American Academy of Ophthalmology
FALLS CHURCH, VA – The American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) will present military ophthalmologists with the Distinguished Service Award for their ongoing notable service and contributions to vision care. “It is my distinct honor to accept this award on behalf of all ophthalmologists who have proudly served in our military,” said Col. Donald Gagliano, MC, USA, director of the newly established Vision Center of Excellence. “Military ophthalmologists understand the importance of war-related eye injuries and are committed to improving the quality of care for our wounded warriors, who deserve the very best for the sacrifices they have made for our nation.”
In cooperation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense is leading the way in providing the best possible surgical and rehabilitative eye care available to military personnel. The Vision Center of Excellence will track serious eye injuries and eye diseases, update clinical progress in a timely and accessible manner, and jointly arrange and collaborate on vision research studies. It is charged specifically to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat and rehabilitate military eye injuries.
“This year’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes all military ophthalmologists, past and present, for their persistent dedication to serving the eye care needs of active duty, dependents and retirees.” said Michael Brennan, MD, president of the Academy and himself a former military ophthalmologist. “I know the commitment to excellence in eye care that these physicians bring to our profession and we are proud to honor them for their dedication, at home and abroad.”
The award will be presented on Oct. 25 at the Academy’s 2009 Joint Meeting held in San Francisco.
For more information, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology at www.aao.org
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About the MHS
America's Military Health System is a unique partnership of medical educators, medical researchers, and health care providers and their support personnel worldwide. This DoD enterprise consists of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; the medical departments of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Combatant Command surgeons; and TRICARE providers (including private sector health care providers, hospitals and pharmacies).
About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons — Eye M.D.s — with more than 27,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases, infections and injuries, and perform eye surgery.
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