Dr. Marcelin’s approach. She emphasizes that many patients seek care only after a problem arises—and by then, they may already be behind.

“When people come in with a problem, they’re already behind,” she says. “Knowing your family history and being aware of risks are critical steps.”

Her philosophy goes beyond simply sharing information. She works to ensure patients understand their personal risk factors and the potential consequences of untreated conditions. This proactive approach allows them to take an active role in their health, rather than reacting after damage has occurred.

Dr. Marcelin also encourages patients to look beyond immediate symptoms. For glaucoma and other eye diseases, changes can occur gradually and without obvious warning signs.

“It’s easier to maintain health than to treat sickness,” she says. By fostering awareness and regular screenings, she helps patients protect their vision—and, ultimately, their independence and quality of life.

Life Beyond the Clinic

For Dr. Marcelin, maintaining balance is an intentional part of how she shows up for both her patients and herself. She prioritizes staying connected to the people who matter most.

“Family grounds me,” she says. “Having people I can talk to, people who support me—that’s really important.”

She also builds in time for activities that keep her both physically and mentally engaged.

Since the pandemic, she has taken up golf, alongside regular workouts and even Mahjong to challenge her mind in new ways. These routines aren’t just hobbies—they’re part of how she sustains focus, energy, and perspective in her daily life.

By making space for these moments, Dr. Marcelin reinforces a philosophy she believes is essential in medicine: caring for others starts with being grounded and present yourself.

About Castle Connolly

Top Doctors are nominated by peer physicians and selected by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team. Physicians cannot and do not pay to be selected.

Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors, Top Dentists and Top Hospitals lists at castleconnolly.com and in a number of print and online partner publications. Nominations are open to all board-certified MDs, DOs and DPMs. The Castle Connolly team chooses honorees based on nominee criteria that includes their medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories.

If you’re a physician or dentist — someone with a long-standing commitment to delivering the highest-quality patient care — learn how to nominate a Top Doctor or Top Dentist.