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  •     Gregory L. Skuta, MD
    Gregory L. Skuta, MD
    Chair, Foundation Advisory Board

    News From the Chair

    Fall 2023

    It was great to see our colleagues at AAO 2023 in San Francisco.  I hope you all had safe travels to and from the annual meeting.  

    A Successful Orbital 2023: Gold Rush

    The 20th annual celebration was a most dazzling event! The Orbital 2023: Gold Rush — the Foundation's most prestigious fundraiser — was held at the illustrious Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Orbital Chair Christie Morse, MD and her outstanding committee worked hard to curate a treasure trove of unforgettable offerings. Those who joined us in person bid on exciting items from the AAO 2024 Chicago Meeting Package to the Sante Fe getaway, Kentucky bourbons and California wines.

    We were delighted to celebrate Foundation leaders David and Molly Pyott for their outstanding support of the Academy, its Foundation and our beloved profession. Proceeds from the event will directly contribute to the Academy's Leadership Development Program. We also celebrated Grayson W. Armstrong, MD, the recipient of the 2023 American Academy of Ophthalmology Artemis Award, nominated for his success in improving healthcare access for underserved communities and lessening healthcare disparities through implementing telemedicine. It was a thrilling night!

    We hope to see you all in Chicago for the 21st Orbital celebration in November 2024.

    Celebrate Giving Tuesday with a Gift to the Academy Foundation on Tuesday, Nov. 28!

    After you finish your holiday shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, kick off your year-end charitable donations on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28. During this globally recognized day of philanthropy, you are encouraged to donate to initiatives that are important to you. This year, consider supporting Academy programs such as the Parke Center Campaign, Ophthalmic News and Education (ONE®) Network, Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program, and EyeCare America® through a donation to the Academy Foundation. You can make your tax-deductible gift in honor or memory of someone special, or it can be a recurring gift.

    Give today at https://www.aao.org/foundation/giving-tuesday.

    Make Your Tax-Smart Year-End Giving Donations by Dec. 31

    As we say goodbye to 2023, we ask you to consider a year-end gift. Your generosity of a tax-deductible donation by Dec. 31 will ensure that the programs you count on as ophthalmologists are constantly evolving and innovating to create educational experiences that benefit you and your patients. Protecting Sight and Empowering Lives is not just a brand statement, but one we live out every day, thanks to your investment in your Academy. Continue to help us build a better future for our patients. Remember, you can now choose to make a monthly or quarterly recurring gift. Donate today. 

    Your Legacy
    It is so important to give back to your profession. With a planned gift, you can secure your legacy and help provide for the future.

    Thank you again for your continued support of the Academy Foundation. I wish you all a delightful Thanksgiving holiday. 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.