The Academy is pleased to present A. Raymond Pilkerton Jr., MD with the Guest of Honor Award. Selected by the president each year, these individuals are honored for significant contributions to ophthalmology and the Academy.
We recognize Dr. Pilkerton for his contributions to the retina subspecialty of ophthalmology. Regarded as one of the visionaries in Washington, D.C. ophthalmic community, Dr. Pilkerton started the first retina program at Georgetown University and co-founded The Retina Group of Washington. Dr. Pilkerton also inspired 2016 Academy President William L. Rich III, MD, to pursue a career in ophthalmology.
Dr. Pilkerton’s vast experience spans over four decades of academic appointments at Georgetown University and the Veterans Administration Hospital. His professional resume includes more than 40 published articles and the same number of lectures and presentations. He has served on numerous university committees and held leadership roles with more than a dozen professional groups and medical societies. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Pilkerton has demonstrated that the most important aspect of building an enduring medical practice is to emphasize quality, empathy and always “doing the right thing.” You can be a great surgeon, but if you don’t buy into the culture of listening to patients and respecting your staff and everyone in the health care team, your career will be an uphill battle. He continues to serve as a role model and mentor for many Washington, D.C. based ophthalmologists.
A graduate of Georgetown University, Dr. Pilkerton earned the degree of medicine cum laude in 1960. In 1964, he completed his ophthalmology residency at Georgetown, followed by a retina fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. In addition to the Academy, Dr. Pilkerton is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Vitreous Society, Retina Society and American Society of Retina Specialists. His awards also include the Excellence in Medical Care Award from Mercy Health Clinic, Washington, D.C., and the Gonzaga (H.S.) Hall of Fame.
Dr. Pilkerton’s equanimity, passion for ophthalmology and commitment to quality patient care have made a great imprint on his colleagues.