By Nora Laberee
Scheie Vision Summer 2019
This past April, alumni, faculty, residents, and friends gathered to celebrate the 145th Anniversary of the Ophthalmology Department at the Scheie Alumni Meeting. The weekend provided an exciting opportunity for alumni to reconnect and discuss recent advances in ophthalmology research. Packed with presentations, Friday and Saturday were spent learning about research and clinical case studies from each subspecialty. Some of the topics discussed included retinal degeneration, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, retina, uveitis, and cornea.
The 2019 Honored Alumni Lecturer was Jennifer Thorne, MD, PhD, the Cross Family Professor of Ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, where she also serves as Chief of the Division of Ocular Immunology. Dr. Thorne delivered an outstanding lecture titled “JIA-related Uveitis – How Data Affects Clinical Care.” The Annual David M. Kozart Memorial Lecture was delivered by George (Jack) Cioffi, MD, the Edward S. Harkness Chairman and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief of the Department of Ophthalmology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Cioffi’s captivating lecture was titled “Teaching Ophthalmic Surgery.”
The Department’s tradition of hosting a celebratory dinner at the Rittenhouse Hotel on Friday evening continued with great success. The event was filled with fabulous food, spirited conversation, and dancing with old friends and colleagues. This year, Department Chairman Joan O’Brien, MD, also took a few moments to recognize the 2018 Champalimaud Award Laureates: Jean Bennett, MD,PhD, Albert Maguire, MD, and Samuel Jacobson MD, PhD. These researchers were the co-recipients of the 1 million Euro Champalimaud Vision Award for their groundbreaking work leading to the first gene therapy for an inherited disease.
Please save the dates of April 17th and 18th for the 2020 Scheie Alumni Weekend. Special thanks to Course Director Stephen Orlin, MD, Course Co-Directors Alexander Brucker, MD, and Vatinee Bunya, MD, and Lea Bramnick and Karen Cope-Scarfo for organizing such a successful meeting.
This year's Kozart Lecturer, Dr. Jack Cioffi, with Department Chairman Dr. Joan O'Brien.
Scheie faculty, staff, alumni, and friends enjoy dinner and dancing at the Rittenhouse Hotel.