Truly impactful leaders over the years have included ophthalmologists like Tom Hutchinson, Ron Smith, Christie Morse, and now Greg Skuta. Members of our greater community have had a profound role – Tony McClellan, David Pyott, Jim Mazzo, and many others. Organizations like the Knights Templar have been critical and sustained partners for decades. The Orbital Gala would not be the fun and fundraising success it is without leaders like Bill and Alice Lee Tasman, Ruth Williams, Stephen Gieser, and Ron and Wendy Pelton and their committees. Finally, the Foundation staff – Tina McGovern, Todd Lyckberg, and John Waldman – are the glue that makes everything possible.
My particular thanks goes to the many, many ophthalmologists and leaders in the greater ophthalmologic community whose support and generosity have brought us where we find ourselves today with initiatives ranging from EyeCare America to the Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye, and from the ONE Network to the IRIS Clinical Data Registry to the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program.
You have all changed the future for our profession and our patients and have my deepest appreciation.
Sincerely,
David W. Parke II, MD
CEO, American Academy of Ophthalmology