AUG 24, 2023
Hall of Fame Advocate Continues to Inspire Action
David S. Pao, MD, is dedicated to advocating for his patients and profession — so much so, that he will stop at nothing to deliver his annual lecture, “Welcome to the Real World of Medicine/Ophthalmology,” to residents of the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia every year.
Neither joint replacements, COVID-19 nor closed parking garages have deterred him.
So, last month, he delivered the 20th lecture to residents at Wills and to other first-year residents from area programs at Temple University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Nazareth Hospital.
In 2016, Dr. Pao was an Academy’s Secretariat for State Affairs Hall of Fame award recipient. This award is presented each year to an ophthalmologist whose lifelong advocacy demonstrates a commitment to public policies supporting quality medical and surgical care and who supports secretariat efforts at the state level.
Tara Uhler, MD, Wills’ director of Resident Education, said, “We are so fortunate to have Dr. Pao selflessly and enthusiastically dedicate his time every year to the annual July course and to so many sessions designed to support education and advocacy — most of which he created.”