AAO 2021 Opening Session
Be inspired by your colleagues and hear from Academy leadership. The Opening Session will take place Friday, Nov. 12, 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture: Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD
Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD will give the 78th Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture, titled "Molecular Diagnostics for Ocular Infectious Diseases." Read a preview in EyeNet Magazine's June interview with Dr. Van Gelder.
Currently Dr. Van Gelder is the Boyd K. Bucey Memorial chair, professor and department chair in the University of Washington Medical School Department of Ophthalmology. In addition, he is adjunct professor in the Department of Biological Structure and Department of Pathology. Dr. Van Gelder also serves as founding director of both the UW Medicine Eye Institute and the UW Vision Science Center.
Dr. Van Gelder is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. His laboratory has been at the forefront of two fields, non-visual photoreception and pathogen detection in uveitis.
Over the years Dr. Van Gelder has acted as a reviewer and editorial board member for several publications. Currently he serves on the editorial board of Ophthalmology and Molecular Vision. He is also associate editor for Translational Vision Science and Technology.
Dr. Van Gelder has been active with many professional organizations and boards. Currently he is a member of the National Institutes of Health's Council of Councils and serves on the advisory committee for the National Eye Institute Audacious Goals Initiative and member of their National Eye Advisory Council. He is also director of the American Uveitis Society and trustee of the Society of Heed Fellows. Dr. Van Gelder has served in various roles within the American Academy of Ophthalmology including President in 2015. He is also a past president of the Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology and the American Uveitis Society.
Laureate Award
George B. Bartley, MD — 2020 Laureate
Dr. Bartley is the Louis J. and Evelyn Krueger professor of ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He has served as the chair of the Department of Ophthalmology (1992-01), chief executive officer of Mayo Clinic in Florida (2002-08), president of the American Ophthalmological Society and editor-in-chief of the Academy’s Ophthalmology® journal. Dr. Bartley currently serves as the chief executive officer of the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Michael T. Trese, MD — 2021 Laureate
Dr. Trese is clinical professor of biomedical sciences at The Eye Research Institute of Oakland University, clinical associate professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine and chief of pediatric and adult vitreoretinal surgery at William Beaumont Hospital. He is an internationally recognized expert in retinopathy of prematurity and pediatric retinal disease.
Academy Awards
The following individuals will be honored during the 2021 Opening Session:
Guests of Honor
2020
- Bartly J. Mondino, MD
- Bradley R. Straatsma, MD
- M. Roy Wilson, MD, PhD
2021
- Paul P. Lee, MD, JD
- Don Liu, MD
- Terri L. Young, MD
Distinguished Service Award
2020
2021
Special Recognition Award
2020
- American College of Surgeons
David B. Hoyt, MD will be accepting
2021
- YO Committee
Dr. Janice Law will be accepting
Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award
2020
- Steve A. Arshinoff, MD
- John H. Kempen, MD
2021
- David H. Cherwek, MD
- Bradley K. Farris, MD
Outstanding Advocate Award
2020
2021
International Blindness Prevention Award
2020/2021
Straatsma Award for Excellence in Resident Education
2020
- R. Michael Siatkowski, MD
2021