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| Winter 2001- 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
85TH ANNIVERSARY AWARDS CELEBRATIONT he 85th Anniversary Celebration of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness was held on Wednesday, October 17, 2001, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown, with over 200 people in attendance.SENIOR FOCUS was the central theme of the event; and, in keeping with the theme, each attendee received ISPB’s latest publication entitled Our Eyes and Vision Loss / Resource Booklet.
SYMPOSIUMThe afternoon began with a “State-of-the-Art” Symposium, moderated by Charles M. Vygantas, M.D., Vice President of ISPB and noted retinal specialist. Presentations were given by Thomas A. Deutsch, M.D., Chair of the Dept. of Ophthalmology, Rush College of Medicine on “Ophthalmology and Education at Rush College of Medicine”;
Rick Ahuja, M.D., Cook County Hospital on “Variety of Research Programs — TB Management in Eye Disease/Causes of Blindness in Urban Population”; J. Terry Ernest, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Dept. of Ophthalmology, The University of Chicago Medical School on “Retinal Transplantation”; Robert S. Feder, M.D., Northwestern University Medical School on “Research Overview at Northwestern University”; Walter M. Jay, M.D., Chair of the Dept. of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Medical Center on “Advances in Multiple Sclerosis”; and Jacob T. Wilensky, M.D., The University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School on “Research Overview at UIC.” Following the Symposium, presenters and guests gathered in the Grand Ballroom for the Reception, Silent Auction and Dinner/Evening Program. The highly successful Silent Auction included almost 100 donated items, ranging from dinners and theatre tickets to sports memorabilia and items for children. Proceeds from the event — including outside donations earmarked for the celebration — will help to expand the Society’s programs, with special emphasis on SENIOR FOCUS. EVENING PROGRAM
Beverly Susler Parkhurst, ISPB board member and Development Chair introduced the Master of Ceremonies Joel H. Daly of WLS-TV – Eyewitness News. ISPB President David M. Webster introduced and presented a plaque in appreciation to Charles M. Vygantas, M.D., ISPB Vice President and Honorary Chairperson of the event. The plaque acknowledged Dr. Vygantas’ interest and support of the ISPB by being a member of its board, by serving as chair of its Professional Committee and by spearheading the ISPB’s newest education program, Macular Degeneration Connection — Illinois. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS The ISPB Board of Directors took great pride during the program in acknowledging the recipients of the prestigious Derrick Vail, M.D., Memorial Award, the first ISPB President’s Award and the Program Leadership Awards as listed below: THE DERRICK VAIL, M.D., MEMORIAL AWARD Every five years the Derrick Vail, M.D., Memorial Award is given in the name of the late Derrick Tilton Vail, M.D. (1898-1973). Dr. Vail was vice president and a member of the board of directors of the ISPB from 1944 until 1972. He served as director emeritus until his death in April of 1973. Dr. Vail was editor- in-chief of the American Journal of Ophthalmology for twenty-five years and was internationally known for his work. The two recipients of the prestigious Derrick Vail Award for 2001 were: William E. Deutsch, M.D. and Newton K. Wesley, O.D. William E. Deutsch, M.D., is currently Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush Medical College and Chairman Emeritus at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology and is recognized for his outstanding contribution to eye care during a career spanning more than 50 years. He is also Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at The University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Deutsch has received numerous awards for his medical achievements, including the Illinois Association of Ophthalmology Presidential Award and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Council Award. Newton K. Wesley, O.D., a pioneer in the field of optometry, is well-known for inventing the first commercially successful contact lens and founding Wesley Jessen Corporation with his former student, George Jessen, O.D. Dr. Wesley is proud of the number of people he has been able to help over the years, especially in the treatment of keratoconus. Dr. Wesley remains chairman of the board of the National Eye Research Foundation, which he founded in 1955 and serves as an honorary member of the board of trustees at Pacific University, College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. PRESIDENT’S AWARD David M. Webster, ISPB President and Terry G. Hillard, Superintendent of Police of the City of Chicago presented the first recipient of this newly established ISPB award for vision and community leadership to Phyllis Apelbaum. She is founder and president of Arrow Messenger Service, Inc., the largest woman-owned messenger service in the Chicago area. Ms. Apelbaum recently receiving the Messenger Courier Association of America’s Distinguished Service Award and she is co-founder of the Messenger Service of Illinois. In 1996, Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed her to the City of Chicago Police Board, where she continues to serve. PROGRAM LEADERSHIP AWARD James A. McKechnie, Jr., ISPB Executive Director was pleased to honor and present the Program Leadership Awards to Captain George K. Michehl of the Glenview Fire Department and Fire Chief Daniel R. Georgevich of the Calumet City Fire Department. These awards acknowledged their exemplary work in educating the public on the dangers of fireworks and the importance of fireworks safety.
The Visionary , published as a service of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness,is available upon request. The information contained in this issue, taken from sources considered to be accurate, does not replace the need for professional eye care consultations and treatments.
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