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Alward, MD Named Vice Chair for Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Wallace L. M. Alward, MD, professor of ophthalmology, recently accepted the post of vice chair of The University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Alward joined the UI faculty in 1987. He succeeds William E. Scott, MD, who served as the department’s Vice Chair from April 1995 to September 2001.

"Dr. Alward is a highly skilled clinician, a leading researcher and an outstanding educator," said Thomas A. Weingeist, MD, PhD, head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. "I am very pleased that he has agreed to continue his service to The University of Iowa by accepting the Vice Chair position in our department."

Alward graduated from Kenyon College and attended medical school at The Ohio State University. He completed an internship in General Surgery at University Hospitals of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in Epidemic Intelligence at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. He completed his residency training at University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, and a fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. Alward earned certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology and the National Board of Medical Examiners. His clinical expertise is in ophthalmology and glaucoma.

"To be offered this position is indeed an honor," said Alward. "I am looking forward to serving as vice chair and to carrying on and enhancing our longstanding tradition of excellence." The 2001 US News and World Report "Best Hospitals in America" rankings rated the UI Department of Ophthalmology as the sixth leading department within the specialty in the nation.

Alward’s research interests include the molecular genetics of glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, the etiology and treatment of low tension glaucoma and glaucoma filtration surgical techniques. His current research projects include the evaluation of families with inherited glaucomas, the comparison of glaucoma surgical techniques, evaluating pigmentary glaucoma by infrared iris transillumination and studying advanced methods of combined cataract and glaucoma surgery.

last updated: 2001