It is with great admiration that the American Academy of Ophthalmology welcomes Robert E. Kalina, MD as a Guest of Honor at AAO 2015 in Las Vegas.
A native of ‘’The Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Dr. Kalina completed his medical training at University of Minnesota. Following service in the United States Air Force as a Flight Medical Officer, he completed his ophthalmology training at the University of Oregon and his retina fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. He returned to the Northwest, joining the nascent Department of Ophthalmology at University of Washington in 1967. Dr. Kalina became acting chair of the department in 1970 and permanent chair in 1971 and is now Professor Emeritus. He served in this capacity for the next 27 years, during which time the department produced 4 winners of the Friedenwald and Proctor Medals in research. Dr. Kalina served as President and Executive Vice President of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology and as a Director of the American Board of Ophthalmology; additionally, he has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Special Achievement Award from the National Eye Institute and Medical Outreach Award from Prevent Blindness America.
He has authored more than 130 original papers, book chapters, and reports. He is past president of UW Physicians, Director Emeritus of the American Board of Ophthalmology, and Past President and Past Executive Vice President of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology. He is also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Association for Research in vision and Ophthalmology, Washington State Medical Association, King County Medical Society and The Retina Society.
Known for his compassion, high standards and kindness, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is delighted to recognize Robert E. Kalina as a 2015 Guest of Honor.