Wolfe Foundation Lecture Brings World-Class Instructors to Iowa
April 22, 2002
Permanent Endowment for Annual Lecture Established
Dr. Davis Chang, professor of ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco, was the keynote Wolfe Lecturer at the 31st annual Wolfe Foundation Lecture. This year�s conference, attended by ophthalmologists from throughout Iowa, was held April 19 and 20 at the Des Moines Marriott.
Since 1969 the Wolfe Foundation Lecture has been a part of the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology Annual Clinical Conference. This year's event was organized in conjunction with the Iowa Medical Society and the Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology.
"For more than 30 years the Wolfe Lecture has attracted outstanding ophthalmologists to Iowa from throughout North America and Europe," said Dr. Russell Watt, president of the Wolfe Foundation. "In this manner, Iowa ophthalmologists, both practicing and academic, have an opportunity to learn about the latest advances in medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment from the leaders in the profession. In return, the speakers have an opportunity to observe the high quality of eye care currently available to Iowans."
The Wolfe Clinic is a private association of ophthalmologists and otolaryngologists founded by Dr. Otis R. Wolfe in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1919. Dr. Wolfe established the Wolfe Foundation in 1936 for two purposes: to provide charitable eye care to the needy and to support ophthalmic research and education.
To help fulfill the second purpose, Otis D. Wolfe (the son of Otis R. Wolfe) instituted the Wolfe Lectures in 1969. Funds provided by the Wolfe Foundation are used to invite distinguished ophthalmologists and scientists from around the world to participate in the teaching program of the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology. This year, a permanent endowment was established to ensure availability of funds for future lectures.
Otis D. Wolfe retired from active practice in 1993. Dr. Russell H. Watt, of the Wolfe Clinic now directs the Wolfe Foundation. To fulfill the vision established by Otis R. Wolfe, the Foundation continues to support programs including:
Donating physician surgical time and paying medical expenses for Iowans in need.
Purchasing and donating surgical equipment to hospitals throughout Iowa.
Supporting medical mission trips to under-developed regions of the world
Supporting the programs of other sight-saving non-profit organizations
Sponsoring public education programs to increase awareness of sight-threatening diseases.
In business since 1919, Wolfe Clinic is a recognized regional diagnostic and surgical center offering the broadest range of professional care in the specialties of ophthalmology and otolaryngology. With over 32 locations throughout Iowa, including Marshalltown, Ames, Fort Dodge, West Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, Wolfe Clinic provides expert eye care and convenience to all Iowans.
For more information on the treatment of glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, laser vision correction, and other ocular diseases, please call 1-800-542-7956. Visit Wolfe Clinic online at www.wolfeclinic.com.
Editor's Note:
Dr. Chang graduated Summa cum Laude from Harvard College and received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of California, San Francisco in 1984, where he is now a clinical professor of ophthalmology. Dr. Chang is serving his fifth year as a cataract subspecialist on the annual meeting program committee for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). He is the Cataract-IOL editor for the Ocular Surgery News online cyber text. Dr. Chang was voted cataract speaker of the day at the 2001 and 2002 Royal Hawaiian Eye Meetings. Of 450 instruction courses, his phaco chop course had the highest attendance at the last annual meeting of the AAO; his complication course was the third most attended course. Dr. Chang will be the program co-chairman for the Spotlight on Cataracts program at the 2002 annual meeting for the AAO.
Dr. Russell H. Watt, received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago in 1953. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Hines Veterans Administration Hospital in 1958. Before joining the Wolfe Clinic in 1959, he served as a medical officer in the United States Air Force. Dr. Watt retired from Wolfe Clinic in 2000, after serving the eye care needs of Iowans for more than 40 years.