Meet Dr. Danek
Languages Spoken: Spanish, Polish
Dr. Dagmara Danek is the newest member of the Colorado Retina Associates physician team, bringing both skill and heart to the care of her patients. She is a board-certified vitreoretinal surgeon who specializes in the medical and surgical management of retinal diseases, as well as the treatment of complications following cataract surgery.
Dr. Danek’s journey into medicine began with a strong desire to help people protect the gift of sight. Before completing her ophthalmology residency and fellowship training at Cook County Health and Retina Associates in Chicago, IL, Dr. Danek trained in Internal Medicine at Duke University. This background gives her a unique perspective on how overall health and systemic conditions can influence the eyes. She often explains to her patients that “the eyes are a window into the health of the whole body,” and she uses this knowledge to provide comprehensive, individualized care to each of her patients. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in the top 5% of her class.
As a physician, Dr. Danek believes in treating the whole person, not just the disease. She takes time to truly listen to her patients, understand their concerns, and carefully explain treatment options in clear, comforting language. Her care philosophy centers on collaboration—working with patients, their families, and their other physicians to create personalized treatment plans. Her priority is always to safeguard and preserve vision while respecting each patient’s values, lifestyle, and goals.
In addition to patient care, Dr. Danek is passionate about teaching. She serves as a Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado/Denver Health, helping train the next generation of ophthalmologists. She is also fluent in Spanish and Polish, which allows her to connect with and care for a diverse group of patients.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Danek enjoys the beauty of Colorado—trail running with her dog, skiing, rock climbing, and playing guitar. She also treasures her past experiences on medical mission trips to South America and Africa, where she provided eye care to underserved communities.
MEDICAL SCHOOL
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Erie, PA, 2018- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), 2018
UNDERGRADUATE TRAINING
University of Miami, FL, 2012- Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology
- Minors: Chemistry and Psychology
FELLOWSHIP
- Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship, Cook County Health, Chicago, IL, 2024
RESIDENCY
- Ophthalmology Residency, John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL, 2022
INTERNSHIP
- Internal Medicine Residency, Duke University, Durham, NC, 2019
- Medical License, Colorado Medical Board
Book Chapters
- Danek D, Larsen B. (2023). Ocular Manifestations of Susac Syndrome. Disease-a-Month.
- Danek D, Giovingo M. (2021). Ocular Manifestations of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome. Disease-a-Month.
- Danek D, Larsen B, Anderson-Nelson S. (2021). Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Disease-a-Month, 67(5), 101139.
- Gordon A, Danek D, Phelps P. (2020). Common inflammatory and infectious conditions of the eyelid. In P Phelps (Ed).
- Disease-a-Month, 66(10), 101042.
Articles
- Sangal K, Barquet B, Danek D, Patrianakos T, Nichols J. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 Associated Optic Neuritis.
- Danek D, Blessing NW, Tse DT. (2019). Corneal Perforation with Uveal Prolapse: An Initial Presentation of Orbital Metastatic Breast Cancer. American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, 16, 100551.
- Danek D, Danek B, Pappas S. (2017). Massive Pulmonary Embolism in a Patient with Undiagnosed Homocystinuria. Journal of Clinical Case Reports, 7(9), 10001022.
- Dvoriantchikova G, Pappas S, Luo X, Ribeiro M, Danek D, Pelaez D, Park KK, Ivanov D. (2016). Virally Delivered, Constitutively Active NFkB Improves Survival of Injured Retinal Ganglion Cells. European Journal of Neuroscience, 44(11), 2935-2943.
- Maranda E, Fipps D, Danek D, Taneja R, Jimenez J. (2016). Dermatologic Marvels – Hypertrichosis. JAMA Dermatology, 152(5), 552.
- Maranda E, Wang M, Hsieh S, Danek D, Jimenez J. (2016). Flower Power – The Versatility of Bloodroot. JAMA, Dermatology, 152(7), 824.
- Stoutenberg M, Stasi S, Stamatakis E, Danek D, Dufour T, Trilk J, Blair S. (2015). Physical Activity Training in US Medical Schools: Preparing Future Physicians to Engage in Primary Prevention. The Physician and Sports Medicine, 43(4), 388-394.
- Dvoriantchikova G, Perea-Martinez I, Pappas S, Barry A, Danek D, Dvoriantchikova X, et al. (2015). Molecular Characterization of Notch1 Positive Progenitor Cells in the Developing Retina. PLoS ONE, 10(6), e0131054.
- Dvoriantchikova G, Santos A, Danek D, Dvoriantchikova X, Ivanov D. (2014). The TIR-Domain- Containing Adapter Inducing Interferon-Β-Dependent Signaling Cascade Plays a Crucial Role in Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Retinal Injury, Whereas the Contribution of the Myeloid Differentiation Primary Response 88-Dependent Signaling Cascade Is Not as Pivotal. European Journal of Neuroscience, 40(3), 2502-2512.
Abstracts and Posters:
- Ivanov D, Dvoriantchikova G, Pappas S, Luo X, Ribeiro M, Danek D, Pelaez D, Park K. (2016). Constitutively Active Transcription Factor NFκB Facilitates Survival of Damaged Retinal Ganglion Cells. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 57(12), 1164-1164. Poster presented at: ARVO; Seattle, WA
- Dvoriantchikova G, Perea-Martinez I, Danek D, Barry A, Pappas S, Dvoriantchikova X, Ivanov D. (2015). Gene Expression Profiling of Notch1 Positive Progenitor Cells Isolated From Developing Retina. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 56(7), 2241-2241. Poster presented at: ARVO; Denver, CO
- Ivanov D, Peres-Martinez I, Danek D, Nalik JR, Pappas S, Dvoriantchikova X, Dvoriantchikova G. (2015). The Molecular Mechanisms of Sterile Inflammation in Ischemic Retina. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 56(7), 6168-6168. Poster presented at: ARVO; Denver, CO
Research Associate in Laboratory of Dmitry Ivanov, PhD, 2012 – 2014
University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute“Exercise is Medicine” with Mark Stoutenberg, PhD, 2011 – 2012
University of Miami Miller School of MedicineResearch Assistant in Laboratory of Burjor Captain, PhD, 2010 – 2012
University of Miami Nanoscience Laboratory- English
- Spanish
- Polish
