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Newsletter - 2003, Volume 6, Number
1
Table of Contents
XXIX AOI Meeting – New
Delhi, India – January 2003
By Bradley R. Straatsma, M.D., J.D.
The XXIX Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis Meeting
convened on January 15, 2003, in New Delhi, India, in
association with the 61st Annual Conference of the All
India Ophthalmological Society. During the Business
Meeting, President Koichi Shimizu, Secretary-General
Paul R. Lichter and Treasurer Juan Verdaguer presented
reports. The officers outlined plans for AOI symposia
to be held at major international meetings in 2003:
the All India Ophthalmological Society Annual Conference
in New Delhi, India (January 2003); Pan-American Congress
of Ophthalmology in San Juan, Puerto Rico (March 2003);
European Congress of Ophthalmology in Madrid, Spain
(June 2003) and Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
in Bangkok, Thailand (December 2003). Members enthusiastically
endorsed arrangements for these AOI symposia at major
supranational ophthalmology meetings.
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Prof.
S. Selvarajah receiving his Academia
medal and certificate during the AOI Business
Meeting in New Delhi. From left, AOI Treasurer,
Prof. Juan Verdaguer, AOI Secretary-General,
Prof. Paul Lichter, Prof. Selvarajah, and on the
far right, Academia President Prof. Koichi Shimizu. |
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Prof.
Peter Watson, England and
Prof. Sivaguru Selvarajah, Malaysia following
their induction. (Prof. Ian Constable, Australia,
was unable to attend and will be inducted
at the next meeting.) |
The large number of distinguished ophthalmologists
who were nominated for membership in the AOI this year
were given extensive consideration. Action resulted
in the election of Prof. Hilel Lewis, United States;
Prof. Ildikó Süveges, Hungary; and Prof.
Zbigniew Zagórski, Poland. Each of these colleagues
has made substantial contributions to national and international
ophthalmology.
The Special Scientific Session, attended by AOI members
and guests, featured the Inaugural Lecture of Prof.
Sivaguru Selvarajah entitled “The Development
of a Curriculum to Train Mid-Level Personnel in Eye
Care,” and the Inaugural Lecture of Prof. Peter
Watson on “The International Council of Ophthalmology
Assessments.” Additional presentations by AOI
members residing in India provided substantial and valuable
information on innovative eye care delivery systems
that have proven successful in India and that could
be used in other countries, as well as advances in clinical
and bench research. Treating the topic broadly, Academician
Pran Nagpal spoke on “Indian Ophthalmology –
Past, Present and Future.” Academician Gullapalli
N. Rao invited extensive discussion with his presentation
regarding “An Eye Care Delivery Model for Underserved
Populations.” The discussion was moderated and
directed by President Shimizu.
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Prof.
Gullapalli N. Rao (India) with
Prof. Francisco Contreras (Peru) |
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Academician
Prof. Francisco Contreras (left) and Prof. Achim
Wessing about to enjoy dinner hosted by our gracious
colleagues from India. |
This year’s meeting arrangements in New Delhi
were coordinated by Prof. Pran Nagpal and Prof. Gullapalli
N. Rao. Members appreciated their cordial hospitality
as well as that of Dr. Vasavinda at the Ashok Hotel;
the cordiality of the All India Ophthalmological Society
Executive Committee during a festive evening at the
India Habitat Centre, and the overall courtesies provided
by officers and members of the All India Ophthalmological
Society throughout the events in New Delhi.
After expressing thanks to Prof. Nagpal, Prof. Rao
and the officers and members of the All India Ophthalmological
Society, President Shimizu adjourned the meeting and
invited all present to continue conversations during
the ensuing luncheon.
61st Annual Conference of the All India Ophthalmological
Society
The 61st All India Ophthalmological Society Annual
Conference met from January 15 to 19, 2003 in the historic,
multicultural city of New Delhi, India. With President
D. K. Sen, Vice President H. K. Tewari, General Secretary
Atul Kumar and Dr. S. Natarajan as Chairman of the Scientific
Committee, the All India Ophthalmological Society scientific
sessions were attended by several thousand ophthalmologists
from India and other countries throughout the world.
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| Prof. Koichi
Shimizu, President of AOI and Academician Prof.
Gottfried O. H. Naumann, President of ICO |
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the All India Ophthalmological
Society Annual Conference took place at the Ashok Hotel
in New Delhi on January 16th. General Secretary Kumar
opened the ceremony, and his remarks were followed by
an address by President Sen, comments by Local Organizing
Committee Chairman K. P. S. Malik, and award presentations
by Dr. Natarajan. Prof. Koichi Shimizu represented the
Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis, Dr. Gottfried
O. H. Naumann extended congratulations on behalf of
the International Council of Ophthalmology, and Prof.
Bradley R. Straatsma represented the American Academy
of Ophthalmology. The Opening Ceremony was followed
by a reception for all conference participants at the
beautiful Indian Habitat Centre.
Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis Symposium
and Lecture
The Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis Symposium,
entitled “What’s New in Ophthalmology?”
was held on January 17th in front of an overflowing
audience of hundreds of ophthalmologists from around
the world. Organized by Prof. Paul R. Lichter, AOI Secretary-General,
Prof. Pran N. Nagpal, and Prof. Gullapalli N. Rao, the
symposium was chaired by President Koichi Shimizu. Speakers
included Prof. Juan Verdaguer, Prof. Paul R. Lichter,
and Prof. Maurice H. Luntz. The highlight of the symposium
was the presentation of the Academia Ophthalmologica
Internationalis Lecture, “Recent Advances in Retina
and Vitreous,” by Prof. Nagpal.
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| Prof.
Pran Nath Nagpal, M.D. presents AOI Lecture |
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Prof.
Juan Verdaguer speaking at the AOI Symposium |
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Golden Jubilee
Also on January 17th the official journal of the All
India Ophthalmological Society, the Indian Journal of
Ophthalmology, concluded the yearlong celebration of
its fiftieth year of publication with a special Golden
Jubilee program. This program honored the past editors
of the Journal, beginning with its founding editor,
Dr. S. N. Cooper, and moving successively through the
tenures of Dr. S. R. K. Malik, Dr. Madan Mohan, Dr.
Tony Fernandez and Prof. Gullapalli N. Rao to the current
editor, Dr. Taraprasad Das.
Dr. Bradley R. Straatsma presented the Indian Journal
of Ophthalmology Golden Jubilee Lecture in which he
emphasized evidence-based medicine with his presentation,
“Randomized Clinical Trials of Choroidal Melanoma
Treatment.” Dr. Sohan S. Hayreh, Guest of Honor,
highlighted international research with his presentation,
which concluded the program.
Current International Trends
A succession of four symposia entitled “Current
International Trends” involved presentations by
ophthalmologists from India and more than ten other
countries. These programs, which included a number of
AOI members, discussed various national and international
campaigns to eliminate avoidable blindness. Topics also
included ophthalmic education as well as recent advances
in medical and surgical ophthalmology.
Symposia, Courses and Exhibits
Throughout the Congress, multiple symposia, courses
and exhibits provided exceptional opportunities for
learning and acquiring new skills. All events were conducted
in an environment of cordiality and professionalism.
Meeting with the President of India
Members of the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis,
International Council of Ophthalmology and the Council’s
Advisory Committee met with the President of India,
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, in New Delhi on January 15,
2003. Arranged by Prof. Gullapalli N. Rao, the meeting
at the President’s official residence, formerly
the Palace of the Viceroy, provided an ideal opportunity
to discuss the prevention of blindness. Dr. Gottfried
O. H. Naumann, President of the ICO, Dr. Hannah Faal,
President of the International Agency for the Prevention
of Blindness and Prof. Koichi Shimizu, President of
the AOI, responded extensively to the President’s
questions on this critical topic. International ophthalmology
was addressed by Dr. Serge Resnikoff, World Health Organization,
and Dr. Akef El Maghraby, Pan Arab Council of Ophthalmology.
The President’s questions regarding stem cell
research were addressed by Prof. Bradley R. Straatsma,
Prof. Bruce E. Spivey and Prof. Gullapalli N. Rao. Prof.
Rao noted the use of corneal stem cells in the management
of ocular surface disease at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute,
Hyderabad.
The cordial meeting with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
concluded with tea and refreshments at the magnificent
Presidential Residence.
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| Meeting
with India’s President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
on January 15, 2003. President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
(second from left) met with (left to right) AOI
President Koichi Shimizu, ICO President Gottfried
O. H. Naumann, IAPB President Hannah Faal and members
of the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis,
International Council of Ophthalmology and the Council’s
Advisory Committee at the official residence of
the President in New Delhi, India. |
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Prof.
and Mrs. Maurice Luntz outside the Presidential
Palace in New Delhi. |
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XXIX International Congress
of Ophthalmology – Sydney, Australia - April 2002
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| Prof.
Maxwell R. Bennett presenting the AOI Oration |
The Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis met in Sydney,
Australia, in collaboration with the XXIX International
Congress of Ophthalmology, which assembled April 21-25.
This was the first time an ICO meeting was held in the
Southern Hemisphere and many world leaders in ophthalmology
were among the more than 500 invited speakers.
On April 21, 2002, the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis
held its Business Meeting and a Special Scientific Session
for AOI members and guests. Highlights of the Special
Scientific Session were the Academia Ophthalmologica
Internationalis Oration by Prof. Maxwell R. Bennett
of Sydney who discussed how the brain functions; and
Inaugural Academician Lectures by Prof. Morton F. Goldberg,
United States; Prof. Pran Nagpal, India; and Prof. Hugh
R. Taylor, Australia. These lectures covered scientific
topics as well as community health care issues.
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Officers
present Academia Certificates, Medals and Pins to
Prof. Morton Goldberg of the United States,
Prof. Pran Nagpal of India and Prof. Hugh Taylor
of Australia.
Left to right: Profs. Coscas, Goldberg, Straatsma,
Shimizu and Brancato. |
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| Left to
right: Profs. Coscas. Nagpal and Straatsma |
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Left to
right: Profs. Straatsma, Taylor and Coscas |
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Prof. Bradley
Straatsma, AOI President 1998-2002, Prof. Gabriel
Coscas, and Prof. Frank Billson (far right) present
the traditional AOI silver plate to
Prof. Koichi Shimizu. |
Featured as part of the Congress was the AOI Symposium
"The Choroid and Related Macular Disease," co-chaired
by Prof. Koichi Shimizu, Prof. Gabriel J. Coscas and Prof.
Bradley R. Straatsma. The Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis
Lecture on "Pulseless Disease" was delivered
by Prof. Koichi Shimizu, Japan. An award of the traditional
Academia silver plate was presented to Prof. Shimizu.
Our Australian hosts went to great lengths to extend
their warm and generous hospitality to the Academia
and its members. Following our business meeting and
scientific session, a delightful lunch was provided
for Academicians and their guests. The Opening Ceremony
of the International Congress was a spectacular event
in every way and was followed by a gala reception.
Dr. and Mrs. Frank Martin’s home was the venue
for attending Academicians and their guests at a lovely
tented reception and dinner. Dr. Martin served as Secretary
General for the Congress. Still another dinner evening
was hosted by the Australian Ophthalmological Society
and included all Academicians and their guests. Special
entertainment included a rouse to befuddle the diners.
All who attended this wonderful meeting in Sydney left
for home with fond memories of one of the world’s
most beautiful cities and with their hearts warmed by
Australian and New Zealand graciousness.
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| Left
to right: Host Frank Martin, MD in his home with
Professors Malbran and Spivey |
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Left
to right: Profs. Naumann, Smith and Watson |
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Prof. Anthony Murray and wife,
Fiona Murray |
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| Prof.
Koichi Shimizu |
Message from the President of
AOI
By Koichi Shimizu, M.D.
The year 2003 has been an eventful one for the Academia.
It started with its Annual Meeting in January in New
Delhi. The All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS)
served as gracious host for the Academia and the International
Council of Ophthalmology (ICO).
Three new Members were elected during the Annual Meeting.
They are Drs. Hilel Lewis (Cleveland, USA), Zbigniew
Zagórski (Lublin, Poland), and Ildikó
Süveges (Budapest, Hungary).
A half-day Academia Symposium, organized by Prof. Paul
Lichter, was held during the AIOS Congress. It was a
great success.
The Academia Symposium has become a tradition since
it was started by Brad Straatsma, our former President.
It is to be held during congresses of supranational
and sometimes national ophthalmological Societies. It
purports to contribute to the hosting organization by
lectures of a scientific or educational nature. As a
byproduct, it is expected to make the Academia better
known among ophthalmologists around the world.
Another Academia Symposium was held in March during
the Congress of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
in Puerto Rico. It was again organized by Paul Lichter,
our Secretary-General.
We lost an esteemed Member, Professor H-J. Merte, who
passed away on April 13, 2003. He was a Charter Member
of the Academia and occupied Chair XXV. His clinical
and academic career was an illustrious one and was mainly
based in Munich, Germany. Requiescat in pace.
Gabriel Coscas, our First Vice-President, organized
an Academia Symposium in June, during the 14th Congress
of the European Society of Ophthalmology in Madrid.
Diabetic retinopathy was its main topic. It was well
attended and was one of the highlights of the Congress.
The next Annual Meeting of the Academia will be held
in November 2004 in New Orleans, USA.
You will remember that the year 2020 is the target
for Project 2020, which aims at eliminating preventable
or treatable blindness from the world. This theme will
be one of the central topics to be discussed when we
meet in New Orleans. Please try to formulate your ideas
about what we can do to promote the Project.
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Bradley R. Straatsma, M.D.,
J.D.: Ophthalmology Visionary
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| Prof. Bradley
Straatsma |
For more than forty years, Professor. Bradley R. Straatsma
has contributed significantly to the field of ophthalmology,
both in the United States and around the world. Prof.
Straatsma’s involvement with ophthalmology began
with his residency training at Columbia University College
of Physicians and Surgeons and the Institute of Ophthalmology
at Presbyterian Hospital in New York. Fellowship training
at the National Institute of Neurologic Diseases and Blindness
and the Wilmer Ophthalmologic Institute followed, culminating
in his position as full-time Chief of the Division of
Ophthalmology at UCLA School of Medicine in 1959.
Within two years of his arrival, Prof. Straatsma laid
out his grand vision for an institute devoted to ophthalmology
at UCLA. He then convinced Dr. Jules Stein, head of
Music Corporation of America, to pledge financial support
for construction of the Jules Stein Eye Institute. From
completion of the Institute’s original facility
in 1966 until he stepped down as its Director in 1994,
Prof. Straatsma guided the Institute’s growth
and achievements to its current recognition as one of
the top ophthalmology facilities in the United States.
When completion of the Doris Stein Eye Research Center
increased Ophthalmology’s dedicated space at UCLA
to more than 175,000 square feet in 1989, their research
flourished. A recent poll of U.S. ophthalmology department
chairs and residency program directors voted the Jules
Stein Eye Institute one of the country’s top two
institutions for ophthalmic research.
But these were only part of Prof. Straatsma’s
many accomplishments at UCLA during this period. In
1968, Prof. Straatsma was appointed the first Chair
of Ophthalmology when it became a separate department
at UCLA and he also maintained a clinical practice specializing
in ocular oncology. In 1985, Prof. Straatsma created
a Division of Comprehensive Ophthalmology to broaden
his Department’s activities beyond tertiary care.
He also supervised the training of ophthalmology residents
in the technique of cataract extraction and intraocular
lens implantation. Through collaboration with other
members of the Jules Stein Eye Institute, Prof. Straatsma
continued his involvement in research and he helped
to organize the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study
(COMS) funded by NIH.
Other institutions and ophthalmologic organizations
have benefited from Prof. Straatsma’s leadership
and vision. He has directed many major national medical,
academic, and educational entities in ophthalmology:
President of the Association of University Professors
of Ophthalmology (AUPO); Secretary of the Ophthalmologic
Section Council of the American Medical Association
(AMA); President of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
and Otolaryngology; Chairman of the American Board of
Ophthalmology, President of the American Ophthalmologic
Society (AOS); Chairman of EyeCare America; and Chairman
of the Board of Directors of the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation.
Prof. Straatsma has also shared his broad experience
and knowledge with a wide audience of ophthalmologists
through his delivery of many keynote addresses as well
as more than 35 named lectures including the Jackson
Memorial Lecture in 1973.
Prof. Straatsma’s leadership talents have stretched
beyond U.S. borders through his positions as President
of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology and
of the Barraquer Institute in Barcelona. As a member
of the International Council of Ophthalmology, Prof.
Straatsma played a leadership role in writing the international
strategic plan Vision for the Future published
in 2001, and in establishing the Foundation of the ICO.
Prof. Straatsma has been honored with many awards for
his tireless service and enormous contributions. In
1992 he received the Howe Medal of the American Ophthalmological
Society. The International Council of Ophthalmology
recognized his international service and ophthalmic
work of high scientific quality with the Jules Francois
Golden Medal in 2002. He received an Honorary Doctor
of Sciences degree from Columbia University and more
than 30 medals and other special awards from ophthalmologic
societies throughout the world.
Amazingly, in addition to all of these activities,
for the past decade Prof. Straatsma served as Editor-in-Chief
of the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Prof. Straatsma
substantially improved the quality of both the content
and appearance of the print version of AJO and then
extended its readership reach to the world via an interactive
Web site. Electronic “virtual meetings”
are now in development at the AJO, a concept strongly
supported by Prof. Straatsma during his tenure.
As the most recent Past-President of Academia Ophthalmologica
Internationalis, Prof. Straatsma was instrumental in
guiding the organization to enlarge its membership,
to formalize the membership nomination process, to develop
an AOI Web site, and to regularly publish a newsletter
and an updated membership directory.
The officers, on behalf of the AOI membership, congratulate
Prof. Straatsma and thank him for his years of service
to the Academia.
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Prof. Hilel Lewis Elected to
the AOI
By Bradley R. Straatsma, M.D., J.D.
Prof. Hilel Lewis was elected to Chair XLII in the
Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis on January
15, 2003. Professor and Chairman of the Division of
Ophthalmology and Director of the Cole Eye Institute
of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Dr. Lewis was born
in Mexico City, Mexico. He received his M.D. degree
from La Salle University, National Autonomous University
of Mexico, and also received the Presidential Award
as the Outstanding Medical Student in Mexico. After
relocating to the United States, Dr. Lewis completed
a fellowship in ophthalmic pathology at the Jules Stein
Eye Institute and an ophthalmology residency at the
Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine.
Post residency fellowships in vitreoretinal disease
and surgery were completed at the University of Wisconsin
and Johns Hopkins University before Dr. Lewis returned
to the faculty of the Department of Ophthalmology at
the Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine.
He advanced to Associate Professor and Charles Kenneth
Feldman Scholar at UCLA before accepting his present
position at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 1993.
Under his leadership, the Cole Eye Institute was founded
and has become recognized as a leading institution of
ophthalmic research, education and patient care. Dr.
Lewis has demonstrated innovation in laboratory and
clinical investigations, and his research related to
diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, proliferative
vitreoretinopathy and macular hole have had a favorable
impact on clinical management.
Dr. Lewis is a member of the Pan-American Association
of Ophthalmology Board of Directors, a member of the
Ronald G. Michels Fellowship Foundation Board of Directors,
and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the
International Symposium on Experimental and Clinical
Ocular Pharmacology. He is a member of the Editorial
Board for 12 ophthalmology publications and Executive
Editor of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Lewis and his wife, Miriam Lewis, bring honor and
distinction to the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis.
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Prof. Ildikó Süveges
Elected to the AOI
By Bradley R. Straatsma, M.D., J.D.
Prof. Ildikó Süveges was elected to Chair
LVII in the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis
on January 15, 2003. Born in Debrecen, Hungary, Dr.
Süveges received her M.D. degree from the Medical
School of Debrecen and the Specialist in Ophthalmology
Diploma from the same School of Medicine after residency
training. She served as a staff physician and senior
lecturer in the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical
School of Debrecen, received her Ph.D. degree for studies
on corneal dystrophies and earned the D.Sc. degree of
the Hungarian Academy of Sciences for research on progressive
corneal ectasia. These credentials led to her appointment
in 1984 as Professor and Director of the Department
of Ophthalmology Szent-Györgyi Medical School,
Szeged. In 1992, she was appointed to her present position
as Professor and Director of the 1st Department of Ophthalmology,
Semmelweis Medical School, Budapest. Her scientific
work has been reported in 150 books and publications
in several languages. She has served as President of
the Editorial Board of the Journal of the Hungarian
Ophthalmological Society and as a Member of the Editorial
Board of the Journal of the Association of Hungarian
Medical Societies and Acta Chirurgica Hungarica. Among
her many recognitions, Dr. Süveges has served as
President of the Hungarian Ophthalmological Society
and President of the 1997 Congress of the European Ophthalmological
Society in Budapest.
Dr. Süveges and her husband, Dr. Lászlo
Modis, Jr., bring honor and distinction to the Academia
Ophthalmologica Internationalis.
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Prof. Zbigniew Zagórski
Elected to the AOI
By Bradley R. Straatsma, M.D., J.D.
Prof. Zbigniew Zagórski was elected to Chair
XLVIII in the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis
on January 15, 2003. Born in Warsaw, Poland, Dr. Zagórski
received the Diploma of Physician from the Lublin University
School of Medicine and completed an ophthalmology residency
at the same institution. As a staff ophthalmologist
at Lublin Medical University, Dr. Zagórski received
the M.D. degree in recognition of his experimental studies
of cultured corneal epithelium and endothelium at low
temperatures. Continuing as a staff ophthalmologist,
he was awarded a Belgium Government Fellowship in the
Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Ghent,
Belgium, and an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship
in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University
of Erlangen-Nurmberg, Germany. In 1991, he was elected
to his present position as Professor and Chairman of
the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lublin
School of Medicine and holder of the Tadeusz Krwawicz
Chair of Ophthalmology. As Chairman, Dr. Zagórski
continued his research on the cornea and keratoplasty,
established the first eye bank in Poland and organized
extensive teaching and training programs in ophthalmic
surgery that featured collaborations with medical institutions
throughout Eastern Europe. Among professional positions,
Dr. Zagórski is Executive Officer of the Tadeusz
Krwawicz Foundation, a member of the Executive Board
of the Polish Ophthalmological Society, an elected member
of the European Ophthalmic Pathology Society, and an
elected member of the International Council of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Zagórski and his wife, Dr. Urszula Zagórski,
bring honor and distinction to the Academia Ophthalmologica
Internationalis.
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Nomination of Members –
Process Revised
At its October 2002 meeting in Orlando, Florida, the
AOI Nominating Committee proposed a number of revisions
to the Academia’s process of nominating new members.
The Committee agreed that admission criteria should
include academic achievement coupled with consideration
to geographic distribution of the current membership
and non-academic service (e.g., prevention of blindness
activities).
Each member of the Academia will now be allowed to
propose one new member each year as a sponsor, and to
co-sponsor one candidate proposed by another Academician.
To eliminate long lists of sponsors and co-sponsors
and multiple letters of support, there will now only
be one sponsor and one co-sponsor for each candidate.
At the annual meeting of AOI, approved candidates will
be voted upon for membership, with the number of Chairs
to be filled dependant, in part, upon the proportional
number of voting members present at the meeting.
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AOI and ICO Officers Meet in
Anaheim, California, USA – November, 2003
AOI Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the Academia met on November
17, 2003 at the Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim,
California during the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Annual Meeting.
Plans for AOI Symposia during multi-national meetings
were discussed. Prof. Ohno from Japan was an invited
speaker and Profs. Naumann and Shimizu represented AOI
at the Asia-Pacific Congress of Ophthalmology in late
November of this year. Prof. Coscas will plan the AOI
Symposium during the Afro-Asian Congress of Ophthalmology
in Istanbul, Turkey to take place in June of 2004. Although
no AOI Symposium is planned, several Academicians will
attend the 100th anniversary celebration of the Hungarian
Ophthalmological Society in Budapest, also to be held
next June.
President Shimizu reported to the Executive Committee
that three members have requested Emeritus status in
AOI. They are: Prof. Alan Bird (University College,
London, England – Chair X), Prof. Robert Machemer
(Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA –
Chair XXII), and Prof. Yves Pouliquen (University of
Paris, France – Chair XX). Their active participation
will be missed.
Prof. Shimizu also asked the Executive Committee to
consider contributing $1,000-$2,000 annually for resumption
of publication of the ophthalmologic historical journal
begun by Prof. Jules Francois. A Belgian publisher is
willing to resume publication of the journal, out of
circulation since 1980 due to lack of funds, if financial
support can be obtained. The full AOI membership will
be asked to vote on this issue at the next AOI meeting
to be held on October 23, 2004 in New Orleans, Louisiana,
USA.
Second Vice-President Prof. Rosario Brancato discussed
plans for the AOI meeting in May 2005 which will be
held in conjunction with the Italian Ophthalmological
Society meeting in Florence, Italy, at the Palazzo de
Congressi, a part of the Fortezza da Basso. Prof. Brancato
has kindly offered to explore hotel possibilities for
Academician attendees.
Secretary-General Prof. Paul Lichter reported that
the 2003-2004 AOI Member Directory was recently published
and distributed to all AOI members. Members may request
an additional copy from Prof. Lichter at the W. K. Kellogg
Eye Center, 1000 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
or via e-mail at plichter@umich.edu.
Prof. Juan Verdaguer submitted his Treasurer’s
report and it was presented by Prof. Lichter. The AOI
remains fiscally sound. Members are urged to remit their
annual dues promptly when requested.
Joint AOI / ICO Meeting
The Officers of the International Council of Ophthalmology
met jointly with the AOI Executive Committee on November
17. It was agreed that AOI and ICO would schedule future
meetings on the same dates at common venues (please
consult the following list for meetings scheduled from
2004 through 2010). Since attendees agreed strongly
that this first joint Executive meeting was very beneficial,
similar joint meetings will be planned in conjunction
with future annual meetings of the two organizations
to maintain a consistent level of coordination and communication.
There was also general agreement that AOI and ICO will
jointly promote each other’s programs and distribute
to members of both organizations, publications of either
organization that may be of mutual interest. Academia
newsletters can be found at the AOI Web site: www.acad-ophthal-int.org
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Future AOI Meetings
| Year |
Date |
Location |
Country |
| 2004 |
October 23 |
New Orleans, Louisiana |
USA |
| 2005 |
May 11 |
Florence |
Italy |
| 2006 |
February 20 |
Sao Paulo |
Brazil |
| 2007 |
TBD |
Cape Town |
South Africa |
| 2008 |
June 29 |
Hong Kong |
China |
| 2009 |
TBD |
TBD |
USA |
| 2010 |
June 5 |
Berlin |
Germany |
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