Iowa Eye Association News Sept, 2002. Series 2, no. 37.

University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

NOTE: This page is for archival purposes only and may contain information that is outdated.

Department Update

My term as president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology will come to an end in December. This effort would not have been possible without the strong support of the faculty and staff in the Department and the professionals at the Academy. It has required teamwork and I am very grateful for everyone's friendship and support. It has been a busy and at times hectic period. While it has been an honor and privilege to serve in this capacity, I am looking forward to concentrating my efforts within the University of Iowa and in particular the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

As you see reading through this edition of the Iowa Eye news, there continues to be a great deal of activity within the Department. There is a constant ebb and flow. People retire or move on to other opportunities, and others join us. Our faculty is in great demand in academia and private practice. When change occurs, there are always mixed feelings — the sadness that comes from the departure of colleagues and friends who have contributed to the success of the Department and the pride we feel about their achievements.

Michael Wagoner will be returning to Riyadh as director of the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Saudi Arabia. Andrew Lotery, just a couple of years out of fellowship, has been named full professor and chair of the Southampton Eye Department in the U.K. Both have made important contributions as faculty and both will be missed.

Two new clinical faculty members have joined us: Rick Olson, in pediatric ophthalmology and Nasreen Syed, who will direct the Blodi Eye Pathology Laboratory. Terry Braun, PhD, has just been given a joint appointment in Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering. He will divide his time teaching in the College of Engineering and in research in bioinformatics for the Center for Macular Degeneration. We are fortunate his mentor, Tom Casavant, PhD, professor of Engineering, and senior scientist for the Center, will be appointed director of a newly established program in bioinformatics for the University. Both will have laboratory space on the fourth floor of the newly occupied Medical Education and Biological Research Facility. The Oakdale Research Facility is also being expanded. We have broken new ground with our multidisciplinary approach and we are brimming with pride that Ed Stone, who is director of the Center, was chosen as the first ophthalmologist to be a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator.

Hope to see you at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in Orlando!
	- T.A. Weingeist