Images Magazine Spring 2013 - Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Philip J. Rosenfeld, M.D., Ph.D.In the neuro-ophthalmology service, Byron L. Lam, M.D., has studiedretinal degeneration and hereditary eye diseases in order to learn moreabout unexplained visual loss. “Neuro-ophthalmologists have learnednot to take anything for granted in the diagnosis process,” saidLam, founding director of Bascom Palmer’s Center for Hereditary EyeDseases.In 2006, Alfonso documented an increase in the incidence of anagressive form of fungal corneal infection that was related to softcontact lens use. Working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control,his findings drew extensive media attention throughout the world andsignificantly reduced the number of new infections.One of Puliafito’s priorities was expanding Bascom Palmer’s geographic reach in the SouthFlorida region. In 2004, Bascom Palmer opened patient care centers in Naples (Collier County) withStephen G. Schwartz, M.D., M.B.A., and Kendall E. Donaldson, M.D., M.S., joining the Insituteas medical directors of the centers, respectively, and faculty members in many specialties were hiredfor these facilities.In 2006, a permanent Bascom Palmer campus was developed in Palm Beach Gardens on landthat the Insitute had purchased in 1994. The 7.4 acre campus opened with a faculty that nowincludes glaucoma specialist, David S. Greenfield, M.D., and cornea and refractive specialistTerrence P. O’Brien, M.D..Not only did Bascom Palmer’s growth occur in the patient care venue, but dramatic expansionwas also taking place in its laboratories. New faculty members were hired and the Evelyn F. andWilliam L. McKnight Vision Research Center was remodeled to support their research activities.One new scientist was Valery I. Shestopalov, Ph.D., a molecular cell biologist whose researchfocuses on cataract lens development and bioinformatics as applied to glaucoma. He was one of 57U.S. researchers honored by President George W. Bush in 2004 with the Presidential Early CareerAwards for Scientists and Engineers.In 2008, Vittorio Porciatti, D.Sc., became vice chair and director of research at BascomPalmer. A neuroscientist, electrophysiologist and biophysicist, his research focuses on preventionof glaucoma. “In research, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has grown from half a dozen scientific2006Ribbon cuttingFlorida Governor-elect Charlie Crist, Universityof Miami President Donna Shalala, PascalGoldschmidt, M.D., dean of the University ofMiami Miller School of Medicine, and Puliafitocut the ribbon to dedicate Bascom Palmer EyeInstitute at Palm Beach Gardens.2006Community serviceGlaucoma specialist, Richard K. Lee,M.D., Ph.D., heads Bascom Palmer’svibrant community serviceprogram whichincludes visionscreenings forthe underserved.2007Vittorio Porciatti, D.Sc.,Neuroscientist, electrophysiologistand biophysicist, is named vicechair and director of research.18