Dean wins award from Research to Prevent Blindness

Douglas C. Dean, PhD, Rounsavall Professor of Ocular Molecular Oncology in the University of Louisville Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, has been granted a $60,000 RPB Lew R. Wasserman Merit Award by Research to Prevent Blindness, the world’s leading voluntary organization supporting eye research. Established in 1995, the RPB Lew R. Wasserman Merit Awards provide unrestricted support to mid-career MD and PhD scientists who hold primary positions within departments of ophthalmology and who are electively engaged in eye research at medical institutions in the United States. Dean is one of 112 scientists at 44 institutions who have been honored with this award.

“We are truly grateful for the support of this wonderful organization, Research to Prevent Blindness, which does such important work,” Dean said. “The award monies will go toward funding studies designed to test the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation in a pig model of retinal degeneration.”

Since it was founded in 1960, Research to Prevent Blindness has channeled hundreds of millions of dollars to medical institutions throughout the United States for research into all blinding eye diseases.

Chief resident Lana Rifkin honored...

Chief Resident Lana Rifkin, MD, received the Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (KAEPS) President's Award at the department’s Fall Meeting in September, 2011. Dr. Rifkin is the first recipient of the KAEPS President's Award. She was presented with the award for her outstanding work during the legislative session, representing Kentucky ophthalmologists in Washington, DC with the Kentucky members of Congress, and her work with the Kentucky Medical Association’s MD ID program, for which she was selected as a spokesperson www.mdidky.com

Dr. Rifkin was also selected as a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology Dangers of Decorative Contact Lenses campaign www.geteyesmart.com

Special thanks to Surgical Acuity for providing a set of HiRes Class 2 loupes to our residency training program. These loupes are providing enhanced visual acuity and ergonomic support to our residents in the operating room and we are sincerely thankful to the company.

Resident selected to attend Heed Ophthalmic Retreat

Third-year resident Jaafar El Annan, MD, was selected to attend the sixth annual Heed Foundation Residents Retreat, held in September, 2011. Dr. El Annan was one of 22 residents selected from 59 nominated by their department chairs or residency program directors. The retreat’s goal is to promote careers in academic ophthalmology. It was attended not only by the selected residents but also by 22 faculty members from academic departments of ophthalmology across the United States. Sessions focused on topics such as the transitions from residency or fellowship to an academic position, obstacles encountered and the challenges and rewards of an academic career. “It was an honor to be selected to attend this prestigious program,” El Annan said. “The experience was extremely valuable and really helped me to shape my goals for a career in academic medicine.”

Respected colleague Daxin Tang
loses battle with cancer

On Thursday, February 9, research associate Daxin Tang lost his six year battle with cancer. Daxin worked in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences for many years, and was beloved by many. His daughter, Helen, said, “Please let the department know that my father loved his work, and the people with whom he worked. We want to thank everyone for their help throughout the years. After dad's brain surgery back in August, he always mentioned to me that when he was able, he wanted to visit [his colleagues] at work. But he never got better.”

Daxin is in our hearts and thoughts, and will be missed.

Vice President of Ghana visits Louisville

Department Chair Henry Kaplan, MD, met with Vice President John Mahama of Ghana and his guests during a November, 2010 visit to the University of Louisville hosted by the pan-African studies department. Mahama and his associates were in town for four days of events highlighting various aspects of Africa and its connection to the Western world.

Kaplan selected as a 2012 Person to Watch in the
health care business, by Business First

Henry Kaplan, MD, Evans Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, has been selected as one of the 2012 People to Watch in the health care business in Greater Louisville. The distinction was conferred by Business First, Louisville’s source for local business news. The publication is seeking to acknowledge and thank the “movers and shakers” who make the health care industry in Louisville so dynamic, because health care businesses play a vital role in the area’s economy.

First-year resident Jeremy Clark receives Excellence in Clinical Education Award.

First-year resident Jeremy Clark was selected by the fourth-year University of Louisville medical students to receive an Excellence in Clinical Education Award. The winners are chosen because of the positive contribution they made to the students during their third-year clinical rotations. Dr. Clark is one of 14 total residents to receive the distinction.The awards were recently announced during the Fall Honors Convocation.

One of the Country’s Preeminent Academic Eye Centers

For decades, University of Louisville Ophthalmology has been at the forefront of research, clinical care, and the education of the next generation of leaders in the field. We are one of the only multi-specialty ophthalmologic care centers in the region offering enrollment in clinical trials and the latest treatment options for diseases and conditions including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, strabismus, low vision, dry eye syndrome and many others. Our LASIK and refractive surgery program is one of the most comprehensive in the region.

A Shared Mission of Excellence

With a continued commitment to innovation and the invaluable assistance of the Lions of Kentucky, we are poised for exciting breakthroughs to match those we’ve already made. From the development of a leading glaucoma medication that preserved the vision of millions for over 20 years, to our current groundbreaking research in stem cell treatment for retinitis pigmentosa, the University of Louisville continues to have a true impact on the field of ophthalmology.