Images Magazine Spring 2013 - Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

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Victor T. Curtin, M.D., Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., and Bascom Palmer Founder Edward W.D. Norton, M.D.For Norton, an excellent neuro-ophthalmologist and a master retinal surgeon, the opening in1962 of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, named in honor of Dr. Bascom Palmer, was the first step inthe long journey to global leadership in ophthalmology. Under Norton’s dynamic 33-year leadership,as well as the subsequent chairmen who followed him, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has becomeone of the world’s foremost academic medical centers for scientific discovery and clinical innovation.The Early YearsOne of the greatest challenges facing the young institute was the recruitment of outstandingfaculty. Norton was determined to attract the finest ophthalmologists in the country. In 1959, VictorT. Curtin, M.D., a vitreoretinal specialist and ocular pathologist, became the first faculty member1962BuildingdedicationOn January 21,university and civicleaders dedicateBascom PalmerEye Institute, a30,000-square-footbuilding with twofaculty members anda total staff of 12.1962Basic research beginsDuco Hamasaki, Ph.D.,becomes the first basicresearcher to join the faculty.1962J. Lawton Smith, M.D.,a neuro-ophthalmologistand extraordinaryeducator becomesthe third facultymember.6
featureto be recruited by Norton. Throughout their long professional relationship, Norton relied on Curtinto handle a variety of administrative projects, while Curtin also saw patients, interviewed residencycandidates, and maintained the department’s high standards.Along with his clinical and teaching responsibilities, Norton began to reach out to localorganizations and potential donors who could provide the needed funds for a stand-alone eyeclinic. He soon established a close relationship with the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, which setaside $200,000 in 1959 for construction. Norton and Curtin also became friends with leaders of theFlorida Lions Club, which led to the formation of the Florida Lions Eye Bank.The Institute OpensWith the support of these organizations, as well as private philanthropists, Bascom Palmer EyeInstitute opened its doors on January 21, 1962, as the first center in the southeast United Statesdevoted exclusively to the study and treatment of the eye. The new institute, located where BascomPalmer’s Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Vision Research Center now stands, had 26,000 squarefeet of space in its four floors.J. Lawton Smith, M.D., a neuro-ophthalmologist, joined the faculty in 1962, and focusedhis practice on diagnosing neurological disorders. Recognizing the need to improve physicians’understanding of complex symptoms, the following year, he hosted the nation’s first clinicalpostgraduate educational session devoted to neuro-ophthalmology. The annual scientific meetingcaught on at once and continued for more than 15 years. “Unlike most medical conferences wherepresenters give a lecture illustrated with slides, we had actual patients who could be examined byphysicians attending the course,” Smith said in a 2010 interview. “Our patients benefited by beingable to get multiple opinions on their ophthalmic conditions.”J. Donald M. Gass, M.D., became a faculty member in 1963 and began studying diseases ofthe macula. He soon became a pioneer in the emerging field of fluorescein angiography,a technique in which intravenously injected dye allows the blood vessels in the eye to bephotographed in great detail.Known as the “Father of Macular Diseases,” Gass conceptualized the way in which macularholes form, creating the foundation for surgery on a formerly untreatable condition. In his nearly40 years at Bascom Palmer, Gass revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of more than a dozen1965Children’s ClinicfoundedJohn T. Flynn, M.D.,establishesthe children’s clinic andcontinues research onretrolental fibroplasia,later known asretinopathy ofprematurity, a majorcause of blindness innewborns.1966J. Donald M. Gass,M.D.,pioneers the use ofintravenous fluoresceinangiography forthe diagnosis ofintraocular disease,including maculardegeneration. He laterdescribes and classifiesmany of the diseases ofthe macula.7
Page 1 and 2: ImagesBascom Palmer Eye Institute |
Page 3 and 4: contents50 Years of Discovery and I
Page 5 and 6: message from the chairmanDear Frien
Page 7: of discovery and innovationBascom P
Page 11 and 12: featureinvolving Bascom Palmer’sc
Page 13 and 14: featureresearch laboratory led by P
Page 15 and 16: In 1982, Bascom Palmer’s clinicia
Page 17 and 18: featureDiabetes Control and Complic
Page 19 and 20: featureHilda Capó, M.D.In early 20
Page 21 and 22: featureresearchers to more than 25
Page 23 and 24: featureIn 2006, Bascom Palmer Eye I
Page 25 and 26: Palmer Eye Institute. David T. Tse,
Page 27 and 28: experts with fellowship training in
Page 29 and 30: Victor Perez, M.D.One of the benefi
Page 31 and 32: RAQUEL GOLDHARDT, M.D.,joined Basco
Page 33 and 34: To schedulean appointmentwith a Bas
Page 35 and 36: FriendsMedical Forum and LuncheonSp
Page 37 and 38: Bascom Palmer supportersenjoy retro
Page 39: Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDMiam

Images Magazine Spring 2013 - Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

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