Honoring Dr. Paul Steinkuller

On Sunday, October 23, the International Eye Foundation honored Dr. Paul Steinkuller of Houston with its 2011 Promotion of Peace and Vision Award for an ophthalmologist. IEF President & CEO Victoria Sheffield presented the Award assisted by Dr. Larry Schwab, a past recipient and IEF Board member. The presentation was made during a reception held during the 2011 American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in Orlando.

Dr. Steinkuller received the Award in recognition of his over three decades commitment to international blindness prevention. In the 1980s, he and his family worked in Kenya on behalf of IEF. His life work is testament to his dedication to the ideals of Dr. King's vision of "...the promotion of peace through the prevention of blindness."

Pictured above (L to R): Dr. Paul Steinkuller, Victoria Sheffield, Dr. Schwab

Sipping Wine at the Pearl to Save Sight

Last Sunday, June 5, a crowd of 35 gathered on the outside deck of the Cultured Pearl Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to enjoy some fine wines and fantastic hors d'oeuvres. Sipping and noshing were the order of the day, yet it was all to benefit the IEF and its sight saving work.

The wines, carefully selected to complement the Cultured Pearl's outstanding hors d'oeuvres, were provided by Vintage Imports through Bin 66 Wine and Spirits. A great success, we hope to make this an annual event.

The IEF wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Rob Wood, Donna Welsh, and Nick of the Cultured Pearl, Paul Zientek of Vintage Imports, Tom Poor of Bin 66 Wine and Spirits, and Brent Mundt of CAMP Rehoboth.

Photos: Above L-R: Howard Pyle, Victoria Sheffield, Cathy Nowack, Calvin Baerveldt, Kathryn Leckey, William Madden and Kathleen Madden.

Right L-R: Brent Mundt, Victoria Sheffield, and Richard Legon.

2011 John Harry King Memorial Lecture - Professor Harry W. Flynn, Jr., MD

Prof. Harry W. Flynn, Jr., MD of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami presented the John Harry King Memorial Lecture today at the annual Walter Reed Army Medical Center ophthalmology meeting. Dr. Flynn, a distinguished retina surgeon, spoke specifically on endophthalmitiis, a devastating inflammatory infection that can follow severe injury to the eye; certainly a risk in severely injured military fighters. He has conducted major studies on endophthalmitis, its variations and treatments, and is an expert in this area.

Dr. Flynn served at the Brook Army Hospital in Texas in the 1970’s. In his comments, he expressed his great regard for the work of military ophthalmologists, the challenges they face, and the critical research they produce given their patient base. Dr. King would have been very proud of Dr. Flynn’s presentation given in his name and the tremendous work being carried on at Walter Reed. He would be just as proud of the work carried on by IEF today.

To honor IEF’s 50th anniversary, a certificate was presented to Dr. Flynn. Dr. Marcus Colyer at Walter Reed was pleased to have IEF present as it bridges the old Walter Reed now closing to the new Walter Reed being built at Fort Belvoir. The end of one era and the beginning of another. Interestingly, the lecture was established in 1986, the year of Dr. King’s death, so it’s 25 years on. Dr. King was Walter Reed’s very first ophthalmology resident in 1948. Serving in both the Pacific and European theaters in World War II, Dr. King ended his Army career as Chief of Ophthalmology at Walter Reed in 1955. He was the personal ophthalmologist to Presidents Truman and Eisenhower. Pictured to right is a photo of framed spectacles belonging to Presidents Truman (12K gold plated trifocals) and Eisenhower (gas mask glasses) presented to IEF by the late Suzanne King Clark and Susan Eisenhower in 1997. IEF hopes that when the new Walter Reed Army Hospital is completed, the John Harry King Memorial Lecture will continue.

The Lecture and presentation served as a powerful way of honoring Dr. King, his contribution to military ophthalmology, eye banking, and his contribution to international ophthalmology through the International Eye Foundation.

Photo at top: Dr. Flynn on the left followed at right by Dr. Paul Gavaris, Victoria M. Sheffield, and Dr. Howard Cupples. Drs. Gavaris and Cupples represented the IEF Board.

Photo at bottom L-R: Thomas H. Price, III, Suzanne King Clark, Susan Eisenhower, Victoria M. Sheffield, Prof. R. Sagdeev (Mrs. Eisenhower’s husband)

IEF PRESIDENT HONORED FOR HER WORK IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BLINDNESS AND VISUAL DISABILITY

International Eye Foundation’s President

Victoria M. Sheffield

receives the

Prince Abdulaziz Ahmad Al Saud

International Prevention of Blindness Award

The prestigious Prevention of Blindness Award recognizes an outstanding individual who has made a substantial contribution to the Global fight against blindness and visual disability and helped to further MEACO's mission to unite and strengthen the relationship of ophthalmologists and ophthalmic societies in the Middle East and Africa.

The award was presented on October 17, 2010 at the opening session of the American Academy of Ophthalmogy (AAO) and the Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) joint meeting in Chicago.

Ms. Sheffield is seen receiving the award from the President of MEACO for whom the award is named - His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Ahmad Al-Saud of the Saudi Royal Family

Over a period of 38 years, Ms. Sheffield has worked across all regions of the world developing and executing eye care programs, providing training and conducting research. She is a leader in the sustainability approach to quality eye care in developing countries. A member of the AAO's Global Outreach Committee, Ms. Sheffield is the author of numerous scientific articles and presentations. She holds leadership positions in the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and the rank of Commander in The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. Ms. Sheffield has lived in five countries on four continents, has traveled to 98 countries and has professional experience in 41 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

The award recognizes Victoria’s significant contribution to the prevention of blindness and the restoration of sight in the developing world especially in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and Africa.

Tribute to Dr. Moses Chirambo, Malawi

Mrs. Ellen Chirambo and Family:

We were shocked and saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Prof. Moses Chirambo. He was a wonderful ophthalmologist, distinguished colleague, strong leader and great friend. As the first Malawian ophthalmologist, he has made a huge impact on Malawi, and his lasting legacy is the eye care service we see today, built from nearly nothing thanks to his leadership.

Moses and I watched each other get older and greyer and laughed about it when we met at international conferences around the world. We laughed when we realized we both colored our hair and I suddenly knew his secret of never seeming to change. I remember in the 1980’s when I was tired of hotel food, Moses took me home for lunch to your wonderful msima and stew. What a joy you all brought to my life!

The International Eye Foundation (IEF) first gave Moses a grant in 1975 to get his clinic started. Thus began IEF’s long history in Malawi. In 1980, IEF and the WHO co-sponsored a workshop on prevention of blindness at the Capital Hotel in Lilongwe. Moses’ leadership shone a light on Malawi and the SADC region even 30 years ago.

I remember when IEF started the OMA Training Program in 1980. And when there was no ophthalmologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre, Moses asked IEF to post ophthalmologists there which we did for 15 years until 1995. Drs. Larry Schwab, Paul Steinkuller, Baxter McLendon, Teferra Tizazu, Gabriella Bar, Paul Courtright and Susan Lewallen all lived and worked in Malawi for 3-4 years until a Malawian ophthalmologist could be trained and posted there. He knew he could not do it alone and he made plans for Malawi’s future in ophthalmology.

Over the last 20 years as IEF developed vitamin A/child survival programs in Chikwawa and Nsanje, and the onchocerciasis (river blindness) control program in the Thyolo Highlands, Moses pushed us forward because he knew how devastating these diseases were on Malawians, especially the children. In 2000 as we invested in sustainability programming and optical services at the eye hospitals in Lilongwe and Blantyre, Moses cleared the path because he understood the importance of reducing the eye hospitals’ dependence on outside support and strengthening their own capacity.

Moses’ election to Parliament and his service as Minister of Health are a testament to his dedication and love for Malawi. It’s hard to imagine Malawi without Moses. As one of our colleagues said, we have lost one of the founding fathers of African ophthalmology.

John Barrows, our Director of Programs and Ed Henderson, our Director of Finance and Administration as well as former IEFers lived in Malawi working with Peace Corps and other development NGOs. Malawi is strong in IEF’s history and Moses will always be part of our IEF family.

Moses was a mentor, friend to all, and someone who will be sorely missed. In fact, he was a national treasure. I know that Malawians will celebrate his life. Thank you Nyaka for sharing him with us all these years. Your sacrifice made his success possible.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and worldwide staff of the International Eye Foundation, I say God bless Prof. Chirambo and God bless you Ellen and your family.

Victoria M. Sheffield

President & CEO

Photo above: IEFers who have worked in Malawi with Dr. Chirambo. L to R: Dr. Paul Steinkuller, Dr. Susan Lewallen, Prof. Moses Chirambo, Dr. Shmuel Levine, Dr. Baxter McLendon, Ms. Victoria Sheffield, Dr .Larry Schwab, Mr. John Barrows.

IEF Recognizes Board Members for Service

The IEF recognized members for their dedicated service who are leaving the IEF Board after completing their second three-year term. Globe awards were presented to those attending the June 24 Annual Board of Directors meeting held at the offices of Nelson Mullins in Washington, DC.

In the photo above, (L photo) Victoria Sheffield (R) presents Globe award to outgoing Chair Nancyfaye Autenzio; (Center photo) Nancyfaye presents Globe to Dr. James Ganley, Immediate Past Chair; and Nancyfaye presents Globe to Frances Pierce, outgoing Treasurer. Also leaving the Board but not in attendance were Helen Clark Atkeson, Ambassador Guilllermo Castillo, Lawrence S. Clark, and Dr. Danuta Haciski.

IEF is deeply grateful to all those leaving the Board for their dedication and commitment.

Merck & Co., Inc. Honored for Saving Sight

The inaugural IEF Promotion of Peace & Vision Award to a Corporation was given to Merck & Co., Inc. by Victoria M. Sheffield, President & CEO of the International Eye Foundation. Merck received the award for its outstanding commitment to controlling and eliminating onchocerciasis (river blindness) worldwide. IEF has partnered with Merck since 1988 when Merck began donating the drug Mectizan® to control the parasites that cause river blindness.

"Through the MECTIZAN Donation Program, and the commitment of partners such as the International Eye Foundation, significant progress is being made to control and even eliminate river blindness around the world," said Michael Rabinowitz, Global Brand Leader of Ophthalmics, Merck & Co., Inc., who accepted the award on behalf of Merck. “More than 80 million people are now treated with MECTIZAN every year, a testament to Merck's commitment to putting patients first."

Photo: Victoria Sheffield presenting 2009 Corporate Promotion of Peace and Vision Award to Michael Rabinowitz

Malawi Celebrates 45th Anniversary

Her Excellency Hawa Ndilowe, Ambassador of Malawi to the USA, hosted a wonderful celebration last evening in Washington, DC to commemorate Malawi's "National Day". Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Mary Jo Wills, Acting Chief Executive of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Rodney Brent, and "Miss Malawi" Joyce Mphande who will represent Malawi in the Miss World competition joined some 300+ guests including representatives of embassies, NGOs, and corporations active in Africa. Ambassador Ndilowe, a member of IEF's Board of Directors, spoke about the significant progress being made in recent years, especially Malawi's 8% growth rate in GDP last year. "Investments in agriculture, health and education are moving Malawians out of poverty to prosperity". IEF congratulates Malawi on its 45th anniversary since independence noting that we have helped build Malawi's eye care services for 34 of those 45 years. Our recent blog posting noted that our colleague Dr. Moses Chirambo, a distinguished Malawian ophthalmologist, was elected to Parliament in May and appointed Minister of Health for Malawi.

Photo: IEF President Victoria Sheffield with Her Excellency Hawa Ndilowe