Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Benjamin W. Roberts, M.D.
About Dr. Roberts
Dr. Roberts began working as a staff vitreoretinal surgeon at Retina Consultants of Alabama following completion of his fellowship training here in 2005. During this time, Dr. Roberts and his family began preparing for their missionary service in Bomet, Kenya at Tenwek Hospital, which began in 2006.
Tenwek, one of the largest mission hospitals in Kenya, was founded by World Gospel Mission in 1935. After nearly 20 years, Dr. Roberts has returned to Alabama to resume practice as of September 2024.
Sharing the Light, Restoring Vision
Dr. Roberts has provided treatment and sight-restoring surgeries to those suffering from eye diseases at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya since 2006. His work reflects a long-standing commitment to compassionate retina care and humanitarian service.
Education
- Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery Fellowship, 2003 to 2005
Retina Consultants of Alabama, P.C., Birmingham, Alabama - Ophthalmology Residency, 2000 to 2003
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Birmingham, Alabama - Doctor of Medicine, 1995 to 1999
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, summa cum laude, 1992 to 1995
Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama
Certifications
- American Board of Ophthalmology, 2004
- Alabama Medical License, 2000
Professional Societies and Memberships
- American Medical Association, 1999-present
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2000-present
- American Society of Retina Specialists, 2005-present
Specializations
Dr. Roberts evaluates and treats a wide range of retinal and vitreoretinal conditions, including:
Honors and Awards
- Undergraduate: Academic Excellence Award
- President’s List
- Varsity Tennis Team
- Orientation Staff, 1993
- Youth Ambassadors, 1993-1995
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Beta Beta Beta, Biology Honor Society
- Kappa Mu Epsilon, Mathematics Honor Society
- Alpha Epsilon Delta, Pre-Health Honor Society
- Omicron Delta Kappa, Leadership Honor Society
- Medical School: Representative to National Academy of Family Practice, 1996
- Medical Student Enrichment Program–Mission Trip to Jamaica, 1996
- Re-accreditation Committee for Medical Schools, 1998
- Residency: Best First-Year Ophthalmology Resident Poster Presentation, 2001
- Chief Resident, July-December, 2002
Humanitarian Service
World Gospel Mission, Tenwek Hospital, Bomet, Kenya, East Africa, 2006-present.
The Roberts Family Ministry
Dr. Roberts and his wife, Jenny, and their three children, Luke, Isaac, and Nate, have the ministry motto, “Sharing the Light, Restoring Vision.” Dr. Roberts has provided treatment and sight-restoring surgeries to those suffering from eye diseases at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya since 2006.
Another aspect of Dr. Roberts’ ministry is meeting weekly with interns training at Tenwek for discipleship and growth. Dr. Roberts also travels with the Tenwek eye team to remote parts of East Africa to share this Light and vision with people beyond the hospital’s reach.
Tenwek Hospital
Working under the motto, “We Treat, Jesus Heals,” Tenwek Hospital operates healthcare centers, mobile clinics, dispensaries, and a nurses’ training program. In addition to being the primary hospital for the area’s one million people, it is also a referral hospital that receives patients from other parts of the country.
Tenwek’s staff, which totals 600 employees, treats more than 14,000 in-patients and 120,000 out-patients each year. Approximately 3,500 major surgeries and 3,500 deliveries are also performed at Tenwek each year.
Several thousand people find Christ as Savior each year, and many more are impacted through Tenwek’s compassionate ministries and training programs.