Dr. Philbrook started the only ophthalmology clinic in LaPorte county, IN in 1953. He was a leader in his field and had an impactful tenure. He provided ophthalmic care to his community until his retirement in 1992. Dr. Mannix, also a highly respected ophthalmologist, joined Dr. Philbrook in 1985 and continued to practice until 2019. The clinic became part of La Porte Physician Network in 2016. Dr. Kassa moved to Michigan City and joined Dr. Mannix in August 2019, they worked together until Dr. Mannix retired.
During his time in Northwest Indiana, Dr. Kassa developed great relationships with his patients and other providers which was the driving force to maintain an ophthalmology clinic in the area. Lakeshore Eye Specialists is now an independent ophthalmology clinic created to provide ophthalmic services to patients in LaPorte County and neighboring areas.
Dr. Kassa sees patients in Michigan City and does his surgeries in LaPorte.
Dr. Kassa moved to Indiana from Ethiopia in 1999. His last two years of high school were at Bishop Dwenger in Fort Wayne. After high school, he attended Indiana University Purdue University in Fort Wayne with a major in biology and minor in chemistry. Once graduated, he went to Ross University School of Medicine and graduated with highest honors.
He initially pursued a career in Internal medicine. He was board certified in 2015 and worked as an internist at Saint Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis and Carmel.
Dr. Kassa then moved to ophthalmology and was admitted to Indiana university school of medicine for his residency. He worked at some of the largest hospitals in the state including the veteran’s hospital and the state’s county hospital. As a resident, Dr. Kassa took part in multiple research projects, traveled with international outreach programs and participated in state organizations.
He is board certified in ophthalmology and an active member of the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Physicians.
