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Sight-Saving Mission in Indonesia

The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital recently visited Surabaya, Indonesia, to provide sight-saving surgeries and to enhance the training of local eye care professionals. Among the surgeons and medical staff who volunteered for this mission was James C. Fleming, MD, FACS, the Philip M. Lewis Professor and vice-chair of Ophthalmology at HEI. Dr. Fleming worked together with other surgeons who performed many sight-saving surgeries in local hospitals as well as on the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital airplane. It was a very rewarding experience, and Dr. Fleming was extremely gratified to participate in this outstanding program. We are truly grateful to FedEx for their participation and their continued technical support of the ORBIS DC-10/Flying Eye Hospital.

Mid-South Lions Leaders Weekend

The recent Mid-South Lions Leaders Weekend at the Hamilton Eye Institute was a roaring success. This annual event, organized by Mid-South Lions CEO, Brad Baker, is open to anyone who wants to learn about the Midsouth Lions Sight and Hearing Service.

The day began in the HEI Freeman Auditorium with stimulating lectures about the latest developments in eye-care technology by Drs. Edward Chaum and Margaret E. Phillips. Next, attendees were treated to an exciting demonstration of the HEI's new 3-D surgical video system. Finally, volunteer members of our faculty and staff, Ed Richter and Drs. Kanner, Iannaccone, Mills, Calderwood and Swaminathan, led over a hundred Lion visitors through our specialty clinics, research floor, and surgery and skills transfer centers. 

We enjoyed the opportunity to exhibit the Hamilton Eye lnstitute's facilities and programs for the Mid-South Lions leadership, members and supporters. We treasure our collaboration with the Lions in our shared mission to fight blindness.

Eleventh Ridley Distinguished Visiting Professorship

Thursday, April 26, 2012, the Hamilton Eye Institute hosted the 11th annual Sir Harold Ridley Distinguished Visiting Professorship for Creativity and Innovation in Medicine and Ophthalmology, an annual, black-tie event at the HEI Freeman Auditorium. This year, the Ridley Lecture was delivered by Steve Charles, MD, FACS, founding director of the Charles Retina Institute and clinical professor of ophthalmology at UTHSC. His outstanding lecture on the revolutionary and evolutionary aspects of of surgical technology was enjoyed by all in attendance, as well as a worldwide audience who watched the event via live webcast. If you would like to view the recorded webcast or photos from the event, please click the link below.

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Recently, Sarwat Salim, MD, FACS, associate professor of ophthalmology and HEI Glaucoma Service director, and Sandra Belalcázar Rey, MD, assistant instructor of ophthalmology at University of Rosario in Bogota, Colombia, conducted a symposium at the 19th Regional Colombian Ophthalmology Society Meeting in Cartagena, Colombia. This multidisciplinary symposium, “Meeting the Challenges of Education, Career, and Leadership in Our Multicultural Society,” was part of an ongoing collaborative dialogue between the Colombian Ophthalmological Society and American Academy of Ophthalmology. It addressed a wide spectrum of issues relevant to most ophthalmologists, including education, career paths, leadership, public service, professional advocacy, and international partnership. Dr. Salim is grateful to Dr. Michael Brennan, past president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, for his guidance and support for this educational program and its overall success.