Skip to main content
  •     Gregory L. Skuta, MD
    Gregory L. Skuta, MD
    Chair, Foundation Advisory Board

    News From the Chair

    Winter 2024

    I hope that 2024 is starting off on a positive note for each one of you. As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with pride to be a Senior Ophthalmologist among such a distinguished group of individuals. We share a unique and invaluable bond forged through our unwavering dedication and wealth of experience in the field of ophthalmology—a profession we hold in high esteem. Each of you has played a crucial role in advancing the standards of eye care, and for that, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your gifts have had a positive impact on the lives of our patients. We raise a glass to you in 2024 with hope and confidence in the future.

    Join The Parke Center Campaign to Transform the Future of Eye Care

    aao2019-opening-session-0016-20191013

    The Parke Center will be named for David W. Parke II, MD, the Academy’s CEO from 2009 to 2022, in honor of his leadership at the Academy throughout his career, and for his deep commitment to ophthalmology.

    Located at Academy headquarters in San Francisco, this state-of-the-art center will be a hub for ophthalmic collaboration and will facilitate partnerships as academic researchers and other partners use the space for teaching and conferences. Equipped with the latest technology, the center will be a model for high-tech learning.

    view10

    Thanks to the generous contributions from donors such as the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (OMIC) led by Tim Padovese, and the David and Molly Pyott Foundation, with the commitment of Academy leadership, the campaign has already raised over $1.5M toward the $2.5M goal. Construction is due to begin in early February 2024. View donors. This project’s success depends on your support. Together, we can turn this vision into a reality.

    How to Donate

    Your financial support is invaluable. Regardless of size, every contribution plays a pivotal role in advancing ophthalmology. Donate today at aao.org/parke-center.

    aao.info_46OETXN 1 2

    Naming Opportunities

    We are pleased to offer naming opportunities for this state-of-the-art meeting space.

    • Conference Room 1: $500,000+
    • Conference Room 2: $500,000+
    • Conference Room 3: $300,000+

    Other naming opportunities are also available. For more information on naming opportunities, ways to name specific rooms, or if you have questions, visit the Parke Center Campaign or contact Tina McGovern, executive director, Foundation, at tmcgovern@aao.org or call +1 415.561.8508.

    Legacy Is Important

    The 1896 Legacy Society, named for the year the Academy was founded, is a special group of donors who have included the Foundation in their estate plans through cash gifts, bequests, or other planned gifts. 1896 Legacy Society members are integral to the Academy's mission and are regularly informed of our achievements, challenges, and future plans.

    Members are recognized through invitation to our annual donor reception and other events, and by acknowledgment in the Foundation's annual report, on our website, and on the donor wall at the annual meeting.

    We would be honored to count you among its members. As a special thank you for members who commit to joining, we have created a new lapel pin, shown below, that distinguishes your support to others.

    Legacy_pin-240ox

    Becoming an 1896 Legacy Society member is easy! All we ask is that you send a completed form indicating that you have made a commitment through one of the options to participate. That’s it! Simply including a bequest in your estate plan to the Foundation is all that is required.

    Our team is available to answer any questions you may have, and we can provide you with information and resources to help you make an informed decision. Please contact Todd Lyckberg, director of development, at tlyckberg@aao.org or +1 415.447.0361.

    Now Available! IMPACT: The Foundation’s 2023 Annual Report

    The Academy Foundation is key to the establishment of the most groundbreaking educational, quality-of-care, and service programs in all of medicine. See the impact of your donations as well as the effect these service programs have on the lives of the patients we serve. Your support directly impacts patients by transforming lives.

    Thank you again for your continued support of the Academy Foundation. I would appreciate hearing from you. Feel free to contact me anytime at gskuta@aao.org. 

    Warmest regards,

    Gregory L. Skuta, MD
    Chair, Foundation Advisory Board

    Questions for the Foundation? Contact Tina McGovern, Executive Director, at tmcgovern@aao.org or +1 415.561.8508.